MST-Department of Public Health
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Browsing MST-Department of Public Health by Author "Afullo, A."
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Item Effect of health education and hygine on blood lead levels, among lead battery workers in Nairobi and Athi River, Kenya.(Kenyatta University, 2014-10-13) Ngara, Jared Ochieng; Afullo, A.Lead is a highly toxic, non-degradable metal that can result in damage to the brain, kidneys, blood, central nervous and reproductive systems. This study sought to identify the effect of health education and improvement on hygiene standard interventions on blood lead levels among factory workers at Associated Battery Manufacturers (Nairobi) a-n'd Chl=oride Metals Kenya (Athi-river). The study design was quasi experimental time series, where data on blood lead levels collected from April 2003 to December 2005, before the interventions were compared to the samples collected from April 2006 to December 2009, when the intervention measures were put in place. Purposive sampling technique was applied where a total of97 respondents participated in the study. Data for this study was collected using four instruments: questionnaires, laboratory results on blood lead levels, interview to key informants and direct observation. The statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) was used for data processing and analysis. The data was mainly analyzed using descriptive statistics in form of frequency distribution, cross tabulation and percentages. A 2 tail t- test at 95% confidence interval was performed on the mean of various variables. From the study results, a comparison was made on the mean blood lead levels in ug/dl before and after the intervention measures were put in place and the calculated t- value was 2.03 against the table value of 1.96 with a p-value of 0.045. It was concluded in general that, the intervention measures put in place brought significant change towards lowering the mean blood lead level value among factory workers. Specifically, the study revealed that there was statistical significant difference in the blood lead level mean values on the following tested variables; use of personal protective equipment with a calculated t- value of 6.66 against table value of 2.26. Average level of knowledge on lead and its effects on health with a calculated t-value of 2.05 against the table value of 1.96. Daily intake of water of up to one litre per day with a calculated t-value of 2.02 against the table value of 1.96, thus; just enough water is adequate in blood lead level reduction but not too much of it. Among the hygiene measures tested; daily bathing after work was significant with a calculated t-value of 2.36 against the table value of 1.96. For respondents who took alcohol, the calculated t-value was 2.04 against the table value of 1.96 with a p-value of 0.045, hence statistical evidence that alcohol consumers could have benefited more from the interventions especially with regard to hygiene interventions. Emanating from the findings and conclusions drawn from this study, the study recommends that the stake holders in the lead industry provide correct and adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) for its entire workforce, enhance health education to improve knowledge on lead and its ill health effects, provide bathroom facilities for the ladies working in the lead industry and to scrap off the use of rewards and warning letters as a form of intervention. Further research has been suggested to establish the role of vitamin C, fruits and alcohol on blood lead levels. It is important to carry out the same study on other battery manufacturing companies and lead industries for a bigger sample size and to compare results.Item An investigation into the preparedness for disasters in secondary schools in Ruiru division, Thika district, Kenya(2011-08-09) Mururi, Wangui Susan; Afullo, A.; Ouma, J. H.Disaster is an overwhelming event that involves the destruction including injury and loss of lives and they become common events that pose serious threats to Public health. The objective of the study was to establish preparedness in disaster management in Secondary Schools in Ruiru Division in Thika District, Kenya. The study targeted the students, teaching staff and the supportive staff from Ruiru Division Secondary Schools. The findings of the study were designed to benefit the school administrators, disaster managers, researchers, scholars, policy makers and the funding Agencies with an aim of improving the health and safety of the Secondary School community and those living in the schools environs and spare the already strained economy of this country. To achieve a desired representation from the various Secondary School, a stratified simple random sampling technique was employed where a sample size of 120 was realised and participated in the study voluntarily. To assess disaster preparedness in the selected secondary schools, the researcher gathered detailed, descriptive information from the respondents by use of simplified and closed ended questionnaire, in-depth interview and observation check list. The data obtained was entered and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and confirmed lack of provisions for disaster management in secondary schools. The respondents did not know how to use the first aid kit elements(x2=835.263, p = 0.000, df =1). Lack of knowledge on use of first aid elements was significantly high among the respondents which also reflected lack of skills to manage minor incidences ( X2 =835.1, P= 0.000, df = 1)Lack of knowledge on where to keep the first aid kit was significantly high among the respondents(x2=474.386, p=0.000, df=1). The respondents confessed the lack of preparedness for disasters in their schools. (x= 840.8, P= 0.0, df = 2).The level of knowledge where information was highlighted in the media and the daily nations like the collapse of the building along Ronald Ngala in 2006 street was significantly high among the respondents (x2=0.175, p=0.675, df =1). Therefore information education and communication (IEC) played a big role disaster management because there was a significant relation on (IEC) and knowledge about this particular disaster. The respondent knew the common disasters in Ruiru Division ( x2 =571.482, p = 0.000, df =2). Analysed data were presented in tables, figures, graphs and statements. There was lack of preparedness in the secondary schools in Ruiru division. The Ministry of Education should adopt a wide range of strategies to mitigate and prepare for disasters in schools by increasing the knowledge and skills of the communities within the secondary schools and their environs. Those in authority should also ensure the necessary tools for disaster management are available and operational at all times.Item The role of street foods as a source of micronutrients to residents of Nairobi, Kenya(2011-11-29) Ogubi, Mary Anyango; Waudo, Judith N.; Afullo, A.Vitamin A (VA), iron and zinc deficiencies are now of public health concern in Kenya. Although more than 40% of Nairobi's lower-income areas consume street foods (SFs), inadequate information exists on their micronutrient (MN) content and there is little knowledge on the contribution or potential contribution of SFs to MN intake. The study objective was to determine household intake of VA, iron and zinc, and the proportion of the intakes from SFs. Cross-sectional surveys, biochemical analysis of foods and a nonrepetitive 24hr-dietary recall were employed. A sample of 600 households was surveyed in the two study sites. Ninety street food vendors were considered for the study. At least 30% of SFs were analyzed for VA, iron and zinc content. The study sites were Kangemi and Dandora (low and middle-low income groups, respectively). Student's t-test was used to compare the means of independent data from the two sites while the chi-square (x2) test was used to compare categorical (%) data from the two sites. Results indicate that there was no significant difference (p<0.05) in the consumption pattern of SFs between the two sites. VA intake from SFs was higher in Dandora than in Kangemi i.e. 9.5% and 2.6% of Recommended Daily Intake (RDI), respectively. The proportion of VA intake from SFs (out of the daily total VA intake) was 25% and 4% in Dandora and Kangemi, respectively. The differences in VA intake from SFs from the two sites was attributed to quantities consumed because there was no significant difference (p<0.05) in the pattern and in the levels of VA in SFs from the two sites. SFs contributed on average, about a quarter of daily intake iron in the two sites combined. Iron intake from SFs in both sites (15mg/AE in Kangemi and 25mg/AE in Dandora) was sufficient to meet the RDI for iron for adults (5-28mg/AE). From the quantities consumed, the difference in iron intakes was partly attributed to the consumption pattern since the consumption pattern of some iron-rich foods was statistically different (p<0.05) between the two sites. Zinc intake from SFs on average accounted for about one-fifth of daily intake. Although the absolute values and proportions of zinc intakes were higher in Dandora than Kangemi, there was no statistical proof (p<0.2, p<0.34) that SFs had more contributory role in Dandora than Kangemi. There was significant differences (p<0.03) in the contribution of VA and iron intakes from SFs in the middle-low and low-income groups in Nairobi. SFs zinc accounts for 11.9% of RDI in Kangemi and 24.6% in Dandora. VA, iron and zinc intakes from SFs are low among the low income groups as compared to middle low income group. These finding are expected to guide policy makers, city council authorities, research institutions and relevant stakeholders on the way forward for SFs in Nairobi. Key words: Street foods, micronutrients, low-socio economics, Nairobi.