ABSTRACT HIV and AIDS is one of the biggest threats to global health and stability. UNAIDS estimated that there were 33.3 million people living with HIV at the end of 2009. In 2009, there were an estimated 2.6 million people who became newly infected with HIV. In sub-Saharan Africa, where the majority of new HIV infections continue to occur, an estimated 1.8 million people became infected in the same year; Individuals in their most productive years (15-49 years old) are most commonly infected...
ABSTRACT Adolescent sexual and reproductive health is a priority in the global agenda because of its associated negative reproductive health outcomes. It is estimated that Homabay County contributes 11.5% of adolescents aged 10-19 years living with HIV in Kenya. The fertility rate among girls aged 15-19 is also high in Homabay with a reported teenage pregnancy rate of 33% and the age-specific fertility rate of 178 births per 1000 girls. This study aimed to determine the influence of school ba...
Across the entire globe, 75% of people are aware of their HIV Status, at the same time 79% of the people living with HIV are now accessing anti-retroviral therapy while 81% of those people are at the same time accessing the treatment and have suppressed viral loads. Nakuru County viral suppression stands at 88.3 % (30,407) below the UNAIDS target and National target (2020). The purpose of the study was to determine the correlates of Viral Suppression in Naivasha Sub-County Hospital, Naku...
Maternal mortality is one of the major worldwide health challenges. The high maternal mortality rate is a common subject in global health and development discussions. Globally, about 800 women die daily from pregnancy or childbirth-related complications. Men’s involvement during pregnancy and childbirth plays a vital role in the safety of their female partners during pregnancy and childbirth by ensuring access to care and provision of emotional and financial support and guarantying the...
Malaria is a major public health problem causing immeasurable human suffering in many countries particularly in the sub-Saharan Africa, which account for about 90% of malaria cases in the world. Many people live in countries with high risk of contracting malaria and 300-500 million cases of malaria are estimated to occur annually. Malaria is transmitted to people of all ages and an estimate of 80% of human-mosquito transmission comes from over-fives with young adolescents forming the pe...
ABSTRACT Maternal and prenatal mortalities and morbidities have remained a challenge in many developing countries like Kenya, despite the fact that the causes are preventable if not avoidable. Utilization of birth plan in preparation for childbirth is one of the strategies utilized by women in middle and low-income countries to reduce maternal and prenatal mortalities. However, the relationship between utilization of individual birth plan and maternal and prenatal mortalities in developing co...
ABSTRACT Effects of Psychosocial Support on ART Adherence and Clinical Outcomes of HIV Patients at Kwale and Machakos, Kenya The effects of psychosocial support on ART adherence and clinical outcomes following an HIV diagnosis have been well documented in western countries where linkages between HIV-related treatment and psychosocial support programs are well established, little is known about those who become engaged with such services in countries of the world where comprehensive HIV-relate...
ABSTRACT Household hazardous waste possess physical, chemical or biological characteristics, which requires special handling and disposal procedures to avoid risk to health and/or environmental effects. The pastoral population of Mandera county has been treated in health facilities with complains of poisoning or reaction resulting from hazardous substances. Health effects of exposure to household hazardous waste could also take time to manifest in people who are exposed to it, such as develo...
ABSTRACT Motorcycle taxis have become a popular means of transportation which generates income for many riders in Kenya. However, there are various factors which expose riders to internal and external shocks and stresses which inevitably influences the riders’ socio-economic wellbeing (SEWB). Studies that have been conducted so far largely focus on “social vices” allegedly being committed by motorcycle taxi riders (MTRs) hence a persistent knowledge gap about SEWB of riders’. Acknow...
ABSTRACT Maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality are major public health concerns in most developing countries and in under resourced settings. Provision of safe motherhood is of utmost importance in the reduction of maternal mortality. Increasing the proportion of babies that are delivered in health facilities is an important factor in reducing the health risks to both the mother and the baby. The main objective of the study was to assess the level of health facility utilization for ch...
ABSTRACT The co-existence of under nutrition and over nutrition in the same country (double burden) is a global public health challenge that is becoming a problem in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, little information is available on this trend in Kenya and more so in the urban poor. The purpose of the study was to assess the nutritional status of children under-five years of age living in Mlolongo informal settlement and the caregiver feeding practices and Socio-economic factors that influence t...
ABSTRACT Malaria, a blood parasitic disease is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity particularly among children and pregnant women because they are most at risk in many developing countries, especially those in Sub-Saharan Africa. Most of the deaths due to malaria could be averted if care-takers recognized the signs and symptoms of malaria and instituted appropriate measures without delay. Early recognition followed by correct management is a key strategy for malaria control in endemic...
ABSTRACT Healthcare workers are at risk of medical sharps injuries, which according to the Kenya national policy on injection safety, 58% of healthcare workers have suffered these injuries. This study was conducted with the aim of establishing occupational risk factors contributing to injury by medical sharps among healthcare workers at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. The objectives of this study were to; determine the frequency and severity of injuries from medical sharps; assess...
ABSTRACT Prostatism refers to obstruction of the bladder neck due to an enlargement of the prostate as men age leading to urinary difficulties. Prostatism symptoms are majorly irritative and obstructive. The obstructive ones include hesitancy, the need to initiate micturition and a weakened urinary stream while the irritative ones which are usually more troublesome to patients includes urgency, frequency as well as nocturia. The study sought to assess the health seeking behavior with regards ...
ABSTRACT The use of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) is increasing globally, especially in developing countries. Indeed, over 80% of the population in developing countries depends on traditional medicine. In Kenya, traditional medicine especially herbal medicine is widely used with over 70% of population having been reported to be dependent on it for primary health care. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the growing use of traditional medicines, both in developed an...