The Influence of Demographic Factors on Peer Pressure among Secondary School Adolescents in Nyahururu Laikipia County

This study investigated whether demographic factors that included age, class and gender do influence peer pressure among adolescents.  The study employed survey research design.  The study targeted 13 secondary schools with a population of 2855 students of Nyahururu, Laikipia County.  Stratified sampling was used to select 10 schools for the study.  The sample comprised 320 students and 10 teacher-counselors.  Two questionnaires were used to collect data from students and teacher-counselors.  Data was analyzed using statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22.  Descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and percentages were employed.  The study established that demographic factors do influence peer pressure among secondary school adolescents.  The study recommends training of teacher-counselors on how to deal with demographic factors that influence peer pressure among secondary school adolescents. Keywords: Peer Pressure, Adolescent, Guidance and Counseling, Demographic Factors, Nyahururu, Laikipia County

Antimicrobial and phytochemical investigation of herbal suspensions used in management of oral health in Nairobi County, Kenya

An increasing number of Kenyans are using natural herbal products for general and oral health care due to high cost of conventional medicine. Few of these products, however, have undergone rigorous testing, as evidenced by the limited amount of information on their safety and efficacy in the literature. This study investigated the antimicrobial and phytochemical properties of 10 suspensions based on herbal products sold in Nairobi Kenya. Phytochemical evaluation was carried out using standard methods while agar well diffusion was used to study antimicrobial work.  Results reveal lack of detectable levels of phytochemicals while 50% of the investigated products lacked antimicrobial activity against test bacteria (Staphyloccus aureus ATCC 25923, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P.a) ATCC 27853, Proteus vulgaris ATCC 6380, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 14579, Candida albicans ATCC 10231, Esherichia coli ATCC 25922, Streptococcus mutans, Enterococcus faecalis, ATCC 9790 and Lactobacillus acidophilus). The study concludes that some products in the market may not be based on herbs as indicated in the label. Thorough investigation of antimicrobial, phytochemical work as well as toxicity should be carried out on such products. The results provide practitioners and consumers with insight into the claims of natural herbal products antimicrobial effects. Key words: antimicrobial activity, herbal products, activity index, phytochemica

Applicability of combined drought index in drought analysis over North Eastern Kenya

Droughts are hindrances to economic and social developments in many parts of the world, especially in developing nations like Kenya. In North Eastern Kenya (NEK), drought is very prevalent. The communities in the region are mainly dependent on animal farming, and drought occurrence leads to great socioeconomic setback. Drought indices used in most studies consider rainfall as the only parameter for assessing drought occurrences. This study analyzes drought in NEK using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Combined Drought Index (CDI) using rainfall and temperature values and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index values for the period 1980–2010. The results of the two indices show significant correlation. However, CDI is preferred in the analysis of the drought compared to the SPI as it gives drought in more detail, showing extreme, severe, moderate and mild. The study recommends the use of the two methods independently since they give similar results and further recommends trial in other parts of the country affected by drought

Endometriosis among African women

Endometriosis has long been wrongly perceived to be rare among women of African descent. The misconception about the prevalence of endometriosis among African women has significantly contributed to long diagnostic delays, limited access to diagnosis and care, and a scarcity of research on the condition among African women. In this commentary, we highlight the prevalence of endometriosis among African women, the state of endometriosis care in Africa, and the gaps in knowledge that need to be addressed. Based on the available data, the prevalence of endometriosis in Africa is likely higher than previously thought, with varying subtypes. There is a long diagnostic delay of endometriosis among African women. Additionally, endometriosis care in Africa from the general population and health practitioners is poor; this can be attributed to the high diagnostic cost, scarcity of trained specialists, as well as patients’ inability to express their symptoms due to societal taboos surrounding menstrual health. Public sensitization on endometriosis may help improve endometriosis diagnosis and care in Africa. LAY SUMMARY: Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue like the uterine lining is found outside the uterus, causing women to experience pain especially before, during, or after menstruation. Although endometriosis affects an estimated 176 million women worldwide, it has been wrongly reported that endometriosis is a rare condition among African women, mainly due to lack of awareness among healthcare providers and historical bias. In the current commentary, we discuss the prevalence of endometriosis, the diagnostic delays, and the care of endometriosis among black African women living in the African continent. Much of the literature has demonstrated (falsely) that endometriosis is rare in Black women compared to White ethnicity. African women experience a long diagnostic delay and do not receive appropriate care. Public awareness of endometriosis may help improve diagnosis delay and endometriosis care in Africa

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

Microbiological quality and safety of Rastrineobola argentea retailed in Kisumu townmarkets,

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate faecal contamination and safety of Rastrineobola argentea sold in retail markets in Kisumu town. Design: This was a repeated cross sectional study and based on random sampling. Setting: Kisumu city, targeting six markets; Oile, Jubilee, Kibuye, Kondele, Nyalenda and Manyatta. Results: A total of 60 fish samples were analysed. All the fish were found to be contaminated with E. coli, and in addition 6.67% of the fish products tested positive for Salmonella. Shigella was absent in all samples analysed. 26.53% of E. coli isolates tested were resistant to two or more antimicrobial agents tested, with the highest level of resistance detected against cotrimoxazole at 38.76%. The E. coli multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index was 0.084 indicating that the contamination was not originating from a high -risk source. A plasmid of approximately 5.6 kb was commonly isolated from E. coli isolates that showed resistance to ampicillin. Plasmids isolated were not transferable by conjugation. Conclusion: The presence of Salmonella spp and occurrence of MDR E. coli were identified as some of the possible health risks that may be associated with R. argentea displayed for sale in Kisumu city markets. This possess a real health risk through consumption or directly through contact with the fish products

A Randomized Controlled Trial of Folate Supplementation When Treating Malaria in Pregnancy with Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine

OBJECTIVES: Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) is an antimalarial drug that acts on the folate metabolism of the malaria parasite. We investigated whether folate (FA) supplementation in a high or a low dose affects the efficacy of SP for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in pregnant women. DESIGN: This was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. SETTING: The trial was carried out at three hospitals in western Kenya. PARTICIPANTS: The participants were 488 pregnant women presenting at their first antenatal visit with uncomplicated malaria parasitaemia (density of ≥ 500 parasites/μl), a haemoglobin level higher than 7 g/dl, a gestational age between 17 and 34 weeks, and no history of antimalarial or FA use, or sulfa allergy. A total of 415 women completed the study. INTERVENTIONS: All participants received SP and iron supplementation. They were randomized to the following arms: FA 5 mg, FA 0.4 mg, or FA placebo. After 14 days, all participants continued with FA 5 mg daily as per national guidelines. Participants were followed at days 2, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 or until treatment failure. OUTCOME MEASURES: The outcomes were SP failure rate and change in haemoglobin at day 14. RESULTS: The proportion of treatment failure at day 14 was 13.9% (19/137) in the placebo group, 14.5% (20/138) in the FA 0.4 mg arm (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 1.07; 98.7% confidence interval [CI], 0.48 to 2.37; p = 0.8), and 27.1% (38/140) in the FA 5 mg arm (AHR, 2.19; 98.7% CI, 1.09 to 4.40; p = 0.005). The haemoglobin levels at day 14 were not different relative to placebo (mean difference for FA 5 mg, 0.17 g/dl; 98.7% CI, −0.19 to 0.52; and for FA 0.4 mg, 0.14 g/dl; 98.7% CI, −0.21 to 0.49). CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant use of 5 mg FA supplementation compromises the efficacy of SP for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in pregnant women. Countries that use SP for treatment or prevention of malaria in pregnancy need to evaluate their antenatal policy on timing or dose of FA supplementation

Plasmodium falciparum transmission and aridity: a Kenyan experience from the dry lands of Baringo and its implications for Anopheles arabiensis control

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The ecology of malaria vectors particularly in semi-arid areas of Africa is poorly understood. Accurate knowledge on this subject will boost current efforts to reduce the burden of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to describe the dynamics of malaria transmission in two model semi-arid sites (Kamarimar and Tirion) in Baringo in Kenya.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Adult mosquitoes were collected indoors by pyrethrum spray collections (PSC) and outdoors by Centers for Disease Control (CDC) light traps and identified to species by morphological characteristics. Sibling species of <it>Anopheles gambiae </it>complex were further characterized by rDNA. PCR and enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assays (ELISA) were used to test for <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>circumsporozoite proteins and host blood meal sources respectively.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>Anopheles arabiensis </it>was not only the most dominant mosquito species in both study sites but also the only sibling species of <it>An. gambiae s.l. </it>present in the area. Other species identified in the study area were <it>Anopheles funestus</it>, <it>Anopheles pharoensis </it>and <it>Anopheles coustani</it>. For Kamarimar but not Tirion, the human blood index (HBI) for light trap samples was significantly higher than for PSC samples (Kamarimar, 0.63 and 0.11, Tirion, 0.48 and 0.43). The HBI for light trap samples was significantly higher in Kamarimar than in Tirion while that of PSC samples was significantly higher in Tirion than in Kamarimar. Entomological inoculation rates (EIR) were only detected for one month in Kamarimar and 3 months in Tirion. The number of houses in a homestead, number of people sleeping in the house, quality of the house, presence or absence of domestic animals, and distance to the animal shelter and the nearest larval habitat were significant predictors of <it>An. arabiensis </it>occurrence.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Malaria transmission in the study area is seasonal with <it>An. arabiensis </it>as the dominant vector. The fact this species feeds readily on humans and domestic animals suggest that zooprophylaxis may be a plausible malaria control strategy in semi-arid areas of Africa. The results also suggest that certain household characteristics may increase the risk of malaria transmission.</p

Protective efficacy of interventions for preventing malaria mortality in children in Plasmodium falciparum endemic areas

Background Insecticide-treated mosquito nets (ITNs) and indoor-residual spraying (IRS) are recommended strategies for preventing malaria in children. While their impact on all-cause child mortality is well documented, their impact on reducing malaria-attributable mortality has not been quantified. While the impact of intermittent preventive therapy in pregnant women (IPTp) and ITNs in pregnancy for improving birth outcomes is also well established, their impact on preventing neonatal or child mortality has not been quantified