ABSTRACT Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of children is a growing field of research and has emerged as an important health outcome in clinical trials, clinical practice improvement strategies, and health care services and evaluation especially in the developed countries. HRQoL focuses on individual’s subjective evaluation of their physical, emotional and social well being which is linked to World Health Organization’s definition of health. Parasitic diseases affect the quality of ...
ABSTRACT Determinants of self directed referral of patients at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya Author: Mahinda Faith Wambui Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) is found at the apex of the referral system of health care. Ideally, patients seen at KNH are supposed to have sought care from lower levels of health care in the referral system first before seeking health services at KNH. Referral can assume two forms: Self and Non-self. Self referral refers to the scenario where a patient by...
ABSTRACT HIV/AIDS was originally referred to as “gay disease” because high numbers of initial patients were homosexuals. Understanding causes of homosexuality and related health risks is important in formulating MSM targeted behavioral interventions towards positive health outcomes. Men who have sex with men are in this category of key populations according to World Health Organization. This study’s main objective was to determine predisposing factors to homosexuality and its related he...
ABSTRACT Behavioural profiling (DISC) is a new invention which has recently began to be used in sporting contexts. However, there is scanty information on quantitative data to support conclusions and recommendations. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between behavioural profiles and demographic characteristics of Kenyan elite middle and long-distance runners. The study hypothesized that there is no significant difference in behavioural profiles and demographic character...
ABSTRACT Over 1.8 million children under five years of age die from pneumococcal disease (PD) every year worldwide, most of them living in developing countries. In Kenya, pneumococcal infections are the leading cause of hospital admissions among children under five years. In 2008, pneumonia was the second leading cause of death among children under five years, with over 30,000 childhood deaths, accounting for 16% of child mortality in Kenya. Immunization is the cornerstone of health care poli...
ABSTRACT Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) occurs as a complication of untreated, or inadequately treated acute otitis media, commonly in the first five years of life. CSOM is related to poor socio-economic conditions and is the commonest cause of persistent mild to moderate hearing impairment in children and young people in developing countries. When the hearing loss associated with CSOM occurs during the first two years of life, it is likely to have serious effects on (the period...
ABSTRACT The co-occurrence of malaria and schistosomiasis is common in tropical regions of the world. Malaria induces a strong Th1 response while schistosomiasis skews the response to a Th2. Several studies demonstrate a non consistent effect of schistosomiasis infection on progression of malaria. On one hand, schistosomiasis infections protect against cerebral malaria while on the other hand, they are associated with increased malaria severity. This study examined the role of Schistosoma ma...
ABSTRACT Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is any material, device, equipment or clothing used or worn by workers to protect them from exposure or contact with any harmful material or energy which may cause injury, disease or even death. The study assessed utilization of PPE among workers in grain and oil seed milling industries in Nairobi City County. Despite the benefits of using PPE, little information has been documented especially among workers in the food industries not only in Kenya ...
ABSTRACT In Kenya, limited studies have been conducted to investigate infant feeding choices of HIV positive mothers attending Comprehensive Care Clinic. This study therefore determined infant feeding options of HIV positive mothers attending Comprehensive Care Clinic at Kiambu district hospital. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a desired sample size of four hundred (400) HIV positive mothers for a period of 12 weeks. Systematic random sampling was used to select respondents for th...
ABSTRACT Access to clean and safe water is a global concern. Besides socio-economic development, adequate access to water is a key ingredient in both health and wellbeing of humans. In Kenya, 70% of the population reside in the rural areas where only 49% of this population access safe drinking water. Bungoma Sub-County falls within the Lake Victoria North Water Services Board region with a rural water supply coverage of 44% (LVNWSB, 2012). This low coverage underscores the inadequate access ...
ABSTRACT Acceptance of routine HIV councelling and testing (HCT) can go along way in providing the much needed support including treatment to alleviate suffering from HIV/AIDS. However, there is low uptake of routine HCT. The purpose of this study was to determine factors influencing acceptance of routine HCT. Specific objectives included to: determining the level of acceptance of routine HTC among pregnant women in Kibera informal settlement; determine socio-demographic characteristics influ...
ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of intestinal parasites on academic performance among primary school children in Nairobi Province, Kenya. Intestinal parasites belong to two main taxonomic groups: protozoa and helminths. Pathogenic protozoa are Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and Balantidium coli while intestinal helminths comprise of nematodes hookworms (Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus), Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stercoralis, Trichu...
ABSTRACT Sexual violence against adolescent girls (SVAG) is a global concern due to its adverse effects on the overall health of these girls. In Kenya, cases of sexual violence in this age group are reported to be at 33%. The study explored sexual violence among adolescent girls (15-19 years) in the nine (9) mixed day secondary schools of Limuru Sub-county, Kiambu County, Kenya. The broad objective of the study was: to assess the status of SVAG in mixed day school in Limuru Sub-county, Kiambu...
ABSTRACT Despite the many efforts put in place globally, regionally and at national level to reduce and eliminate Physical Violence against married women, this violence is still prevalent. It is one of the major forms of oppression against women. The aim of this study was to investigate the determinants of Physical Violence on married women by their spouses within the age of 18-45 years and above in Kandara Sub County, Murang‟a County, Kenya. The study objectives were to determine the socio...
ABSTRACT Food-borne diseases and zoonoses including Rift Valley Fever continue to burden public health and undermine livelihoods in Kenya despite existing control programmes. The 2006-2007 outbreak of RVF in Kenya caused a total of 560 human morbidities and 185 mortalities in 16 Districts includingMaragua District, Central Province which had four human cases. This study assessed the level ofbeef safety knowledge, practices and constraints among livestock producers, traders, slaughterhouse ope...