BC-Department of Public Health
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Item 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.Item 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.Item 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.