ABSTRACT Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) for the first six months of infants’ lives is a cost effective intervention which can avert 13-15% of the 9 million deaths of children under 5 years old in resource poor settings. In areas where HIV prevalence is high, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, EBF has the added advantage of reducing the risk of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. However, EBF rates have been shown to be lower in resource poor settings, than the World Health Organizatio...
ABSTRACT While cost, inadequate supplies and training remain the major barriers to manage Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally, the knowledge and skill of clinical officers (CO) to manage patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus (HTN&T2DM) remain poorly understood. This study investigated knowledge and skills of COs to care for patients with HTN&T2DM in rural healthcare facilities in Kisumu County, Kenya. The study determined ability to assess risk factors, examination, in...
ABSTRACT In Kenya knowledge of Family Planning (FP) is universal at 95% but this is not translating to utilization in Obunga slums. The rapid increase of population has got adverse effects on the economy as poverty levels are high at poverty incidence of 74% compared to 63% in Nyalenda A and B and 53% in Manyatta. Despite various strategies put by the government, in Obunga, unmet need is at 32% and Total Fertility Rate at 7%, the unplanned and unwanted pregnancies at 50% and 75% respectively....
ABSTRACT In Kenya, maternal and under-five mortality rates are high at 510/100 000 live births and 74/1000 live births respectively. This is attributed to poor Maternal and Child Health (MCH) outcomes reported across the country. In Mwingi, 38% of women do not seek Focused Antenatal Care (FANC), 55% deliver without Skilled Birth Care (SBC), 47.3% do not ensure their children complete immunization program, and 55.5% of infants are not exclusively breastfed. Since inception of Community Health ...
ABSTRACT Male Involvement (MI) in Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services such as pre-conception care, antenatal care (ANC), prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, skilled birth and management of birth complications, is an intervention that plays a crucial role in improving MCH outcomes. Increased utilization of MCH services is an essential package in reducing the risks associated with pregnancy and child bearing since mothers may develop serious life-threatening complica...
Abstract This study lies in the field of Cognitive Linguistics as it focuses on the use of metaphor in EkeGusii Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) discourse. This chapter highlights health communication, the history of HIV and AIDS in Kenya, EkeGusii and HIV, the linguistic expressions used in HIV and AIDS discourse and the concept of metaphor. The chapter also presents the statement of the problem, its research questions, objectives, justificat...
ABSTRACT The burden of HIV/AIDS persists in sub-Saharan Africa, in which Kenya is part, despite the preventive efforts. The national prevalence of HIV/AIDS in Kenya is 5.6%, and Nyanza Province is (15.1%) which is more than double. Subsequently, the prevalence in Kisumu is at 18.5%. Universal access to HIV Testing and Counselling (HTC) is recognized as the cornerstone for HIV prevention. Furthermore, it has been evidenced that Provider-Initiated Testing and Counselling (PITC) is considered as...
ABSTRACT Recent decreases in the global malaria burden are partly due to the deployment of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) for treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. However, these significant gains are threatened by emergence of drug-resistant malaria parasites. In Africa, P. falciparum remains susceptible to ACTs. However, due to the emergence of parasites that are resistant to ACTs in Southeast Asia and the recent report of declined responsiveness of P. fa...
ABSTRACT Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is a multi-factorial condition of the eye that results in symptoms of stress and eye discomfort among electronic device users. It causes considerable chronic vision-related morbidity and reduced work productivity. Ninety percent and 75% of computer users globally and in Africa, respectively, suffer from CVS. The risk factors for CVS include prolonged period of electronic device use, glare, refractive error, short viewing distance and inappropriate seati...
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 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 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...