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Parasitology

Multifaceted Barriers to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Malaria and Dengue Fever in War-Affected Communities in Sudan: A Cross-Sectional Community-Based Study

Ahmed Bakheet Abd Alla Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, College of Medical Laboratory Science, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan, Sudan Correspondence ahmed.hassanab@gmail.com
,
Anfal Hashim Nasir Eltayib Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, College of Medical Laboratory Science, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan, Sudan Correspondence anfalhashim83@gmail.com
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Ezaldin Abdelbagi Yahia Elhadi Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, College of Medical Laboratory Science, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan, Sudan Correspondence ezoalhadi017@gmail.com
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Hagir Masaad Albushra Altayeb Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, College of Medical Laboratory Science, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan, Sudan Correspondence Hajirmassad@gamil.com
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Saja Abu Algasem Mohmmed Hassan Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, College of Medical Laboratory Science, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan, Sudan Correspondence saja842000@gmail.com
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Wahag Moawia Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Shendi, Shendi, Sudan, Sudan Correspondence dr.wahaj2017@gmail.com
Pages 157-165
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Abstract

Armed conflict has disrupted health services and vector control in Sudan, but evidence on barriers perceived by affected residents remains limited. We conducted an exploratory web-based cross-sectional survey from September 23 to November 10, 2024. Sixty-two adults living in conflict-affected Sudanese states were recruited through social media using convenience sampling. Categorical responses were summarized as counts and percentages, and Wilson 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for key proportions. Most respondents knew that mosquitoes transmit malaria and dengue (58/62, 93.5%; 95% CI, 84.6%-97.5%), yet 45/62 (72.6%; 95% CI, 60.4%-82.1%) reported that fever is often dismissed in their communities. In a multiple-response item, financial cost was selected by 45/62 participants (72.6%; 95% CI, 60.4%-82.1%), diagnostic difficulty and medication shortages by 27/62 each (43.5%; 95% CI, 31.9%-55.9%), security concerns by 18/62 (29.0%; 95% CI, 19.2%-41.3%), and distance or access problems by 10/62 (16.1%; 95% CI, 9.0%-27.2%). Security threats during travel to care were reported by 21/62 (33.9%; 95% CI, 23.3%-46.3%), and 45/62 (72.6%; 95% CI, 60.4%-82.1%) reported difficulty obtaining preventive commodities. Among this digitally accessible, highly educated convenience sample, knowledge was high but respondents reported substantial financial, diagnostic, supply, and security constraints. The findings support conflict-adapted services that combine affordable diagnosis and treatment, protected access, and reliable prevention supplies. Population-representative studies are needed.

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How to Cite This

Bakheet Abd Alla, A., Eltayib, A. H. N., Elhadi, E. A. Y., Altayeb, H. M. A., Hassan, S. A. A. M., & Moawia, W. (2026). Multifaceted Barriers to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention of Malaria and Dengue Fever in War-Affected Communities in Sudan: A Cross-Sectional Community-Based Study. Jurnal Teknologi Laboratorium, 15(2), 157–165. https://doi.org/10.29238/teknolabjournal.v15i2.726

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All data generated during this study are included in this published article [and its supplementary information files].