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Change in global weather pattern has become a major concern because of their direct impact on land use and land cover (LULC). This study, conducted in Kassala State, Sudan, examines how climatic variability influences these changes. Additionally, the study is intended to find out the possible intervention to reduce the impact of wind and sandstorms in the area. Primary data were collected through interview, focus group discussion, direct observation, and analysis of satellite images. Landsat TM 5 (2002) and Landsat 8 OLI (2023) images were used for LULC mapping. Meteorological data were obtained from local weather stations, while social data were gathered through stakeholder interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel while satellite images were processed using supervised classification and change detection techniques in ERDAS and ArcMap. The result showed fluctuations in rainfall ( R 2 = 0.04), an increase temperature ( R 2 = 0.01), and higher wind speeds ( R 2 = 0.02). Forest cover declined from 17.11% to 13.20%, while bare land and shrubland expanded. The study recommends agroforestry systems interventions including windbreak and shelterbelts using Acacia tortilis and Acacia raddiana to mitigate the effects of sandstorms and land degradation.

Introduction: Neonatal sepsis, a clinical syndrome characterized by systemic signs of infection in newborn infants (< 28 days old), are a significant cause of neonatal mortality and long-term morbidity globally, particularly in low- and middle- income countries. Case presentation: We report the first case of neonatal sepsis caused by Macrococcus caseolyticus in a 48-hours old newborn who attended to the intensive care unit (ICU) of the Kassala Specialized Hospital for Pediatrics in Sudan, with signs of severe bacterial infection. M. caseolyticus is an opportunistic pathogen normally associated with veterinary and food-borne infections. Empirical antibiotic therapy was promptly initiated following blood sampling and culture, resulting in recovery within 4 days. M. caseolyticus was identified by mass spectrometry and confirmed by whole genome sequencing. The isolated strain, KaM20, was resistant to tetracycline, due to the presence of the tet(L) gene; and harbored several virulence-associated genes. Phylogenetic analysis including M. caseolyticus genomes from the GenBank suggested an animal origin for KaM20. Conclusions: This case presents a rare instance of neonatal sepsis caused by M. caseolyticus; indicating potential zoonotic transmission of this pathogen, through maternal or environmental exposure to animals in the rural household. The findings emphasize the need for increased awareness of zoonotic infections in neonatal care, particularly in regions where exposure to animals is common; and underscore the importance of understanding the complex interplay between host factors, environmental exposures, and microbial pathogens, in the development of neonatal sepsis; reinforcing the need of a 'One Health' approach in addressing emerging infectious diseases.

Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a leading healthcare problem associated with stillbirth and congenital abnormalities. Determining the seroprevalence and the possible risk factors related to HCMV infections may be a cornerstone in preventing its complications. This cross-sectional study was conducted in Kassala and River Nile States to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with HCMV infection in pregnant women. One hundred eighty-four (n = 184) blood specimens were collected from pregnant women from February 2018 to January 2020. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect HCMV-specific IgG and IgM antibodies. Socio-demographical characteristics of the women were collected using structured questionnaires. The results showed that HCMV IgG was detected in 170 (92.4%) of the blood specimens, and IgM was detected in 29/93 (31.2%). There was a significant relationship between the history of miscarriage and the presence of IgG and IgM with a -value = 0.001 and between HCMV IgM and gestational stage ( -value = 0.028). The study found a strikingly high seroprevalence of HCMV infections among pregnant women in the investigated States. This high percentage of illiterate housewives living in rural areas makes it possible to reduce the incidence of HCMV infection in pregnant women by improving their knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding the route of viral transmission, which may reflect in lowering the rate of congenital diseases in their infants.

Despite global efforts, inequities in vaccine uptake remain, influenced by socioeconomic, geographic, cultural, and gender-related factors. In Eastern Sudan, gender disparities are acknowledged, particularly in livelihoods, but their impact on vaccination uptake is unclear. This study aimed to assess the effect of gender-biased parental perceptions on under-immunization among children in Kassala, Eastern Sudan. This study was a community-based cross-sectional in rural and urban districts of Kassala locality in Kassala State, Eastern Sudan in November 2022. Data were collected from parents using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire. The Chi-square or Fisher's exact test was conducted to assess the factors associated with under-immunization among children. Data were collected from 400 parents. Our data reveal that most children were fully vaccinated with the three doses of the pentavalent vaccine (83%), while 14% were partially vaccinated. Findings showed that about one in five parents perceived male vaccination as more important than female vaccination. This parental perception of gender-based importance in vaccination was significantly associated with under-immunization among children ( -value = 0.049). Additionally, males in our study are fully vaccinated 5% more often than females. Socio-economic factors, including mothers' education and households' income level, were also significantly associated with the vaccination status of the children. This study shed light on the effect of gender norms and related determinants on equitable access to vaccinations for boys and girls alike. More research is needed to gain a better understanding of the gender norms related to vaccination and their long-term impact on immunization demand and resilience in this region.

Water is the most essential natural resource for life; yet, it is becoming critically scarce in many regions worldwide, particularly in Kassala, where shortages endure for seven months each year. Previous efforts to address sustainable water solutions in Kassala have failed due to inadequate stakeholder involvement in identsifying and prioritizing sustainable water solutions. This study aims to identify and prioritize water solutions based on sustainability criteria. A structured questionnaire was conducted and supported by focus group discussions and direct observations. A significant number of stakeholders prioritized establishing new water sources and replacement of the water distribution network as sustainable water solutions. The correlation between the replacement of the water distribution network and sustainability showed a very strong positive and highly significant correlation (r = 0. 873, p < 0.001). The establishment of a new water source and the reduction of groundwater extraction as sustainable solutions showed strong positive and highly significant correlations (r = 0.555, p < 0.001) and (r = 0.611, p < 0.001), respectively. The study balances various priorities for decision-making to significantly improve the community’s access to water, enhance water resource management, and promote sustainable water solutions in Kassala and similar contexts.

With the growing need for health services, proper bed capacity management is mandatory to avoid patient rejection or cancellation of a procedure. Hence, the day of surgery admission (DOSA) protocol is gaining popularity with safety concerns. We conducted this study in a 120-bed hospital. Our unit has four operating lists per week for elective cases. All patients who planned for elective surgery, with no medical illness or who had a controlled medical illness, were recruited. Every patient was seen in the surgical clinic with his plan of management written in his admission paper. Patients were admitted from 07:00 to 11:00 am through the special admission counter. We evaluated hospital stay, postoperative complications, and mortality. The total number of patients was 18,500 in a 13-year duration. The total number of case cancellations was 396 patients (2.1%). The general surgical procedures were 6987 (38%), the GIT procedures were 5469 (30%), the endocrine and breast procedures were 3545 (18%), the pediatric surgery procedures were 1431(8%), while urology procedures were 1068 (6%). The hospital stay was 1 day or less in 10,305 (56%) patients. The total number of patients who developed postoperative complications was 491 (2.6%). The mortality rate was 0.05% (10 patients). DOSA is a valid and safe protocol for selected patients. It minimizes hospital stays, reducing expenses. Adoption of DOSA will increase bed availability and avoid case cancellation.

Background Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a severe contagious viral disease, which mainly affects small ruminants. PPR is caused by a Morbillivirus that belongs to the family Paramyxoviridae . In this study 12 suspected PPR outbreaks among sheep and goats were investigated in four localities in Kassala State, Eastern Sudan, during 2015—2017. The causative agent was confirmed by a Sandwich Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (sELISA), and a Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) targeting a partial sequence of nucleocapsid protein gene (N- gene) and a partial sequence of fusion protein gene (F- gene). Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were carried out on six N- gene based RT-PCR products selected from two outbreaks occurred on border and inner localities of Kassala State to determine the circulating lineages of PPRV strains. Identity percentages were determined between isolates in this study and previous Sudanese, and other (African and Asian) isolates which clustered along with them. Results Out of 30 samples, 22 (73.3%) were positive using sandwich ELISA. From 22 s ELISA positive samples, 17 (77.3%) were positive by Ngene based RT-PCR and only 7(43.8%) out of 16 positive samples by N gene based RT-PCR were positive using Fgene based RT-PCR. The sequencing and phylogenetic analysis confirmed involvement of the lineage IV of PPRV in outbreaks among small ruminants in Kassala State and high identity percentage between our isolates and previous Sudanese and other (African and Asian) isolates. Conclusions The present study demonstrates that genetic relationship between PPRV strains circulating in sheep in Kassala State, Eastern Sudan, and PPRV strains characterized as lineage IV in neighboring African countries such as Eretria,Ethiopia, Egypt, and other Asian countries

PurposeThis paper aims to discuss the determinants of food security in Kassala state using the measurement of Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). We use the measurement of HFIAS and use new primary data from a food security household survey in Kassala state (2019).Design/methodology/approachThis paper focuses on the determinants of food security in Kassala state using the measurement of Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), using new primary data from a food security household survey in Kassala state (2019) and using the multinomial logistic regression analysis and both ordered logit and ordered probit regression to examine the determinants of food security.FindingsOur results are in support of our hypothesis that the significant determinants of household food insecurity are family-owned production (that negatively affects the probabilities of household being food insecure), household income (that negatively affects HFIAS). We observe that the effects of family-owned production on household food insecurity are particularly significant in the case of mildly and moderately food insecurity. We explain that the other factors that affect the household food insecurity include improvement in the level of agricultural services, marketing, banking services and road characteristics that reduce HFIAS. We find a gender gap related to food security in the sense that male-headed households produce more food compared to female-headed households and also families headed by males are more likely food secure. Therefore, the major policy implication from our results is the importance of increasing households income and enhancing family own production of food to eliminate food insecurity.Originality/valueThis paper provides a significant contribution to the Sudanese and international literature because it discusses the determinants of food security in Kassala state. Different from the two other accompanying papers that focused on the incidence of food security in Kassala state using the measurement of Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and the determinants of production of food and consumption of food in Kassala state, this paper focuses on the determinants of food security in Kassala state using the measurement of HFIAS and using new primary data from a food security household survey in Kassala state (2019). We fill the gap in the Sudanese literature because we provide a more interesting analysis of the determinants of food security in Kassala state. Our analysis is useful from policy perspective since we provide useful policy recommendations to enhance food security through agricultural development in Kassala state.

PurposeDifferent from the previous studies in the Sudanese literature, this study aims to examine the incidence and of food security, the variation in households' food insecurity between localities and the adaptation and survival strategy in Kassala State as a case study of Eastern Sudan.Design/methodology/approachThis paper uses the measurement of Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) and uses new primary data from a Food Security Household Survey in Kassala State (2019) and uses the descriptive analysis to discuss the measurement of HFIAS, the incidence of food security, the variation in households' food insecurity between localities and the adaptation and survival strategy in Kassala State.FindingsThe authors find that the majority of household (77%) are food-insecure of various degrees, with 32.9% being severely food-insecure, while some households are food-secure (23%). The authors find support for their hypothesis that there will be variation in households' food insecurity between localities that most probably relate to variation in the distribution of monthly income between localities. In particular, the authors find that most households in rural areas are severely food-insecure.Originality/valueThis paper provides a significant contribution to the Sudanese and international literature because it discusses the incidence of food insecurity in Sudan. Different from the two other accompanying papers that focused on the determinants of food security in Kassala State using the measurement of HFIAS and determinants of production of food and consumption of food in Kassala State, this paper focuses on the incidence of food security in Kassala State using the measurement of HFIAS.

A comparative study of Hthic assemblages from the Gash Delta lowlands of eastern Sudan and from Seglamen in the highlands of northern Ethiopia is used to investigate the origins of the pre-Aksumite people and their anonymous predecessors. Multiple similarities in knapping strategies and in Hthic tool types support the hypothesis of a south-eastward movement of agro-pastoralists into the highlands of the Tigray Plateau, probably starting in the fifth millennium BC. Pour examiner les origines du peuple préaxoumite et leurs prédécesseurs, on a étudié deux assemblages lithiques trouvés au Gash Delta en Soudan oriental et à Seglamen dans les hautes terres de l'Ethiopie du nord. Les stratégies de débitage et la typologie des outils ont plusieurs similitudes; on peut conclure que les premiers agro-pasteurs sont arrivés au Plateau Tigray, pendant la cinquième millénaire avant JC, par un mouvement vers le sud-est à partir des basses terres soudanaises.