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Validity of Procalcitonin and C-Reactive Protein as Biomarkers in Diagnosis Ofneonatal Sepsis in a Referral Hospital, Kenya
(Alexandria Journal of Medicine, 2024-11) Tum, Florence Chepyegon; Ngeranwa, Joseph J.N.; Maiyoh, Geoffrey K.; Frank G. Onyambu
Background: Neonatal sepsis (NS) is a significant health concern causing high morbidity and mortality among neonates. The clinical symptoms of NS can overlap with other common neonatal conditions. The gold standard diagnostic method, the blood culture test, has numerous limitations including lengthy turnaround time, which delays appropriate management of NS. Acute phase protein; procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) tests have emerged as potential alternatives due to short turnaround times, high sensitivity, and specificity in detecting NS. Nevertheless, there is limited data on their usability in Kenyan public hospitals. This study, therefore, was conducted to validate the performance of PCT and CRP tests in diagnosis of NS locally. Methodology: Blood samples were collected from 196 neonates with suspected sepsis admitted at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH). Blood culture was performed using BacT/ALERT blood culture system. Bacteria growths were identified and antibiotic susceptibility for the isolates determined using Vitek II. Serum PCT levels were determined using the chemiluminescence immunoassay method. Serum CRP levels were measured using Immunoturbidimetry method. Results: Growth of organisms occurred in 45.4% of the sepsis suspected neonates. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and area under the curve for PCT were 93.3%, 98.1%, 97.6%, 94.6% and 0.959, whereas for CRP they were 100%, 72.8%, 74.3%, 100%, and 0.953, respectively. Conclusion and Recommendation: The CRP test exhibited superior sensitivity, negative predictive value, but lower specificity, making it a more valuable tool for ruling out NS. Overall, however, PCT emerged as a more robust biomarker, offering a reliable balance between sensitivity and specificity, indicating its ability to identify cases with NS correctly. The area under the ROC curve confirms that CRP and PCT have high accuracy in detecting NS. The study recommends adoption of PCT and CRP biomarkers in the diagnostic protocols for NS.
Utilization And Conservation Of Medicinal Plants For Infant Health In Kitutu Central Ward, Kisii County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2024-12-20) Fatuma, Harriet; Ngaruiya, Grace Wambui
Traditional medical practice is still an important part of healthcare across various age groups in Kenya. Many studies have majorly looked at medicinal plant products for adult-related ailments such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, and infertility; and only a handful of studies exist on the diverse medicinal plants used to treat common infant ailments. This study sought to determine the utilization, distribution, and conservation of medicinal plants for optimum infant health in Kitutu Central Ward in Kisii County. Data was collected by administering questionnaires to 100 parents/guardians and five local herbalists. Thereafter, plant distribution data was obtained from forty quadrats randomly placed across roadsides, farmlands, riparian land, and forest habitats. Data was analysed using Shannon’s Diversity Index and One-Way ANOVA. Results indicate that 18 plant species with a Shannon’s Diversity index of 2.35 are used to manage infant ailments ranging from skin issues, respiratory and stomach ailments by the community. Fifteen plants are used to manage several infant diseases while only three plants were used for specific ailments. Farmland had the highest medicinal plant species diversity while riparian habitat had the lowest. Main conservation strategy was to cultivate and allow the medicinal plants to freely grow within the homestead. Study concludes that medicinal plants form an integral part of infant treatment regimen in Kitutu Central Ward. It is recommended that efficacy of the identified medicinal plants and value addition of the herbal products be done for enhanced affordable medical care. Additional research to document specific medicinal plant species for other age groups like the aged persons also needs to be conducted in the wider Kisii region
Prison Reforms and Strategies to Improve Practices of Education Offered to Prisoners in Kamiti Maximum Prisons, Nairobi City County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2024-12-27) Sunga, Seth; Mbirianjau, Lucy Wandiri; Gathara, Peter Mugo
Worldwide, governments are majorly concerned with the problem of rehabilitating inmates into law-abiding citizens. In Kenya, the Government has introduced Prison reforms to boost prisons’ capacity to rehabilitate inmates. They include reforms to improve the living conditions of the inmates, the provision of teaching and learning materials and the terms of service of the warders. However, there are concerns that prisons are still faced with the problem of rehabilitation as inmates persist in criminal behavior. This paper explored recommendations that will help to improve teaching and learning practices in KMSP. This paper used reinforcement theory, whose leading proponent is B.F. Skinner (1974). The research utilized a descriptive design with a survey method of data collection. Questionnaires and interviews were used to gather primary data. Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively to get general frequencies and percentages to discuss the findings. Qualitative data were outlined and dealt with into topics and classifications. Based on the results of the paper, the following recommendations were made. There should be provision of better teaching and learning resources and improvement of living conditions for both inmates and warders. Recommendations for further studies included similar research that can be conducted in a female prison.
Genetic Improvement of Banana for Resistance to Xanthomonas Wilt in East Africa
(Food and Energy Security, 2024-12) Musabyemungu, Anastasie; Tripathi, Jaindra Nath; Muiruri, Samwel K.; Gaidashova, Svetlana V.; Rukundo, Placide; Tripath, Leena
Banana (Musa spp.) is a staple food and income generation crop, feeding millions worldwide. However, the cultivation of bananas is challenging due to biotic and abiotic production constraints. Among these factors are pests and diseases, especially banana bacterial disease. Banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW), caused by Xanthomonas campestris pathovar musacearum (Xcm), has the most significant detrimental economic effect on East African banana production. The infection of BXW is rapid and severe; its impact increases over time and causes huge banana yield losses. The Xcm infects and causes disease in all types of bananas except the wild diploid type Musa balbisiana, which is resistant boosting plant immunity for controlling Xcm and other diseases in bananas. Resistant cultivars are the best promising management option for controlling Xcm and other diseases in bananas. All the cultivated bananas are sterile, and have a long generation cycle, which complicates their improvement through conventional breeding. Biotechnological approaches to banana improvement can complement conventional breeding by overcoming some of its challenges. Additionally, genetic engineering could speed up the process of crop improvement, especially for sterile seedless crops like bananas. It is also specific to the target gene and precise modification that avoids unwanted genes in the normal breeding process. Recent developments using genetic engineering and genome editing on bananas have been initiated to tackle these issues. This review article focuses on the challenges of traditional breeding and the progress of genetic engineering and genome editing approaches, aiming to enhance understanding of achieving an essential genetic gain of bananas against the BXW. This understanding is crucial for enhancing food security in East Africa and globally.
Tea Farmers' Perceptions of the Influence of Climate Variability on Dodder Occurrence in Nandi County, Kenya
(African Journal of Climate Change and Resource Sustainability, 2025-01) Mong’o, Faith Jepchirchir; Koske, James Kibii; Muriuki, John Njagi
Climate variability continues to adversely impact agricultural systems globally. From the literature, it is reported that there has been an unprecedented emergence of pests and diseases associated with climate change and variability among other factors. In Kenya, crop cultivation and yield are affected primarily by changing climatic conditions, pests, and diseases. Of major concern in counties of Kenya, are the impacts of climate variability and parasitic dodder (Cuscuta spp.) on tea cultivation and production. From the literature, little is reported on the continuing invasion and effects of parasitic dodder on tea farming. This study aimed to assess tea farmer perceptions on the role of climate variability on the occurrence of dodder in Nandi. An exploratory survey design was utilized for this study. Using the Yamane Formula, a sample size of 392 was drawn from the Kenya Tea Development Agency tea farmers to represent the study. Primary data obtained from the administered questionnaires was extracted, collated, classified, and analysed (p≤0.05) with the aid of the Statistical Package of Social Sciences. Rainfall and temperature data for the County was obtained from the Kenya Meteorological Department from 1992 to 2022. Mann-Kendall Trend Analysis showed a significant increase in temperature denoted by a Sen’s slope= 0.031 and a strong positive correlation of Kendall’s Tau 0.554 indicated an increase at p