Background: The situation for medical education and healthcare in Sudan has been challenging for the recent years, and emigration of physicians is an ongoing problem threatening the healthcare system. We conducted this study to understand the future plans of medical students and their perceptions regarding their medical education and healthcare system. Method: We performed this cross‐sectional study at five public and private Sudanese medical schools in November 2023. We distributed the questionnaire electronically through an Online Google Form via social media platforms, such as WhatsApp Messenger. Descriptive statistics were employed for the data analyses. Results: The mean age (±SD) of the students was 22.2 (±2.7) years, and females constituted 61.8% (397) of the study sample. About 18% of the students rated their medical training as excellent, and half of them (50%) said that it was good. Nearly half of the students believed the quality of healthcare services in hospitals was poor (46%) along with a shortage or severe shortage in its number (49%). A majority (58.4%) thought frequently or constantly about leaving Sudan after graduation. Reasons given for leaving included better personal lifestyle, avoiding conflict, advanced training, and better professional opportunities and salary. Leading motives for staying included the pull of friends and family and a sense of responsibility to the country. Conclusion: This study indicated the pressing need for comprehensive interventions to address the challenges faced by medical students in Sudan. The strong desire to emigrate increased by the current conflict, coupled with concerns about the healthcare system and medical education, poses a significant threat to the future of healthcare services in the region.

Background: Online learning has emerged as an alternative to continuing higher education during the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Despite its numerous benefits, online learning is often associated with challenges like stress, anxiety, and depression. Satisfaction plays a pivotal role in shaping students’ perceptions of online education quality and their mental well-being, especially under adverse conditions like conflict. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the satisfaction of Sudanese medical students with online learning and its association with psychological distress issues, including anxiety, depression, and stress, during the current Sudan war. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Sudanese medical students who transitioned to online learning during the conflict. Satisfaction with online learning was assessed using a validated questionnaire consisting of eight dimensions, while depression symptoms were measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, anxiety with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and perceived stress with the Perceived Stress Scale-10. Associations between demographic factors and key outcomes were analyzed using independent t-tests, chi-square tests, and one-way ANOVA, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Among the 1,891 medical students surveyed, the mean satisfaction score for online learning was 26.2 out of 40. Mild to moderate depression was reported by 59.4% of students, while 62% experienced mild to moderate anxiety, and 21% reported high stress levels. Lower satisfaction was significantly associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress (all p < 0.001). Conclusion: Sudanese medical students reported positive satisfaction with online learning during the conflict, yet this was accompanied by high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. These findings highlight the need for integrated mental health support and improved digital access to enhance online education. Addressing these challenges is essential to ensuring student well-being and sustaining quality education in conflict settings. Further research across different settings can help develop more effective interventions.

Background: Healthcare services during wartime face significant challenges. Pregnant women seeking antenatal care (ANC) during the Sudan conflict encounter numerous barriers, impacting their access and satisfaction. This study assessed ANC utilization, satisfaction, and barriers faced by pregnant women in Gadarif State during the ongoing war. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Gadarif Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynecology from September to November 2024, targeting women who had given birth at the hospital. A questionnaire with four sections assessed utilization, satisfaction, and barriers with ANC during wartime. Cross-tabulations and chi-square tests analyzed associations between categorical variables, with p-values < 0.05 considered significant. Results: A total of 345 pregnant women participated in this study. ANC utilization was reflected in a median of 4.0 visits (IQR = 2.0), with the first visit occurring at a median of 13 weeks (IQR = 13). Overall, 90.4% of participants reported being satisfied with ANC services, although satisfaction with interpersonal communication skills was the lowest at 6.4%. Barriers to access included lack of privacy (33.3%) and irregular facility operating hours (21.4%), while the primary reasons for missing ANC visits were transport challenges and the absence of night-duty staff. Conclusion: This study revealed a surprisingly high level of satisfaction with ANC services, despite key barriers such as lack of privacy and irregular health facility operating hours. While ANC attendance was relatively good, visits tended to start later than recommended. Interventions should focus on addressing these barriers by improving service accessibility and ensuring consistent care. Enhancing early engagement with ANC is also critical to improving maternal health outcomes.

Internally displaced children are among the most vulnerable populations affected by armed conflict, often enduring psychological trauma that may lead to em

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