Pattern of infectious diseases among Khalwa (Quran boarding school) students in Khartoum State, Sudan

Abstract

Khalwa is one of the most ancient non-governmental educational institutions that are commonly found all over Sudan, playing a major role in the Sudanese society. The majority of Khalwa students are children. This study was part of a mixed-methods project, conducted by Khartoum Medical Students’ Association, aiming to investigate the health status of Khalwa students. It was a cross-sectional study, done in Mustafa Alfadni Khalwa, Sharg Al-Neel suburb in Khartoum State. The participants were clinically assessed by a doctor and data were collected by using a data entry tool made specially to screen for major infectious diseases among students. Results showed a mean age of 13.7 years. Most of the students (47.7%) were originally from Darfur, and 27.5% of them had only Khalwa education. Respiratory clinic results revealed that 10% were complaining of cough, and 3.4 % were diagnosed with pneumonia. Additionally, 44.6% of the students had Tinea capitis and 21% had scabies. On examination, 2.3% and 1.1% had mild splenomegaly and hepatomegaly, respectively. Infectious conjunctivitis and trachoma were reported among 11.7% and 10.9%, respectively. Blood films for malaria were positive in 51.3%. Macroscopic and microscopic hematuria was, respectively, evident among 13.4% and 10.8% of the participants. Stool examination results showed that 1.4% of the students had worms, 1.5% had ova and 18.8% had stool red blood cells. Infectious diseases are very common among Khalwa students and their living environment is facilitating the transmission of these diseases. agent control and sanitation improvement are crucial to decrease such infectious diseases.

Combating Infectious Diseases Threat among Students in Islamic Boarding School (Pondok Pesantren): A Pilot Assessment

“…This finding is similar to a study in a boarding school in Sudan. 20 Students living in boarding schools are prone to infectious diseases, including skin, respiratory, eye, and gastrointestinal infections. Additionally, most of the students in that boarding school were also confirmed positive with blood tests for Malaria due to their living environments being one of the Malariaendemic countries.…”

“…31 Outbreaks of infectious diseases in particular settings, such as Islamic Boarding Schools, could seriously interfere with children's education and cause a delay in school activities. 20 It is essential for the staff and students living in Islamic Boarding Schools to understand the steps to prevent the incidence of infectious diseases, including maintaining clean and healthy living behavior practices and promoting immunization for vaccinepreventable diseases. They should be able to identify and provide mitigation guidelines to stop the transmission of the disease, which includes screening and active case finding, cohorting sick students from healthy students, and providing the proper initial treatment needed.…”