Knowledge, attitude and practice of medical students in Khartoum State, Sudan towards neglected tropical diseases 2023–2024 - a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Neglected Tropical Diseases are a group of communicable diseases that are prevalent in tropical areas with poverty, and poor water sanitation and hygiene. Sudan is a low-income country with poor water sanitation hygiene services and medical facilities. The knowledge, attitude, an...

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Main Authors: Fatima Elbasri Abuelgasim Mohammed, Umniha Siddig Ahmed Elgailani, Ammar Elgadi, Mohamed Elmujtaba Suliman, Eisar Babiker Bakheit Mahgoub Suliman, Ola Suliman, Ola Sharafeldin Mohamed Elhassan Hussein, Leena Yousif Omer Elbasheir, Abda Omer Osman Omer, Ola Nasir Mustafa Fadlalla, Roaa Ahmed Elobeid Dafaallah, Lena Husham Mohamed Ahmed
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Medical Education
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-07558-0
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author Fatima Elbasri Abuelgasim Mohammed
Umniha Siddig Ahmed Elgailani
Ammar Elgadi
Mohamed Elmujtaba Suliman
Eisar Babiker Bakheit Mahgoub Suliman
Ola Suliman
Ola Sharafeldin Mohamed Elhassan Hussein
Leena Yousif Omer Elbasheir
Abda Omer Osman Omer
Ola Nasir Mustafa Fadlalla
Roaa Ahmed Elobeid Dafaallah
Lena Husham Mohamed Ahmed
author_facet Fatima Elbasri Abuelgasim Mohammed
Umniha Siddig Ahmed Elgailani
Ammar Elgadi
Mohamed Elmujtaba Suliman
Eisar Babiker Bakheit Mahgoub Suliman
Ola Suliman
Ola Sharafeldin Mohamed Elhassan Hussein
Leena Yousif Omer Elbasheir
Abda Omer Osman Omer
Ola Nasir Mustafa Fadlalla
Roaa Ahmed Elobeid Dafaallah
Lena Husham Mohamed Ahmed
author_sort Fatima Elbasri Abuelgasim Mohammed
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Neglected Tropical Diseases are a group of communicable diseases that are prevalent in tropical areas with poverty, and poor water sanitation and hygiene. Sudan is a low-income country with poor water sanitation hygiene services and medical facilities. The knowledge, attitude, and practice of medical students will influence their performance as future doctors to combat the neglected tropical diseases. Methodology we conducted a cross-sectional study among medical students in Khartoum State, Sudan. A multistage sampling technique was used and a total of 8 medical schools were selected as clusters. Based on the academic years, the study population was divided into proportionate strata. We collected the data through an online self-administered questionnaire with 2 sections. We calculated frequencies, percentages, and associations using Kruskal Wallis H, and linear regression analysis. Results A total of 407 participants from seven medical schools took part in the study. Approximately 34.2% of the participants did not know that neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are classified as communicable diseases. In addition, 53.8% were unaware that ending NTDs is part of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. Nearly 29.5% reported that they had never heard about NTDs in the context of Sudan. Furthermore, 48.4% of the respondents disagreed with the statement that Sudan has strong national policies to combat NTDs. On a more optimistic note, 80.6% agreed that medical students can contribute to ending NTDs. However, only 24.3% reported substantial participation in community awareness activities. Notably, 58.5% identified a lack of knowledge as the most significant barrier to engaging in NTD advocacy efforts. Conclusion Medical students play a crucial role in ending the neglected tropical diseases, not only as future doctors but as youth who have the energy to volunteer in advocacy activities. Addressing the lack of knowledge and practices among medical students through updating the curriculum and medical education strategies is crucial. Keywords: , , , , education
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spelling doaj-art-cd798098a2174251815c00addf2c0eb12025-08-20T04:01:35ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202025-07-0125111110.1186/s12909-025-07558-0Knowledge, attitude and practice of medical students in Khartoum State, Sudan towards neglected tropical diseases 2023–2024 - a cross-sectional studyFatima Elbasri Abuelgasim Mohammed0Umniha Siddig Ahmed Elgailani1Ammar Elgadi2Mohamed Elmujtaba Suliman3Eisar Babiker Bakheit Mahgoub Suliman4Ola Suliman5Ola Sharafeldin Mohamed Elhassan Hussein6Leena Yousif Omer Elbasheir7Abda Omer Osman Omer8Ola Nasir Mustafa Fadlalla9Roaa Ahmed Elobeid Dafaallah10Lena Husham Mohamed Ahmed11Faculty of Medicine, Khartoum UniversityFaculty of Medicine, Omdurman Islamic UniversityFaculty of Medicine, Khartoum UniversityFaculty of Medicine, National Ribaat UniversityFaculty of Medicine, Khartoum UniversityFaculty of Medicine, National Ribaat UniversityFaculty of Medicine, Bahri UniversityFaculty of Medicine, Bahri UniversityFaculty of Medicine, Bahri UniversityFaculty of Medicine, Bahri UniversityFaculty of Medicine, Khartoum UniversityFaculty of Medicine, Helwan UniversityAbstract Background Neglected Tropical Diseases are a group of communicable diseases that are prevalent in tropical areas with poverty, and poor water sanitation and hygiene. Sudan is a low-income country with poor water sanitation hygiene services and medical facilities. The knowledge, attitude, and practice of medical students will influence their performance as future doctors to combat the neglected tropical diseases. Methodology we conducted a cross-sectional study among medical students in Khartoum State, Sudan. A multistage sampling technique was used and a total of 8 medical schools were selected as clusters. Based on the academic years, the study population was divided into proportionate strata. We collected the data through an online self-administered questionnaire with 2 sections. We calculated frequencies, percentages, and associations using Kruskal Wallis H, and linear regression analysis. Results A total of 407 participants from seven medical schools took part in the study. Approximately 34.2% of the participants did not know that neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are classified as communicable diseases. In addition, 53.8% were unaware that ending NTDs is part of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. Nearly 29.5% reported that they had never heard about NTDs in the context of Sudan. Furthermore, 48.4% of the respondents disagreed with the statement that Sudan has strong national policies to combat NTDs. On a more optimistic note, 80.6% agreed that medical students can contribute to ending NTDs. However, only 24.3% reported substantial participation in community awareness activities. Notably, 58.5% identified a lack of knowledge as the most significant barrier to engaging in NTD advocacy efforts. Conclusion Medical students play a crucial role in ending the neglected tropical diseases, not only as future doctors but as youth who have the energy to volunteer in advocacy activities. Addressing the lack of knowledge and practices among medical students through updating the curriculum and medical education strategies is crucial. Keywords: , , , , educationhttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-07558-0Neglected tropical diseasesCurriculum developmentMeaningful students inclusionAdvocacyEducation
spellingShingle Fatima Elbasri Abuelgasim Mohammed
Umniha Siddig Ahmed Elgailani
Ammar Elgadi
Mohamed Elmujtaba Suliman
Eisar Babiker Bakheit Mahgoub Suliman
Ola Suliman
Ola Sharafeldin Mohamed Elhassan Hussein
Leena Yousif Omer Elbasheir
Abda Omer Osman Omer
Ola Nasir Mustafa Fadlalla
Roaa Ahmed Elobeid Dafaallah
Lena Husham Mohamed Ahmed
Knowledge, attitude and practice of medical students in Khartoum State, Sudan towards neglected tropical diseases 2023–2024 - a cross-sectional study
BMC Medical Education
Neglected tropical diseases
Curriculum development
Meaningful students inclusion
Advocacy
Education
title Knowledge, attitude and practice of medical students in Khartoum State, Sudan towards neglected tropical diseases 2023–2024 - a cross-sectional study
title_full Knowledge, attitude and practice of medical students in Khartoum State, Sudan towards neglected tropical diseases 2023–2024 - a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Knowledge, attitude and practice of medical students in Khartoum State, Sudan towards neglected tropical diseases 2023–2024 - a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Knowledge, attitude and practice of medical students in Khartoum State, Sudan towards neglected tropical diseases 2023–2024 - a cross-sectional study
title_short Knowledge, attitude and practice of medical students in Khartoum State, Sudan towards neglected tropical diseases 2023–2024 - a cross-sectional study
title_sort knowledge attitude and practice of medical students in khartoum state sudan towards neglected tropical diseases 2023 2024 a cross sectional study
topic Neglected tropical diseases
Curriculum development
Meaningful students inclusion
Advocacy
Education
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-025-07558-0
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