Citation

Taha AZ, Merghani OA. J. Community Health 1990; 15(4): 267-274.

Affiliation

Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2212096

Abstract

A survey of the health, social and economic problems of the village of A1 Awayda, in Gezira province, Sudan, by medical students, was conducted over 2 weeks as part of their field training research and rural development curriculum. A 40% random household survey was based on a pretested structured questionnaire. The village comprises 195 households of 1201 people, with 40% under 15. As a result of the Sennar Sugar Scheme begun in 1978, 58% of the population work in the sugar factory. Rain-fed crops have failed for the last 2 years because of drought, and subsistence acreage has contracted because of sorghum planting for sugar. Sanitation consists of latrines in 15% of houses. People are at risk of contracting schistosomiasis from crossing the irrigation canal to reach the well. The diet is based on the staple starch, dura in the form of kisra. Breast feeding is continued for 1-2 years, with 47% supplementation by bottle or kisra or rice water at an average of 7 months. The major health problems are malaria, schistosomiasis, cough and diarrhea. 54% of families were immunized. 11.5% of women used modern contraceptives. Non-users cited religion as a reason for non-use. Female circumcision is common. It was recommended that latrines be dug, and that health education, immunization, prenatal care and family planning be provided.

Language: en