Disclosure of HSV-2 serological test results in the context of an adolescent HIV prevention trial in Kenya

HSV-2 biomarkers are often used in adolescent sub-Saharan HIV prevention studies, but evaluations of test performance and disclosure outcomes are rare in the published literature. Therefore, we investigated the proportion of ELISA-positive and indeterminant samples confirmed by Western blot (WB); the psychosocial response to disclosure; and whether reports of sexual behavior and HSV-2 symptoms are consistent with WB confirmatory results among adolescent orphans in Kenya

Effects of the challenges facing re-entry of women ex-offenders in Nyeri County, Kenya

The comparative rate of women entering the formal correctional system and serving custodial sentences, both in prison and prison remand awaiting trial, is on the increase. This is accompanied by a similarly increasing number of women eventually exiting prisons annually. This study investigated the challenges influencing reentry of women ex-offenders in Nyeri County, Kenya. The study specifically investigated the effects of not addressing the challenges identified for women returning from prison in Nyeri County especially challenges connected to housing, employment, relationships, drug, and substance abuse as well as mental health after incarceration.  This was a qualitative study adopting a phenomenological design.  The site and respondents were purposively selected with snowballing being used to select the respondents to the point of saturation. This study made use of 41 women ex-convicts, 3 FGDs, and 9 key informants. Data were collected by use of semi-structured interview schedules. Results indicated that ex-offenders face various challenges upon release from prison. The effects of these challenges when not addressed the impact the individual self, their family, the community, and predisposed the ex-convicts to a high propensity for recidivism. Based on the findings it is suggested that the use of community corrections, adjusting prison training to market needs, and the use of victim-offender mediation can be better alternatives to incarceration

Letters and ViewpointsSome Factors Influencing Natural Regeneration of Selected Tree Species in Kakamega Forest, Kenya

Poor regeneration of valuable timber species under closed forest canopy is a major problem affecting regeneration of tree species in Kenyan moist and Afromontane natural forests. This study was conducted in 1998 – 1999 to investigate the influence of shade tolerance, seed sources and insect herbivory on the regeneration of selected heavily exploited timber species (Maesopsis eminii, Zanthoxylum gilletii, Polyscias fulva, and Prunus africana) in Kakamega forest. 58 woody species were recorded in the sample area, most of which occurred at low densities. Twenty species contributed 81.5% of the total stocking. Shade tolerance, seed source, and insect herbivory had influence on the regeneration of the species in varying degrees. Regeneration of Maesopsis eminii and Polyscias fulva appeared to be more influenced by shading (light regime) than insect herbivory. The latter species also seemed to regenerate from seeds stored in soil seed bank. Phytophagous insects seemed to play more significant role in the regeneration of Zanthoxylum gilletii and Prunus africana than that of Maesopsis eminii and Polyscias fulva. As a recommendation, natural forest management should involve creation of “regeneration gaps” to enhance the regeneration of shade intolerant species like Prunus africana and Zanthoxylum gilletii. Sustainable selective logging of valuable timber species is suggested as a way of creating the gaps. Key Words: Natural forest, regeneration, Insect herbivory, Maesopsis eminii, Zanthoxylum gilletii, Polyscias fulva, and Prunus africana Résumé La régénération pauvre des espèces à bois de valeur sous une canopie forestière fermée constitue un problème majeur pour la régénération des espèces d\' arbres dans les forêts humides montagneuses au Kenya. Cette étude, conduite en 1998-1999, a examiné l\'influence de l\'ombrage, de l\'origine des graines et des insectes herbivores sur la régénération des espèces d\'arbres les plus exploitées (Maesopsis eminii, Zanthoxylum giletii, Polyscias fulva et Prunus africana) dans la forêts de Kakamega. Cinquante huit (58) espèces de plantes ligneuses ont été enregistrées, la plupart à faible densité dans les endroits échantillons; 20 espèces constituaient 81.5% du stockage total. Les trois facteurs éxaminés influencent la régénération des espèces étudieés mais á des degrés variés. La régénération de Maesopsis eminii et Polyscias fulva est plus sensible á l\'ombre qu‘à l\'attaque par des insectes. Polyscias fulva se développe aussi à partir des graines enfuies dans le sous sol. Des insectes phytophages influencent plus significativement la régénération de Zanthoxylum giletii et Prunus africana que celle de Maesopsis eminii et Polyscias fulva. Ainsi, l\'aménagement des forêts naturelles doit considérer la création des \"trous de régénération\" pour favoriser des espèces d\'arbres hostiles à l\'ombrage comme Prunus africana et Zanthoxylum giletii. L\'exploitation séléctive soutenue des arbres de valeur est proposée comme moyen de création des ouvertures dans la canopie forestière. Mots clés: Forêt naturelle, régénération, insectes herbivores, Maesopsis eminii, Zanthoxylum giletii, Polyscias fulva, Prunus africanaDiscovery and Innovation Vol 16 (3&4) 2004: 117-12

Campylobacter positivity and public health risks in live bird markets in Busia, Kenya: A value chain analysis

Introduction: Live bird markets (LBMs) provide integral hubs for 95% of poultry produced for food. Surveillance systems in LBMs serving smallholder farmers in sub-saharan Africa are often non-functional and data about public health risks and emerging pathogens are lacking. Studies in Kenya have reported 29% – 44% Campylobacter-prevalence in poultry. We analyzed such LBMs in Kenya for likely transmission of Campylobacter from poultry to humans. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 186 live poultry traders (LPTs) in 14 LBMs in a region with widespread backyard poultry systems. A pretested structured questionnaire was administered to all LPTs having regular contacts with poultry to gather market data and risk information on campylobacteriosis. Campylobacter was detected in individual cloacal cultures and identified through PCR. The median score obtained from the outcome of risk assessment dichotomized respondents into high and low risk categories. We performed logistic regression at 95% confidence interval (CI) to compare market characteristics and Campylobacter positivity to risk categories to identify LBM-associated public health risks. Results: Markets had a median of 13 traders. Mean age; 46.3 ± 13.7 years. Majority 162/186 (87.1%) were males. Market behavioral processes by LPTs varied: Only 58.6% LPTs held bird-species separate; onsite slaughter (38.7%); encountered sick-bird (93%) and dead-bird (83%) amidst limited health inspection (31.2%). Campylobacter positivity in live-birds was 43/112 (38.4%, 95% CI: 29.4 – 48.1). Risk information on campylobacteriosis was low 41/114 (36%, 95% C.I: 27.2 – 45.5). Sanitary risks were related to accumulation of litter [adjusted prevalence odds ratio (aPOR): 19.67, 95% CI: 3.01–128.52]. Accessing hand-wash facilities (aPOR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.13–0.78) and access to information (aPOR: 0.24, 95% CI: 0.09–0.61) were protective. Conclusion: Sanitary risks were related to poor hygiene. LBMs could be central surveillance sites for Campylobacter. Public health authorities/actors should consider appropriate targeting to improve sanitary measures and Campylobacter control strategies

Fertility of Zero-Grazed Dairy Cattle following Hormone Treatment and Fixed-Time Artificial Insemination

Reproduction is important to dairy herds and achievement of economically optimal performance still remains a substantial multifactorial challenge in many herds. Poor estrus expression and detection, repeat breeding, prolonged postpartum anestrus and delayed onset of puberty are some of the limiting factors to attainment of optimum reproductive efficiency in zero-grazed herds. This study investigated the fertility of anestrous and repeat breeder zerograzed dairy animals following induction of ovarian cyclicity, synchronization of ovulation, and fixed time insemination. The following three categories of animals were recruited into the study: 1) Delayed puberty or anestrus in heifers (n=26), 2) Prolonged postpartum anestrus (n=23), and 3) Repeat breeding cows and heifers (n=28). The seventy seven animals (69 Friesians, 7 Ayrshires and 1 Guernsey) were all zero-grazed and had a median age and parity of 5.0 years and 2.5 respectively, and a body condition score of at least 2.5 on a scale of 1 to 5. All study animals were intramuscularly injected with Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone (GnRH) on Day 0, Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) on Day 7, and GnRH on Day 9. Treated animals had timed artificial insemination (AI) 8-24 hours after the last injection. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by rectal palpation 60 days post-AI. The pregnancy rate for anestrous cows (6/23) was 26.1%, repeat breeder cows (5/14) 35.7%, anestrous heifers (16/26) 61.5% and repeat breeder heifers (5/14) 35.7%. This treatment protocol may improve fertility outcomes in zero-grazed units where anestrus is a problem, reproductive skills are deficient, there is scarcity of labor or where there is an inability to commit the required time for estrus detection. Kenya Veterinarian Vol. 30 (2) 2006: pp. 68-7

Geochemical and palaeoenvironmental characteristics of Missole I iron duricrusts of the Douala sub-basin (Western Cameroon)

Major and trace element composition of iron duricrusts including clayey material samples and biostratigraphy of the Missole I outcrop from the Paleocene-Eocene N'Kapa Formation in the Douala sub-basin of Cameroon were used to infer the palaeoenvironment and relative age of the iron duricrusts. Iron duricrusts and clayey materials are essentially kaolinitic and smectitic and are generally siliceous and ferruginous (iron duricrusts) or siliceous and aluminous (clayey materials). These materials have high Chemical Indices of Alteration (CIA=86.6-99.33%). The negative Eu anomalies with high (La/Yb)(N) shown by iron duricrusts and clayey sediments are essentially derived from silicic or felsic parent rocks when fractionated chondrite-normalized REE patterns also indicate felsic or silicic parent rocks. The Missole I iron duricrusts have a post-Thanetian age according to the relative age of claystones (Thanetian) and were formed after the deposition of sedimentary materials in an anoxic low-depth marine environment with eutrophication of surface water, and may have been exhumed and oxidized under arid climate

Risk factors of anaemia and iron deficiency in Somali children and women: Findings from the 2019 Somalia Micronutrient Survey

There are limited data on the prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency (ID) in Somalia. To address this data gap, Somalia's 2019 micronutrient survey assessed the prevalence of anaemia and ID in children (6-59 months) and non-pregnant women of reproductive age (15-49 years). The survey also collected data on vitamin A deficiency, inflammation, malaria and other potential risk factors for anaemia and ID. Multivariable Poisson regressions models were used to identify the risk factors for anaemia and ID in children and women. Among children, the prevalence of anaemia and ID were 43.4% and 47.2%, respectively. Approximately 36% and 6% of anaemia were attributable to iron and vitamin A deficiencies, respectively, whereas household possession of soap was associated with approximately 11% fewer cases of anaemia. ID in children was associated with vitamin A deficiency and stunting, whereas inflammation was associated with iron sufficiency. Among women, 40.3% were anaemic, and 49.7% were iron deficient. In women, ID and number of births were significantly associated with anaemia in multivariate models, and approximately 42% of anaemia in women was attributable to ID. Increased parity was associated with ID, and incubation and early convalescent inflammation was associated with ID, whereas late convalescent inflammation was associated with iron sufficiency. ID is the main risk factor of anaemia in both women and children and contributed to a substantial portion of the anaemia cases. To tackle both anaemia and ID in Somalia, food assistance and micronutrient-specific programmes (e.g. micronutrient powders and iron supplements) should be enhanced

Risk factors of anaemia and iron deficiency in Somali children and women: findings from the 2019 Somalia Micronutrient Survey

There are limited data on the prevalence of anaemia and iron deficiency (ID) in Somalia. To address this data gap, Somalia's 2019 micronutrient survey assessed the prevalence of anaemia and ID in children (6–59 months) and non-pregnant women of reproductive age (15–49 years). The survey also collected data on vitamin A deficiency, inflammation, malaria and other potential risk factors for anaemia and ID. Multivariable Poisson regressions models were used to identify the risk factors for anaemia and ID in children and women. Among children, the prevalence of anaemia and ID were 43.4% and 47.2%, respectively. Approximately 36% and 6% of anaemia were attributable to iron and vitamin A deficiencies, respectively, whereas household possession of soap was associated with approximately 11% fewer cases of anaemia. ID in children was associated with vitamin A deficiency and stunting, whereas inflammation was associated with iron sufficiency. Among women, 40.3% were anaemic, and 49.7% were iron deficient. In women, ID and number of births were significantly associated with anaemia in multivariate models, and approximately 42% of anaemia in women was attributable to ID. Increased parity was associated with ID, and incubation and early convalescent inflammation was associated with ID, whereas late convalescent inflammation was associated with iron sufficiency. ID is the main risk factor of anaemia in both women and children and contributed to a substantial portion of the anaemia cases. To tackle both anaemia and ID in Somalia, food assistance and micronutrient-specific programmes (e.g. micronutrient powders and iron supplements) should be enhanced