RP-Department of Public Health

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Socio-Demographic Factors Influencing Abortion Practices among Women Attending Mbagathi Hospital, Nairobi County, Kenya
(International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 2024-09) Okenyoru, Douglas S.; Matoke, Vincent; Wekesa, Claire; Murugi, Lucy; Odhiambo, Felix; Kemboi, Sharon J.
Background: Abortion is a global health concern with complex implications, particularly in countries like Kenya, where legal restrictions coexist with prevalent unsafe practices. Despite Kenya's high maternal mortality ratio linked to unsafe abortions, little research has explored the socio-demographic factors influencing this issue. This study investigates these dynamics among women at Mbagathi Hospital in Nairobi County, emphasizing the pressing need for targeted interventions within the legal framework. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was employed. This study focused on women aged 18–49, utilizing a census approach at Mbagathi Hospital's gynecology clinic. The study aimed for 100% precision, resulting in 49 respondents chosen through the purposive sampling method among women aged 18–49 with a history of abortions. Abortion practices were identified as safe and unsafe, and data was collected through a well-structured questionnaire and analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) 22.0. The data was presented in tables and pie charts. Results: The study revealed an unsafe abortion rate of 38.8%. The predictors of abortion practices based on sociodemographic factors were; age (AOR=6.170, p=0.002), marital status (married; AOR=0.438, p=0.025; divorced/widowed/separated; AOR=0.063, p=0.001) and number of children (AOR=0.379, p=0.007). Conclusions: This study revealed that the socio-demographic factors that predicted abortion practices were; age (AOR=6.170, p=0.002), marital status (married; AOR=0.438, p=0.025; divorced/widowed/separated; AOR=0.063, p=0.001) and number of children (AOR=0.379, p=0.007)
Factors that Influence Sexual Reproductive Health Knowledge among Adolescent Girls with Disabilities in Kiambu County
(frican Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, 2023) Kimani, Eunice W.; Nyamari, Jackim; Nyamu, Florence
Background/Aims Problems related to sexual health can have adverse effects on the overall health of adolescent girls, including those living with a physical disability. Improving sexual and reproductive health knowledge among this population can enable them to make informed decisions in relation to their sexual health. However, the sociodemographic characteristics that influence knowledge in this population have not been explored. This study investigated the influence of sociodemographic characteristics on the sexual and reproductive health knowledge of adolescent girls living with physical disabilities in Kiambu County, Kenya. Methods A cross-sectional mixed method study was conducted among 144 purposively selected adolescent girls aged 10–19 years old living with physical disabilities. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to gather data on participants’ sociodemographic characteristics and their sexual and reproductive health knowledge. Odds ratios and logistic regression was used to analyse the data. Results One in five (20.8%) of the participants had already had a sexual experience, and only 24.3% of participants had good sexual and reproductive health knowledge. The majority of the participants (54.9%) had low socioeconomic status, which was the only factor significantly associated with level of knowledge (odds ratio=4.91, P=0.021). Conclusions Socioeconomic status is a major determinant of sexual and reproductive health knowledge among adolescent girls living with disabilities. Measures must be put in place to economically empower the families of these girls, to facilitate improved knowledge and thus ensure their sexual health and wellbeing. Implications for practice Education interventions are needed that are tailored to adolescent girls living with disabilities to promote reproductive health in this population.
The 3rd Pan African Thoracic Society (PATS) Biennial Congress: Lessons Learnt to Advance Lung Health in Africa
(PATS, 2024-03) Kagima, Jacqueline; Irungu, Anne; Ongaya, Asiko; Miheso, Barbara; Chakaya, Jeremiah; Masekela, Refiloe
Lung health in Africa is of great public health concern. To exchange knowledge, communicate the latest scientific advances in lung health, build the capacity of young researchers, and provide a platform for networking of lung health stakeholders in Africa, the Pan African Thoracic Society (PATS), in partnership with the Respiratory Society of Kenya organized and held the 3rd Biennial PATS congress, from June 7–10, 2023 in Mombasa, Kenya. There were a total of 30 conference sessions, which included six skills building workshops, two research dissemination workshops, six plenary sessions, and five each of pediatric, adult, and thoracic surgery symposia. A total of 60 abstracts were presented, including 27 oral abstracts and 33 posters. A wide range of issues for lung health in Africa emerged. These include the emerging role of the environment, especially climate change and global warming, on lung health, the threat posed by the use of tobacco and other nicotine products in Africa, the high burden of lung infections, insecurity of medical oxygen supply systems, and high burden of chronic respiratory disease. In this paper, we summarize the proceedings of this conference and draw lessons that can be used to advance lung health in the African continent.
Prevalence of Induced Abortion among Female Students in Selected Tertiary Learning Institutions in Gaborone City, Botswana
(Scientific Research Publishing, 2024-03) Masweu, Mabole; Owaka, Isaac Ogweno
Induced abortion signifies that pregnancy has been tempered with. Abortion is the removal of an embryo or fetus weighing less than 500 grams from its mother. It can either be spontaneous (unprompted) or induced. Abortion remains one of the leading causes of maternal deaths in developing countries with induced abortion being the key cause. In 2014 from January to August, 9 abortion related deaths occurred in Botswana. There are several reasons female students in tertiary institutions resort to seeking induced abortion which include the socio-demographics like age and socio-economic factors like financial instability. Parental fears, unintended pregnancy and pressure from the partner also force females to terminate pregnancy. Induced abortion has claimed many women’s lives especially in developing countries with very restrictive abortion laws like Botswana as women do not access safe abortion care services. The study intends to establish the determinants of induced abortion among female students in selected tertiary learning institutions in Gaborone City, Botswana. It concentrated primarily on determining the prevalence of induced abortion. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. Systematic random sampling technique was used to come up with 278 participants. Prior to commencement of data collection, all ethical and logistical prerequisites were satisfied. Informed consent was solicited from all the study participants and the purpose of the study was fully explained. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Microsoft Excel spread sheet was used to code, clean, and enter the data, which was then exported for analysis to the statistical package for social sciences version 24. Frequency distribution tables, percentages graphs, and pie charts were used to illustrate the descriptive information. The study revealed that prevalence of induced abortion among female students in Gaborone City is 7.9%. They even suggested that induced abortion be liberalized. Age was the only socio-demographic factor associated with induced abortion with p = 0.047 using Chi Square test χ2 = 7.609, df = 3. The study findings concluded that female students resort to induced abortion as a result of pressure from both parents and male partners especially when the pregnancy is unintended. The study recommends that the abortion law in Botswana be made liberal to ease access to safe abortion care services. It also recommends that contraceptive commodities should consistently be available in public health facilities.
Modern contraceptive prevalence and its predictors among non-refugee and refugee Somali women in Nairobi city, Kenya; a comparative view
(Frontiers, 2024-01) Gitonga, Eliphas; Gage, Anastasia J.
Introduction and methods: This study sought to determine the prevalence and predictors of modern contraceptive use among non-refugee and refugee Somali women in Nairobi City, Kenya. The analysis was based on 976 currently married Somali women aged 15–39 years (non-refugees; 523, refugees; 415) who were interviewed in a 2021 household survey conducted in Kamukunji, Embakasi, and Ruaraka sub-counties of Nairobi City. The analysis was stratified by refugee status and multivariable logistic regression were run to determine predictors of modern contraceptive use in each group. Results: The prevalence of modern contraceptives was 34% for the total sample and 43% and 24% for non-refugees and refugees, respectively. The main methods of contraception among non-refugees were injectables, implants, and daily pills, while refugees mainly used male condoms, implants, and injectables. Stratified multivariable analysis showed that residence in formal vs. informal settlements was associated with significantly higher odds of modern contraceptive use among non-refugees but significantly lower odds among refugees, after controlling for other factors. Interaction terms confirmed that the strength of the associations of these variables with the odds of modern contraceptive use varied significantly by refugee status. Conclusion: Use of modern methods of contraception was lower among non-refugee and refugee Somali women compared to the national average and refugee status moderated the association of some predictor variables with the odds of modern contraceptive use. To increase use of modern contraceptives in urban areas, it is recommended that the Ministry of Health, refugee agencies, and county governments engage with the Somali community and implement appropriate interventions to empower refugee women economically and promote their access to and use of voluntary contraception services as soon as they settle in urban areas.
Maturity Assessment of Kenya’s Health Information System Interoperability Readiness
(BMJ Health & Care Informatics, 2021) Nyangena, Job; Rajgopal, Rohini; Ombech, Elizabeth Adhiambo; Oloo, Enock; Luchetu, Humphrey; Wambugu, Sam; Kamau, Onesmus; Nzioka, Charles; Gwer, Samson; Ndirangu, Moses Ndiritu
Background The use of digital technology in healthcare promises to improve quality of care and reduce costs over time. This promise will be difficult to attain without interoperability: facilitating seamless health information exchange between the deployed digital health information systems (HIS). Objective To determine the maturity readiness of the interoperability capacity of Kenya’s HIS. Methods We used the HIS Interoperability Maturity Toolkit, developed by MEASURE Evaluation and the Health Data Collaborative’s Digital Health and Interoperability Working Group. The assessment was undertaken by eHealth stakeholder representatives primarily from the Ministry of Health’s Digital Health Technical Working Group. The toolkit focused on three major domains: leadership and governance, human resources and technology. Results Most domains are at the lowest two levels of maturity: nascent or emerging. At the nascent level, HIS activities happen by chance or represent isolated, ad hoc efforts. An emerging maturity level characterises a system with defined HIS processes and structures. However, such processes are not systematically documented and lack ongoing monitoring mechanisms. Conclusion None of the domains had a maturity level greater than level 2 (emerging). The subdomains of governance structures for HIS, defined national enterprise architecture for HIS, defined technical standards for data exchange, nationwide communication network infrastructure, and capacity for operations and maintenance of hardware attained higher maturity levels. These findings are similar to those from interoperability maturity assessments done in Ghana and Uganda
Effect of a Health Communication Strategy on Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening in Isiolo County, Kenya
(Canadian Center of Science and Education, 2023) Linus, Agnes Muthoni; Wanyoro, Anthony; Gitahi, Mary Muiruri
Background: To assess the effect of a health communication strategy on women’s community-level uptake of cervical cancer screening in Isiolo County. Purpose: to determine the effect of a health communication strategy on women’s community-level uptake of cervical cancer screening in Isiolo County. Methodology: The study adopted a community-based cluster randomized trial design. Multi-stage sampling was used to derive the sample size. There were 444 women overall, varying in age from 15 to 65 years. Community Health Volunteers disseminated health information to the intervention arm of study and referred participants to link health facilities for screening. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. The research was done between February and August of 2022. Findings: At baseline, the study findings showed that 18.2% of respondents had ever been screened. Reasons for not screening included: fear (12%); feeling healthy (17%) among others. At post-intervention, the cervical cancer screening uptake among the respondents in the intervention arm was found to have increased from 18.2% to 45.9%, while that of the control arm remained at 18%. Respondents in the study’s intervention arm had a 3.867 higher chances of being screened than respondents in the control arm (OR 3.849, CI.1.802- 8.223, P<0.001) Conclusion: At baseline, the screening uptake for cancer of the cervix was low. The existing communication strategies in Isiolo County were limited in addressing cervical cancer. Targeted health communication on cervical cancer screening by Community Health Volunteers, subsequently cervical cancer screening uptake post intervention
Menstrual Hygiene Management Practices Among Primary School Girls From a Pastoralist Community In Kenya: A Cross Sectional Survey
(AJOL, 2018) Korir, Eleen; Okwara, Florence Nafula; Okumbe, Gaudencia
Introduction: pubescent girls from developing countries are confronted with diverse menstrual hygiene management (MHM) challenges, especially at school. Girls from rural pastoralist communities experience insurmountable MHM barriers. Inadequate coping strategies adopted result in sub-optimal school performance, absenteeism and physical problems. We conducted a study to assess MHM practices among primary school girls from a pastoralist community in Kenya. Methods: a cross sectional survey was done among primary school girls in Kajiado County, Kenya. Accent was sought. We administered structured questionnaires which sought information on socio-demographics, knowledge, perceptions and practices. Results: we enrolled 320 girls; with mean age of 14.9 years. Their parents were mostly (69.4%) self-employed pastoralists. Good menstruation knowledge was observed in 51.6%, while 45.5% reported diverse perceptions about menstruation. Majority, (80.9%) used sanitary towels as absorbents, but 40.3% delayed changing by > 6 hours. Poor MHM practices were documented in 28.8% and 32.2% kept the issue secret. Factors associated with poor MHM practices on univariable analysis were age (p=0.016), religion (p=0.037), non-discussions (p=0.001), lack of sanitary pads (p<0.0001), lack of latrine privacy (p=0.031), lack of water (p=0.001) and teasing by boys (p=0.016). On logistic regression, factors that independently influenced MHM practices were inadequate latrine privacy (p=0.031) and fear of teasing by boys (p=0.016). Conclusion: a third of pubescent pastoralist girls had poor MHM practices largely determined by inadequate latrine privacy and fear of teasing by boys.
The Role of Maternal, Psychosocial and Social-Cultural Factors in HIV-Exposed Infants’ Service Uptake; Nakuru County Referral Hospital, Kenya
(East African Medical Journal, 2017) Wambui, E.W.; Keraka, M; Nguhiu, P
Objective: To assess relationship between maternal determinants, psychosocial, socialcultural factors and uptake of routine HEI services among HIV- Exposed Infants in Nakuru County Referral Hospital, Kenya. Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study Setting: Nakuru County Referral Hospital, Kenya. Subjects: Three hundred and twenty-nine (329) mother/baby pairs were enrolled in to the study. Result: The study showed significant statistical association between maternal factors and immunization services uptake timeliness (X2 =7.67, df=1, P=0.001). Psycho-social factors had significant association with timeliness in immunization (X2 =8.87, df= 1, P=0.03) while timeliness in uptake of Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) was (X2 =28.9, df=1, P=˂0.001). Further findings on the respondents who had disclosed their HIV status to their male partners showed significant statistical association (X2 =6.88, P=0.009). Conclusion: Maternal characteristics, psychosocial and social-cultural factors influenced service uptake and recommended for promotion of PMTCT psychosocial support groups among all HIV positive women and inclusion of mentor mothers as champions in demand creation, campaigns and interpersonal communication to improve the timely uptake of early infant diagnosis (EID) and immunization services.
The Demographics Behind the Courage to Tell for Survivors: Child Sexual Abuse Experiences in Kenya
(East African Nature and Science Organization, 2021) Wamuyu, Eunice Menja; Kathuri-Ogola, Lucy; Muriithi, Joan Kabaria; Swindle, Taren
Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) is both a global and national social issue, as well as an epidemic in various societies. Non-disclosure of CSA only worsens and extends survivors’ suffering, and CSA’s long-term effects can be devastating. Several studies have beendone in the field of CSA and its health implications but rarely have previous studies addressed child sexual abuse disclosure (CSAD). The current study aimed at examining child factors of CSAD at Thika Level 5 Hospital (TL5H) in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study is a case study using a phenomenology approach where the primary data was collected from the sexual abuse survivors and caregivers using a mixed-method analysis. Interviews were conducted with 30 CSA survivors, 25 girls, and 5 boys: 5-17 years. The study utilised the convergent QUAL (investigative open-ended questions and storytelling) design with a Quan component (structured survey) to identify CSA survivors’ experiences while receiving medical treatment and therapeutic intervention at TL5H. Descriptive and thematic approaches were applied to analyse qualitative data that revealed survivors’ lived experiences with CSA. Informed by Bronfenbrenner’s Socio-Ecological Model (SEM), saliency analysis was applied to code the recurring and important themes from the data in order to identify which child factors. Survivors gave detailed accounts of types of threats and manipulation applied by perpetrators to stop them from disclosing abuse. Survivors said disclosing or not disclosing helped them cope with abuse trauma. Quantitative results revealed that 58% of the survivors who completed the disclosure process
Family Planning as A Determining Factor in Preference to Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) Among Somali Community in Dadaab Refugee Camps, Kenya
(European Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 2021) Maina, Newton Kahumbi; Gitome, Josephine; Bagelman, Jennifer; Mainah, Muthoni; Kituku, Jacqueline M.; Mwoma, Teresa; Ndegwa, Priscilla
— Statement of Problem: Family planning is a determining factor in the maternal health care choices for Somali pregnant mothers in Dadaab Refugee camps. Research has revealed that during delivery, the Somali mothers prefer the services of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) to those of midwives in hospitals. The preference for TBAs is borne of the belief that when women deliver in hospitals, they could be subjected to family planning against their will. The contention is that Islam and socio-cultural practices of the Somali community do not advocate family planning. The purpose of this paper is to discuss Islam’s position on family planning in order to explain the response of the Somalis of Dadaab refugee camps on family planning. Methodology & Theoretical orientation: The paper is derived from a qualitative study that involved snowball sampling, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs). These methods brought out family planning as a determining factor in the mother’s choice of TBAs as opposed to hospital midwives in Dadaab Refugee camps. Findings: Any discourse on Islam and family planning offers two perspectives: proponents of family planning and opponents of family planning. Both perspectives use the texts of the Qur’an and Hadith (traditions) and different interpretations to justify and support their respective positions and opinions. Through primary and secondary sources, the paper interrogates both perspectives of family planning in Islam. Conclusion & Significance: It is concluded that the Somalis’ belief on family planning is informed by the two perspectives of family planning, but the opponents’ perspective holds sway. This determines the preference for TBAs for fear that mothers who deliver in hospitals could be subjected to family planning contraceptives. Recommendation: there is need to educate the community further on Islamic teachings on family planning; and more sensitization conducted on the benefits of child spacing
Prevalence of Hypertensive Disorders among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Care in Selected Public Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
(International Peer Reviewed Journals and Books, 2021) Firisa, Weynshet Teshome; Onsongo, Lister; Mugo, Judy
Purpose: This study sought to assess the prevalence of hypertension in pregnancy and associated risk factors among women attending antenatal care clinics in selected Pubic Hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Materials andMethods: The research employed a cross-sectional descriptive study design. Study population was pregnant women who attended ANC care in selected hospital. The respondents were randomly selected from Tikur Anbesa specialized, Zewuditu Memorial and St. Paul’s Millennium medical college hospitals. Respondents for interview were selected using systematic random sampling at an interval of nine until a sample size of 297 was reached.The study used an adopting both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. Quantitative data was collected using structured questionnaires from pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics while qualitative data was collected using key informant interview schedules and Focused Group Discussion guides with Nurses in charge of antenatal care clinics and primary respondents respectively.Key informants and focused group discussants were purposively selected. Descriptive data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 20.0 with the aid of Microsoft Excel program to generate frequency tables, graphs and pie-charts. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis and results triangulated with quantitative data as direct quotes or narrations. Inferential statistics were calculated using Chi-Square tests done at 95% confidence interval and a margin of error of 0.05 to establish the association between variables. Information generated were presented in the text in the form of tables, bar graphs and pie charts.Results: The study results revealed that the prevalence of pregnancy induced hypertension in Addis Ababa was 21.9%. Socio-demographic factors such as age (p=0.030), occupation (p=0.031), income (p=0.0014), highest level of education (p=0.001) and health insurance (p=0.001) were significantly associated with occurrence of hypertension in pregnancy. Rreproductive and obstetric factors such as age at first pregnancy (p=0.001), gravidity (p=0.046), parity (p=0.001), history of obesity (p=0.001) and occurrence of gestational diabetes (p=0.002) were significantly associated with hypertension in pregnancy. More than a half (51.9%) of respondents had negative attitude towards hypertensive disorder in pregnancy. The level of attitude (p=0.040) was significantly associated with occurrence of hypertension in pregnancy.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that the management of the 3 health facilitiestogether with other stakeholders in health empower women to start income generating projects to increase their financial access to antenatal care services consequently reduces hindrances that may lead to pregnancy complications such ashypertensive disorders inpregnancy.
Abagusii Traditional Environmental Knowledge and HIV/AIDS Management: Implications for English Language Teaching
(International Ecolinguistics Association, 2021) Maroko, Geoffrey Mokua; Mokua, Gladys Nyamoita; Nyakundi, Augustus Onchari; Onyambu, Meshack Ondora
Multidisciplinary and multisectoral interventions are necessary for the management of chronic conditions such as HIV/AIDS. One such intervention is the promotion of socially responsible teaching. Anchored within an eclectic theoretical framework involving traditional environmental knowledge, the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis, and Vygotsky’s theory of thought, language and culture, this paper analyses the link between Abagusii traditional environmental knowledge and management of HIV/AIDS. Seven groups of people living with HIV/AIDS were engaged in focus group discussions on the management of HIV/AIDS treatment adherence through sustainable production and use of natural products. The paper reveals that the Abagusii have rich ecological knowledge on the production and use of natural products, which could improve treatment outcomes of people living with HIV/AIDS. This ecological knowledge can be harnessed, documented and ploughed into ELT materials for English Language Teaching. A three-tier ELT framework comprising classroom activities, integrated tasks and practical actions could be adopted for teaching integrated English in interesting ways while at the same time restoring the environment, food sufficiency and health.
Expanding Access to Maternal, Newborn and Primary Healthcare Services through Private-Community-Government Partnership Clinic Models in Rural Kenya: the Ubuntu-Afya Kiosk Model
(BMC Health Services Research, 2019) Gatakaa, Hellen; Ombech, Elizabeth; Omondi, Rogers; Otiato, James; Waringa, Vincent; Okomo, Gordon; Muga, Richard; Ndiritu, Moses; Gwer, Samson
Background: Fifteen counties contribute 98.7% of the maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality in Kenya. The dismal maternal and newborn (MNH) outcomes in these settings are mostly attributable to limited access to skilled MNH services. Public health services are stretched and limited in reach, and many social programmes are not sustainably designed. We implemented a network of 16 self-sustaining community medical centres (Ubuntu-Afya Kiosks) in Homa Bay County, to facilitate access to MNH and other primary health services. We investigated the effect of these centres on MNH access indicators over a 2-year period of initial implementation. Methods: We conducted a baseline and end-line survey in June 2016 and May 2018 respectively, in 10 community health units (CHU) served by Ubuntu-Afya Kiosks. We targeted women of child bearing age, ensuring equal sample across the 10 CHUs. The surveys were powered to detect a 10% increase in the proportion of women who deliver under a skilled birth attendant from a perceived baseline of 55%. Background characteristics of the respondents were compared using Fisher’s exact test for the categorical data. STATA ‘svy’ commands were used to calculate confidence intervals for the proportions taking into account the clustering within CHU. Results: The coverage of antenatal care during previous pregnancy was 99% at end-line compared to 81% at baseline. Seventy one percent of mothers attended at least four antenatal care visits, compared to 64% at baseline. The proportion of women who delivered under a skilled birth attendant during previous pregnancy was higher at end-line (90%) compared to baseline (85%). There was an increase in the proportion of women who had their newborns examined within 2 day of delivery from 74 to 92% at end-line. A considerable proportion of the respondents visited private clinics at end-line (31%) compared to 3% at baseline. Conclusions: Ubuntu-Afya Kiosks were associated with enhanced access to MNH care, with significant improvements observed in newborn examination within 2 days after delivery. More women sought care from private clinics at end-line compared to baseline, indicating potential for private sector in supporting health service delivery gaps in under-served settings.
Contribution of Completed Modified World Health Organization Partograph on Maternal and Foetal Mortality Reduction in Health Facilities in Makueni County, Kenya
(Science Publishing Group, 2019) Muthusi, Urbanus Mutiso; Nyamoita, Mokua Gladys; Macharia, Stephen
Background: Maternal and foetal mortality is one of the major health problem facing low income countries as compared to the high income countries. This burden is mostly felt in sub Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia where 99% of the global burden of maternal death is found. The World Health Organization (WHO) promotes partograph use in the monitoring and management of mothers in labour enabling timely decision-making regarding interventions to be undertaken. Objective: To assess the relationship between complete modified world health organization partograph and maternal and foetal outcomes in health facilities in Makueni County, Kenya Methods: This was a cross sectional study design. The study used a structured questionnaire to collect data from the partographs retrospectively. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20.0 and chisquare tests were used to assess the relationship of variables. The cut off point for the level of significance was 0.05. Phi and Cramer’s V test was used to determine the strength of association Findings: Descriptive statistics and frequency tables were used to describe the extent to which the partograph was used. The use of partograph had effects on both foetal and maternal outcomes. The study established method of delivery had a significance association with foetal monitoring (foetal heart rate, liquor, and moulding), labour progress monitoring (descent, contractions and cervical dilatation) and referral monitoring at α = 0.05. The study also found significant association between foetal outcome and contraction, gravidity, parity, foetal heart rate and moulding at α = 0.05. Conclusion: There is a significant association between maternal, foetal outcomes and labour progress and partograph completeness in Makueni County. The study therefore recommends increased mobilization and routine check by supervisors to ensure partographs are filed on time and hospitals to embrace training programme to enable midwifery care-providers acquire relevant skills to complete partographs during the labour process.
SARS-Cov-2: How Safe Is It To Fly and What Can Be Done To Enhance Protection?
(Oxford University Press, 2020) Harries, Anthony D.; Martinez, Leonardo; Chakaya, Jeremiah M.
With lockdown restrictions over coronavirus disease 2019 being relaxed, airlines are returning to the skies. Published evidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus 2 transmission on aircraft is limited, but in-flight transmission of respiratory infections such as tuberculosis, influenza and SARS has been well described. Risk factors include proximity to index patients and sitting in aisle seats. Personal protection on aircraft could be enhanced by always wearing a well-fitting face mask and face shield or sunglasses, wiping surfaces and hands with alcohol-based sanitizers, not touching the face, not queuing for washrooms, changing seats if nearby passengers are coughing and choosing a window rather than an aisle seat.
Empirical investigation on the contents of the patients informed consent forms for medical imaging services in the government hospitals in Nairobi City County, Kenya.
(I nternational Academic Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing (IAJHMN), 2020) Koi, Victoria Otysula; Yitambe, Andrea; Warutere, Peterson
Informed consent is a requirement by the law to allow patients to make decisions with respect to their health and well-being. It is an ethical and legal requirement that patients seeking medical imaging services should give an informed consent prior to seeking treatment with respect from healthcare providers. However, the extent of usage of the informed consent process vary across medical procedures. The study therefore seeks to assess the contents of the patients Informed Consent Forms for medical imaging services in the government hospitals in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional study design. The study specifically focused on administration of informed consent, contents of the patients Informed Consent Forms and modes of informed consent used among patients for medical imaging services. Imaging departments in Kenyatta National hospital, Mbagathi, Mama Lucy, National spinal injury and National Mathare Hospitals in Nairobi City County were chosen as the area of study. Patients in the imaging departments of the selected hospitals were recruited for study. The sample size selected was 307 respondents. The respondents were selected using systematic random sampling at a predetermined interval of 3. Collected data was coded for analysis by use of SPSS. Analysis was conducted on descriptive and inferential statistics. Frequency tables, pie-charts and graphs were used to present the quantitative data. Inferential statistics were done using Chi Square tests to determine the association between study variables at 95% confidence interval (p<0.05). The ethical considerations were strictly followed during data collection. It was further revealed that age (χ2=3.782; df= 4; p=0.016;), level of education (χ2=3.89; df= 4; p=0.030), revelation of reason for referral (χ2=26.081; df=1; p=0.001), provision of right to refuse or defer imaging (χ2=33.468; df= 1; p=0.001), giving consent for treatment (χ2=70.733; df=1; p=0.001), decision making for wellbeing (χ2=12.056; df=1; p=0.001), pre-operative counseling (χ2=9.533; df=1; p=0.002), cases of negligence from clinicians (χ2=22.414; df=1; p=0.001), understanding information provided by clinicians (χ2=4.394; df=1; p=0.036), adaptation of informed consent doctrine meeting physicians and patients (χ2=7.648; df=1; p=0.006), performance of diagnosis from patients’ past medical history (χ2=9.788; df=1; p=0.002), advice on alternative treatment options available (χ2=8.065; df=1; p=0.005), disclosure of information by practitioners (χ2=19.406; df=1; p=0.001) and physical examination done before medication (χ2=9.006; df=1; p=0.003) were significantly associated with informed consent administration among respondents. The study concludes majority of the domains of the contents of informed consent had a significant statistical association with administration of informed consent among respondents. These research findings provide a great insights and information to leaders, managers, law makers, governing and oversight authorities in decision making, policy formulation, strategic planning and regulation in a context specific to provide a conducive environment for practicing medical imaging procedures in an ethical and legal manner.
Recycling of wastes as a strategy for environmental conservation in the Lake Victoria Basin: The case of women groups in Kisumu, Kenya
(Academic Journals, 2008) Subbo, Wilfred K.; Moindi, Margaret N.
This paper examines the roles, opportunities and challenges that women groups in Kisumu City face as they recycle polythene papers and water hyacinth plant materials to make various saleable products such as bags, mats and baskets. The study objectives were: To analyze the roles of women groups in environmental conservation; To examine the opportunities that the women groups had in the recycling of polythene papers and water hyacinth plants; To examine the challenges faced by the women groups in their recycling efforts; To analyze the policy implications of the recycling effort of the women groups involved in environmental conservation. The study utilized the following methodologies, structured interviews, participant observations, Key informants, focus group discussions. Thirty-five women groups were analyzed. The findings indicate that recycling of polythene papers and water hyacinth plants contribute to environmental conservation, as well presenting opportunities for the creation of wealth among women in the groups.
Detection and Management of Adverse Drug Reactions Related to Antiretroviral Drugs among HIV/AIDS Patients in Kiambu Sub-County, Kenya
(African Journals Online, 2013) Nderitu, F. W.; Gikonyo, N. K.; Sinei, K. A.
The objective of this study was to establish the detection, prevalence and management of various adverse drug reactions associated with antiretroviral drugs occurring in patients attending Comprehensive Care Centre (CCC) of Kiambu District Hospital. The study was a cross sectional survey where the patients included were those attending the CCC on a monthly basis. The results revealed that 65.2% of the patients had experienced symptoms suggestive of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Of these, 67.2% did not associate the symptoms to the medicines they were taking but rather to the AIDS syndrome. The most prominent reaction was peripheral neuropathy at 0.395 (0.344-0.447 at 95% confidence interval) while the least common was hepatotoxicity. Whereas 71.5% could tell the frequency of the daily dosage, 92.1% did not know the names of the medicines they were taking but could describe them by shape and colour. There was a significant association between occurrence and reporting of ADRs and age (P<0.001), weight (P=0.001), marital status (P=0.016), occupation (P<0.001), religious participation (P<0.001) and education level (P<0.001). Although the health care providers displayed adequate knowledge in management of these reactions, they complained of inadequacy of the current reporting tool (MOH 257) in capturing ADRs. The patients were ill equipped in recognising the ADRs.
Determinants of Focused Antenatal Care Uptake among Women in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya
(Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2017) Gitonga, Eliphas
Background. The health status of women is an important indicator of the overall economic health and well-being of a country. Maternal health is closely linked with the survival of newborns. For every woman who dies, about thirty others suffer lifelong injuries. Focused antenatal care is one of the interventions to reducematernalmorbidity andmortality. It recommends four targeted visits during pregnancy within which essential services are offered. The aim of the study was to assess the determinants of uptake of focused antenatal care among women inTharaka Nithi County, Kenya. Methods. This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey. Stratified sampling was used to select the health facilities while systematic sampling was used to select the respondents. Chi square, Fisher’s exact test, and logistic regression were used to analyse the data. Results. The level of uptake of focused antenatal care was slightly more than half (52%). The determinants of uptake of focused antenatal care are level of education, type of employment, household income, parity, and marital status of the pregnant women. Conclusion. Despite high attendance of at least one antenatal visit in Kenya, the uptake of focused antenatal care is proportionally low.

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