Distribution of stomata on Lycopersicon esculentum leaves for plants growing in air pollution related to vehicle fumes along Waiyaki Highway Nairobi County Kenya

Air pollution is a worldwide environmental negative phenomenon affecting global climate, humans, animals and plants. Vehicle fumes as a leading major source among smoke producing air pollutants, was examined in this study. Nairobi, a mega-city with increasingly high levels of air pollution was studied with special emphasis on one of its roads, i.e. Waiyaki Highway. This road was investigated for scientific understanding of effects of vehicle fumes on plants stomata behavior and distribution. Hotspots of air pollution averaging PM10 42.6µgm/M3 along this Highway were identified as locations for monitoring of effects of air pollution on plants. A control (at NARL) had similar environmental conditions but no significant air pollution (measured air pollution at environment of control at NARL, had PM10 0.6µgm/M3). The control experiment was protected from air pollution related to vehicle fumes by lengthy distance away from the road plus vegetation thriving in between. Sites selected for treated experiments were: ICEA buildings, ABC Place, and Kangemi market. These hotspots were also evidenced by some existing trees/or plants which were moribund and all trees at the sites had darken tree trunks and leaves due to air pollution. Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. (1691), tomato plant that highly susceptible to air pollution was exposed to air pollution at selected sites. The experiments looked at distribution of stomata account after 3 months. Collected data was analysed using Poisson distribution in Genestat software. Means were separated by use of Least Significant Difference (LSD) or Tukey in Genestat software. The stomata were located under leaf mainly with plants in treated experiments exposed to air pollution. Significantly (at F2,6=3.37, P<0.05) more of open stomata on the treated plants were found on lower epidermis. In the experiment, plants germinated developed normally but differences were experienced in distribution of stomata analysis. The unfavorable atmospheric condition due to air pollution related to vehicle fumes, physiologically plants react by leaf stomata pores distribution. Physiologically plants distribute stomata pores to where there is no obstruction as a way of adoption to air pollution and this case; it happened on treated experiment plants having more stomata and open stomata on lower epidermis upper epidermis. Keywords Air pollution, Vehicle fumes, Leaf distribution of stomata, Lycopersicon esculentum Waiyaki Highwa

FARMER-TO-CONSUMER DIRECT MARKETING: SALES AND ADVERTISING ASPECTS OF NEW JERSEY OPERATIONS

This article provides insights into the sales and advertising operations and characteristics of direct marketing enterprises in New Jersey. Sales data are analyzed with respect to the number of acres planted, related products, products sold that were grown by marketers, and organic produce. The advertising aspects explored are dollar amount spent on advertising and methods of advertising.Marketing,

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice factors associated with condom use among undergraduate Students of a Public University in Kenya (A case of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology)

Condoms offer protection against unwanted pregnancy and some sexually transmitted infections including HIV. Interventions to promote condom use are essential in efforts to slow the spread of HIV. This study sought to find out factors associated with condom use among undergraduate university students at JKUAT, given that majority of the students fall within the vulnerable I5-24 year’s age bracket. The study focused on condom use and students (knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) on specific issues of HIV). A cross sectional study design was adopted. Simple random sampling was used to obtain the required sample size for both quantitative data (461 respondents) and snowball sampling for qualitative data (64 respondents). Data analysis was conducted using MS Access, SPSS and MS Excel applications. The findings of this study revealed among 461, 66.2% (305) had experienced sexual intercourse. The overall level of condom use was high 72.8% (222). There was a significant relationship between condom use and general attitude (P<0.001). However, there was no significantrelationship between condom use and (knowledge on specific issues of HIV and practices). Continuous health education campaigns on sexuality, proper usage and advantages of condoms should be enhanced

Determinants of material mortality among women of reproductive age attending Kissi General Hospital, Kissi Central District, Kenya (January 2009 - June 2010)

Objective: To describe the causes and determinants of maternal mortality among women of reproductive age seeking healthcare services at Kisii General Hospital.Design: Descriptive retrospective study.Setting: Kisii General Hospital which is a Level-5 Referral Hospital.Subjects: Seventy-two women who had died as a result of pregnancy and childbirth related conditions who had sought obstetric services at Kisii General Hospital.Results: Majority 51 (70.8%) of deceased did not go to hospital promptly, due to; lack of transport 22 (30.6%), lack of money 17 (23.6%), and hospital distance 8 (11.1%). About 43 (60%) of those who died were between 15-25 years of age. Hospital experiences included; delay in service provision by staff 14 (19.4%), unavailability of blood for transfusion 6 (8.3%), and lack of money for drugs 12 (16.7%). Complications which led to maternal mortality were mainly; postpartum sepsis, bleeding, hypertension and cardiovascular conditions.Conclusion: Lack of lack of transport, inability to pay, delayed care seeking and lack of emergency obstetrics were the major challenges. Postpartum sepses, bleeding and pre-eclampsia were the leading complications that led to death

Cost Analysis of Community Health Strategy Implementation: Case Study of Butere District, Kenya

Cost analysis of community health strategy is the Identification of current and anticipated costs in operating a community health unit with an examination of the impact of those costs of setting them up. The purpose of the study was to look at the cost of implementing community health strategy in a rural set up in Kenya. The study was a longitudinal and was carried out in Butere District US$2549.9 was used to set up community health unit and US$7532 was spent in operation costs. The total cost of implementing and running a functional community health unit in Kenya’s rural set up is equivalent to US$10,081.9

Association between change in serum procalcitonin and 28-day outcomes in patients with presumed bacterial sepsis

Introduction: Sepsis remains a major cause of mortality worldwide despite the increase in deaths due to non-communicable diseases. Poor diagnostic capability and delay in confirming appropriateness of therapy are major contributors to these poor outcomes. Procalcitonin has emerged as a useful tool for diagnosis and prediction of clinical outcomes in patients with sepsis.Materials and methods: The study was conducted as an observational cohort study at the Kenyatta National hospital. Patients with presumed bacterial sepsis were evaluated for procalcitonin levels on admission and 48 hours after initiation of treatment. Patients were allocated to the 2 study arms on the basis of the change in their procalcitonin levels over the initial 48 hours, with unexposed being those with a decline greater than 30% and exposed having a rise in procalcitonin levels or a decline of less than 30%. Outcomes were documented after a 28-day follow-up period.Results: More patients (16.9%) died in the exposed than the unexposed study arm (7.4%); however, this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.075). Duration of hospital stay was longer in the exposed study arm (9 days vs 12) but this was also not statistically significant (p=0.077).Conclusion: Procalcitonin kinetics may not be a useful predictor of clinical outcomes in non-ICU setting

Risk Factors associated with Intestinal Parasitic Infections on School Children in Thika District, Central Kenya

The effective prevention and control of intestinal parasitic infections requires the identification of risk factors that contribute to their transmission, among high risk groups. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections among school children in public primary schools in Thika district. Methods: A cross-sectional study, involving 377 schoolchildren, was conducted in Thika District Central Kenya. Interviews, observation, and anthropometric indices assessment were used to identify the risk factors predisposing the children to infections with parasites. Stool specimens were examined using Katz method for helminthes and formal ether concentration techniques for protozoan infections. Data was analysed using SPSS version. Results: Ten species of intestinal parasites were identified. Ascaris lumbricoides 74 (19.6%) and hookworm 50 (13.3%) while Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba coli were the common protozoa in the study area. A higher prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides was reported among children in the slums. Entamoeba histolytica infection was associated with eating raw tubers and fruits (p< 0.001) in rural children. Iodamoeba bustchili infection was significantly associated with stunted children in rural children. Several factors contribute to high prevalence of intestinal parasites in school going children in Thika District. Keywords: Risk factors, school-age, children, Anthropometrics indice

Reproducibility of Results and Performance of TB Diagnostics in East Africa Public Health Laboratories Networking Project - in Kenya

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Resistance of Common Circulating Enteric Bacterial Pathogens to Prescribed Antibiotics Among Under Five Years in Selected Public Hospitals in Kenya

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Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus infection by age and cervical cytology in Thika, Kenya

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections cause cervical cancer and premalignant dysplasia. Data on HPV and cervical cancer in Kenya are scarce. Type-specific HPV prevalence data provides a basis for assessing the impact of HPV vaccination programs on cervical cytology and how HPV based screening will influence cervical cancer prevention. To investigate HPV infections in a population in Kenya, we obtained cervical cells specimen from 498 women in a population in Thika district. We report HPV type specific prevalence and distribution data for 498 women (age range 18-74 years; mean age 36 years) recruited into the study in relation to age and cervical cytology. The study was conducted between January to May 2010. Pap smears were performed, HR HPV DNA were detected by Digene Hybrid capture 2® (hc2) test and HPV genotyping was performed with Multiplex Luminex HPV genotyping kit (Multimetrix, Progen, Germany). Samples from 106 women (21.3%) tested positive for HPV. Multiple HPV types were detected in 40 (37.7% of HC2-positive samples) and the rest had infection with single HPV type. The most common HR HPV type at all ages was HPV16, 52, 56, 66, and 18. There was a marked decline in the prevalence of HR-HPV with age. The pattern of HR HPV distribution in this population was slightly different from existing literature, which has important consequences for HPV vaccination and prevention programs