Healthcare Access Dimensions among ESRD Patients on Dialysis in Northern Sudan during Wartime 2024

Authors

  • Iyas Abdelhadi University of Khartoum, Faculty of Medicine

Keywords:

ESRD, healthcare access disparities, dialysis

Abstract

Background: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis are among the most vulnerable groups in low-income and conflict-affected settings. Adequate access to healthcare is crucial for maintaining treatment continuity, preventing complications, and supporting nutritional health in this population. This study assesses healthcare access and its determinants among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on hemodialysis in Northern Sudan and examines the relationship between access and malnutrition.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved secondary data analysis from 137 ESRD patients in four dialysis centers in Northern Sudan using cluster sampling. Healthcare access was measured using a structured questionnaire based on the modified Penchansky and Thomas model. Nutritional status was assessed usingthe Subjective Global Assessment (SGA). Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and logistic regression were used to identify determinants and predictors of healthcare access using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) v21. Statistical significance was set at p-value < 0.05.

 

Results: Overall, all patients showed moderate to high levels of healthcare access (mean index: 3.87 ± 0.51). Affordability scored the lowest among access dimensions. Higher income and age were significant predictors of better access (AOR=9.99 and AOR=3.87, respectively; p<0.05), while gender, displacement, and health insurance showed no significant contribution. Malnourished patients showed significantly lower scores on the affordability and awareness domains (p-value < 0.05).

 

Conclusion: While patients in Northern Sudan had moderate to high access to healthcare, affordability was the most prominent barrier, being more prominent in malnourished patients, besides the low awareness. We recommend socioeconomic support, facilitating healthcare access for vulnerable patients, and nutritional educational programs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Table 1. Baseline characteristics and healthcare access and use of the ESRD on Haemodialysis in Northern Sudan. N=141

 

Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the Patients

N (%)

Treating Centre

Karima Teaching Hospital

54 (38.3)

Algolid Dialysis Centre

44 (31.2)

Argo Dialysis Centre

24 (17.0)

Wadi Halfa Dialysis Centre

19 (13.5)

Age

< 45

44 (31.2)

45-65

66 (46.8)

>= 65

31 (22.0)

M(Sd)

52 (14.5)

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Published

2025-12-31

How to Cite

Abdelhadi, I. (2025). Healthcare Access Dimensions among ESRD Patients on Dialysis in Northern Sudan during Wartime 2024. International Journal of Medical Students, 13, S224. Retrieved from https://ijms.info/IJMS/article/view/3764

Issue

Vol 13. (2025): Supplement 1

Section

Abstracts of the WCMSR

Categories

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Copyright (c) 2025 Iyas Abdelhadi

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