ABSTRACT Stillbirth is a baby born without any signs of life weighing at least 1000grams or with at least 28 weeks gestation. There is no burden affecting families is big and yet invisible in society and global arena as stillbirth. Stillbirth is a traumatizing experience for most women and a risk factor to development of psychological morbidity. The kind of care women receive during this critical period influences exhibition of psychological morbidity such as depression, anxiety and post tra...
ABSTRACT A culturally competent health workforce is recognized as a priority reform area in health management as well as in improving maternal healthcare indicators in vulnerable and marginalized settings. Yet modalities of integrating and reorienting healthcare services to meet the cultural needs of patients are rare. This study aimed at investigating the effect of training health workers in cultural competence towards satisfaction with maternity services among women of Elgeyo-Marakwet Coun...
ABSTRACT Pre-conception nutrition is a key determinant of the pregnancy outcome and the health of a newborn. Since women are likely to conceive at some point in their lives, there is need to attain appropriate nutrition status in order to prepare them to meet the future needs of pregnancy for both the mother and the unborn child. Several factors including demographic and economic characteristics, nutrition knowledge and attitude are known to influence dietary practices. Several researches ha...
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 Climate variability is among major threats to food security in many agricultural based countries in Africa. In particular, it affects crop production due to temperature and rainfall changes, and more extreme weather events. Erratic rainfall and temperatures are said to reduce crop yields through shortening growing seasons, exaggeration of water stress and promote invasion and intensity of weeds, pests and diseases. Food security in Kenya is uncertain and communities in arid and semi...
ABSTRACT It is evident that forests have been managed for several years in the world, but in most cases especially in the developing world, various regimes have tried to come up with an institutional framework to guide forest management with no much success due to lack of forest monitoring systems. The study entailed detecting forest degradation and modeling forest future scenarios. Analysis of Satellite imagery provided spatial temporal data with ground truthing exercise using Global positi...
ABSTRACT Leachate flow from urban municipal dumpsites into surface and ground water sources can be detrimental to the urban population who use these waters sources. Gradual accumulations of contaminants in the water sources can result into high loads of pollutants which are potentially toxic to the users. In Kisii Town River Nyakumisaro that drain through the town and improved ground water wells are the main sources of portable water for most residents. The major aim of the study was to dete...
ABSTRACT In mammals, the surface respiratory macrophages (SM) play a critical role in protecting the respiratory system by providing first line defense through engulfing and destroying inhaled pathogens and harmful particulates. During adaptive immune responses, SM process and present antigens to T lymphocytes. Paucity of SM has been reported in the avian respiratory system. It has been reported that the pulmonary cellular defenses in birds are inadequate. In particular susceptibility to res...
ABSTRACT Fish feed is one of the critical components in aquaculture production and accounts for over 60% of total operational costs with protein component being the most expensive ingredient. Traditionally, fishmeal (FM) has been the primary dietary animal protein source. However, with dwindling capture fisheries, FM has become increasingly scarce and expensive due to its demand from human consumers and livestock feed manufacturers. This in turn makes the cost of fish feeds expensive leading ...
ABSTRACT Antenatal syphilis is a major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Programmes to control syphilis in developing countries are hampered by lack of laboratory services, delayed diagnosis and doubts about the accuracy of the current screening methods. In Kenya, the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) test is currently used as the primary screening test for syphilis in health facilities. This method is labour intensive in the screening of large numbers of serum specimens a...
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 Adherence to antiretroviral therapy is a major predictor of the survival of individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Appropriate use of antiretrovirals (ARV’s) has improved the health of many human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive individuals. The effectiveness of HIV treatment depends on sustenance of high levels of adherence to ARV; however, ARV regimens are often complicated and can be affected by varying dosing schedules, failing to have proper dietary requirements and patients d...
ABSTRACT Geothermal energy counts among renewable energies sources, with a long tradition, experience and great potential for the future. However, most of the geothermal power plants globally are located within important conservation sites where endemic and endangered species of birds inhabit. The presence of these geothermal power stations has an impact on biodiversity. The study was carried out between December 2015 to May 2016 within Hell’s Gate National Park. The specific objectives of ...
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...