Abstract/Overview Contraception aims to control child bearing, timing, and spacing. It has been shown to have good maternal and infant health outcome. This effects the achievement of the third Sustainable Developments Goals (SDGs) by reducing child mortality, improving maternal health and universal access to reproductive health. Globally more than 95% of women of reproductive age, (15-49) years are aware of reproductive health services and products; however, unmet need is experienced by 4...
Abstract/Overview Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection can lead to an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women. To curb the spread of COVID-19, World health organization (WHO) recommended a series of preventive measures. However, the third wave persisted, and while the wave was tapering off, Kisumu and Siaya counties had a peak resurgence in the number of COVID-19 cases with a positivity rate of 28.4%. Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) studies are very useful in ...
Abstract/Overview Contraception aims to control child bearing, timing, and spacing. It has been shown to have good maternal and infant health outcome. This effects the achievement of the third Sustainable Developments Goals (SDGs) by reducing child mortality, improving maternal health and universal access to reproductive health. Globally more than 95% of women of reproductive age, (15-49) years are aware of reproductive health services and products; however, unmet need is experienced by 4...
Abstract/Overview Background: Tungiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by skin penetration by female jigger fleas, predominantly Tunga penetrans, most commonly in resource-limited settings with sub-optimal basic hygiene standards, mainly in developing countries. Objective: We investigated the factors associated with tungiasis management in Ikolomani Sub County, Kakamega County in Western Kenya. Design: Descriptive study using mixed-methods approach, involving clinical observation,...
Abstract/Overview Gestational diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a disorder at pregnancy causing insulin intolerance thus contributing to adverse pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate neonatal outcomes associated with gestational diabetes mellitus among pregnant women with GDM in Kisumu County, Kenya. A case-control study was carried out among 210 pregnant women in Kisumu County. Screening and diagnosis were performed using the 2013 WHO criteria. Data was collected using a che...
Abstract/Overview Background: Human papillomavirus is the main factor in the etiology of cervical cancer, with over 99.7% of cases being associated with high-risk human papillomavirus infection. Although the majority of HPV infections are asymptomatic and self-limiting, persistent HPV infection can result in genital warts, oropharyngeal cancer, and cervical cancer in women, in addition to various anogenital malignancies and other genital warts in both men and women. Method: This was a cro...
Abstract/Overview In Kenya, one of the strategies to control malaria during pregnancy is through the use of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy (IPTp) and insecticide-treated bed nets (ITNs) in conjunction with other intervention methods. But the uptake of these services among pregnant women is not fully optimized. The study assessed the knowledge on malaria and determined factors associated with utilization of malaria preventive and control measures among pregnant w...
Abstract/Overview Autism is a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders exhibited in early childhood with variable manifestations as children grow up. However, the level of awareness of the condition is poorly understood among pre-primary school teachers. This study, therefore, assessed the awareness of the spectrum condition of autism among pre-primary school teachers in western Kenya. A descriptive cross-sectional study design was employed and data collected from 321 participants using s...
Abstract/Overview Globally, severe pneumonia remains the leading infectious cause of death in children younger than 5 years. Comorbidities increase the risk of death among children with severe pneumonia across age groups and regions; however, the data is scanty on specific comorbidities. The study, therefore, was aimed at improving an understanding of the risk of death due to different comorbidities among children with severe pneumonia. The findings will not only inform the clinical pract...
Abstract/Overview Background: Globally there is a rapid increase in the prevalence of Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. However, screening for GDM is not part of the standard routine antenatal (ANC) services in Kenya. There is a paucity of data on the factors associated with and predictors of GDM. Therefore, this study sought to determine factors associated with and predictors of GDM among pregnant women in western Kenya. Methods: ...
Abstract/Overview Background Pneumonia continues to be the second leading cause of both morbidity and mortality in children under five years in Kenya. In part, the high burden of the disease arises from delay and inappropriate health-seeking by caregivers. Caregivers delay seeking care at health facilities due to the administration of home-based remedies. Some home remedies may lead to a prolonged hospital stay and, in many cases, result in death. However, little is known about the home-b...
Abstract/Overview Infants exposed to HIV are more vulnerable to infections compared to those not HIV exposed. The occurrence and risks of infections among these infants are less understood. High maternal viral load can result in advanced disease, low maternal survival rates and puts the infant at higher risk of having early T- cell abnormality. This study aimed at characterizing the infections among HIV Exposed Infants (HEI) and establishing the risk factors associated with infections for...
Abstract/Overview Rift Valley Fever and malaria are zoonotic and human diseases respectively that pose major production and health challenges to pastoralists. This study aimed to determine the spatiotemporal distribution of mosquito vectors of these two diseases in Baringo County, Kenya. A longitudinal study design was used to collect mosquitoes from twenty-four sites. Rainfall seasonality was determined using rainfall data from the WorldClim database. Negative binomial and zero-inflated ...
Abstract/Overview Client satisfaction is considered as one of the desired outcomes of health care and it is directly related to the utilization of health services. It reflects the gap between the expected and the experience of the service from the client's point of view. Currently, one of the most significant challenges in healthcare institutions is client retention as this problem has been largely attributed to the inherent lack of enough and satisfactory service to clients. It is agains...
Abstract/Overview Globally, malaria remains a major public health problem. In 2019 an estimated 229 million cases of malaria were reported, WHO African region accounted for 94% of total cases. In Kenya, malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five years living in malaria endemic zones. This study investigated the factors that are associated with malaria prevalence among children under-five years living in North West Kisumu Ward, Kisumu County. This cross...