Abstract Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a Gram-positive bacterium of great clinical relevance, is a lethal pathogen owing to its complex physiological characteristics and development of drug resistance. Several molecular genetic tools have been developed in the past few decades to study this microorganism. These tools have been instrumental in understanding how M. tuberculosis became a successful pathogen. Advanced molecular genetic tools have played a significant role in exploring the complex ...
Abstract Covid-19 was first reported in Wuhan China but has now spread globally with overwhelming impacts on human health and health systems. The disease is caused by the SARs-Cov-2 which is related to the SARs-Cov-1 that causes SARs. There is evidence suggesting that the virus originated from the Rhinolophilid bats and has subsequently undergone recombination to allow for a natural selection for a human host and it is thought that the recombination might have occurred either prior or upon i...
Abstract Background: We implemented a longitudinal study to determine the incidence of Brucella infection in cattle, camels, sheep and goats that were being raised in a pastoral area in Isiolo County, Kenya. An initial cross-sectional survey was implemented to identify unexposed animals for follow up; that survey used 141 camels, 216 cattle, 208 sheep and 161 goats. Sera from these animals were screened for Brucella spp. using the Rose Bengal Plate test (RBPT), a modiied RBPT, and an indirec...
Abstract Zoonotic diseases, such as brucellosis, Q fever and Rift Valley fever (RVF) caused by Brucella spp., Coxiella burnetii and RVF virus, respectively, can have devastating effects on human, livestock, and wildlife health and cause economic hardship due to morbidity and mortality in livestock. Coinfection with multiple pathogens can lead to more severe disease outcomes and altered transmission dynamics. These three pathogens can alter host immune responses likely leading to increased mo...
Abstract Brucellosis, caused by several species of the genus Brucella, is a zoonotic disease that afects humans and animal species worldwide. Information on the Brucella species circulating in diferent hosts in Kenya is largely unknown, thus limiting the adoption of targeted control strategies. This study was conducted in multi‑host livestock populations in Kenya to detect the circulating Brucella species and assess evidence of host–pathogen associations. Serum samples were collected fro...
Abstract/Overview This paper critically reviews the outcomes of internationally-funded interventions aimed at climate change adaptation and vulnerability reduction. It highlights how some interventions inadvertently reinforce, redistribute or create new sources of vulnerability. Four mechanisms drive these maladaptive outcomes: (i)shallow understanding of the vulnerability context; (ii) inequitable stakeholder participationin both design and implementation; (iii) a retrofitting of adaptat...
Abstract/Overview Substance and drug use is one of the emerging public health problems among the youth in Kenya. Moreover, it is associated with a myriad of medical effects including psychiatric problems, organ failures in addition to lethargy, decreased academic performance and risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections. Although substance and drug use has been associated with these problems, the magnitude of substance and drug use and its predictors has not been investigated in...
Abstract/Overview This quantitative study seeks to understand the impact of inventory management practices on the operational performance of public health facilities in Kisumu County, Kenya. The Objectives were to (1) determine the impact of the ABC system on the operation performance (cost management, waste management, and efficiency of service delivery) of public health facilities in Kisumu County; (2) examine the impact of the Economic Order Quantity system on the operation performance...
Sickle cell disease (SCD) remains a formidable challenge around the globe particularly in Nigeria, where prevalence is the highest in the world. The impact of the disease extends beyond the affected children and healthcare systems as mothers engage in a vicious cycle of emotional, medical, social and financial challenges while caring for their children. The aim of this study is to assess the coping strategies and health literacy of mothers towards sickle cell disease at selected health in...
Abstract: A cross sectional study was conducted in Kyuso Sub County to determine factors influencing household incomes. The broad objective of the study was to determine the factors that influence household income losses due to livestock diseases and document common and prevalent livestock diseases. The study used descriptive and inferential data collection and analysis methods. The data was collected through primary and secondary data methods. Semi-structured questionnaires were administere...
Abstract: HIV/AIDS poses a threat to the nations and the people in Sub Saharan Africa. The security forces including military officers, police forces and other uniformed forces have been adversely affected by the pandemic due to the nature of their work and risky behavior. This study explores the extent and implications of HIV/AIDS in Kenya and examines the prevalence of HIV/AIDS amongst the security personnel in Sub Saharan African countries. HIV/AIDS is mired by controversies ranging from ...
Abstract: The main aim of the current study was to determine the prevalence and diversity of potentially zoonotic bacterial genera in accurately identified indigenous rodents from South Africa. Bacterial prevalence and diversity were determined by PCR amplification and sequence analyses. Rodents were molecularly identified by amplification and sequence analysis of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene region. Three species (Aethomys ineptus, Mastomys coucha and Otomys angoniensis) belonging to...
Abstract: Individuals with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more predisposed to developing a substance use disorder than their healthy peers. This study sought to establish the prevalence of ADHD symptoms among adults seeking treatment for substance use disorder in Nairobi County. It also sought to establish the drug of choice of adults with symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and lastly, to compare the severity of SUD between adults with symptoms of atten...
Abstract: The general objective of this study was to determine the relationship between COVID- 19 pandemic lockdown and stress among caregivers of children with autism in Kasarani region, Nairobi County, Kenya. Mixed methods approach that combines phenomenological research design with correlational research was used. The target population was caregivers of children with autism residing within Kasarani region of Nairobi County. The total sample size was 50 caregivers of children with autism i...