Wiring Kenyan Languages for the Global Virtual Age: An audit of the Human Language Technology Resources

Abstract Whereas we recognize the advancement of computing and internet technologies over the years and its impact in the areas of health, education, government, etc.

P04.41 Exploring reasons for and outcomes of second stage caesarean section and assisted vaginal birth in selected hospitals in Kenya

Objective: Obstetric vacuum devices for assisted vaginal birth (AVB) can avoid the need for unnecessary second-stage caesarean sections (SSCS), associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Despite emergency obstetric training since 2019, AVB was rarely performed. This study sought to better understand missed opportunities and reasons for non-performance of AVB in Kenya. Method: A mixed-methods design incorporated a review of randomly selected SSCS and AVB case notes, and key informant interviews with healthcare providers, from 8 purposively selected, high-volume hospitals in Kenya. The reviews were carried out by four experienced obstetricians (3 Kenyan, 1 British). The interviews were semi-structured and conducted online and analysed using a thematic approach. Results: Six AVB and 66 SSCS cases were reviewed. Nine percent of SSCS could have been AVB, and 58% reviewers were unable to determine appropriateness due to poor record keeping. Perinatal mortality was 9%, and 11% of infants and 9% of mothers experienced complications following SSCS. Twenty interviews, with obstetricians, midwives and medical officers, explored themes of previous experience, confidence, and adequacy of training relating to AVB. Reasons for non-performance included lack of equipment and staff. Conclusion: Increases in appropriate use of AVB could save the lives of infants and mothers and reduce ongoing morbidity. In order to achieve this, the varied reasons for non-performance of AVB need to be systematically addressed at local, regional and national levels

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors for Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Adolescent Blood Donors within Selected Counties of Western Kenya

Hepatitis B virus is a widespread public health menace approximated to have infected 257 million people chronically by 2015. Data on the prevalence of HBV is important in formulating public health policies on HBV control like safe blood transfusion. Adolescents aged 15 to 24 years, known to engage in risky activities associated with HBV spread, constitute major blood donors in Kenya. Notwithstanding current blood donation safety measures, HBV still remain hazardous transfusion-transmissible infections in donated blood. This study therefore was to determine the prevalence of HBsAg and related risk factors among this donor group. A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2019 to August 2019 in Siaya, Kisumu, and Homa Bay counties. One thousand (1000) voluntary blood donors 18 to 25 years old were recruited. A predonation questionnaire was used to record their sociodemographic features and prior risk exposures. Blood samples were initially tested for HBsAg using Murex HBsAg Version 3 (DiaSorin, UK) and positives confirmed using ARCHITECT HBsAg Qualitative Confirmatory assay (Abbott Ireland) as per the manufacturer’s instructions. A result was considered positive if the first and confirmatory tests were all reactive. Generally, the prevalence of HBV was 3.4%, with no significant association between various sociodemographic variables and HBsAg positivity. Nevertheless, scarification and risky sexual behavior were significantly linked to HBV infections (odds ratio OR=8.533, 95%confidence interval CI=3.128‐23.275, p value of 0.001 and OR=5.471, 95%CI=1.925‐15.547, p value of 0.002, respectively). This study revealed a prevalence of 3.4% HBsAg among adolescent blood donors, with perilous sexual behaviors being the most significant risk factor, evidence that sexual contact still plays a major role in transmission of HBV among this donor group despite blood transfusion safety measures put in place. These study findings should therefore be put into consideration while framing health policies to mitigate effects of HBV infection on safe blood transfusion

A survey of bovine cysticercosis/human taeniosis in Northern Turkana District, Kenya

Bovine cysticercosis is a zoonosis that is mainly of socioeconomic and public health importance. A survey of this disease was carried out in Northern Turkana District, Kenya to estimate the prevalence through both serology and meat inspection, to determine the prevalence of the adult tapeworm in the human definitive host, and to determine risk factors for cattle seropositivity. This information is of public health importance and will be of use in assessing economic losses due to downgrading, refrigeration or condemnation of infested carcasses.The study area was stratified into the three livestock grazing regions of Oropoi to the south, Lokichoggio–Mogilla centrally and Kibish in the north for the purposes of the serological and questionnaire (n = 53 herd owners) data. Five adakaars (grazing units) were selected and 34, 63, 49, 75 and 571 cattle serum samples obtained from these. The slaughter slabs of Lokichoggio and Kakuma were visited and 188 serum samples were obtained from slaughter cattle and compared to results of meat inspection. Human stool samples were collected in each of the three grazing areas and 66, 97 and 78 samples were obtained.The seroprevalence of cysticercosis in cattle was estimated at 16.7% (95% CI 13–20.9%) using a secretory–excretory antigen detection ELISA. There was poor agreement between meat inspection and serology (k = 0.025; p = 0.2797). The prevalence of taeniosis was estimated as 2.5% (95% CI 0.8–5.6%) by microscopy.A backwards elimination logistic regression analysis indicated that the grazing unit (Adakaar), the deworming history of household members and the distance ( 0.0001 was calculated for bovine cysticercosis in this area

A systematic review of Rift Valley Fever epidemiology 1931–2014

Background: Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne viral zoonosis that was first isolated and characterized in 1931 in Kenya. RVF outbreaks have resulted in significant losses through human illness and deaths, high livestock abortions and deaths. This report provides an overview on epidemiology of RVF including ecology, molecular diversity spatiotemporal analysis, and predictive risk modeling. Methodology: Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we systematically searched for relevant RVF publications in repositories of the World Health Organization Library and Information Networks for Knowledge (WHOLIS), U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). Detailed searches were performed in Google Scholar, SpringerLink, and PubMed databases and included conference proceedings and books published from 1931 up to 31st January 2015. Results and discussion: A total of 84 studies were included in this review; majority (50%) reported on common human and animal risk factors that included consumption of animal products, contact with infected animals and residing in low altitude areas associated with favorable climatic and ecological conditions for vector emergence. A total of 14 (16%) of the publications described RVF progressive spatial and temporal distribution and the use of risk modeling for timely prediction of imminent outbreaks. Using distribution maps, we illustrated the gradual spread and geographical extent of disease; we also estimated the disease burden using aggregate human mortalities and cumulative outbreak periods for endemic regions. Conclusion: This review outlines common risk factors for RVF infections over wider geographical areas; it also emphasizes the role of spatial models in predicting RVF enzootics. It, therefore, explains RVF epidemiological status that may be used for design of targeted surveillance and control programs in endemic countries