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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.

Background The association between previous spontaneous abortion and preeclampsia is not yet fully understood. The current study was conducted to assess the association between previous spontaneous abortion and preeclampsia among pregnant women in Sudan. Methods A case–control study (involving 180 women in each study group) was conducted at Saad Abuelela Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan. The cases were pregnant women with preeclampsia, while the control group included healthy pregnant women. The participants’ sociodemographic, obstetric, and clinical characteristics were assessed via a questionnaire. Results There was no significant difference in the age, parity, education level, employment status, blood group, body mass index, and hemoglobin level between the patient and control groups. Forty (22.2%) women with preeclampsia and 68 (37.8%) women in the control group had a history of spontaneous abortion (p = 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis (adjusted) revealed that women with a history of spontaneous abortion had a lower risk of preeclampsia than those without a history of spontaneous abortion [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.26‒0.73]. However, women with a history of preeclampsia had a higher risk of recurrence of preeclampsia (AOR = 1.92, 95% CI = 1.11‒3.32). Conclusion The present study revealed that previous spontaneous abortion reduced the risk of preeclampsia by 59.0%.

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.

This study investigates determinants of out-of-pocket and catastrophic healthcare expenditures (OOPHE and CHE) incurred by urban households in five Sudanese states, namely, Red Sea, Kassala, Gadarif, Sinnar, and South Darfur. The study also examines the impact of CHE on the livelihoods of households in these states. To achieve these aims, the study applies ordinary least squares (OLS) and probit regression methods to data sourced from Sudanese National Baseline Household Surveys (NBHSs) conducted in 2009 and 2014. An analysis based on the 2009 NBHS shows that OOPHE is significantly influenced by factors such as household size, the head of household’s educational level, and the presence of elderly household members. When the 2009 data is disaggregated to the state level, however, the analysis demonstrates that household income, enrollment in a health insurance program, very young (under age 5) household members, the head of household’s educational level, the head of household’s gender, and the family’s wealth correspond the most significantly to the amount of OOPHE a family incurs. Interestingly, the analysis based on the 2014 NBHS indicates that health insurance, the family’s wealth, and the head of household’s age, gender, wage employment, and marital status are correlated with OOPHE. The analysis based on disaggregated data from 2014 indicates that OOPHE is significantly correlated with factors such as the head of household’s age, household size, the head of household’s educational level, wealth, and distance from healthcare facilities. Furthermore, the analysis shows that CHE is significantly correlated with health insurance enrollment, family wealth, household size, distance from healthcare facilities, and the head of household’s age and education. Finally, the investigation reveals that a high level of CHE is accompanied with lower shares of food and non-food purchases in a household&rsquo

Sudan’s commitment to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2 – zero hunger – can turn out to be even more challenging than anyone had bargained for. Due to prolonged conflict, environmental deterioration and other disasters such as drought and floods, a substantial share of the population is at risk of food insecurity. In Kassala State in Eastern Sudan, one in three families struggle to put enough food on the table. Based on survey data from Kassala State and other data sources, this policy brief discusses the incidence of food insecurity, explores families’ survival strategies, and recommends measures that may combat food insecurity.

While generally mild in children, rubella infection during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage, foetal death or congenital rubella syndrome. Rubella vaccination is not yet available as a part of routine immunisation in Sudan, and the burden of infection is unknown. Using the clinical case definition adopted by the World Health Organisation, a total of 123 children suspected of having of measles were enrolled in this study during January-December 2017 in Gadarif Hospital, Eastern Sudan. Those cases whose sera were negative for measles IgM antibodies were tested for rubella IgM antibody. A confirmed rubella case was a person who tested positive for rubella IgM. Sera were analysed for IgM specific antibodies against measles virus and rubella virus using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Among the total 123 children suspected to have measles, 92 (74.8%) children were positive for measles IgM antibodies. Of the 31 children who had measles IgM antibodies negative, 20 (16.3%) children were seropositive for rubella IgM antibodies. Implementation of a surveillance system will provide the improved estimates of rubella virus and estimated the burden of congenital rubella syndrome. Such information is necessary and it is an important step for future policy decisions for vaccine delivery strategies.

Any success achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 – zero hunger – relies on sustainable systems for food production and sound agricultural policies. Kassala State in Eastern Sudan is an interesting case for policy makers as it appears to have a good potential for agricultural growth. This policy brief uses data from Kassala State to assess the close link between agricultural development and food security, and investigates factors and policies that can strengthen agricultural development, thereby increasing food security in Sudan.

This research discusses the relationship between agricultural development and food security, determinants of supply of (production of food) and demand for (consumption of food) food and determinants of food insecurity in Kassala State. In so doing, it provides a significant contribution to the current literature. We use the measurement of household food insecurity access scale and use new primary data from a Food Security Household Survey conducted in Kassala State (2019). We find that the majority of households are food insecure (77%), out of which 32.9% of households are severely food insecure, while, few households are fully food secure (23%). We find large variation in households' food insecurity between localities, with rural Kassala having most food insecure households. This may be explained by the variation in monthly income between localities. We use OLS estimation to estimate the determinants of household level production and consumption of food. We verify our first hypothesis that the significant determinants of production of food are the size of agricultural land, livestock and irrigation systems. We find support for our second hypothesis that indicates that the family's own production of food and household income have positive effects on food consumption. Similarly, we find that the significant determinants of production of sorghum (the main staple food) are agricultural land and livestock and that the significant determinants of consumption of sorghum are the family's own production of sorghum, household income and family size. For small farmers, their own consumption of sorghum is to a larger extent determined by their own production of sorghum. Therefore, enhancing production of sorghum among smallholders would contribute to enhancing consumption of sorghum and hence food security. Using ordered probit (and logit) estimation we verify our third hypothesis that implies that the significant determinants of household food insecurity score index are fami

Current practice in Qatar is to blend local limestone with dune sand for use in unbound pavement applications. Dune sand is used to improve the properties of fine aggregate and compliance with the QCS 2014 requirements of plasticity and sand equivalent. The material has been successfully used for many years but currently facing the challenge of limited dune sand supply and recent government restrictions on its use in construction. The paper presents data on the properties of limestone obtained from different sources, tested in accordance with the QCS 2014 requirements. Variation of limestone source and the presence of clay particles greatly affected its suitability for use in unbound pavement applications. Improvement could be achieved by adjusting the grading of the material. Recommendations are made to revise the QCS 2014 specifications within the context of international specifications, when the unbound material is placed in a dry environment and away from the water level to enhance the wider utilization of local materials and sustainable construction in Qatar.

In western Sudan including North Darfur; soil productivity is very low, where desertification results from over population in an ecologically vulnerable zone at the margins of the Sahara. In 1970-1973 drought hit this area and aggravated the situation, and its impact is still felt, not only in this area but also in Sudan as a whole (Ibrahim, 1978). The area is characterised by sand dune belts extending south north to join at 16° N the zone of active dune formation and it extend southwards to reach latitude 10° N. Desertification in the same area has progressed around jebel Marra. The study indicated that the northern rocky lands, hills and mountains, dune lands and sandy pediplains are not suitable for arable farming and have poor carrying capacity for grazing. The pediplains, the basins and the erosional plains are not suitable for rainfed farming but conditionally suitable for irrigated farming with poor carrying capacity for grazing. UmmBayada basin lands are marginally to moderately suitable for rainfed farming and are moderately to highly suitable for irrigated farming. The carrying capacity for grazing is fair along the basin. Land degradation due to desertification is the main limitation for development and management of land resources. Although the area has substantial opportunities for agricultural development (mainly rangeland, forestry) nevertheless somealternative land uses should be considered benefitting from the proximity of the area to the state capital and main rural towns. K e y w o r d s Desertification

Background Preterm birth (PTB) is the major health problem world-wide; there are few published studies on PTB and folic acid. Methods The study was conducted to assess the serum level of folic acid in PTB. A case-control study was conducted at Saad Abualila maternity hospital (Khartoum, Sudan) during the period of March through December 2015. Women who delivered live singleton babies were dived in two groups; the cases were women who had PTB “delivery before completed 37weeks but after 24 weeks of pregnancy” and the controls were women who delivered at term (37–42 weeks). Medical and obstetrics history was gathered using questionnaire. Serum folic acid was measured. Results One hundred and twelve (56 in arm of the study) women were enrolled to the study. There was no significant difference between the cases and the controls in their age, parity, hemoglobin, body mass index, education and occupation. The median (interquartile) level of folic acid was significantly lower in the cases (PTB) than the level in the controls, 4.8(2.8–8.2) vs. 9.5(8.6–12.0) ng/ml. In binary regression, folic acid level was associated with lower risk of PTB (OR=0.64; 95%=0.53–0.77, P < 0.001). There was a significant positive correlation between gestational age and folic acid level (r = 0.447, P

The data for this paper was collected through a survey aimed at reviewing the socioeconomic conditions of the communities living along the Sudanese border between Eritrea and Ethiopia. The survey was conducted during July-August 2013 (Abdel Ati, ElTayeb Mohamadain, and Faiz Hamad ElNil 2014). Its main objectives include: Estimating poverty indices among eastern Sudan border communities. Measuring poverty levels and depth, and the decomposition of socioeconomic characteristics; Establishing a baseline for further research and analysis of poverty and livelihoods in the area as one of the few field-based studies; and Assisting decision-makers and other stakeholders at state and national levels by providing recommendations on appropriate policies and programming aimed at poverty reduction.

Prostacyclin is a prostanoid derived from arachidonic acid that prevents thrombosis and is thereby expected to protect against heart disease, while trans fats present in partially hydrogenated oils interfere with arachidonic acid metabolism. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate how fats with different proportions of linoleic acid and trans-18:1 affect prostacyclin released by cultured endothelial cells, and to compare these proportions with those found in commercially available foods.Soybean oil and hydrogenated soybean oil (coating fat) were mixed in different proportions to yield seven fat mixtures with proportions of linoleic acid ranging from 54.1% to 5.7% and trans-18:1 acid ranging from 0.4% to 43.9%. Human endothelial cells were cultured in each of the mixtures, and their phospholipid fractions were then separated and their fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography. The prostacyclin released by the cells was measured using RIA kits. Margarines and processed foods were purchased from the supermarket for comparison.Our work revealed that as the percentage of trans fat was increased, the amount of prostacyclin released dose-dependently and significantly (P0.0001) decreased, the concentration of linoleic and arachidonic acid decreased in the membrane phospholipids while the concentration of trans 18:1 acids increased, the prostacyclin decreased by 35-98%. Supermarket margarines had levels of trans fats similar to those that suppressed prostacyclin by 35-54%. Most processed foods labeled as trans-free contained trans fats.Trans fatty acids suppress prostacyclin production at levels found in commercial margarines, and processed foods labeled as trans-free could contribute to this effect if consumed in multiple servings or in addition to foods containing larger amounts of trans fats.

This study was conducted at Faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Qena Government, Egypt during the seasons 2011, between two hybrid of the Carniolian bee race and second hybrid of the Italian bee race to study the relationship between the infection levels of Nosema apis spores and epithelial cells of midgut of honeybee. The results showed that there were high significant differences between the average numbers of spores; where the numbers of spores in Carniolian bee race higher than the Italian bee race (20467.26-11402.03), respectively during the study period. On the other hand histological section showed that heavy infection lead to the disintegration of epithelial cell walls, striated border, and fragmentation of peritrophic membranes. Also, destruction of the muscle layer and basement membrane, while in the case of moderate cells infection appeared semi-decomposed compared to healthy cells. The research recommends to intensify the care and treatment programs during months of heavy infection (January, February, March), in the southern states.