The Mid-Upper Arm Circumference as a Substitute for Body Mass Index in the Assessment of Nutritional Status among Pregnant Women: A Cross-Sectional Study.

To compare mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) with body mass index (BMI) and propose MUAC cut-off points corresponding to BMIs of <18.5 kg/m2 (underweight) and ≥30.0 kg/m2 (obesity) for pregnant Sudanese women, a cross-sectional community-based study was conducted in the city of New Halfa, Sudan. Healthy pregnant women were recruited. Body parameters such as height, weight, and MUAC were measured. The MUAC (cm) cut-off values for underweight and obesity were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Of 688 pregnant women, 437 were in early pregnancy (<20 weeks of gestation) and 251 were in late pregnancy (≥20 weeks of gestation). There was a significant positive correlation between BMI and MUAC among women in both early pregnancy (r = 0.734) and late pregnancy (r = 0.703). The cut-off points of MUAC for detecting underweight and obesity were found to be 24.0 cm and 29.0 cm, respectively, for women in early pregnancy, with good predictive values. For women in late pregnancy, the cut-off points for detecting underweight and obesity were 23.0 cm and 28.0 cm, respectively. We concluded that for Sudanese pregnant women, the MUAC cut-off points identified in the study for diagnosing underweight and obesity are both sensitive and specific.

Mid-upper arm circumference as a substitute for body mass index in the assessment of nutritional status among adults in eastern Sudan.

BACKGROUND: Body mass index (BMI) remains the most used indicator of nutritional status despite the presence of a potentially credible alternative. Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) is an anthropometric measure that requires simple equipment and minimal training. The aim of this study was to compare MUAC with BMI and propose a MUAC cut-off point corresponding to a BMI of < 18.5 kg/m2 (underweight) and ≥ 30.0 kg/m2 (obesity) among Sudanese adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using multistage cluster sampling was conducted in New-Halfa, eastern Sudan. Participants' age and sex were recorded and their MUAC, weight and height were measured using the standard procedures. The MUAC (cm) cut-offs corresponding to < 18.5 kg/m2 and ≥ 30.0 kg/m2 were calculated and determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis RESULTS: Five hundreds and fifty-two adults were enrolled in the study. The median (interquartile range, IQR) of the participants age was 31.0 (24.0 ̶ 40.0) years and 331 (60.0%) of them were females. The medians (IQR) of BMI and MUAC were 22.4 (19.1 ̶ 26.3) kg/m2 and 25.0 (23.0 ̶ 28.0) cm, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between MUAC and BMI (r = 0.673, p < 0.001). Of the 552 enrolled participants, 104 (18.8%), 282 (51.1%), 89 (16.1%) and 77 (13.9%) were normal weight, underweight, overweight and obese, respectively. Best statistically derived MUAC cut-off corresponding to a BMI < 18.5 kg/m2 (underweight) was ≤ 25.5 cm in both males and females (Youden's Index, YI = 0.51; sensitivity = 96.0%; specificity = 54.0%), with a good predictive value (AUROCC = 0.82). Best statistically derived MUAC cut-off corresponding to a BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2 (obesity) was ≥ 29.5 cm in both males and females (YI = 0.62, sensitivity = 70.3%, specificity = 92.0%), with a good predictive value (AUROCC = 0.86, 95.0% CI = 0.76 - 0.95). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the cut-offs based on MUAC can be used for community-based screening of underweight and obesity.

Assessment of Bottle-Feeding Practices in Kassala, Eastern Sudan: A Community-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization encourages exclusive breastfeeding up to six months and avoidance of bottle-feeding. There are few published research articles on the practice of bottle-feeding and associated factors in Sudan. AIM: The study aimed to assess the usage and factors associated with bottle-feeding practices during the first six months of life among mothers with children aged between 6 and 24 months in Kassala, Eastern Sudan. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July to September 2017. A structured questionnaire was used to collect relevant data from interviewed mothers. RESULTS: A total of 242 mother-child pairs participated in the study. The mean (standard deviation) of maternal age and children's age was 27.13 (5.73) years and 12.2 (6.7) months, respectively. From the total, 96/242 (39.7%) used bottle-feeding for their children in the first six months of life. In multivariable analysis, urban residence (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 1.96, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] (1.06, 3.63), not receiving breastfeeding education (AOR 1.92, 95% CI 1.07, 3.45) and child hospitalization (AOR 1.83, 95% CI 1.02, 3.28) were significantly associated with bottle-feeding. CONCLUSION: There was a high usage of bottle-feeding and it was found to be associated with child hospitalisation. To avoid bottle-feeding, urgent actions are required to support and educate mothers regarding breastfeeding with special attention to urban-residence ones.

Assessment of initiation of breastfeeding practice in Kassala, Eastern Sudan: a community-based study.

BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) encourages early initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour after birth with the objective of saving children's lives. There are few published research papers about factors associated with the initiation of breastfeeding in Sudan.The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of and factors associated with the timely initiation of breastfeeding among mothers with children two years and under in Kassala, Eastern Sudan. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2016 to March 2017. Mothers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 250 mother-child pairs participated in the study. The mean (standard deviation) of maternal age and children's age was 27.1 (5.68) years and 11.9 (6.9) months, respectively.Of the 250 mothers, 218 (87.2%) initiated breastfeeding within the first hour. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, factors associated with the delay of breastfeeding initiation were having a male baby (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 3.90, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]1.33, 11.47), and mothers with medical disorders (AOR 5.07, 95% CI 1.22, 21.16). CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of early initiation of breastfeeding. An association with delayed initiation of breastfeeding was found amongst mothers who had medical disorders and those who had a male infant. Wherever possible, early initiation of breastfeeding should be promoted for all infants, regardless of gender.

Assessment of glycemic control in type 2 diabetes in the Eastern Sudan.

OBJECTIVES: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Gadarif, eastern Sudan to assess glycaemic control among adult patients with type 2 diabetes in eastern Sudan. Poor glycaemic control was defined as HbA1c level of ≥ 7.0%. Questionnaire was used to gathered sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 339 patients (69.9% were women) were enrolled in the study. The mean age of the participants was 54.8 (12.8) years. Approximately more than two-thirds (n = 243, 71.7%) of the participants were using oral glucose control agents. A round one-fifth (22.1%) of the participants were using insulin and only 6.2% of them were using both insulin and oral glucose control agents. The rate of poor glycemic control was 71.9%. In logistic regression analyses, duration of diabetes, medications used, and the triglycerides were not associated with poor glycemic control. However, being unmarried (OR = 3.64, 95% CI 1.21-10.90), adding sugar to the drinks (OR = 1.84, 95% CI 1.11-3.05, P = 0.017) and high cholesterol level (OR = 1.01, 95% CI 1.01-1.02.) were associated with poor glycemic control. In summary the rate of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus was considerably high especially among being unmarried patients and patients who were adding sugar to the drinks.

Assessment of blood pressure control in adult hypertensive patients in eastern Sudan.

BACKGROUND: The rate of blood pressure (BP) control in adult hypertensive patients is poor and the reasons for poor control of BP pressure are not fully understood globally. This study aimed to assess the rate and factors associated with BP control in adult hypertensive patients in Sudan. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted in adult hypertensive Sudanese patients at Gadarif Hospital in eastern Sudan from November 2016 to March 2017. Information on sociodemographic characteristics of the participants, comorbidities, antihypertensive medication, and adherence to antihypertensive medication was gathered from patients using a questionnaire. Fasting cholesterol and triglyceride levels were measured. RESULTS: A total of 380 patients were enrolled. Of them, 234 (61.6%) were women. The mean (SD) age of the participants was 57.8 (11.1) years (range: 25-93 years). Over one-third (n = 147, 38.7%) of the participants were taking more than one antihypertensive medication. Approximately one-third (29.5%) of the participants were non-adherent to medication. The rate of BP control was 45.3%. In binary logistic regression analyses, age, sex, physical inactivity, adding salt to food, drinking coffee, body mass index, and the lipid profile were not associated with uncontrolled BP. However, non-adherence to medication was the main factor associated with uncontrolled BP (odds ratio = 5.29, 95% confidence interval = 3.16-8.83, P <  0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Almost half of hypertensive patients in follow-up have uncontrolled BP, mainly due to non-adherence to medicine. We recommend further research on drug adherence to improve the rate of BP control in this setting (Gadarif) of the Sudan.

Neonatal mortality in Sudan: analysis of the Sudan household survey, 2010.

BACKGROUND: Sudan is classified as having insufficient progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goal (MDG-4), where the levels of child and infant mortality are among the highest in the region and the world. This study investigated factors associated with neonatal mortality in Sudan. Neonatal death is defined as death within the first 28 days of life. METHODS: This study analysed data from the Sudan Household Health Survey 2nd round, which was carried out in 2010. Total of 6,198 live-born infants delivered within the two years preceding the survey were included as the study population. Multivariate logistic regression was used to model neonatal mortality as a function of maternal health parameters, socioeconomic indicators and the sex of the child. RESULTS: There were 189 neonatal deaths out of 6,198 live births (3.0%). In the multiple logistic regression, the factors associated with neonatal mortality were advanced maternal age (≥ 40 years; OR = 2.4; 95% CI: 1.21, 4.78, p = 0.012), poor household wealth index (OR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.18, 2.47, p = 0.005), male child (OR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.31, 2.42, p < 0.001), delivery of baby by Caesarean section (OR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.78, 2.42, p = 0.013) and delivery complications (OR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.18, 2.15, p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Public health interventions which target neonatal mortality reduction should adopt a risk-factor-based approach to detect pregnancy complications early and once identified, the health system should be strengthened so that these complications can be dealt with adequately.

Anaemia and stillbirth in Kassala Hospital, Eastern Sudan.

BACKGROUND: Globally, the reduction of stillbirths is a high priority, especially in view of the targets set by the Millennium Development Goals. It is crucial that health policy-makers and programme managers are aware of the epidemiology of stillbirths. OBJECTIVES: This was a case-control study conducted in Kassala hospital in Eastern Sudan to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for stillbirth. Cases were women who delivered stillbirths; two consecutive women who delivered a live-born neonate per case were used as controls. RESULTS: Among 1342 singleton deliveries, there were 44 stillbirths (33 per 1000 deliveries). Over half (54.5%) of these stillbirths were macerated stillbirths. While maternal socio-demographic characteristics were not associated with stillbirth, maternal anaemia was the main risk factor for stillbirth (Odds ratio = 8.4, 95% CI = 2.5-29.4; P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Thus, greater focus on maternal nutrition and prevention of anaemia may prevent stillbirth in this setting.

Use of antenatal care services in Kassala, eastern Sudan.

BACKGROUND: Antenatal care is named as one of the four pillars initiatives of the Safe Motherhood Initiative. While many of routine antenatal care procedure have little effect on maternal mortality and morbidity, some of these have been ascertained as beneficial. The aim of this study was to investigate coverage of antenatal care and identify factors associated with inadequacy of antenatal care in Kassala, eastern Sudan. METHODS: A cross-sectional community-based study was carried out in Kassala, eastern Sudan during September-October 2009. Household surveys were conducted. Structured questionnaires were used to gather data from women who had been pregnant within the last year, or pregnant more than 14 weeks. RESULTS: Out of 900 women investigated for antenatal care coverage, 811(90%) women had at least one visit. Only 11% of the investigated women had ≥ four antenatal visits, while 10.0% had not attended at all. Out of 811 women who attended at least one visit, 483 (59.6%), 303 (37.4%) and 25 (3.1%) women attended antenatal care in the first, second and third trimester, respectively. In logistic regression analyses, while maternal age and residence were not associated with inadequacy of antenatal care (<2 visits), high parity (OR = 2.0, CI = 1.1-3.5; P = 0.01) and husband education ≤ secondary level (OR = 2.4, CI = 1.3-4.2; P = 0.002) were associated with inadequacy of antenatal care. CONCLUSIONS: Antenatal care showed a low coverage in Kassala, eastern Sudan. This low coverage was associated with high parity and low husband education.