Growth rate of African catfish (Clarias Gariepinus) and plankton diversity in ponds under organic and inorganic fertilization

Aquaculture offers the opportunity for safeguarding local and global food security in the face of declining capture fisheries. However, the form of aquaculture that is commonly practised in Kenya is characterized by the use of agrochemicals such as fertilizers that negatively impact biodiversity especially when effluents from fish ponds drain into water bodies. This study aimed to determine differences in growth rate of Clarias gariepinus, an important aquaculture fish in Kenya, to assess plankton diversity, and to identify phytoplankton species associated with pollution under organic and inorganic fertilization regimens using chicken manure, Diammonium phosphate and urea, respectively. Average growth rate calculated per day was higher in the organically-fertilized ponds at 0.06 cm/day, followed by inorganically-fertilized ponds at 0.05cm/day and then, the control at 0.04 cm/day. Average weight gain was higher in organically-fertilized ponds at 0.08 g/day followed by ponds fertilized with inorganic fertilizer at 0.07 g/day and the control, at 0.06g/day. There were significant differences in growth rate across fertilization regimens (length: F2, 264 = 24.06, p = 0.0399; weight: F2, 264 = 20.89, p = 0. 0457). Specifically, although differences in growth rate of fish in organically and inorganically fertilized ponds were not significant, fish in fertilized ponds were on average, longer and weighed more than those in the control pond. Jaccard’s similarity index for phytoplankton was highest (0.38) between organically fertilized ponds and control but lowest (0.25) between inorganically-fertilized ponds and control. Use of chicken manure produced the highest diversity of zooplankton (Shannon-Weiner’s H in organically-fertilized pond = 1.886; inorganic = 1.044, and control = 0.935). The use of DAP and urea produced the highest proportion of phytoplankton species associated with pollution. These results do not support the commonly reported notion that ponds fertilized using inorganic fertilizers are more productive. Findings suggest that the use of inorganic fertilizers may threaten biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems through the production of toxic algae

Trends in outpatient malaria cases, following Mass Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLIN) distribution in epidemic prone and endemic areas of Kenya

Background: There were over 6 million case of malaria reported in Kenya in 2015 and it remains a major public health priority despite significant investments in interventions to control and prevent infections in high risk areas.Objectives: To analyse trends from 2011-2015, and report i) outpatient department (OPD) malaria case prevalence, ii) the proportion of confirmed malaria cases of all OPD cases stratified by age category, and iii) the proportion of the population potentially protected by long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), following mass distribution of LLINs in malaria epidemic prone and endemic areas.Design: A retrospective study.Setting: Kenya’s Coast endemic, Lake endemic and Highland epidemic zones.Subjects: All outpatient malaria cases reported in the District Health Information System.Results: The proportion of people who received mass LLINs ranged from 80-95% in epidemic prone and endemic areas of Kenya. The coastal endemic zone had the lowest number of reported malaria cases at almost 840,000 in 2011, compared with the lake endemic zone which reported 4.3 million total cases. Confirmed malaria cases of all the OPD morbidity increased by 1%, 20% and 4% in the Highland epidemic prone, the Lake and Coast endemic region in 2011 to 2015, respectively. There was a trend towards fewer cases across all three high risk regions from 2012-2013, but this reversed with increasing cases being reported in 2014-2015.Conclusion: Despite a high LLIN coverage malaria cases increased over time. There is need for patient-level studies to assess if LLINs are being used appropriately and to look towards other complimentary malaria prevention strategies

Scientific Communication: Reporting on Mental Health Illness (MHI) in Kenya: how well are we doing?

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Trends of reported outpatient malaria cases to assess the Test, Treat and Track (T3) policy in Kenya

Background: Kenya reports over six million malaria cases annually. In 2012 the country adopted the Test, Treat and Track (T3) policy to ensure that all suspected malaria cases are tested, confirmed cases are treated with quality-assured drugs and timely accurate malaria surveillance are in place to guide policy and practice.Objective: To describe the trends of confirmed outpatient malaria cases and the consumption of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) in the government health facilities in Kenya following the roll out of the T3 initiative.Design: A retrospective review study.Setting: All government health facilities in the 47 counties.Subjects: Secondary data on all outpatient malaria cases and ACT consumed as reported in the District Helth Information Software (DHIS).Results: Total malaria cases decreased from 8.5 to 6.8million cases in 2012 and 2015, respectively. Confirmed malaria cases increased from 1.97 (23%) to 4.9 (72%) million cases. The greatest decrease in total malaria cases and the greatest rise in confirmation of suspected cases occurred in the lower level health facilities. More confirmation of suspected cases occurred in the malaria endemic regions compared to other epidemiological zones. Excess ACT consumption reduced by 46% to reach 27% in 2015.Conclusion: Though there was increased confirmation of suspected malaria, still onethird of the outpatients were treated clinically in 2015. About one-third of ACTs were also used in excess in 2015. There is need for enhanced efforts to adhere to the T3 policy and malaria elimination guidelines

Intermittent preventive treatment and bed nets uptake among pregnant women in Kenya

Background: Malaria in pregnancy is a preventable disease which results in poor pregnancy outcomes. The use of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnancy (IPTp) and long-lasting insecticide treated nets (LLINs) have been shown to reduce maternal malaria episodes.Objectives: To describe i) The proportion receiving first and second dose (IPTp1 and 2) in malaria endemic zones, ii) proportion receiving IPTp 1 and 2 stratified by coast and lake endemic zones iii) proportion receiving LLINs, stratified by coastal and lake endemic zones.Design: A retrospective descriptive study.Setting: Lake and Coast region malaria endemic zones.Subjects: Pregnant women.Results: IPTp2 dose during an ANC revisit fell by 29% between 2012 and 2015, with 76% receiving an IPTp2 in 2012 and only 47% receiving it in 2015. More pregnant women in Coastal endemic areas received IPTp2 compared to Lake, with 88% versus 73% in 2012, and 53% versus 44% in 2015, respectively.There was steady increase in bed net usage from 69% and 54% in 2012 to 96% and 95% in 2015 for lake and coast endemic zones respectively. The uptake of LLINs was 15% higher in the lake region compared to the coastal endemic region in 2012 and significantly declined over the five years to 6%, 7% and 1% in 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively.Conclusion: Our study found that there has been a significant decline from 2012 through 2015, in the number of pregnant women in Kenya receiving recommended malaria prophylaxis in the regions of highest malaria burden. However, the coverage of LLIN has consistently improved over the same period

Uptake of isoniazid preventive therapy and its associated factors among HIV positive patients in an urban health centre, Kenya

Background: Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) is an effective intervention for prevention of tuberculosis (TB) among HIV positive patients, and its use is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Unfortunately the uptake of IPT in Kenya remains low (33%-40%) with limited knowledge on the factors that affect its uptake.Objective: To determine the uptake of IPT and its associated factors among HIV-positive patients enrolled in a urban health centre.Design: Hospital based cross-sectional studySetting: Riruta Health Centre, Nairobi, KenyaSubjects: HIV-positive patients ≥18 years who have been on care and treatment services in the health centre for at least six months preceding the study.Results: Four hundred and thirty six participants were enrolled with a mean age of 41 years (standard deviation± 9years). Females were 276 (63%), anti-retroviral therapy uptake of 427 (98%) and overall IPT uptake rate of 336 (77%). On multivariate analysis, fear of acquiring TB (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4.6, 95% confidence interval, CI 2.6-8.1), having received IPT-associated health education (AOR 5.0, 95% CI 3.0-8.4) and having a good relationship with the healthcare worker (HCW) (AOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2-3.4) were independently associated with initiation of IPT.Conclusion: The uptake rate was above the current national coverage but fell below the national set target of 90%. Fear of acquiring TB, receipt of IPT-associated health education and favourable relationship with the HCWs promoted the initiation of IP

Editorial: Structured operational research and training in the public health sector: the Kenyan experience

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Spatial distribution and co-infection with urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis among primary school children in Migori County, Kenya

Background: Schistosomiasis is the most prevalent helminthic infection in sub-Saharan Africa. School age children have the highest burden. Chronic schistosome infections in children can have irreversible effects lasting throughout adulthood.Objective: To determine the prevalence, intensity and distribution of urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis among primary school children in Migori County, Kenya.Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.Setting: Primary schools in Migori County, Kenya.Subjects: Children aged seven to fourteen years.Results: We enrolled 1,784 children with the ratio of female to males being 1:1. Their mean age was 11.4 years (standard deviation ± 1.6). The overall prevalence of infection was 26%, with urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis being found in 9% and 20% of children, respectively. A trend of increasing prevalence with increasing age of children was observed. Boys had a 50% higher risk of being infected with schistosomiasis when compared to girls (adjusted odds ratio 1.5, 95% confidence interval 1.2-1.9). Intensities of schistosome infections did not vary significantly across gender and age. Nyatike Constituency had the highest prevalence of schistosomiasis (54%).Prevalence in schools ranged from 1.7 to 89%. Seven schools (23%) had a schistosomiasis prevalence of at least 50% while 12 (39%) schools had schistosomiasis prevalence of between 10 and 50%.Conclusion: Our study showed that schistosomiasis is endemic in the study area and represents a significant public health problem among school children. The area should be prioritised for interventions including mass deworming, public health education and sanitation improvement