Introduction: Pakistan has an extensive network of public facilities aimed to provide primary health care including eye care. Yet no data exist on the number and purpose of eye visits to these facilities. Objective: This study aimed to describe the pattern of eye diseases in public primary care hospitals in a district in Pakistan's Sindh province. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in 14 randomly selected government primary health care centers 10 Basic Health Units and 4 Rural Health Centers in district Nawab shah, a central district of Sindh province. Doctors in these centers were trained in diagnosis and management of common eye diseases at the primary level and requested to record data prospectively on the total number of patient visits, total number of eye consultations and reasons for eye consultation. Data were entered and analyzed using EPI Info Software. Results: Over a period of one month, 9759 visits were made to the 14 selected primary health care centers. Eye diseases accounted for 1.8% of the total visits. Adults were more likely to have an eye consultation compared with children (Odds Ratio: 2.96; P < 0.01). Conjunctivitis (34.1%), cataract (22.0%), and corneal problems (6.9%) were the most common reasons for eye consultations. Conclusion: Despite solid evidence of a high burden of eye diseases at the community level in Pakistan, eye diseases accounted for only a very small proportion of the total consultations in the primary health care facilities. Efforts are needed to assess barriers to optimal utilization of existing primary health care services for eye diseases.

Introduction: Gum Arabic is most important commercial poly-saccharine and it is probably the oldest food hydro-colloid in current use. Gum Arabic is naturally obtained from Acacia Senegal and seyal trees which are known to grow in sub Sahara region of the Sudan. Materials and Methods: Two types of Gum Arabic namely; Acacia Senegal and Seyal were used. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and Fourier Transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used as analytical techniques. The conductivity and dielectric of both types of Gum Arabic were measured as function of frequency. Solutions with different concentration of Gum Arabic for both types were prepared and the Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV) was used to study the optical properties of these solutions. Results: The XRF results indicated that, Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal and Seyal) contained Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), and Strontium (Sr). The FTIR spectra of both types of Gum Arabic showed broad and strong absorption band in the range of 600 to 3000 cm ^-1 . These absorptions were assigned to the different stretching vibrations. Conclusion: The conductivity was found to increase with frequency while the opposite behavior observed for the dielectric. The absorption was found to increase with the increase of concentration.

Objectives: This study was to assess the diagnostic capabilities of Transabdominal Sonographic Findings in the Diagnosis of Urinary Bladder abnormalities. Methods and Material: In a cross-sectional study design, was conducted in different hospitals and clinical centers at Khartoum State. A total of 110 patients with symptoms of urinary bladder diseases were included in this study who had been selected and scanned with ultrasound using the appropriate technique Results: The study confirmed that cystitis was the commonest vesical pathology and common in female than male, Hematuria 29.75%, dysuria 25%, and showed that shistosomiasis mainly involve the male. Conclusions: This study concluded that ultrasonography is the first line of investigation as well as laboratory test (urine general) since it is safe, accurate and not time consuming.

Introduction: Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a member of the genus Herpes virus and belongs to the family Herpesviridae. Objective: The aim of this research work was to study the prevalence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection in renal transplant and haemodialysis patients. Blood samples were collected randomly from 52 renal transplant patients and 41 haemodialysis patients. The sera were tested with an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for HCMV IgG antibodies and additional ELISA test for HCMV IgM antibodies. Results: Renal transplant screening revealed that 98% of patients have IgG for HCMV antibodies and only 6% have IgM antibodies. In haemodialysis patients 95% showed the presence of IgG antibodies to HCMV and non of patient revealed the presence of IgM antibodies.

Introduction: Paediatrics patients deserve special attention because of the higher radiation risks compared with adults. Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine diagnostic reference level through entrance surface dose (ESD) calculations. The overall data consisted of patients doses collected from three major hospitals in Khartoum state. Results: 400 patients were subjected to this study. They are classified into four age groups, 0->1 year, 1->5 years, 5->10 years and 10->15 years old. Anteroposterior (AP) chest X-ray examination is done for them. The ESD calculated using Dose Cal software. The x-ray tube output for each equipment is measured using calibrated ionization chamber (RAD - Check Plus model 06-526). The results obtained are high compared to international diagnostic reference levels for chest. These results will also serve as a base line data for future settings.

Introduction: The concept of rational use of medicines requires that patients receive quality efficacious medicines appropriate to their needs, in doses that meet their individual requirements, for the adequate period of time and at the lowest cost to them and to the community. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to: 1) Analyze drug price differences between brands included in Sudan Drug Index (2009), 2) compare current drug prices with prices available in the international market (WHO drug price guide 2010), 3) assess the impact of price discrepancy on rational drug use by prescribers, dispensers and patients. Methodology: A descriptive, analytical, one time study was done in Khartoum capital, including 54 drugs selected via a pilot study. Questionnaire was designed to elect the perception, attitude, and behavior of prescribers and dispensers, toward price discrepancy and its impact on rational drug use. Information from patients was taken via a structured interview, using a probability value of 0.07; the sample size was 184 pharmacists, 196 doctors and 196 patients. Result: The discrepancy level was very high in Diclofenac Na 75 mg/3 ml inj with an H/L ratio of 73.7. Drug price comparison with the international guide reveled 92.31% of drug prices included in the study were higher than the guide. The impact of price discrepancy on rational drug use by prescribers, dispensers and patients is confusing, indicating a high degree of irrationality. Conclusion: Price discrepancies haven't been explained neither by the national regulatory authority nor by the local agents. The state of confusion on prescribers, dispensers, and patients would be a source of irrational practice with all its implications on rational use of medicines particularly on the end user having the current scarce financial resources. To ensure availability, accessibility and affordability of medicines establishment of a new drug policy becomes of paramount importance.