Effects of rapid urbanization on child behaviour and health in a part of Khartoum, Sudan--I. Socio-economic changes 1965-1980

A study of child behaviour and health in a newly urbanized part of Khartoum, Sudan, was carried out in 1980 on 245 children aged 3-15 years. The same area, then rural, had been investigated in 1965. This report describes the social, economical and health changes that had taken place between the two investigations. The area had changed to a poly-tribal society. The occupations had shifted from mainly agricultural and traditional manual labour (such as brick making) to industrial labour, transport and white-collar professions. The standard of living had improved regarding housing, food and sanitation. Schools and health facilities were more available. The families were still very stable with few divorces, a functioning extended family system and very low employment of women outside the homes. There were some breaking up of old tribal traditions like a new acceptance of female education while other traditions like female circumcision were still practised but with emerging questioning of its value. The socio-economic changes in the society had been accompanied by an improved somatic health and nutritional state of the older children. More small children also survived their preschool years. The effects on the psychological health was commented on briefly but will be reported in detail in a coming article.