Abstract/Overview Tick-borne spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsioses are emerging human diseases caused by obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacteria of the genus Rickettsia. Despite being important causes of systemic febrile illnesses in travelers returning from sub-Saharan Africa, little is known about the reservoir hosts of these pathogens. We conducted surveys for rickettsiae in domestic animals and ticks in a rural setting in western Kenya. Of the 100 serum specimens tested from e...
Abstract/Overview Objective: To evaluate the validity of diVerent algorithms for the diagnosis of gonococcal and chlamydial infections among pregnant and non-pregnant women consulting health services for vaginal discharge in Nairobi, Kenya. Methods: Cross sectional study among 621 women with complaints of vaginal discharge in three city council clinics between April and August 1997. Women were interviewed and examined for symptoms and signs of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Speci...
Abstract/Overview We conducted a longitudinal study among 827 pregnant women in Nyanza Province, western Kenya, to determine the effect of earth-eating on geohelminth reinfection after treatment. The women were recruited at a gestational age of 14–24 weeks (median: 17) and followed up to 6 months postpartum. The median age was 23 (range: 14–47) years, the median parity 2 (range: 0–11). After deworming with mebendazole (500 mg, single dose) of those found infected at 32 weeks gestati...
Abstract/Overview Background HIV-1-related inflammation is associated with increased levels of biomarkers of vascular adhesion and endothelial activation, and may increase production of the inflammatory protein angiopoietin-2 (ANG-2), an adverse prognostic biomarker in severe systemic infection. We hypothesized that antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation would decrease endothelial activation, reducing plasma levels of ANG-2. Methods Antiretroviral-naïve Kenyan women with advanced HIV in...
Abstract/Overview Background—Our goal in the present study was to investigate the prevalence and correlates of genital warts in a population of female sex workers in Mombasa, Kenya. Because of the high prevalence of HIV-1 in this population, we were particularly interested in the association between HIV-1 infection and genital warts. Methods—We conducted a cross-sectional study of the prevalence and correlates of genital warts among high-risk women in Mombasa, Kenya. Between 2001 and ...
Abstract/Overview Awareness of the potential impact of malaria among school-age children has stimulated investigation into malaria interventions that can be delivered through schools. However, little evidence is available on the costs and cost-effectiveness of intervention options. This paper evaluates the costs and cost-effectiveness of intermittent preventive treatment (IPT) as delivered by teachers in schools in western Kenya.
Abstract/Overview Abstract Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic disease that occurs sporadically in form of outbreaks and is transmitted by diverse mosquito species in different geographic regions. Knowledge on diversity, distribution and abundance of RVF vectors is useful for risk assessment of RVF outbreaks. Diversity, distribution and abundance of RVF vectors from four ecological zones in Baringo County were studied. Four potential RVF vectors, namely Mansonia uniformis; Mansonia afri...
Abstract/Overview Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is associated with B cell activation and exhaustion, and hypergammaglobulinemia. How these changes influence B cell responses to coinfections such as malaria is poorly understood. To address this, we compared B cell phenotypes and Abs specific for the Plasmodium falciparum vaccine candidate apical membrane Ag-1 (AMA1) in HIV-infected and uninfected adults living in Kenya. Surprisingly, HIV-1 infection was not associat...
Abstract/Overview Delay in care seeking at health facilities for malaria related fever results into mortality of several children under five years. Both hospital and home-based care practices have contributed to delay in seeking care at the health facilities. However, few studies have investigated how home-based practices contribute to the delay. This study therefore employed a descriptive cross-sectional study to identify home-based practices that lead to delay in seeking care at health ...
Abstract/Overview Superficial fungal infections are common among school-going children due to their involvement in practices that promote the spread at school or home. However, practices, knowledge and attitude of these children on prevention and control of fungal infection are poorly understood. This study assessed the practices, knowledge and attitude on the prevention and control of fungal infections among 163 children aged 5-12 years in western Kenya. A cross-sectional study design an...
Abstract/Overview Demographic factors significantly influenced the uptake of cervical cancer screening. This study aimed at finding out the determinants of uptake of cervical cancer screening services among women of reproductive. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 6 wards in Bondo sub county, Siaya County Kenya. A sample size of 379 was identified from the study population. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect data by trained research assistants.
Abstract The relationship between commercial sex work and drug use is complex and the two exacerbate each other. In Kenya, Mombasa County has one of the highest populations of drug users and commercial sex workers. Despite documentation of drug use among sex workers, most of the studies are based on self-reported history which is prone to social desirability and memory recall biases. It is in this context that we sought to establish actual drug use is this sub-population. A cross-sectional s...
Abstract Introduction. Depression is the most common mental health disorder worldwide with a lifetime prevalence of approximately 10% in the general population. Our objective was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices among healthcare workers (HCWs) regarding depression care. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study among consenting healthcare workers in two medium-sized hospitals in Kenya. Data on demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and practice of depression w...
Abstract Background: Waiting time remains an important indicator of quality health services. The emergency department is the most critical area of any hospital. For patients who are in urgent need of hospitalization, delayed admission often leads to exacerbation of the patient's condition and may threaten the patient's life. In recent years, the flow of patients to the Emergency Departments of Western countries has steadily increased thus generating overcrowding and extended waiting times. D...