ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in blood pressure, cardiovascular disease bio-chemical risk markers, physical activity and nutrition, between an Urban (US) and Pastoral (PS) sample, in the context of the global epidemiological transition taking place globally causing a shift in mortality and morbidity from communicable diseases to non-communicable diseases. A total of 133 adults from both samples meeting the inclusion criteria, were randomly recruited from...
ABSTRACT Khat or miraa (Catha edulis Forsk (Celastraceae) chewing is known to be a widespread habit in among selected communities in Kenya. Since HIV/AIDS was declared a national disaster in Kenya in 1999, the disease has become an obstacle to both health and development of the people. Nevertheless, the use of substance including C. edulis has dramatically increased despite the serious concern on control of HIV infection. This study was aimed at determining the HIV prevalence and impact ...
ABSTRACT Globally malaria results in 300 to 500 million clinical episodes and one million deaths annually. Malaria is caused by a protozoa of the genus Plasmodium. The disease is transmitted by the bite of an infected female Anopheles mosquito. In Kenya the disease leads to morbidity and mortality contributing to 30% of outpatient cases, 20% of admissions and 15 to 35% of hospital deaths. Kinango District records over 41% outpatient morbidity due to malaria. Malaria control measures include e...
ABSTRACT Despite the concerted efforts at achieving a 50% reduction in deaths resulting from HIV, a high number of children below the age of 5 years continue to get resistance to first line ART medicines and are second line ARV medication. Efforts to deal with this issue seems not to have taken root in many developing countries, including Kenya. HIV suppression still remains a big challenge in this age bracket with at least one in every six patients failing to achieve the required adherence l...
ABSTRACT As the international community continues to embrace sustainability thinking in decisionmaking, the sugarcane industry too has to adopt and operate within principles of sustainable entrepreneurship. A key input in this evolving paradigm is application of Life Cycle Management approach, whose focus is to determine sustainability concerns at all stages of a product’s life cycle so as to attune business to economic viability, social responsibility and environmental soundness. This stu...
ABSTRACT Soils and cassava tubers in Okigwe auto-mechanic village of Imo state were investigated for presence of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals. Six soil samples of 0 - 15 cm and 15 - 30 cm in depth were collected each, at 3 sites, in close proximity to selected automobile workshops. A distant location was used as the control site. Physicochemical properties of soils from this study area were investigated using standard methods, PAHs in the soil and cassava tubers w...
Abstract This study was carried out to examine and determine the impacts of increased human population and the sedentarization of pastoral communities on the land cover and resources of Mt. Marsabit Forest and the immediate surrounding lands. The first objective of this study was to determine the impacts of increased human population and the subsequent land fragmentation and human sedentarization on the resources of Mt. Marsabit Forest and the immediate surrounding lands. The second objective...
ABSTRACT Introduction: Adolescent pregnancy has multiple adverse effect on the adolescent, family and community. This has led to a growing interest on contraceptive use by sexually active adolescents. Objective: The objective of this study was to assesss knowledge on modern contraceptives, prevalence and factors that influence modern contraceptive use among in-school adolescents. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted using self- administered questionnaires. Three hundred and ninet...
ABSTRACT Hospitals effluent often contain chemical compounds which may have negative impact on the environment and human health if not properly treated. Investigations were conducted to determine the bacteriological and physico-chemical qualities of effluent discharged from University of Ghana hospital into the environment and its effects on agricultural soils and vegetables. Water and soil quality analyses of some physico-chemical and bacteriological variables were carried out on effluent s...
ABSTRACT Introduction: The convergence of TB and HIV dual epidemics are major public health challenges in Ghana as well as many developing countries. Globally, the TB epidemic is fuelled by the HIV epidemic. The chances of death in TB-HIV co-infected patients are higher than TB only patients as reported by most studies. Treatment outcome monitoring is a vital part of the surveillance needed to successfully eliminate TB. Aim: The study was conducted to determine the factors associated with T...
ABSTRACT Objective The main objective of the study was to determine which component of the National Drug Policy was working and which was not. Thus this study aimed to compare the current practices in the implementation of the Drug Policy with findings obtained in 1996 and 1998 and to determine strengths and weaknesses of some of those strategies adopted in the implementation process. The study took place in the Dangme West District. Subdistrict health staff working in the ten Health Centre...
ABSTRACT Background: Menstruation is the recurring peeling of the inner part of the uterus or the shedding of the uterine lining on a regular basis in the reproductive-aged females during the monthly menstrual cycles. Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is an everyday challenge to the adolescent girl child globally, and in developing countries like Ghana. There is great need for the achievement of good hygiene practices among Basic School girls because attitude towards menstrual hygiene acqui...
ABSTRACT This study was on Determinants of Utilization of Youth friendly Reproductive Health services (YFRHS) among school and college youth in Thika West District of Kiambu County, Kenya. The reproductive and sexual health of the youth remains a relatively new and sensitive area mainly due to restrictive norms and policies guiding the services. Sex and sexuality among the young people have remained a sacred area and few structures were in place to address it. After International Conference o...
ABSTRACT Background: Postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with increased morbidity, cost, prolonged hospital stay, and greater than 50% mortality rate in abdominal surgery. Among abdominal procedures, open surgical technique has the highest risk of postoperative AKI as compared to the laparoscopic approach. Postoperative AKI is a common condition in laparotomy patients. In patients with emergency abdominal conditions, laparotomy offers the only chance for cure. Various compl...
ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Anaemia in pregnant women is a common global phenomenon. It is endemic in developing countries and often results in complications for both the mother and the foetus (born or unborn). Neonates born to iron-deficient mothers are more susceptible to anaemia, are low birthweight or preterm and have higher mortality. WHO estimates showed that Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest prevalence of 57.1%. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence and assess the fact...