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Background: Providing quality medical education in Sudan faces challenges due to armed conflicts. This short communication explores practical solutions for ensuring the continuity of medical education during the conflict in the Sudanese context. Methods: A comprehensive literature review covered relevant articles published from 1915 to 2023. Four major databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) were searched using keywords related to medical education, war, armed conflict, and affected countries. Data synthesis identified common themes, challenges, and trends and suggested solutions for medical education in conflict zones. Case studies from Ukraine, Liberia, and Iraq were included for a comprehensive understanding. Results: Collaborative alliances among medical schools facilitate resource sharing and support. Engaging the Sudanese diaspora through virtual collaborations, mentorship programs, and faculty exchanges enhance educational experiences. Stable regions as educational hubs ensure uninterrupted academic progress for students from conflict-affected areas. Online and remote education, including asynchronous learning and social media platforms, overcome access barriers and fosters knowledge sharing. Ambulatory teaching provides practical experience and adaptability. Prioritizing faculty well-being and professional development through training and support is crucial. Emphasizing resilience and adaptability in student education prepare them for healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings. Research and innovation contribute to evidence-based strategies. International collaboration and support offer opportunities for knowledge exchange and infrastructure improvement. Conclusion: Implementing collaborative strategies and innovative approaches helps Sudanese medical schools overcome challenges during armed conflicts and maintain quality medical education. These solutions empower students and faculty, enhance resilience, and contribute to improving healthcare systems in post-war Sudan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection represents one of the most common chronic bacterial infections in developing countries. However, in Sudan, the infection is not well diagnosed with standard laboratory methods in many parts of the country. This study aimed to detect H. pylori in gastric biopsies of patients with gastric disorders, using three diagnostic methods. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 patients in Gezira state, central Sudan. Giemsa stain for histopathological examination (HPE), rapid urease test (RUT), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques were performed to detect H. pylori from the gastric biopsy samples as per standard assays. Results: Most of the patients were males (66%), from rural areas (72%) and in the age group 31 to 50 years. H. pylori were identified in 85% of the samples by at least one of the three tests. The highest positivity was detected by HPE (83%), followed by PCR (67%) and RUT (63%), while 59% were positive by the three diagnostic methods. PCR showed higher sensitivity (80.72% vs. 73.49%) and specificity (100% vs. 88.24%) than RUT. Positive predictive values were reported as 100% for PCR and 96.83% for RUT. Considering PCR as a gold standard method, HPE revealed higher sensitivity (100%) than RUT (88.06%). On the contrary, RUT showed higher specificity (87.88%) than PCR (51.52%). There were no significant associations between H. pylori infection patients' gender (p = 0.747). Loss of weight (p = 0.007) and nausea (p = 0.032) were significantly associated with H. pylori infection. Conclusions: There was a high prevalence of H. pylori infection in central Sudan. This highlights the need to analyze epidemiological status, virulence factors, and strain characteristics to control disease transmission. PCR is a reliable and valuable technique in detecting H. pylori infection from gastric biopsy samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breaking bad news is an important task for doctors in different specialties. The aim of the study was to assess adherence of Sudanese doctors to the SPIKES protocol in breaking bad news. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study recruited 192 doctors, at Wad Medani teaching hospital, Sudan. A questionnaire-based on SPIKES protocol was distributed among 10 departments in our hospital. Data were analyzed using SPSS and Microsoft excel. Results: There were (n = 101, 52.6%) females and (n = 91, 47.4%) males among the participants. 95.3% have been involved in breaking bad news, but only 56.3 received education and training about this issue. 43% admitted bad experience in breaking bad news, while 65.6% mentioned that bad news should be delivered directly to patients. The majority (>90%) agreed training is needed in the area of breaking bad news. Usual adherence to the SPIKES protocol was reported in a range of 35-79%, sometimes adherence was reported in a range of 20-44% while never adherence was reported in a range of zero-13.5%. Consultants, registrars, obstetrician and gynecologists and surgeons achieved high scores in breaking bad news. Training is an important factor in achieving high score in SPIKES protocol. The unadjusted effect of background factors on SPIKES score, showed that only training has significant impact on protocol adherence (P = 0.034, unadjusted; and P = 0.038 adjusted). Conclusion: Large number of Sudanese doctors will try to adhere to SPIKES protocol. Training is an important factor in the success of breaking bad news. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Medical education in Sudan continues to evolve and progress with proliferation in the number of medical schools after 1990. Social factors and the geographical location of Sudan will increase the opportunity of success of medical schools to be socially accountable. In this analysis, we explained why social accountability is needed in Sudan and how this can enhance both excellence in medical education and primary health care, especially in rural areas. Methodology: PubMed, scopus Medline, and Google Scholar were searched for published-English literature concerning social accountability of medical schools in Sudan and worldwide were reviewed regardless of the time limit. We have also included examples of medical schools from Sudan and the Middle East to reflect on their experience in social accountability. Results: In this critical review, we have shown that social accountability will come with benefits for medical schools and the community. Implementation of social accountability in medical schools in Sudan will increase the effectiveness of medical schools' productivity, research output, and health service in urban and rural areas. There is an urgent need for social accountability alliance in Sudan to increase collaboration between medical schools. This will increase the benefits of social accountability for all stakeholders and also increases the competency in social medicine within the medical school curriculum. Conclusion: Social accountability is regarded as a sign of excellence in medical education. Primary care physicians in Sudan are expected to be the leaders in the implementation of social accountability. This analysis answered two important questions about why medical schools in Sudan should be socially accountable? And do we need a special structure of social accountability in Sudan? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sudan witnessed an increase in the number of colleges of medicine after the higher education revolution in the early 1990s. Many authors writing about medical education, both in Sudan and across the world, have described a negative correlation between the increased number of medical colleges and the quality of education provided by those colleges. Many educational leaders in Sudan are calling for action to deal with the issues arising from this great expansion of medical colleges, with opinions varying from collegectomies (closure of the colleges) to merging colleges. Several strategies have been implemented in Canada, Iran, the Philippines and South Africa to deal with similar situations. These have included college support such as funding or technical support, changing the colleges' educational strategies, modifying the curriculum, integrating (rather than merging) colleges, and collegectomies. This paper outlines possible actions to be taken in response to the expansion of medical colleges in the Sudanese context. It explores the international experience with the situation in an attempt to augment the discussion with options that may help to improve medical education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Optimum learning environments (LEs) have been shown to be linked with positive training outcomes for residents. The internal medicine residency programme is one of the oldest residency programmes in Sudan. However, there is little data concerning how the residents perceive the LE in training hospitals. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the residents' perceptions of the LE. Methods: This cross-sectional, hospital-based study was carried out between November 2017 and April 2018, using a Postgraduate Hospital Educational Environment Measurement (PHEEM) questionnaire to measure the residents' perceptions of the LE. Questionnaires were distributed to 200 residents. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 25, Student's t-test, and ANOVA. Results: In total, 181 residents returned the questionnaires, of whom 104 (57.4%) were male, and 77 (42.6%) were fe male. The global mean PHEEM score was 72.4 ± 31.5 out of 160, illustrating significant problems in the LE of the internal medicine resi dency programme. Six items had mean scores below 2 and, therefore, required more attention. These included: having a contract of employment that provides information about hours of work (1.3 ± 1.4), existence of an informative inductive programme (1.4 ± 1.4), having an informative training manual (1.2 ± 1.3), trainers setting expectations (1.8 ± 1.5), having protected educational time in the unit (1.9 ± 1.3), and having good supervision at all times (1.9 ± 1.3). Conclusion: Significant challenges in the LE of the teaching hospitals were identified. More attention and effort should be given, especially to the poorly rated points in this study; existence of an informative inductive programme, informative training manual, proper setting expectations, optimum educational time in the unit, and having good supervision at all times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the high worldwide prevalence and association with other mental disorders and disability, only few studies are available on social phobia in low-income countries. Aims: This study aims to assess the prevalence, socio-demographic correlates and comorbidity of social phobia and its association with disability among long-term internally displaced persons (IDPs) in one urban and one rural area in Central Sudan. Methods: This cross-sectional study was implemented in two IDP areas in Central Sudan. Data were collected during face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires to assess socio-demographic factors and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) to determine psychiatric diagnoses. A total of 1,876 adults were enrolled from both study areas.Results:The overall lifetime prevalence of social phobia was 14.2%, with higher rates among IDPs in the rural area and among those who were less educated. Social phobia was associated with other mental disorders in both study areas. Disability and prolonged displacement increased the risk of having social phobia in the rural area. Conclusion: Further work needs to be done to improve our understanding and to establish proper interventions in dealing with social phobia, other common mental disorders and disability among long-term IDPs in these impoverished areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: There is a scarcity of data on mental health problems among Sudanese internally displaced persons (IDPs). This study aims to assess the prevalence of mental disorders of IDPs in Sudan, and to determine and compare the association between mental disorders and socio-demographic variables between the rural and urban long-term IDP populations.Methods: This cross-sectional study was implemented in two IDP areas in Central Sudan. Data were collected during face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires to assess socio-demographic factors and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) to determine psychiatric diagnoses. A total of 1,876 adults were enrolled from both study areas.Results: The overall prevalence of having any mental health disorder in the IDP population was 52.9%. The most common disorders were major depressive disorder (24.3%), generalized anxiety disorder (23.6%), social phobia (14.2%) and post-traumatic stress disorder (12.3%). Years of displacement and education were associated with different mental disorders between the two areas, and there were no gender differences in prevalence of mental disorders in either area.Conclusion: This study shows high prevalence rates of mental disorders in both urban and rural IDP populations in Sudan, indicating a need to explore the circumstances for these high rates and to develop appropriate respon [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Curriculum analysis is an essential process in exploring the validity of assumptions behind the curriculum and judging its perspectives, goals, and objectives. This study analysed the curriculum of the Internal Medicine Residency Programme at the Sudan Medical Specialisation Board, exploring the programme's strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. Materials and Methods: A qualitative descriptive analysis method using Harden Ten Questions framework was used, implemented through document analysis. Thematic analysis was used to categorise the findings following the Harden Ten Questions framework. Results: The analysis of this curriculum using Harden Ten Questions framework revealed that it is built on needs assessment, with clear objectives and contents, good organisation of the contents and a precise management process. However, there is a need to improve the areas related to training strategies, training methods, assessment methods and the learning environment. Conclusions: This study showed that the curriculum is built to meet the needs of the Sudanese community. The contents fit for internal medicine clinical residency and the methods of training are likely to foster long-life learning. The curriculum needs some improvement particularly in the following areas such as clinical teaching, trainee assessments, and learning environments. Harden Ten Questions framework for curricula was practical to some degree in analysing the postgraduate curriculum. However, some suggestions have been made regarding the original framework to make it more adaptable to curriculum analysis at postgraduate level. The systematic analysis is transferable to the analysis of other undergraduate or postgraduate medical curricula in Sudan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has severely disrupted the health professions education, notably in dentistry. This study aims to explore the impact of the armed conflict on dental education and training. A mixed-method cross-sectional study encompassed 29 dental schools in Khartoum, Darfur, Kordofan States, and Merowe City. Five key informants from the Sudanese Medical Specialization Board, the Human Resource Development Administration, and a university offering clinical dental master's programs were interviewed. Quantitative data on attacks against dental schools were collected through a structured Google form, and qualitative data on postgraduate training were obtained through semi-structured key informant interviews. Findings reveal that 79.3% of dental schools faced military assaults, with 73.9% experiencing looting and 60.9% repurposed as military bases. Notably, 44.8% of schools shifted to online education,3.4% collaborated with other universities, and 27.6% adopted a combined approach. Key informants' interviews unveiled disruptions in specialty training and housemanship, limiting access to crucial training facilities. The primary proposed solution was overseas training. Recurrently emphasized strategies to enhance the resilience of the training system included establishing dental centers in all states, collaborating with external training bodies, and anticipating and preparing for potential disasters. The adverse effects of the conflict on both undergraduate and postgraduate dental education are discernible, manifested through resource limitations, a shortage of dental materials and supplies within training facilities, and direct disruptions to clinical training due to attacks on healthcare institutions. The imperative need for urgent interventions is underscored to alleviate these consequences and safeguard the continuity of educational and training efforts., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Mahgoub et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Aims & Objective: To determine the age and gender distribution and clinical presentation of patients together with histological types of colorectal cancer cases presented to Ibn Sina specialized hospital., Patients and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted in Ibn Sina Hospital (Sudan). Seventy three (73) patients of colorectal cancer who presented in the period from January 2010 to December 2012 were included. Data were collected from their hospital records and analyzed using SPSS computer program 17., Results: More than 17 % of the study populations was below the age of 40 years, and 43.84% was below 50 years. The male to female ratio was 1:1.02. Rectal bleeding is the commonest presenting symptom and well differentiated adenocarcinoma is the dominating tumor grade. 8.3 % of patients presented with liver metastasis., Conclusion: Colorectal cancer in this study was found more in young age groups with a peak frequency at the fifth and sixth decades.