ABSTRACT Intestinal schistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma mansoni remains a major public health problem responsible for morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa despite availability of control programs. It is estimated that more than 6 million people in Kenya are suffering from schistosomiasis. Several species of Biomphalaria snails are obligatory intermediate hosts for transmission of S. mansoni. Mbita sub-county in Homa Bay County is one of the regions along the Lake Victoria basin in ...
ABSTRACT Infection prevention and control is not only crucial in protecting patients, health care workers and visitors in health care settings from health care associated infections which are protracted cause of morbidity and mortality but also in preparation and response to communicable disease crisis. Despite the high burden of health care associated infections and need for enhanced prevention and control of these infections in Vihiga Sub County, factors influencing infection prevention and...
ABSTRACT Learning of a language among the learners with visual impairment requires specific skills for faster and better concept acquisition. Learners with visual impairments like their sighted peers study French in regular secondary schools to enrich on communication abilities which would ideally benefit them in future employment opportunities. By the year 2009, 1,718 learners with visual impairments had registered in 19 regular programs in regular secondary schools in Kenya; however, only o...
Abstract Objective: Since the implementation of a series of blood donation safety improvements in Kenya, information about seroprevalence and determinants of transfusion transmissible infections among voluntary blood donors especially in high HIV burden regions of Homabay, Kisumu and Siaya counties remain scanty. A cross-sectional study examining HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C virus sero-markers and associated determinants was conducted among voluntary blood donors. Their demographic charac...
ABSTRACT Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Kenya with a prevalence of 6.5%. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is used to manage the disease by increasing the number of CD4 cells and reducing the viral load concentration. Majority of these HAART based medication contain nevirapine (NVP) that is metabolized through the cytochrome P 450 (CYP450) system. The use of NVP is however, limited by sub-optimal response from patients. Th...
ABSTRACT Thyroid masses are common surgical presentations with a worldwide prevalence of 4–7% in the general adult population. Africa, specifically Kenya is not excluded from these surgical conditions. The vast majority of adult thyroid nodules are benign neoplasm’s, however, less than 10% are malignant, which makes it important to screen the nodules in order to offer appropriate surgery and avoid unnecessary surgery for benign nodules. It is preferred to operate only on those patients wi...
ABSTRACT Co-infection with malaria and Epstein Barr virus (EBV) have been implicated in the etiology of endemic Burkitt’s lymphoma (eBL) but the precise mechanism by which these two agents lead to the pathogenesis of eBL has been partially elucidated. In addition, living in a malaria holoendemic area is a risk factor to earlier primary EBV infection that results in higher viral loads and poor control of the virus, a risk factor in the etiology of eBL. Children from Chulaimbo, a malaria holo...
ABSTRACT Trypanosoma evansi parasite is the causative agent of trypanosomiasis (surra) in camels and other livestock with devastating economic consequences in many parts of the world, including Kenya, Vietnam, Brazil, China, Indonesia and the Philippines. The trypanosome is mechanically transmitted by tabanids and Stomoxys biting flies. Two strains of the parasite (A and B) have been documented to date where Type A strains is established across all T. evansi areas whereas Type B has been repo...
ABSTRACT Global, regional and national production of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) has faced challenges of low yields and lack of crucial culture information. Farmers in Teso North Sub County recorded lower yields than expected in 2009 despite having been provided with inputs. Factors responsible for the low production had not been established and water quality was suspected to be among them. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of water quality on the growth of Nile Til...
ABSTRACT Electrolytes routinely measured in patients in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) are sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium and phosphate. Of these; sodium, potassium, chloride and calcium are measured as part of tests done during blood gas analysis (BGA) using arterial blood. However, magnesium and phosphate are measured from a venous serum sample since they cannot be measured during BGA. Both arterial and venous puncture are traumatizing to the patient and trauma increases when bo...
ABSTRACT Medicinal plants have been used for the treatment of different ailments in human and animal health systems for many years. Approximately over 80% of rural and urban African populations use plant-based synthetic products for primary healthcare. However, the widespread and indiscriminate use of antibiotics has led to clinical resistance of previously sensitive microorganisms. Despite plants and associated endophytes being rich sources of secondary metabolites with antimicrobial potenti...
ABSTRACT The discovery of microwaves is believed to have brought a revolutionary improvement in many scientific fields with microscopy and histopathology being among them. Microwave assisted tissue processing of pathologic material is becoming increasingly desirable to fulfil the needs of clinicians treating acutely ill animals and patients. This technique shortens the time for tissue processing from days to hours and execute the needs of the patients and animals in need of diagnosis as well...
ABSTRACT The honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) produces honey and cross pollinates plants for improved socioeconomic wellbeing. However its colony populations globally and locally have been declining. In Transmara West Sub-county, hive colonization and honey yields have been low, which is due to the decline in honeybee population believed to be caused by pesticides use and pests attack. Although their relative contributions are unknown, Beekeepers suspect pesticides use hold a key role in colony p...
ABSTRACT Low Birth Weight (LBW) is a serious public health problem, especially in developing countries. Globally, 15.5% of all births are born LBW and 95.6% of them occur in developing countries. In Kenya, 8% of babies are born LBW and at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) it is 11.1%. Despite several efforts such as antenatal care services put in place to improve the quality of maternal and child health, the rates of LBW are still high. LBW is a major cause of mor...
ABSTRACT Nursing education forms the basis of professional existence, development and sustainable future. The purpose of this study was to establish how nurse educators adapted to increased instructional workload, how they were self-sufficient in performing, and how they would sustain instructional roles in diploma nursing training in colleges within Meru. The target population was fifty two nurse educators who were all invited to participate. Forty six nurse educators participated in the stu...