BC-School of Public Health

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Advocacy in Reproductive Health a Kenyan Situation and Reflection
(LAP Lambert Academic Publishing, 2012-11-20) Okello, A. B. M.
Sustained advocacy on sexual and reproductive health in Kenya is of paramount importance in the fight of maintaining the human race and dignity. Advocacy plays an important part in shaping the local policy and funding allocation in reproductive health in Kenya. In recent years the concept of advocacy has grown in importance in civil society organization in shaping policy process in local and international governments and institutions. Advocacy is influencing other people, building support, promoting commitment to issues and directing decision makers towards solutions. Successful advocates usually start by identifying the people they need to influence policies and planning the best ways to communicate with them. They dwell on issues and build persuasive cases. Advocates organize networks and coalitions to create grounds well of support that can influence key decision makers. They work with the media, the third estate, to help communicate the message. Women’s Health Advocacy champions women’s health, rights and development unlike men, women’s health is a complicated issue, which needs a well coordinated approach to solve.
Burden of Childhood Diarrhea from Water, Sanitation and Hygiene: The case of Nairobi city, Kenya
(VDM Verlag Dr. Müller, 2010-07-30) Keraka, M.; Akungah, N. D.; Anyango, O.
This study aimed to quantify the burden of childhood diarrhea morbidity and mortality of the under five children in Nairobi city using household data and hospital records. The main objective of this study was to estimate the diarrhea disease burden of aged less than five years associated with Water, sanitation and hygiene in Nairobi using available mortality and morbidity information. The study used a cross-sectional, non-interventional approach. For estimating childhood diarrhea disease burden, the study area was categorized into four exposure residential environs differentiated by WASH and SES characteristics. The delineation gave four residential environs namely Informal settlement Low Income Residential Areas (ISLI), High Density Low income residential Area (HDLI), Medium Density High income residential Area (MDHI)and Ligh Density High income residential Area (LDHI). The parameters considered included access to improved water and sanitation and diarrhea (case fatality, incidence rate, incidence duration, and prevalence) so as to calculate Disability Adjusted life Years (DALYs). Also household hygiene knowledge and practice were assessed, sanitary inspections conducted and water samples collected that were analysed for total and faecal coliform counts, turbidity and conductivity. Data obtained were subjected to relevant statistical tools including descriptive statistics, relative risk estimate, regression analysis and multivariate methods. The results of the study show ISLI and HDLI environs were receiving significantly low and unreliable amounts of water (20lcd/person/day) as well as inadequate sanitary facilities. The results also revealed that the microbiological quality of water in ISLI and HDLI residential environs was generally poor due to poor water handling practices and poor sanitary conditions within the surroundings. Overall, household water storage showed a significantly higher contamination (33.2%) than household tap water supplies (4.7%).These factors influence a higher childhood diarrhea burden observed in this study for diarreah the study identified a distinct pattern of childhood morbidity. The annual disability adjusted life years for children under the age of five years in Nairobi study area were approximately 106 DALYS/1000 person years (ISLI=223; HDLI=98; MDHI=56 and LDHI=47). This means that children loose approximately 10% of their quality life to diarrhea with ISLI and HDLI losing 22.3% and 9.8% respectively compared to5.6 and 4.7 per cent for MDHI and LDHI respectively. The diarrhea patterns observed empasised the role of socioeconomic, educational, water supply and sanitation factors on diarrhea morbidity and mortality in Nairobi study area. Some of the most important factors that contributed to diarrhea morbidity were parental education, household water consumption rates household income and access to sanitation facilities. The optimal WASH and SES conditions in this study were for MDHI. There is need therefore to improve children’s living conditions to match MDHI residential environs for children’s diarrhea and health outcomes to be significantly reduced. To this end, multi-stakeholder involvement and strengthening of the institutional mechanism responsible for providing water and sanitation in the city will be key to providing improved access to water and sanitation in the city of Nairobi especially in the ISLI and HDLI residential areas of Nairobi. This should be enhanced by legislating mandatory construction of improved ventilated pit latrines, and provide health promotions on the significance of household hygiene among others.
Health Implications of Urban Livestock Farming on Meat Quality: Assessment of Selected Heavy Metals in Meat Consumed in Eldoret Town, Kenya and Their Health Implications on Consumers
(VDM Verlag Dr. Müller, 2010-02-17) Nyamari, J. M.; Simiyu, Gelas
The main objective of this study was to assess levels of selected heavy metals lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in meat consumed in Eldoret Town, Kenya. This study focused on Liver and Kidney of bovine, since these are depository sites for toxic heavy metals.404 samples of liver and kidney were collected, dried and ground, two grams of dried samples were wet digested using concentrated nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide and the digest was analyzed for Pb and Cd using flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer - Varian 200 Lead concentrations in liver ranged from 0.01 - 0.33mg/kg, while Cd was 0.001 - 0.17mg/kg. In kidney samples, Pb ranged from 0.01 - 0.33mg/kg, while Cd, ranged from 0.001 - 0.436mg/kg. The maximum concentrations of Pb and Cd found in liver and kidney were from animals samples obtained from urban areas. Most of the samples had concentrations below maximum levels recommended by the WHO / FAO, but considering that relatively higher concentrations were observed in animals from urban areas, there is need to educate public about the dangers of keeping animals for consumption in urban areas, and there is need for To ensure continuous monitoring studies meat is free from heavy metals.
Identification and Characterization of the Microbial Contaminants: of Herbal Medicines in Kenya
(VDM Verlag Dr. Müller, 2011) Nyamari, J. M.; Onyambu, Meshack
With the ever increasing use of herbal medicines and the global expansion of the herbal medicines market, safety has become a concern for both health authorities and the public in many countries. This is because many contaminants and residues that may cause harm to the consumers have been reported. Many are natural such as naturally occurring radioxides, toxic metals, bacteria and fungi. Some arise from past and present use of agents or materials that pollute the environment and subsequently medicinal plants, such as emissions from factories or the residues of certain pesticides. For these reasons, there is currently a global danger to the health and well-being of the people. These risks can be reduced by ensuring that there is enough surveillance of herbal medicines so that those with harmful contaminants and residues above recommended limits do not reach the public. This study therefore was aimed at identification and characterization of the microbial contaminants in herbal medicines sold in Kenyan herbal clinics, Chemists, supermarkets and streets. The microbial loads were established and the contaminants isolated and identified.
Implications of Urban Livestock Farming on Meat Quality: Assessment of Selected Heavy Metals in Meat Consumed in Eldoret Town, Kenya and their Health Implications on Consumers
(VDM Verlag Dr. Müller, 2010) Nyamari, J. M.; Gelas, M.
The main objective of this study was to assess levels of selected heavy metals lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) in meat consumed in Eldoret Town, Kenya. This study focused on Liver and Kidney of bovine, since these are depository sites for toxic heavy metals.404 samples of liver and kidney were collected, dried and ground, two grams of dried samples were wet digested using concentrated nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide and the digest was analyzed for Pb and Cd using flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer - Varian 200 Lead concentrations in liver ranged from 0.01 - 0.33mg/kg, while Cd was 0.001 - 0.17mg/kg. In kidney samples, Pb ranged from 0.01 - 0.33mg/kg, while Cd, ranged from 0.001 - 0.436mg/kg. The maximum concentrations of Pb and Cd found in liver and kidney were from animals samples obtained from urban areas. Most of the samples had concentrations below maximum levels recommended by the WHO / FAO, but considering that relatively higher concentrations were observed in animals from urban areas, there is need to educate public about the dangers of keeping animals for consumption in urban areas, and there is need for continuous monitoring studies to ensure meat is free from heavy metals
Indigenous Behavioral Health in Eastern Africa
(Wiley, 2013-08-12) Wasanga, C.; Mathews, J. R.
In Africa, the number of traditional healers far outnumbers Western-trained doctors by as much as 10:1. In fact, it is estimated that 80% of rural health needs in Kenya are met by traditional healers. This is due in part to long-held traditions in African communities and in part due to the lack of Western-trained medical practitioners. Given the low physician:patient ratio, it is important for Western-trained practitioners to understand and collaborate with traditional healers. With the onset of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa, there is even greater utilization of traditional healers. Recognizing this fact, the World Health Organization published a traditional medicine strategy proposing national policies to ensure quality care by traditional healers.
Lifestyles in an Era of AIDS : Women Migrant Workers Sexual Behaviour Patterns
(VDM Verlag Book Publisher, 2010) Mweru, M.
Prescribed Diets in HIV Malnourished Children
(Lambert Academic Publishing, 2012-07) Agina, B.M.O.; Masinde, L.A.; Okwara, F.
The role of good nutrition in mitigating the effects of HIV/AIDS is well documented but little is known about the effectiveness of prescribed diets in malnourished HIV infected children. This book is a result of a study on the effectiveness of Insta Food by Prescription (FBP) and also addresses the challenges encountered in delivering FBP to HIV malnourished children. It highlights fundamental issues that should go along with prescribed diets such as; general sanitation and personal hygiene, training of caregivers, age of caregiver, relationship between the child and caregivers, family planning, medical and child care, food security and stigma among others. The study was carried out at Lea Toto Program, a set of outpatient clinics of Nyumbani Children’s Home, founded by the late Fr. Angelo D’Agostino in 1992. The program mostly serves the slum suburb of Kangemi, Nairobi, Kenya and its adjacent areas. Most patients showed improvement after being put on Insta FBP. For better results, addressing malnutrition in HIV infected children should entail an integrated programme that addresses nutrition as well as socio demographic and economic factors.

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