Abstract/Overview Low birth weight (LBW) is a major determinant of morbidity, mortality and disability in infancy and childhood and has a long-term impact on health outcomes in adult life. It results in substantial costs to the health sector and imposes a significant burden on society as a whole. This study sought to determine risk factors associated with LBW deliveries in Pumwani Maternity Hospital (PMH), Nairobi, Kenya. It focused on LBW and maternal socio-demographic characteristics, l...
Abstract/Overview The Purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between extraversion and gambling tendencies among secondary school students in Nyamira South Sub County, Kenya. Objective was to determine the association between extraversion and gambling tendencies among students in Nyamira South Sub-County. It was informed by Eysenck’s theory of Personality and a conceptual framework. The study adopted concurrent triangulation research design within the Mixed Method Approach....
Abstract/Overview Prisons have been consistently reported to have high prevalence of mental disorders compared to the general population. Prisons have initiated a number of reforms not only to help the prisoners become self-reliant upon release but also to alleviate the risk of mental disorder. It is necessary to regularly assess the prevalence of mental disorders to determine the effectiveness of the prison reform programs in mitigating the burden of mental disorders among prisoners. Thi...
Abstract/Overview This study investigated the effect of mental disorders on the mental wellbeing of prisoners in selected prisons in Kenya. A mixed method study design was employed in which quantitative and qualitative data was collected concurrently. A sample of 364 respondents was obtained using multistage sampling technique. The study used a structured questionnaire, Warwick-Edinburg Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS), MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview, FGD and Key Informant I...
Abstract The relationship between commercial sex work and drug use is complex and the two exacerbate each other. In Kenya, Mombasa County has one of the highest populations of drug users and commercial sex workers. Despite documentation of drug use among sex workers, most of the studies are based on self-reported history which is prone to social desirability and memory recall biases. It is in this context that we sought to establish actual drug use is this sub-population. A cross-sectional s...
Abstract Monkeypox is a DNA virus that belongs to the orthopox virus family with two distinct clades known as West African and Congo Basin. This virus was initially discovered in crab-eating Macaques in 1958 and in 1970s it spread among people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Initially, there were several outbreaks of the disease reported in Africa and other regions of the world. The simultaneous spread in 19 countries in 2022 prompted severe worries. The monkeypox virus is closely r...
Abstract This paper analyses the extent of influence of personality issues on the effectiveness of substance abuse preventive measures among secondary students in Kakamega County through cross sectional survey design. The study was guided by social cognitive theory. The target population was 59675 form three students, 1080 class teachers, 530 G/C teachers and 12 sub-county directors of education in the study area. Multi-stage sampling, simple random and purposive sampling techniques were use...
Abstract Introduction. Depression is the most common mental health disorder worldwide with a lifetime prevalence of approximately 10% in the general population. Our objective was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices among healthcare workers (HCWs) regarding depression care. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional study among consenting healthcare workers in two medium-sized hospitals in Kenya. Data on demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and practice of depression w...
Abstract Tuberculosis (TB) disease is caused by acid-fast bacilli called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The emergence of drug-resistant TB variants as well as co-infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) have complicated treatment for TB. Kenya currently implements TB screening and HIV testing for all patients and their caretakers, regardless of their reason for visiting the hospitals. Drug resistance is tested in all HIV-positive TB suspects to guide the choice of drugs in cases of...
Abstract Context: Giving birth is a traumatic experience for women, and if unresolved, the emotions it causes can have a lasting negative impact on mental health, including depression in the postpartum period. Depression is a prevalent mental illness that can have major repercussions, particularly after giving birth. There is evidence of postpartum depression. However, many studies have concentrated on the prevalence of postpartum depression. In middle-income countries, including Kenya, very...
Abstract Introduction health sector planning and budgeting are concerned with identifying priorities that guide budgetary allocation to improve health outcomes. Engaging the community in this process empowers them to manage their own health. Despite the benefits and the availability of legislation and structures to mainstream community participation, their involvement is minimal and marred with challenges. This study, therefore, aimed to examine the level and perspectives of health managers ...
Abstract The pandemic coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2 in the world has caused a large infected population suffering from COVID‐19. To curb the spreading of the virus, WHO urgently demanded an extension of screening and testing; thus, a rapid and simple diagnostic method is needed which is non-invasive. Use of self-collected saliva can minimize healthcare worker exposure and expand testing capabilities for symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. The main aim of this study was to document the abil...
Abstract Good nutrition optimizes benefits of ART (Antiretroviral therapy) and increases treatment adherence, both prolongs lives of PLHIV (NASCOP, 2014), without proper care and management it exposes them to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Key objective; to determine the effect of food-based nutrition intervention on the management of NCDs among PLHIV in Busia. The design was experimental using randomized control trial approach. The control group had 30 subjects who were fed on Plumpy‘n...
Abstract Background: Waiting time remains an important indicator of quality health services. The emergency department is the most critical area of any hospital. For patients who are in urgent need of hospitalization, delayed admission often leads to exacerbation of the patient's condition and may threaten the patient's life. In recent years, the flow of patients to the Emergency Departments of Western countries has steadily increased thus generating overcrowding and extended waiting times. D...
Abstract Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) mortality remains high despite current availability of effective anti-TB drugs. This could be due to pathophysiological derangements that are not fully understood and managed during anti-TB therapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the hematological changes in newly diagnosed PTB patients. Methods: 55 newly diagnosed PTB patients and 55 healthy controls were included in this cross-sectional non-randomized study. Complete hematologi...