The testing capacity for SARS-CoV-2 in Africa is rather limited. Antigen detection rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) are a cheap and rapid alternative to reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests, but there is little data about their performance under real life conditions in tropical countries. The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of a standard Ag-RDT in a population of a major hospital in northern Ghana. Prospective, cross-sectional, blinded verifica...
Abstract/Overview Breast self-examination (BSE) is a simple, low-cost, and non-invasive method that women use to detect breast cancer at early stages. BSE is recommended for teenage and adult women as it helps to detect unusual swelling and lumps. The early intervention reduces the spread of cancer cells and improves health outcomes. This study assessed the knowledge and practices of BSE for early detection of breast cancer among women attending maternal health clinic at Jaramogi Oginga T...
Abstract Supply Chain Management is a crucial activity that entails overseeing the movement of materials form the source, throughput, to the end consumer. However, in this endeavour, there are increased instances of uncertainties i.e. speeds of delivery, flexibility and environmental factors that affect the services rendered to the end consumer. This drives the concept of supply chain agility which focuses on the speeds of response to any changes in the consumer demands. The healthcare secto...
Abstract Purpose: The post-pandemic management of COVID-19 infections and any emergent outbreaks is because this endemic disease remains a public health concern. Vaccine hesitancy may continue to hamper efforts to respond to any new disease outbreaks and future epidemics. This qualitative study aimed to explore the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine acceptance and hesitancy in Kenya to gain deeper insights into this issue. Methods: This study was implemented in western Kenya using key info...
Abstract/Overview In Kenya, approximately 3.3% to 4% of infants born annually are exposed to HIV due to lack of PMTCT interventions. Factors associated with mother – to – child HIV transmission as not been adequately investigated in Kenya. The study aim was to investigate factors associated with mother – to – child HIV transmission (MTCT) among HIV exposed infants in Siaya County. A retrospective cohort study design was adopted. Data involving 179 HIV exposed infants and their HIV...
Abstract/Overview Malaria, a major cause of morbidity and mortality, is the most prevalent vector borne disease in Baringo County; a region which has varied house designs in arid and semi-arid areas. This study investigated the association between house structures and indoor-malaria vector abundance in Baringo County. The density of malaria vectors in houses with open eaves was higher than that for houses with closed eaves. Grass thatched roof houses had higher density of malaria vectors ...
Abstract/Overview The global increase in vector borne diseases has been linked to climate change. Seasonal vegetation changes are known to influence disease vector population. However, the relationship is more theoretical than quantitatively defined. There is a growing demand for understanding and prediction of climate sensitive vector borne disease risks especially in regions where meteorological data are lacking. This study aimed at analyzing and quantitatively assessing the seasonal an...
Abstract/Overview The number of cervical cancer cases is reported to increase among women of reproductive age in the recent past with patients facing challenges with care and management of the illness. However, little is known about the financial challenges these patients undergo in contexts such as western Kenya. This study assessed financial challenges and sources of financial assistance for cervical cancer patients in western Kenya. Methods A cross-sectional study involving 334 cervica...
Abstract/Overview Background Malaria causes the greatest public health burden in sub-Saharan Africa where high mortality occurs mainly in children under 5 years of age. Traditionally, malaria has been reported mainly in the lowlands endemic regions of western Kenya, while the highlands of the Rift Valley have been relatively free except for the sporadic epidemics in some areas. Baringo County is located in the Kenyan highlands. The county generally experiences seasonal transmission of mal...
Abstract/Overview Background: MB2 is a novel Plasmodium falciparum antigen of unknown function expressed in pre-erythrocytic and blood stages of infection in the human host. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin (IL)-10 responses to other P. falciparum antigens have been associated with protection from clinical malaria, but these responses have not been studied for MB2. The present study was undertaken to characterize IFN-γ and IL-10 responses to P. falciparum MB2 antigen in adults l...
Abstract A viral illness called COVID-19 can be spread from one person to another. 2019 saw the first case of the virus reported in Wuhan, China, while 2020 saw Kenya record the first COVID-19 infection in Sub-Saharan Africa. To stop the virus from spreading, it is crucial to have the proper information, attitudes, and behaviors. There has been increased research on the impact COVID-19 had on the normal lives of people, however, studies of this effect on rural communities are scarce. Hence, ...
Abstract Context: The zoonotic coronavirus of 2019 (COVID-19) was caused by an enveloped Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) virus from the Coronaviridae family in the Sarbecovirus subgenus and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome – Coronavirus – 2 (SARS-Cov-2) organism. The index case was believed to have originated and transmitted from animals (bats) to humans in November 2019 at the Wuhan live market in China, and subsequently, transmissions were among the human race through direct and indirect conta...
Abstract The Global human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic entered its fourth decade with approximately 34 million people living with HIV (PLHIV). The years ago to date, the antiretroviral therapy (ART) programs were been scaled up significantly in the Sub-Saharan Africa. Since the first diagnosis of HIV in Kenya in year 1981, care and treatment efforts for the PLHIV had rapidly expanded and 5.3 million people were accessible to ART. Kenya initiated national campaigns to increase HIV te...
Abstract The challenge of girls' retention in educational institutions has been identified as a significant obstacle. The inability to maintain the enrollment of female students in secondary schools can be regarded as a squandering of valuable human capital and financial investments made in their primary education, as well as a loss of time invested in their initial enrollment. These young females have the potential to develop into a demographic of women lacking in literacy skills, resulting...
Abstract Purpose – This paper seeks to explore the factors affecting provision of service quality in the public health sector in Kenya, focusing on employee capability, technology, communication and financial resources. The paper reviews existing literature and experiences on public health service provision and quality management. Design/methodology/approach – The paper reports on empirical evidence drawn from a case study of Kenyatta National Hospital – the largest referral hospital i...