BackgroundThe epidemiology of Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever disease is yet to be fully understood since the virus was isolated in 1994 in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.SettingPreventive Medicine department, Ministry of Health, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.DesignRetrospective analysis of all laboratory confirmed cases of Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever disease collected through active and passive surveillance from 1st-January 2009 to December, 31, 2011.ResultsAlkhurma hemorrhagic fever (AHFV) disease increased from 59 cases in 2009 to 93 cases in 2011. Cases are being discovered outside of the region where it was initially diagnosed in Saudi Arabia. About a third of cases had no direct contact with animals or its products. Almost all cases had gastro-intestinal symptoms. Case fatality rate was less than 1%.ConclusionsFindings in this study showed the mode of transmission of AHFV virus may not be limited to direct contact with animals or its products. Gastro-intestinal symptoms were not previously documented. Observed low case fatality rate contradicted earlier reports. Close monitoring of the epidemiology of AHFV is recommended to aid appropriate diagnosis. Housewives are advised to wear gloves when handling animals and animal products as a preventive measure.

Although tuberculosis is a treatable disease, the high frequency of treatment default remains a challenge. The use of mobile phones structurally in a TB program has the potential to lower the frequency of default. However, it’s impact on treatment outcome in Sudan has not yet been evaluated. The aim is to evaluate the potential use of cell phones for lowering treatment default. We conducted a controlled intervention pilot study during the period from 1st of May 2017 to 31st of March 2018, in eight TB treatment units in Khartoum state, Sudan. Newly diagnosed patient with positive sputum smear on DOTS therapy were enrolled in intervention and control groups. SMS reminder were sent to the intervention group.Assessments were done at the beginning and at the end of the treatment. One hundred and forty-eight patients were enrolled, seventy-four patients in each group.The participants in the two groups were similar in demographic characteristics and behavioral and knowledge related factors about TB disease at baseline. The patients in the intervention group had a lower default rate (6.8%), higher documented cure rate (78.4%), better knowledge compared to control group. SMS reminder was useful and facilitated good interaction between patients and health personnel. Mobile texting seemed useful and was highly accepted by participants. Further evaluation of it’s potential benefit was warranted.

Facteurs pathologiques et thérapeutiques entraînant un abandon du traitement de la tuberculose dans l'État de Khartoum, Soudan : étude cas-témoin RÉSUMÉ L'abandon du traitement de la tuberculose (TB) demeure un défi dans la lutte antituberculeuse. La présente étude cas-témoin avait pour objectif d'identifier les déterminants de l'abandon de traitement parmi les patients atteints de tuberculose pris en charge dans des centres de traitement dans l'État de Khartoum entre mai et juillet 2011. Les cas comprenaient des patients atteints de tuberculose et ayant abandonné leur traitement, et les témoins étaient ceux ayant mené leur traitement à terme. Sur les 2727 patients atteints de tuberculose traités dans les centres, 328 (14 %) avaient abandonné le traitement. Sur ce nombre, 185 avaient repris le traitement avant la collecte des données, et 143 étaient restés sans traitement et étaient donc éligibles comme cas. Sur les 143, 27 n'ont pu être tracés et 11 ont refusé de participer. Ainsi, 105 cas et 210 témoins ont été inclus et interrogés. Les variables associées de façon significative avec l'abandon de traitement étaient le fait d'habiter en zone rurale (OR = 2,68 ; IC à 95 % I 1,51-4,73), la non participation à un programme DOTS (traitement de brève durée sous surveillance directe) (OR = 2,53 ; IC à 95 % 1,49-4,30), le développement d'effets secondaires (OR = 1,94 ; IC à 95 % 1,14-3,29) et des antécédents de tuberculose (rechute, tuberculose multirésistante ou échec du traitement) (OR = 5,11 ; IC à 95 % 2,69-9,6). Une attention devrait être accordée à ces groupes à risque d'abandon de façon à encourager l'observance et la poursuite du traitement. ‫ضابطة‬ ‫حالة‬ ‫دراسة‬ ‫السودان:‬ ‫اخلرطوم،‬ ‫والية‬ ‫يف‬ ‫السل‬ ‫عالج‬ ‫عن‬ ‫التخلف‬ ‫إىل‬ ‫تؤدي‬ ‫التي‬ ‫والعالج‬ ‫باملرض‬ ‫املرتبطة‬ ‫العوامل‬

IntroductionDespite the Treatment pulmonary TB patients, defaulting from treatment may remain the major challenge to control TB. In addition, it increases the risk of drug resistance, relapse, and death and may prolong infectiousness. Our objective was to identify determinants of treatment defaulting among TB patients in Khartoum State, Sudan.MethodsWe conducted a case-control study where the patients defaulting from treatment were considered as ‘cases’ and those completing treatment as ‘controls’. Between May 2010 to May 2011.ResultsThere were 2727 TB patients who attended TB treatment clinics during study period. Out of these 2399 patients (86%) had continued their treatment while 328 patients (14%) had interrupted it. 105 cases were traced and interviewed. In addition 210 patients who had continued their treatment were included (controls). In the multivariate analysis the variables that remained in the model were: residential locality (rural area) (OR 2.58; 95% CI 1.4 -4.67), patients moving or changing address (OR 5.47; 95% CI 2,90- 10-35), absence of family support (OR 2.14; 95% CI 1.12 - 4.11), and occupation (blue collar work) (OR 2.38; 95% CI 1.39 -4.10).ConclusionThe results of this study conclude some socio-demographic factors influence defaulting of TB treatment. We believe that the findings are applicable to current situation of TB management and control in Sudan and other developing countries

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