Prof. Suad M. Sulaiman,
Tropical Medicine Research Institute
P.O.Box 1304, Khartoum 11111,
SUDAN ( [email protected])
EL RAHAD FIELD RESEARCH CENTRE
- CHALLENGING HEALTH PROBLEMS WESTERN SUDAN
SULAIMAN, S. M.
M.Sc. (LSHTM), Ph.D. ( U. of Khartoum)
Research Professor
1
2
3
- Area : 2.5 million sq. km.
( Administratively divided into 26 states).
- Population : 36,080,373 (2.79 % growth rate)
- Borders : 7 African & 2 Arab countries & Red Sea.
- Civil War(s) :
- North & South >35 yrs (1955–71 & 1983 – present )
- Nuba mountains
- Ethiopia / Eritrea - Uganda
- Economy :
Agriculture, farming & animal husbandry (main
income generating). Oil & gold were recently
extracted.
4
Research activities of TMRI are :
Epidemiology, diagnosis, immunology for
control of the tropical diseases prevalent in the
country ( i.e. malaria, schistosomiasis,
onchocerciasis, leishmaniasis, trypanosomiasis)
through applied field research, training and
capacity building in collaboration with the
national control programmes and academic
institutions.
5
KURDUFAN – Mid West Sudan
6
7
Health problems in West Sudan :
As there are no rivers in the western parts of Sudan,
people depend on rain water for domestic and
agricultural uses.
El Rahad town has a permanent man-made lake
(Turda) which stores rainwater for human, animal and
agricultural needs. Thus, the Turda became a source
of water-borne infections.
Health services in the area are minimal. Malaria,
urinary bilharziasis, giardiasis and other infections are
major health problems.
8
9
10
11
A project to study the effects of urinary
schistosomiasis on the nutritional status
of the school children was conducted in
El Rahad area of North Kordofan State
(West Sudan).
Project was initiated at TMRI with funding from
Danish Bilharziasis Laboratory (DBL/DANIDA)
(1995 – 97).
12
Results :
- Urinary schistosomiasis was a major
public health problem in the area
ranging from 20 – 75% .
- Malaria was an even more serious
problem, with a prevalence of 30-36 %
in school children during the rainy
seasons (1995 – 1997).
13
Studies continued (1997-99) :
-A controlled study to assess efficacy and
community acceptance of using insecticide
impregnated material (national dress, Thobs)
was successfully conducted showing a
significant decrease in malaria transmission
and incidence in the study village with high
community acceptance.
- Reduction of urinary schistosomiasis among
the community mainly school-children by
treatment and health education.
14
15
16
The State of Kordofan donated a building to
TMRI & research team to be established into :
“Malaria & Water Borne Diseases
Research & Training Centre”
(1999)
17
Objectives of the El Rahad Center will be :
- Provide a teaching & research base equipped with the
basic needs for health/environment related problems.
- Build an independent collaborative research capacity
to address the health and environmental problems of
the area and the resident communities.
- Increase, in a sustainable manner, the capacity for
health research in the community and educate/train the
human resources to meet their health priorities and
needs.
18
19
20
21
22
23
The intervention village
(El Rigela)
24
Main Outcome:
- The primary study of using impregnated thobs
reduced the malaria prevalence in El Regeila village
from 53.8% to 1.3% after one year of intervention
(1998-1999).
-Urinary bilharziasis in school children (36-60%),
needs annual praziquantel treatment
- Community was encouraged to build a health clinic,
a solar energy light installed and place was used for
children immunization & treatment.
25
26
27
28
29
Conclusions:
The presence of a health research team in the
area to identify and assist in solving the main
problems will allow for evidence-based
improvement of health services, training of
personnel and community participation in dealing
with and implementing of research results into
policy.
30
31
32
33
34
35