Factors associated with intestinal parasites among school going children in Lodwar Municipality, Turkana County, Kenya

Background: Infection by intestinal parasites is a serious health problem affecting an estimated 400 million school age children worldwide. The main objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and factors associated with intestinal parasites among children in 10 schools within Lodwar Municipality in Turkana County, Kenya.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out amongst a sample size of 310 school going children randomly selected from 10 schools. The data collection included background data of participants and laboratory procedures on faecal specimens collected to determine the various intestinal parasites. The data collated was analysed using SPSS for windows version 13.0.1. Chi square was used to determine associations between the various variables.Results: This study recruited 529 participants, of which 43.5% were women and 56.5% were men. Cyst of Entamoeba histolytica was found to be the most common parasite in the samples tested with a prevalence of 76.6%, followed by trophozoites of Giardia lamblia with prevalence of 13.1%, ova of Taenia spp with a prevalence of 5.5% whereas trophozoites of Entamoeba histolytica, ova of Ascaris lumbricoides, cyst of Giardia lamblia, and ova of Taenia saginata had a prevalence of below 5%. This current study found no strong association between the source of water and the occurrence of intestinal parasites.Conclusion: Helmithes infections is still a public health concern in Turkana County which, if unchecked, could affect child growth and development. There is need for both the National and County governments to mount series of campaigns and interventions to deworm all children of intestinal infections especially at the family level among the nomadic Turkana community whose environments and lifestyles are fertile grounds for helmithes

Activity Budget and Foraging Patterns of Nubian Giraffes (\u3cem\u3eGiraffa camelopardalis camelopardalis\u3c/em\u3e) in Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya

How animals decide to spend their time has a key impact on their survival and reproduction. These behavioral decisions are shaped by ecological and environmental factors, such as seasonal changes. Foraging patterns show how an animal chooses to forage in its environment as influenced by resource availability, competition, and predation risk. Giraffe activity budget has been investigated in populations across Africa and found to be influenced by body size, diet composition, and sex. The activity budget and foraging patterns of Nubian giraffes vary considerably between ecosystems. The Nubian giraffe, a subspecies of the Northern giraffe species (Giraffa Camelopardalis) is a critically endangered population and occurs only within Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Southern Sudan. We performed 3 months of behavioral observation on a population of Nubian giraffes in Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya, to assess seasonal activity budgets and foraging patterns. We found that in the wet and dry seasons giraffe spent approximately the same amount of time (53% and 57%, respectively) foraging. Movement and resting duration decreased slightly from dry to wet seasons 22% to 20% and 25% to 22% respectively. Across both seasons, Vachellia xanthophloea (67%), Maytenus senegalensis (19%), and Solanum incanum (9%) made up the bulk of giraffe\u27s diet. In the dry season, giraffes additionally foraged on Maerua triphylla (2%), Vachellia gerrardi (2%), and Grewia similis (1%); in the wet season, they added Vachellia abyssinica (2%) and Rhus natalensis (2%) to their diet. The most utilized browsing height was 3.5 meters (level 5), below their average height. Giraffes browse at lower heights after they consume the young shoots from the top of the bushes. Overall, seasonality did not appear to influence the Nubian giraffe\u27s activity budget or foraging patterns in LNNP. Planting perennial plants encourage uniform park resource use, boosts forage diversity, and minimizes Vachellia browsing pressure

Epidemiology of sorghum anthracnose (Colletotrichum sublineolum) and leaf blight (Exserohilum turcicum) in Kenya

A 3-year study on the epidemiology of sorghum anthracnose (Colletotrichum sublineolum) and leaf blight (Exserohilum turcicum [Setosphaeria turcica]) was conducted at Alupe in western Kenya from 1994 to 1996. A nonlinear logistic model was used to summarize 72 anthracnose and 108 leaf blight disease progress curves from different planting dates and cultivars. Effects of planting date and cultivar on disease development were compared based on estimates of the rate (β), the absolute rate (θ), inflection point (μ) and upper asymptote (γ), disease severity at milk stage (v95), and time taken to reach a disease severity of 2% (t2, an estimate of time when disease is first observed). Leaf blight epidemics always started earlier than those of anthracnose, but exhibited lower disease severity at crop maturity. Effects of planting date and cultivar on β varied between years. Delaying planting reduced time to disease onset (i.e. µ and t2) and increased absolute rate of progress θ, resulting in maximum severity at crop 'milk stage' and maturity (v95 and γ, respectively). Resistant cultivars had highest µ and t2 but lowest θ, v95 and γ values for both diseases. Delaying planting affected anthracnose progress more on the resistant cultivars, in contrast with leaf blight for which progress on susceptible cultivars was more affected. The implications of these findings for disease management are discussed, and recommendations made to improve disease screening methodologie

Population-based study to determine prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in a rural region of Kenya

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of deathin Africa. Hypertension, with a high prevalence in sub-SaharanAfrica, appears to be a major contributory factor. Little is knownabout the prevalence of or risk factors for hypertension in rural areasof sub-Saharan Africa. We propose to estimate the prevalence ofhypertension in adults in rural southern Kenya.Methods: We will conduct the survey in Kaloleni district usingrandomized two-stage cluster sampling. We will use the validatedWHO STEPwise approach to chronic disease questionnaire withadditional questions for non-traditional risk factors and collect base-line blood pressure, basic demographic/anthropometric and spoturine from 660 non-pregnant adults over the age of 20 years old.Findings: Our research group conducted a preliminary assessmentof hypertension prevalence in the same district during a health fairfor a total of 740 residents. The prevalence of hypertension among91 participants aged \u3e18 years was high (31%). This current studywill report prevalence of hypertension and its traditional risk factors,in addition to non-traditional risk factors such as kidney diseasefrom chronic Schistosomaisis infection, indoor smoke exposure, orconsumption of “miraa” (a plant-based stimulant). The data collec-tion and analysis will take place November 2015.Interpretation: Our study will provide epidemiological data crit-ical for mapping and surveillance of hypertension and associatedcardiovascular risk factors crucial for curbing the cardiovasculardisease pandemic that is emerging in rural Kenya and other partsof East Africa. This will be the first study of nontraditional cardio-vascular risk factors in a rural Kenya that has the potential touncover interventions that can particularly impact rural populations in LMICs. Findings from this study will lead to the development ofa team-based health intervention that addresses hypertension inrural populations in low and middle income countries

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among non-refugees and refugees in Kenya

Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy (which we define as refusal to be vaccinated when asked, resulting in delayed or non- vaccination) are poorly studied in sub-Saharan Africa and among refugees, particularly in Kenya. Using survey data from wave five (March to June 2021) of the Kenya Rapid Response Phone Survey (RRPS), a household survey representative of the population of Kenya, we estimated the self-reported rates and factors associated with vaccine hesitancy among non-refugees and refugees in Kenya. Non-refugee households were recruited through sampling of the 2015/16 Kenya Household Budget Survey and random digit dialing. Refugee households were recruited through random sampling of registered refugees. Binary response questions on misinformation and information were transformed into a scale. We performed a weighted (to be representative of the overall population of Kenya) multivariable logistic regression including interactions for refugee status, with the main outcome being if the respondent self-reported that they would not take the COVID-19 vaccine if available at no cost. We calculated the marginal effects of the various factors in the model. The weighted univariate analysis estimated that 18.0% of non-refugees and 7.0% of refugees surveyed in Kenya would not take the COVID-19 vaccine if offered at no cost. Adjusted, refugee status was associated with a -13.1[95%CI:-17.5,-8.7] percentage point difference (ppd) in vaccine hesitancy. For the both refugees and non-refugees, having education beyond the primary level, having symptoms of COVID-19, avoiding handshakes, and washing hands more often were also associated with a reduction in vaccine hesitancy. Also for both, having used the internet in the past three months was associated with a 8.1[1.4,14.7] ppd increase in vaccine hesitancy; and disagreeing that the government could be trusted in responding to COVID-19 was associated with a 25.9[14.2,37.5]ppd increase in vaccine hesitancy. There were significant interactions between refugee status and some variables (geography, food security, trust in the Kenyan government’s response to COVID-19, knowing somebody with COVID-19, internet use, and TV ownership). These relationships between refugee status and certain variables suggest that programming between refugees and non-refugees be differentiated and specific to the contextual needs of each group

Prevalence and factors associated with aflatoxin contamination of peanuts from Western Kenya

Aflatoxin contamination of peanuts poses a risk to human health and has been identified as a major constraint to trade in eastern Africa. A survey was carried out to obtain baseline data on levels of aflatoxin in peanuts from major production regions in western Kenya. A total of 384 and 385 samples from Busia and Homabay districts, respectively, were obtained and analyzed for aflatoxin content with an indirect competitive ELISA protocol. Levels of aflatoxin ranged from 0 to 2688 and 7525 μg/kg in samples from Busia and Homa Bay, respectively. Of 769 samples, 87.01% contained b4 μg/kg of aflatoxin, 5.45% were in the range ≥4 and 20 μg/kg, while 7.54% exceeded the Kenya's regulatory limit of 20 μg/kg. There was a highly significant (χ2=14.17; Pb0.0002) association between district of origin and sample aflatoxin levels. This observation was supported by a significant (χ2=11.98; P=0.0005) association between levels of aflatoxin and agro ecological zones. Only 3.26% of the samples from the dryer LM3 zone had N20 μg/kg compared with 10.28% of the samples from the wetter and humid LM1 zone. There was also a highly significant (χ2=9.73; P=0.0018) association between cultivar improvement status and aflatoxin levels. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds for peanuts from Busia being contaminated were 2.6 times greater than those for peanuts from Homabay. Planting improved cultivars would lower the odds of contamination to a half (odds ratio=0.552) those for local landraces. These results are discussed in relation to the risk of human exposure to aflatoxins and the need for proper sampling procedures for regulatory purposes

Prevalence, incidence, and severity of sorghum diseases in Western Kenya

To assess the prevalence and severity of sorghum diseases in western Kenya, a 2-year survey was conducted (July 1995 and 1996), in 91 and 109 farmers’ fields, respectively. Fields were generally <0.5 ha and production environment ranged from warm-humid to warm-semi-arid. Fourteen foliar and six panicle diseases were observed, with limited variation in disease prevalence and severity between the 2 years. The most common foliar diseases observed were (in decreasing order of prevalence) oval leaf spot (Ramulispora sorghicola), rust (Puccinia purpurea), ladder leaf spot (Cercospora fusimaculans), zonate leaf spot (Gloeocercospora sorghi), gray leaf spot (Cercospora sorghi), leaf blight (Exserohilum turcicum), and anthracnose (Colletotrichum sublineolum); with prevalence ranging from 95 to 97% of fields for oval leaf spot, and 44 to 65% of fields for anthracnose. Head smut (Sporisorium reilianum), was observed in 73 to 75% of fields, covered kernel smut (S. sorghi) 42 to 43% of fields, and loose smut (S. cruenta) 14 to 24% of fields. Head smut incidence was >25% in 3% of fields surveyed. Grain yield reduction from smut diseases alone was estimated to be 5%. Out of eight probability distribution functions compared, the double Gaussian model best described the frequency of disease severity levels for most diseases. Based on the best-fitting model, the proportion of fields with disease severity level thought to cause yield loss (severity rating >5 on a 1 to 9 scale, where 1 = no disease) was calculated as 26.6% for oval leaf spot, 15.3% for rust, 14.8% for anthracnose, 4.8% for ladder leaf spot, and 1.5% for leaf blight. The production environment influenced the prevalence of disease severity. Severe anthracnose, leaf blight, and ladder leaf spot were confined to fields in the humid LM1 and LM2 agro-ecological zones, rust was ubiquitous, and severe gray leaf spot was more prevalent in the dryer LM4 zone

ANTIINFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES OF DICHLOROMETHANE: METHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACTS OF CAESALPINIA VOLKENSII AND MAYTENUS OBSCURA IN ANIMAL MODELS

Objective: Inflammation is the reaction to injury of the living tissues. Conventional medication of inflammation is expensive and arguably associated with various severe adverse effects hence the need to develop herbal agents that are effective as alternative. Caesalpinia volkensii and Maytenus obscura are plants that grow in Mbeere County of Eastern region of Kenya. This study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of C. volkensii and M. obscura plants. Methods: Experimental animals were divided in to four groups; normal group, diseased negative control group, diseased reference group and diseased experimental groups. Inflammation was inducted into the mice using carrageenan. The experimental groups were treated with leaf extracts of the plants at concentration of 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg. Anti-inflammatory activities in rats were compared with diclofenac (15 mg/kg) as the standard conventional drug. Results: The leaf extracts of C. volkensii reduced the paw edema by between 6.50%-13.42% while the extracts of M. obscura reduced it by between 4.94%-22.36%. Diclofenac reduced the paw edema by between 4.11%-10.47%. Conclusion: The phytochemical screening results showed that the extracts of C. volkensii had flavonoids, steroids and phenolics while the leaf extracts M. obscura had phenolics, terpenoids and saponins. Flavonoids, saponins and phenolics have been associated with anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, the study has established that the DCM: methanolic leaf extracts of Caesalpinia volkensii and Maytenus obscura are effective in management of inflammation

Breast Cancer knowledge, perceptions and practices in a rural Community in Coastal Kenya

Background: Data on breast healthcare knowledge, perceptions and practice among women in rural Kenya is limited. Furthermore, the role of the male head of household in influencing a woman’s breast health seeking behavior is also not known. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, perceptions and practice of breast cancer among women, male heads of households, opinion leaders and healthcare providers within a rural community in Kenya. Our secondary objective was to explore the role of male heads of households in influencing a woman’s breast health seeking behavior. Methods: This was a mixed method cross-sectional study, conducted between Sept 1st 2015 Sept 30th 2016. We administered surveys to women and male heads of households. Outcomes of interest were analysed in Stata ver 13 and tabulated against gender. We conducted six focus group discussions (FGDs) and 22 key informant interviews (KIIs) with opinion leaders and health care providers, respectively. Elements of the Rapid Assessment Process (RAP) were used to guide analysis of the FGDs and the KIIs. Results: A total of 442 women and 237 male heads of households participated in the survey. Although more than 80% of respondents had heard of breast cancer, fewer than 10% of women and male heads of households had knowledge of 2 or more of its risk factors. More than 85% of both men and women perceived breast cancer as a very serious illness. Over 90% of respondents would visit a health facility for a breast lump. Variable recognition of signs of breast cancer, limited decision- autonomy for women, a preference for traditional healers, lack of trust in the health care system, inadequate access to services, limited early-detection services were the six themes that emerged from the FGDs and the KIIs. There were discrepancies between the qualitative and quantitative data for the perceived role of the male head of household as a barrier to seeking breast health care. Conclusions: Determining level of breast cancer knowledge, the characteristics of breast health seeking behavior and the perceived barriers to accessing breast health are the first steps in establishing locally relevant intervention programs