Abstract Background: In Kenya, the increased use of motorcycles for transport has led to increased morbidity, mortality, and disability. These injuries exert a burden on the public health system, yet little information exists on health care resource usage by motorcycle crash injury patients. We aimed to estimate the burden of motorcycle crash injuries on the health system in Kisumu City. Methods: We conducted a 6-month prospective study of all motorcycle crash injury patients who presented t...
Abstract Introduction: Strong health systems are essential platforms for accessible, quality health services, and population health and attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs). Descriptive methods have been used to assess the health systems strength and impact, however, there is inadequate knowledge on methods of analyzing huge number of indices to provide systematic evidence that service readiness is improving or deteriorating over time. Methods: We utilized data from a cross ...
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: Skin conditions were the fourth leading cause of nonfatal burden globally, expressed as years lost due to disability and eighteenth leading cause of health burden worldwide, expressed as disability adjusted life years. From Busia County health sector strategic and investment plan 2018-2023 report, skin diseases was third leading cause of morbidity in the county with 6.5%. Skin diseases, though very common in many developing countries, are not often regarded as a signific...
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 Nurses are predisposed to developing depression which is a common mental health problem. They experience depression more than the general population due to the nature of their work. Untreated, depression can lead to a poor quality of life and reduced productivity at the place of work. The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with depression among nurses working at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. The research targeted a population of 1050 nurse...
Abstract The low health outcomes and inequities problems in developing countries are due to ineffective gate keeping at the Primary Health Care (PHC) level, non-adherence to policy and dysfunctional health infrastructure. This study was conducted at 100 PHC centres sampled using Taro Yamane formula, in Machakos County, Kenya, from March to May 2015. It involved 8 gender-based focus group discussions (FGDs) with patients and their caretakers. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected f...
Abstract Introduction: Depression is the most common mental disorder among people living with HIV/AIDS and has a negative impact on HIV treatment outcomes. Training lay HIV counselors to identify and manage depression may contribute to improved patient access and adherence to treatment, and reduce stigma and discrimination among lay health workers toward both HIV and depression. The purpose of this study was to assess the current knowledge and attitudes of lay HIV counselors toward managing ...
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: Patient perceptions on services delivered by nurses are crucial when assessing the quality of health services. These are most attributable to their knowledge, competent skills and other personal characteristics. These can be described in how effective they handle clients when performing their nursing duties and their effectiveness including their ability to utilize a variety of communication skills and their attitudes at their regular work place. Methodology: This is a c...
Abstract Globally, dental caries has affected nearly 100% of adult teeth. Dental caries is caused when microbial biofilm converts free sugar contained in such foods and drinks into acid which corrodes the tooth structure. In Kenya, the prevalence is 34%. This high prevalence has led to the negative impact associated with the disease. Therefore, this study’s main aim was to determine the prevalence of dental caries among adult patients in Bungoma County, Kenya. This study was conducted in B...
Abstract/Overview Large reductions in malaria transmission and mortality have been achieved over the last decade, and this has mainly been attributed to the scale-up of long-lasting insecticidal bed nets and indoor residual spraying with insecticides. Despite these gains considerable residual, spatially heterogeneous, transmission remains. To reduce transmission in these foci, researchers need to consider the local demographical, environmental and social context, and design an appropriate...
Abstract/Overview Health in low and middle income countries is on one hand characterized by a high burden associated with preventable communicable diseases and on the other hand considered to be under-documented due to improper basic health and demographic record-keeping. health and demographic surveillance systems (HDSSs) have provided researchers, policy makers and governments with data about local population dynamics and health related information. In order for an HDSS to deliver high ...