Abstract: Variation in vector traits can modulate local scale differences in pathogen transmission. Here, we compared seasonal variation in the wing length (proxy for body size) and energy reserves of adult wild-caught Aedes aegypti populations from a dengue endemic (Kilifi) and non-endemic (Isiolo) area of Kenya. Vector sampling in the dengue endemic site was conducted during the dry and wet seasons. In the non-endemic area, it was limited to the dry season which characterizes this ecology ...
Abstract: Vectors of emerging infectious diseases have expanded their distributional ranges in recent decades due to increased global travel, trade connectivity and climate change. Transboundary range shifts, arising from the continuous movement of humans and livestock across borders, are of particular disease control concern. Several tick-borne diseases are known to circulate between eastern Uganda and the western counties of Kenya, with one fatal case of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (C...
Filipinos infected with HIV-AIDS continued to balloon, notwithstanding the intervention through comprehensive prevention, dissemination, and control programs. In Eastern Visayas, 69 cases were coming from the most risk population, primarily Men Having Sex with Men (MSM), either homosexual, heterosexual, or bisexual modes of transmission. Bearing this epidemic, sexual networking, using the internet for sex served as cruising sites for casual sex, and promiscuity may be accounted for this surge...
ABSTRACT Introduction Against the backdrop of the Sustainable Development Goals 1, 2 and 3, which aim to improve global health, food security, and reduce poverty, agriculture for most is crucial to achieving self-sustainability in Africa. However, the increased occurrence of adverse events including droughts and conflicts, with losses to farmers, threatens efforts to achieve the set goals. These losses can affect livestock farmers’ psychosocial wellbeing and productivity. Identifying, the...
CHAPTER ONE 1.0 INTRODUCTION Dermatoglyphics was derived from the Greek word, “dermis” meaning skin and “glyph”meaning curving. Dermatoglyphics is the science of configuration of epidermal ridges of thevolar surfaces of the fingers, toes, palms and soles (cummins and mildo, 1961).Dermatoglyphics is the scientific study of epidermal ridge (or papillary peaks) patterns on fingers (fingerprints) and palms (palmprints). Each person has distinct and unique ridges on the fingers and palms...
ABSTRACT This study was conducted on the determinants of utilization of family planning services among women of Gambari ward in Ilorin, Kwara State. The specific objectives were to determine the level of utilization of family planning services, to assess the level of knowledge of family planning among women of reproductive age group in Gambari Ward, to determine the proportion of women currently using family planning methods and to determine the proportion of women who wish to use family plan...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Globally, prematurity is a major determinant of neonatal morbidity and mortality contributing about 30%-40% of neonatal mortality and 20% to 30% of infant and under-five mortality. The world‟s preterm birth rate keeps rising since the last two decades with an increase of 20% since 1990 in high-income countries. Major risk factors remain unknown. The consequences are enormous with developmental and childhood complications as well as high economic and psycho-social bu...
Kenya has more than 2.5 million people living with HIV and AIDS. Mombasa County had a prevalence rate of 7.8% in the year 2009. Globally 390,000 babies were infected with HIV in the year 2010 through mother to child transmission. In Kenya an estimated 37,000 to 40, 000 infants are infected annually in utero. This could be due to loss to follow up and non-adherence to ARVs and Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) guidelines. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends Opt...
ABSTRACT Corn Soy Blend (CSB) is the backbone of supplementation feeding for malnourished children. CSB however, has poor micronutrient bioavailability and may result into poor outcomes during nutrition recovery of the children. Micronutrient powders (MNPs) have a potential to improve micronutrient nutrition. Scientific evidence on the efficacy of MNPs in improving zinc (Zn) status among moderately malnourished children is scarce. This cluster randomized trial was designed to establish the b...
ABSTRACT The last two decades of armed conflicts, lack of functioning government, economic collapse, and disintegration of the health system and other public services - together with recurrent droughts and famines, have turned Somalia into one of the world’s most difficult environments for survival. The under-five mortality in Somalia is estimated at 200 deaths per 1,000 live births, which is one of the highest in the world. Diarrhea is the main killer; contributing to 20-25 per cent of al...
ABSTRACT Preterm birth (PTB) is a major cause of neonatal mortality worldwide. The prevalence of PTB in Africa (about 12%) is more than twice that in developed countries (about 5%). In Kenya, the prevalence is about 17% which is way more than the average in Africa, pointing to the need for targeted interventions to reduce its burden. Sub County Medical Officer of Health (SCMOH) of Moyale Sub-County, reported an increasing trend in Preterm Birth (PTB) in the region from 40% in 2012 to 60% in 2...
ABSTRACT There has been a growing concern on the effect of heavy backpack on health among school going children who are at an important stage of their growth and development. Grade-based learning has pushed many students to carrying heavy backpacks hence leaving them exposed to musculoskeletal problems. The objective of this study was to measure the backpack weight carried by pupils in Starehe sub-county in order to assess the effects of backpack weight on musculoskeletal pain. A descriptive...
ABSTRACT Diabetes mellitus is a condition characterized by chronic hyperglycemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, action or both. Type 2 Diabetes mellitus accounts for 85% of all diabetic cases making it a common and growing health problem with significant mortality and morbidity including foot problems such as neuropathy, ulceration, infection and amputation. Prevention and prophylactic foot care have been advocated ...
ABSTRACT Diarrhoea is the second leading cause of death in children under five years old worldwide. Nearly one in five children deaths – about 1.5 million each year is due to diarrhea. Diarrhea is the third most common cause of mortality and morbidity in Kenya, with a case fatality of up to 21 percent causing approximately 9 percent of deaths in children less than five years of age. The primary focus of diarrheal disease control programs has been on improved case management through the pro...
ABSTRACT It is estimated that Kenya has 1.6 million people living with HIV and 88,000 new adult infections annually. The country has adult HIV prevalence rate of between 5.6 - 7.2% and incidence rate of 0.4 – 0.7%. Recent studies on HIV disclosure among adult sexual partners revealed HIV 70-80% disclosure rates. A number of studies on HIV and AIDS have been undertaken in Kenya. However, determinants of disclosure among persons living with HIV remain unclear. The objective of this study was ...