The University of Khartoum (U of K) (Arabic: جامعة الخرطوم) is a public university located in Khartoum, Sudan. It is the largest and oldest university in Sudan. UofK was founded as Gordon Memorial College in 1902 and established in 1956 when Sudan gained independence. Since that date, the University of Khartoum has been recognized as a top university and a high-ranked academic institution in Sudan and Africa.It features several institutes, academic units and research centers including Mycetoma Research Center, Soba University Hospital, Saad Abualila Hospital, Dr. Salma Dialysis centre, Institute of Endemic Diseases, Institute for Studies and Promotion of Animal Exports, Institute of African and Asian Studies, Institute of Prof. Abdalla ElTayeb for Arabic Language, Development Studies and Research Institute, The Materials and Nanotechnology Research Center and U of K publishing house. The Sudan Library, a section of the university's library, serves as the national library of Sudan. It is also characterized by freedom of expression, and a number of revolutions have ignited from it to bring down unjust governments.
Abstract Concrete remains the most widely used construction material worldwide due to its versatility and durability, but ensuring consistent quality remains a challenge, particularly in contexts with limited quality control. This study investigates the compressive strength of reinforced concrete (RC) members in Sudan using 629 core tests, 6,435 cube tests, and 1,014 survey responses. Results show that while most cube specimens exceeded the 25 MPa threshold (class C25), 34% failed to achieve grade C25, whereas nearly 60% of the core samples were under strength, with RC columns performing most poorly. Box-plot analyses revealed that column medians and interquartile ranges consistently fell below C25, and in 2020 dropped entirely below C20. Survey data confirmed that 74% of columns are manually casted, and Bayesian probability analysis demonstrated that such columns have an 88.3% probability—nearly a nine-in-ten chance—of failing to meet grade C25. These findings demonstrate that manual casting is a key driver of inadequate structural performance. The study highlights the urgent need to reduce reliance on manual casting, expand the use of ready-mix and mechanized placement, and strengthen quality control measures. Although focused on Sudan, the findings carry broader implications for regions that still rely heavily on manual construction methods.
Objective: In regions facing high epilepsy treatment gaps, it is essential to identify Particularly Vulnerable Persons with Epilepsy (PVPWE) to ensure equitable resource allocation. This study sought to identify these individuals and determine the specific attributes that increase the risk of remaining untreated within severely underserved communities in Central India. Methods: This cross-sectional study was nested within an implementation research project in two rural blocks (Nagri and Ambagarh Chowki) of Chhattisgarh, India. The analysis included 534 consenting persons with epilepsy (PWE) who were diagnosed with active epilepsy during six community outreach clinics. Participants were classified as "Untreated" or "On treatment" based on their antiseizure medication status at the time of the clinic. Multivariable logistic regression was utilized to determine independent factors associated with treatment status. Results: Of the 534 PWE attending these outreach clinics, 324 (61%) were classified as "Untreated" and 210 (39%) as "On treatment". Multivariable analysis indicated that individuals of tribal ethnicity had significantly lower odds of being on treatment compared to non-tribal individuals (AOR 0.45, p < 0.001). Conversely, increased odds of receiving treatment were independently associated with younger age at epilepsy onset (p = 0.003), middle-income status (p = 0.01), higher educational attainment (p = 0.04), Ayushman Bharat health insurance beneficiary status (p = 0.01), and the location of the outreach clinic (p = 0.04). Significance: Among PWE attending these outreach clinics, approximately 60% were not receiving prescribed ASM treatment at the time of assessment. Tribal ethnicity serves as a significant marker for heightened vulnerability, defining a distinct group of PVPWE. Prioritizing these particularly vulnerable populations is crucial for policy development and the equitable triage of limited health resources to effectively reach underserved communities.
Burnout is an escalating global occupational health challenge, requiring valid and reliable assessment tools. This study validates the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) for assessing burnout among Sudanese workers in the education, healthcare, and banking sectors, where burnout prevalence is high. Utilizing the 19-item CBI, translated into Arabic, the study measured burnout across three dimensions: Personal Burnout (PB), Work-related Burnout (WB), and Client-related Burnout (CB). A total of 1068 participants were surveyed, including 438 teachers (41%), 326 healthcare workers (30.5%), and 304 bank employees (28.5%). Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analyses confirmed the construct validity of the CBI, while concurrent validity was supported through moderate to high correlations with the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) domains, except for a weak correlation between Depersonalization and PB/WB. Reliability was established through discriminant validity, all of which were satisfactory across the three groups. The study resulted in two final versions of the CBI: a 17-item version for healthcare workers and a 19-item version for teachers and bank employees. Both versions are available in Arabic, and stakeholders are recommended to use the CBI tailored to each sector's specific psychometric properties. This tailored approach ensures accurate measurement of burnout, aiding psychologists, therapists, and policymakers in addressing and mitigating burnout effectively within each professional group.
Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal malignancies globally. In Africa, the burden is poorly characterized due to fragmented data and limited resources. This scoping review aimed to map published data on pancreatic cancer across the continent, identify reporting gaps, and highlight implications for research and policy. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, OVID Medline, CINAHL, ERIC, and Scopus for articles published between January 1995 and June 2025. Inclusion criteria focused on clinical data, treatment modalities, and survival outcomes of pancreatic cancer in African populations. Twenty studies spanning 1995–2023,representing 26,850 patients, were identified. Research output was geographically uneven, concentrated in South Africa, Egypt, Morocco. The weighted mean age at diagnosis was 59.2 years. Primary symptoms included Jaundice, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Advanced-stage presentation dominated, with stage III–IV accounting for > 70
Background: Visual Snow Syndrome (VSS) is characterized by persistent visual disturbances such as visual static, afterimages, photophobia, and impaired night vision. Despite growing global recognition, data from Middle Eastern populations remains limited, particularly on prevalence, symptomatology, and awareness. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of VSS, evaluate symptom patterns, assess awareness, and identify associated factors among adults in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey using convenience sampling through social media was conducted among Saudi adults (>= 18 years). The questionnaire collected demographic data, VSS symptoms, awareness, comorbidities (migraine, tinnitus, anxiety, depression), lifestyle factors, family history, and impact on daily life. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Fisher's exact test (p<0.05). Results: Of 343 respondents, 3.8% met symptom-based criteria for VSS, aligning with international prevalence (2%-5%). Awareness was low (12.8%), mainly via media rather than healthcare providers. Common symptoms were afterimages (32.7%) and photophobia (30.6%). Significant comorbidities included migraine (17.5%), anxiety (20.4%), tinnitus (11.1%), and depression (5%). Extended screen time and low physical activity were common lifestyle factors. Additionally, 16.3% reported a family history of visual disturbances and 8% noted stress exacerbation. Conclusion: This study highlights the prevalence, poor awareness, and symptom burden of VSS in Saudi Arabia. Findings underscore the need for targeted education and further research to improve clinical recognition and patient care.
