Geochemistry and health Kenyan stakeholder workshops 2022

This report summarises an exchange visit carried out by the British Geological Survey (BGS) to disseminate soil geochemical and public health data collated over the previous five years with partners from the University of Eldoret and Moi University to relevant stakeholders. A series of workshops provided a platform for the co-design of digital tool applications to ensure accessible data and to identify end-users with appropriate heads of agricultural and public health offices from 20 County governments. Workshop hubs were held in Kisii, Kisumu, and Eldoret between 23rd June and 3rd July 2022. This report describes a knowledge exchange visit to Kenya by BGS with partners at the University of Eldoret and Moi University leading on the dissemination of consortia data outputs and outcomes via coordinated workshops for leaders in agricultural and public health invited from each of 20 County governments (50+ attendees across three hubs), with additional practitioners familiar with the research-to-government-to-industry interaction in attendance. The geochemistry and public health data resulted from a comprehensive programme of data collection between 2016 and 2019 to inform the geochemical spatial influence on agricultural practices and for future use of a geochemical predictive model in determining the geospatial influence on non-communicable diseases (e.g. cancer, micronutrient deficiency). Additional focussed meetings with key stakeholders were undertaken to improve data uptake and outcomes, including the Kenyan Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Kenyan Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation and Kenya Forestry Research Institute. Background for the project collation of the data can be found at: https://www.bgs.ac.uk/geology-projects/geochemistry-and-health

Misdiagnosis and clinical significance of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in Western Kenya in the era of human immunodeficiency virus epidemic

Objectives: To determine and document the role of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in TB-like disease morbidity and demonstrate the confusion they cause in the diagnosis of TB in western Kenya.Design: A cross-sectional study.Setting: One provincial and nine District hospitals in western Kenya.Subjects: Tuberculosis suspects.Interventions: Sputa from 872 tuberculosis suspects underwent microscopy and culture on solid and liquid media. The growth was identified using the Hain’s GenoType® Mycobacterium CM and GenoType® Mycobacterium AS kits. Consenting clients were screened for HIV infection using Trinity Biotech Uni-GoldTM test and positive cases were confirmed with the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. A questionnaire was used to obtain demographic data.Main outcome measures: ZN smear positivity / negativity; Culture positivity or negativity; Mycobacterium species isolates (tuberculous or non-tuberculous); HIV status.                                                      Results: Sputa from 39.1% (341/872) of the participants were ZN smear positive, of these 53.1% (181/341) were culture positive. Only 3.8% (20/531) of the ZN smear negatives were culture positive. In total 41.4% (361/872) participants were infected with mycobacteria, of which 44.3% (160/361) were culture negative and 55.7% (201/361) were culture positive. The culture positives yielded 92.5% M. tuberculosis complexand 7.5% NTM. The overall prevalence of the NTM disease was 1.72% (15/872).                                                                            Conclusion: A low prevalence of NT M pulmonary disease in western Kenya is reported in this study, but some the NTM disease cases could have been misdiagnosed as TB cases

Technical Report: Market opportunities and value chain analysis of fresh cassava roots in Uganda.

European UnionInternational Fund for Agricultural Developmen

Adaptability and phenotypic stability of resistance to two viral diseases and yields traits in Cassava

Cassava productivity is hampered by pests and diseases including cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak disease (CBSD). The main objective of this study was to identify stable superior genotypes that combine disease re-sistance and high yield. Sixteen cassava genotypes were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications for six planting seasons (years) at five sites in Tanzania. The genotypes were assessed using the additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis, and highly significant

Webuye health and demographic surveillance systems baseline survey of soil-transmitted helmints and intestinal protozoa among children up to five years

Background. The intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are globally endemic, and they constitute the greatest cause of illness and disease worldwide. Transmission of IPIs occurs as a result of inadequate sanitation, inaccessibility to potable water, and poor living conditions. Objectives. To determine a baseline prevalence of IPIs among children of five years and below at Webuye Health and Demographic Surveillance (HDSS) area in western Kenya. Methods. Cross-sectional survey was used to collect data. Direct saline and formal-ether-sedimentation techniques were used to process the specimens. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as Chi-square statistics were used to analyze the data. Results. A prevalence of 52.3% (417/797) was obtained with the male child slightly more infected than the female (53.5% versus 51%), but this was not significant (χ2=0.482, P>0.05). Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica were the most common pathogenic IPIs with a prevalence of 26.1% (208/797) and 11.2% (89/797), respectively. Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) were less common with a prevalence of 4.8% (38/797), 3.8% (30/797), and 0.13% (1/797) for Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworms, and Trichuris trichiura, respectively. Conclusions. Giardia lamblia and E. histolytica were the most prevalent pathogenic intestinal protozoa, while STHs were less common. Community-based health promotion techniques are recommended for controlling these parasites

Webuye Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems Baseline Survey of Soil-Transmitted Helminths and Intestinal Protozoa among Children up to Five Years

Background. The intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are globally endemic, and they constitute the greatest cause of illness and disease worldwide. Transmission of IPIs occurs as a result of inadequate sanitation, inaccessibility to potable water, and poor living conditions. Objectives. To determine a baseline prevalence of IPIs among children of five years and below at Webuye Health and Demographic Surveillance (HDSS) area in western Kenya. Methods. Cross-sectional survey was used to collect data. Direct saline and formal-ether-sedimentation techniques were used to process the specimens. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as Chi-square statistics were used to analyze the data. Results. A prevalence of 52.3% (417/797) was obtained with the male child slightly more infected than the female (53.5% versus 51%), but this was not significant ( 2 = 0.482, > 0.05). Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica were the most common pathogenic IPIs with a prevalence of 26.1% (208/797) and 11.2% (89/797), respectively. Soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) were less common with a prevalence of 4.8% (38/797), 3.8% (30/797), and 0.13% (1/797) for Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworms, and Trichuris trichiura, respectively. Conclusions. Giardia lamblia and E. histolytica were the most prevalent pathogenic intestinal protozoa, while STHs were less common. Community-based health promotion techniques are recommended for controlling these parasites

The African Esophageal Cancer Consortium: A Call to Action.

Esophageal cancer is the eighth most common cancer worldwide and the sixth most common cause of cancer-related death; however, worldwide incidence and mortality rates do not reflect the geographic variations in the occurrence of this disease. In recent years, increased attention has been focused on the high incidence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) throughout the eastern corridor of Africa, extending from Ethiopia to South Africa. Nascent investigations are underway at a number of sites throughout the region in an effort to improve our understanding of the etiology behind the high incidence of ESCC in this region. In 2017, these sites established the African Esophageal Cancer Consortium. Here, we summarize the priorities of this newly established consortium: to implement coordinated multisite investigations into etiology and identify targets for primary prevention; to address the impact of the clinical burden of ESCC via capacity building and shared resources in treatment and palliative care; and to heighten awareness of ESCC among physicians, at-risk populations, policy makers, and funding agencies.The African Esophageal Cancer Consortium is supported jointly by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics of the Intramural Research Program of the National Cancer Institute