Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Sudanese medical professionals regarding the 2023 Sudan malaria treatment protocol: a cross-sectional study.
13 affiliations
- 1Alzaiem Alazhari University, Khartoum, Sudan. [email protected].
- 2University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan.
- 3Ahfad University for Women, Khartoum, Sudan.
- 4International University of Africa, Khartoum, Sudan.
- 5University of Science and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan.
- 6Alzaiem Alazhari University, Khartoum, Sudan.
- 7National University of Sudan, Khartoum, Sudan.
- 8West Kordofan University, West Kordofan, Sudan.
- 9University of Gezira, Gezira, Sudan.
- 10University of Al Fashir, Al Fashir, Sudan.
- 11Omdurman Islamic University, Khartoum, Sudan.
- 12Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan.
- 13Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Bakht Alruda, Ad Duwaym, Sudan.
Abstract
Introduction
Malaria remains a major public health challenge in Sudan, primarily driven by Plasmodium falciparum. Timely and effective case management is critical, necessitating high adherence to the newly issued Sudan Malaria Case Management Protocol 2023. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and current practices of Sudanese medical professionals regarding this 2023 protocol.Methodology
This was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted in 2024-2025. A convenience sample of 371 currently practicing Sudanese medical professionals was recruited and surveyed. Data were analyzed to identify levels of awareness and adherence, as well as the major barriers to protocol implementation.Results
High awareness was reported, with 67.9% of participants knowing about the 2023 protocol. Knowledge of first-line treatments was strong, with 93.5% correctly identifying Artemether-Lumefantrine for uncomplicated malaria and 83.0% correctly identifying Intravenous Artesunate for severe malaria. However, a significant gap in formal training was observed: 69.5% of participants reported no formal training on the new protocol. Furthermore, only 41.5% reported "always" adhering to the protocol in their practice. The major reported barriers included lack of formal training (55.8%) and lack of resources (53.4%).Conclusion
Although the 2023 protocol is well-regarded as an improvement, and knowledge of key recommendations is high, its potential is limited by significant implementation challenges. Translating awareness into effective clinical practice requires immediate, comprehensive interventions, including structured training and addressing resource shortages.
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BibTeX
@article{yousif2026knowledge,
title = {{Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Sudanese medical professionals regarding the 2023 Sudan malaria treatment protocol: a cross-sectional study.}},
author = {Yousif Omer Elgaili Yousif and Rayan Mohamed Issa Kheerallah and Maab Khalifa Mohamed Ahmed and Khadiga Mansoor Ali Bakheit and Azza Omer Osman Abdelrahman and Hind Elmukashfi ShamsEldin Elobied and Sittia Basil Hassan Ali and Srraa Abdelrasoul Elnour Ismail and Sahl Muawia Elbsri Elshaikh and Tarik Abdulrahim Ahmed Yousif and Adam Elnour Mohamed Ibrahim and Ahmed Eltayeb Ali Hassan and Mahmoud Alballa Almahdi Alhag and Faisal Rhma Ismail Adam and Omer Elgaili Yousif Elhag and Mohammed Mahmmoud Fadelallah Eljack},
journal = {Malaria journal},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12936-026-06064-y},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42894193},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Sudanese medical professionals regarding the 2023 Sudan malaria treatment protocol: a cross-sectional study.
AU - Yousif Omer Elgaili Yousif
AU - Rayan Mohamed Issa Kheerallah
AU - Maab Khalifa Mohamed Ahmed
AU - Khadiga Mansoor Ali Bakheit
AU - Azza Omer Osman Abdelrahman
AU - Hind Elmukashfi ShamsEldin Elobied
AU - Sittia Basil Hassan Ali
AU - Srraa Abdelrasoul Elnour Ismail
AU - Sahl Muawia Elbsri Elshaikh
AU - Tarik Abdulrahim Ahmed Yousif
AU - Adam Elnour Mohamed Ibrahim
AU - Ahmed Eltayeb Ali Hassan
AU - Mahmoud Alballa Almahdi Alhag
AU - Faisal Rhma Ismail Adam
AU - Omer Elgaili Yousif Elhag
AU - Mohammed Mahmmoud Fadelallah Eljack
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Malaria journal
DO - 10.1186/s12936-026-06064-y
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42894193
AB - Introduction Malaria remains a major public health challenge in Sudan, primarily driven by Plasmodium falciparum. Timely and effective case management is critical, necessitating high adherence to the newly issued Sudan Malaria Case Management Protocol 2023. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and current practices of Sudanese medical professionals regarding this 2023 protocol.Methodology This was a cross-sectional analytical study conducted in 2024-2025. A convenience sample of 371 currently practicing Sudanese medical professionals was recruited and surveyed. Data were analyzed to identify levels of awareness and adherence, as well as the major barriers to protocol implementation.Results High awareness was reported, with 67.9% of participants knowing about the 2023 protocol. Knowledge of first-line treatments was strong, with 93.5% correctly identifying Artemether-Lumefantrine for uncomplicated malaria and 83.0% correctly identifying Intravenous Artesunate for severe malaria. However, a significant gap in formal training was observed: 69.5% of participants reported no formal training on the new protocol. Furthermore, only 41.5% reported "always" adhering to the protocol in their practice. The major reported barriers included lack of formal training (55.8%) and lack of resources (53.4%).Conclusion Although the 2023 protocol is well-regarded as an improvement, and knowledge of key recommendations is high, its potential is limited by significant implementation challenges. Translating awareness into effective clinical practice requires immediate, comprehensive interventions, including structured training and addressing resource shortages.
SN - 1475-2875
ER -