ABSTRACT Maize (Zea mays) is a staple food grown in almost all agro-ecological zones in Kenya. The production output is very low (2.4 million tons annually) nationally. Nyanza region contributes about 5 million bags. This is not enough to feed its population of 5 million people. Maize ear rot disease contributes to low maize productivity in Nyanza, with annual lossess due to aar rot estimated at 18 percent. These pathogens are reported to lower the quality of the maize crop and produce mycoto...
SUMMARY Objectives: To review the prevalence and pattern of cardiovascular disorders in childhood autopsies in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). To also determine the frequency of associated extra cardiac complications and characteristics of children with cardiovascular diseases that died. Materials and Methods: The autopsy register of the department of Morbid anatomy for the years 1991 to 2000 in LUTH was retrospectively reviewed. Data extracted including age, sex, primary diagnos...
ABSTRACT In Kenya, the maternal mortality ratio was 400/100,000 in 2013, about twice as high as the global maternal mortality ratio of 210/100,000. In Gem Sub-County, maternal mortality ratio is twice as high as the national maternal mortality burden.GemSub-County is also located in a region with a high burden of neonatal deaths. It has been documented that making maternal health services free can improve maternal and newborn health. The Government of Kenya introduced free maternal health pol...
Abstract Aquatic pollution by heavy metals remains a recurrent problem globally due to their persistence, toxicity and ability to accumulate in biological systems. This study investigated the pollution trend, ecological and public health risks associated with heavy metal pollution in the Lagos Lagoon as well as pattern of interaction among heavy metals that can be exploited for remediation of exposed aquatic organisms. Heavy metal content in surface water, sediment and biota were analyzed us...
ABSTRACT Jigger infestation is one of the parasitic Neglected Tropical Diseases that is caused by Tunga penetrans also known as Tungiasis. This causes debility in resource-limited countries such as Kenya. This infestation is endemic in over 88 countries worldwide Kenya being one of them. Approximately 2.68 million people are infested with jigger in Kenya, of which 56% are school going pupils. In Karungu Division, Migori County, jigger infestation is endemic among school going pupils where its...
ABSTRACT Immunization alone averts 2-3 million deaths annually. Immunization coverage of above 80% is need for herd immunity. Kenya’s immunization coveragefor childhood vaccines is at 68%, which is below herd immunity levels and continues to experience decline trajectory. Vaccine coverage is not uniform across the regions in the country and varies by type of vaccine. Urban informal settlements experiences low coverage, which leaves many children at risk of vaccine preventable diseases.The m...
ABSTRACT Schistosomiasis is endemic in Kenya along the Coast, Lower Eastern, and the Lake Victoria Basin. Its prevalence ranges from 5% to 100% and is highest along the shores of Lake Victoria, with those most at risk aged between 5–14 years. To control this menace and eventually eliminate it, praziquantel distribution using mass drug administration (MDA) strategy was for the first time done in the year 2011 in targeted areas in western Kenya, with low compliance levels registered in most s...
ABSTRACT Pregnancy-related complications contribute to more than half of deaths among women annually. The study exploredsocio-demographic factors, knowledge and attitude as determinants of antenatal care services utilization among pregnant women in Gesusu Hospital, Kisii County, Kenya. The specific objectives were: to examine the relationship of socio-demographic factors and utilization of antenatal care services in Gesusu Hospital; to evaluate how knowledge on antenatal care among pregnant w...
Abstract Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by Plasmodium parasites. Epidemics occur in areas where most of the conditions for malaria transmission are present, contributing to over 90% of the estimated 650 million clinical malaria cases reported annually in the world, and approximately 41% of the world’s population which is at risk of contracting malaria. Detection by health care workers of a malaria epidemic depends on knowledge on malaria monitoring indicators that include vulner...
ABSTRACT Adherence to ART is a patient's ability take the prescribed medication and advises accordingly. Factors influencing adherence vary across different settings. Sustaining adherence presents a significant challenge at Kendu sub county hospital as evidenced by the defaulters’ rate (3 in 10) and high viral load (5 in 10) patients on ART treatment. This study determined factors influencing ART adherence in adult patients on care at Kendu sub-county hospital. The study determined the infl...
ABSTRACT Malaria is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Africa. In Kenya, malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, accounting for 30-50% of all out patient attendance and 20% of all admissions to health facilities. The Kenyan government encourages strategies such as; Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), prompt treatment to confirmed malaria cases, clearing of bushes around residential places and use of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLITNs) in malaria pr...
Abstract Introduction: Children with steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome usually require treatment with second-line agents and calcineurin inhibitors such as cyclosporine are now recommended as initial therapy. These agents only recently become available in our environment and their impact on care is unknown. We reviewed the short-term treatment outcomes of their use in comparison with previous outcomes. Methods: Medical records of children managed for idiopathic steroid resistant nephroti...
ABSTRACT Water is a commodity which is essential for life as it has long been singled out globally as the most important factor in sustaining human health. Among other factors linked to human health; water has been implicated in the transmission of waterborne infectious diseases such as typhoid, bacillary dysentery and cholera in Kenya. Potable water scarcity in Maseno Township is common; moreover ready-to-eat food outlet operators rely on water vendors whose water sources are hardly known by...
ABSTRACT In 2011, 366 million people had diabetes worldwide and the prevalence of the disease in Africa is estimated to be 3.8% (14.7 million adults) with undiagnosed diabetes of about 78 percent. In Kenya, the prevalence of diabetes is 4.2% in the general population with prevalence of 2.2% percent in rural areas and 12.2% in urban areas. In Kisii Sub-County, the prevalence of diabetes is 11% which is higher than the national prevalence. Persons who have been diagnosed with diabetes become fr...
ABSTRACT Health Management Information System (HMIS) is a core component of a functioning Health System. Its role is to make available reliable, complete and timely health service data which is useful for the informed decision-making process in health services management. HMIS is also vital for assessing the health needs of populations and groups, and for planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of healthcare interventions. Such management support capability is crucial especially ...