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 ...
ABSTRACT Sexual violence is a serious public health, social and human rights problem affecting millions of people each year throughout the world. It affects both sexes but women and girls are the most affected. This study sought to determine prevalence and pattern of sexual violence, determinants of sexual violence and assess the knowledge level of young people on sexual violence in Naivasha District. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study where both quantitative and qualitative methods...
ABSTRACT Insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) are known to be highly effective in reducing malaria morbidity and mortality. However, there is scanty information on actual usage of owned nets which varies among households. Such variations may limit the potential effect of nets and cause spatial heterogeneity on malaria transmission. Likewise there is limited information and utilization of topographic parameters such as the shape of the underlying valley ecosystem in identification of high-risk...
ABSTRACT About 1.6 million Kenyans are living with HIV and AIDS while an estimated 1.5 million have already died of the virus. Marrying or looking for a lifetime soul mate or partner in the era of HIV and AIDS pandemic is therefore problematic, worrying and a nightmare. Due to changing lifestyles and limited time for interaction amongst age groups in any one given population, dating has been elevated to media platform amongst sexually active men and women. However, HIV and AIDS is a reality a...
ABSTRACT Substance abuse is a worldwide public health challenge. Globally, 210 million people abuse drugs resulting in approximately 263,000 deaths annually. An estimated 10-15 % of medical students risk substance abuse in their lifetime as they are not immune to the predisposing factors associated with the abuse. Substance abuse by students in medical training colleges (MTCs) may impact negatively on their health, future professional conduct and consequently, safety of patients. In Kenya, su...
ABSTRACT Trachoma is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, which produces a characteristic scarring of the inner surface of the eyelids. It affects all age groups but is more prevalent among young children, aged less than 9 years, who are the reservoirs of the disease. Trachoma is the leading cause of infectious blindness in the world, accounting for more than 1.4% of the world‟s blindness. It‟s transmitted through direct contact of infected ocular material ...
ABSTRACT Immunization alone averts 2-3 million deaths annually. Immunization coverage of above 80% is need for herd immunity. Kenya’s immunization coveragefor childhood vaccines is at 68%, which is below herd immunity levels and continues to experience decline trajectory. Vaccine coverage is not uniform across the regions in the country and varies by type of vaccine. Urban informal settlements experiences low coverage, which leaves many children at risk of vaccine preventable diseases.The m...
ABSTRACT Malaria accounts for approximately 21% of all out-patient visits in Kenya annually. Accurate diagnosis is the key to proper treatment of the disease. In Kenya, parasitological testing using either microscopy or malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT) are the recommended malaria diagnostic methods. Microscopy is the „gold standard‟ for laboratory diagnosis of malaria, and is the primary method for malaria diagnosis in Kisumu county referral hospital, yet its diagnostic quality has ne...
ABSTRACT Globally an estimate of 350 000 to 500 000 women die annually from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth. An adverse pregnancy outcome is an incident which reduces the chance of having a healthy baby, two or more 1st trimester miscarriage. Previous studies reveal that adverse pregnancy outcomes were threatening the lives of both the mother and child. The burden of adverse pregnancy outcomes among women who deliver at Intermediate Hospital Oshakati is a major public ...
ABSTRACT Salmonella infection in humans is a major public health problem worldwide. There is an increasing concern with this pathogen due to the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistant and potentially more pathogenic strains. Failure to control Salmonella in a country presents a potential problem for other countries. To minimise the burden of this pathogen, it is helpful to monitor Salmonella serovars distribution in many countries, implement Salmonella control measures throughout the fo...
ABSTRACT Early diagnosis in cancer greatly affects treatment success of which the most important components are education (knowledge) and encouragement of the target population to participate in early diagnostic procedures (World Health Organisation). Statistics from Cancer Namibia (CAN) show that prostate cancer has been on the rise with 126 and 311 cases reported in 2006 and 2012. In 2014 and 2015, 52 and 68 prostate cancer cases were recorded in Intermediate Hospital Oshakati (IHO). Out of...