Abstract Background: Anaemia is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. While adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) reduces the incidence of anaemia, non-adherence (defaulting) to ART is associated with a number of haematologic derangements including anaemia. However, the mechanisms and predictors of anaemia have not been examined among ART defaulters in western Kenya. This study, therefore, aimed at evaluating the...
Abstract Background: The burden of HIV and malaria co-infection lies disproportionately in the Sub-Saharan Africa region which bears most of the malaria endemic zones. While both malaria and HIV are known to dysregulate hepatic and renal functions, the combined effect of co-infection with malaria and HIV on hepatic and renal function among children remains poorly characterized. Objective: To assess liver and renal functions in HIV-malaria co-infected children in Western Kenya. Methods: A cro...
Abstract Background Despite iron and folic acid supplementation program among expectant mothers while attending antenatal care clinic at Kakamega County, the rates of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality due to anemia complications are still high. Aim First, we determined changes in hematological profiles following iron and folic acid supplementation. Second, we determined association between hematological changes with demographic and clinical characteristics in response to iron and fo...
Abstract Drug and substance abuse is a major socioeconomic and health problem to the drug users, family and society and is reported to be on a steady global rise. In Kenya, drug abuse is a major societal problem especially in many cosmopolitan cities such as Nairobi and Mombasa and the surrounding immediate environs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the types of drugs, the socio-economic and health consequences of drug abuse among the inhabitants of Gachie Sub-Location, Kiambu Cou...
Abstract Hookworm infection (Ancylostomiasis) and its association with hematopoietic micronutrient deficiency, contributes significantly to anaemia in poor countries. In these countries, teenage pregnancy is a major health problem characterized by high prevalence of anemia, exacerbating physiological distress due to increased oxygen demand. In spite of the high prevalence of this problem, no study has been undertaken in Kenya. This is resultant from the combined metabolic needs of a rapidly ...
Abstract Background Information about HBV sero-markers, infection stages and genotypes in HIV-1 infected and uninfected injection and non-injection drug users (IDUs) in Kenya remains elusive. Methods A cross-sectional study examining HBV sero-marker, infection stages and genotypes was conducted among HIV-1 infected and uninfected, respectively, IDUs (n = 157 and n = 214) and non-IDUs (n = 139 and n = 48), and HIV-1 uninfected non-drug using controls (n = 194) from coastal...
Abstract: Tsetse fly-borne trypanosomiasis remains a significant problem in Africa despite years of interventions and research. The need for new strategies to control and possibly eliminate trypanosomiasis cannot be over-emphasized. Entomopathogenic fungi infect specific arthropod hosts through the cuticle and penetrate deep into the internal tissues causing death in about 3-14 days depending on the initial infectious dose. In addition, they can reduce blood feeding abilities in haematophago...