Abstract Introduction: high HIV-1 infection rates and genetic diversity especially in African population pose significant challenges in HIV-1 clinical management and drug design and development. HIV-1 is a major health challenge in Kenya and causes mortality and morbidity in the country as well as straining the healthcare system and the economy. This study sought to identify HIV-1 genetic subtypes circulating in Teso, Western Kenya which borders the Republic of Uganda. Methods: a cross-secti...
Abstract Background: The marked genome plasticity of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli promotes emergence of pathotypes displaying unique phenotypic and genotypic resistance. This study examined phenotypic and genotypic antibiotic resistant diarrheagenic Escherichia coli pathotypes among children in Nairobi City, Kenya. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, diarrheagenic Escherichia coli pathotypes were isolated from stool samples and their phenotypic and genotypic resistance against eight antim...
Abstract Since the emergence of Covid-19 pandemic in late 2019, the metaphorical framing of this respiratory disease also known as the Corona Virus, has been manifested variedly in different social contexts and discourses. The pandemic offered an opportunity to explore the cultural framing of abstract concepts through conceptual mappings. Hence, the purpose of this article was to examine the extent to which vital relations accounted for the metaphors of Covid-19 pandemic in Lukabaras, a Bant...
Abstract Poor health service delivery has been linked to the devolution of health services, with some health workers walking off the job due to inadequate pay and unsafe working conditions. This research aimed at establishing the influence of participative leadership style on public health service delivery by county governments in the Western Kenya region. Taking a positivist approach, the study was anchored on participative leadership theory. Descriptive survey and causal-comparative resear...
Abstract The focus of health planning and budgeting is to identify priorities that, in turn, guide budgetary allocations aimed at improving health outcomes. The shift towards decentralization has necessitated reforms in the planning and budgeting processes. These reforms encompass the enactment of legislation, the formulation of process guidelines, and the utilization of program-based budgeting (PBB). Despite the institutionalization of these reforms, healthcare administrators continue to en...
Abstract Vaccine hesitancy is a significant global public health concern. This study sought to determine the correlates of acceptance and hesitancy regarding COVID-19 vaccines in rural populations of selected counties in Western Kenya and assess the strategies that can be used to improve COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Kenya. The study used a quantitative research strategy with a sample of 806 individuals in the Kisumu, Vihiga, and Kakamega counties. Descriptive statistics, correlations and r...
Abstract Study Objective(s): The main study objective was to report on surveillance data from, assess the preparedness and challenges of home-based care for COVID-19 patients and hhealth workers in four Counties (Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia) in Kenya. Design, setting and Participants: The study design and setting used was both qualitative and quantitative and it involved random sampling and snowballing sampling, to obtain data from health workers and patients in Home-Based Isolation. Pa...
Abstract Introduction: in Kenya, about 1.5 million people are living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Antiretroviral therapy aids in viral suppression. However, drug-resistance threaten the gains of the HIV infection control program. To determine the prevalence of HIV-1 drug-resistant mutations among adults on ARV therapy attending Khunyangu sub-county hospital in Busia County, Kenya, 50 blood samples were analyzed. Methods: the samples were collected from November 2019 to Janua...
Abstract The healthcare sector has undergone significant changes within the past decades, and amidst these changes, attaining efficient and effective healthcare service delivery has remained a distant prospect. This study, therefore, sought to find out the effect of supply chain information systems on service delivery in the public health care sector in the county governments of the western region. The study was anchored on the theory of human service delivery and health network metrics. The...
Abstract Malaria and malnutrition remain primary causes of morbidity and mortality among children younger than 5 years in Africa. Studies investigating the association between malnutrition and subsequent malaria outcomes are inconsistent. We studied the effects of malnutrition on incidence and prevalence of malaria parasitemia in data from a cohort studied in the 1990s. Data came from the Asembo Bay cohort study, which collected malaria and health information on children from 1992 to 1996 in...
Abstract Background: In Kenya, the increased use of motorcycles for transport has led to increased morbidity, mortality, and disability. These injuries exert a burden on the public health system, yet little information exists on health care resource usage by motorcycle crash injury patients. We aimed to estimate the burden of motorcycle crash injuries on the health system in Kisumu City. Methods: We conducted a 6-month prospective study of all motorcycle crash injury patients who presented t...
Abstract Introduction: Strong health systems are essential platforms for accessible, quality health services, and population health and attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDGs). Descriptive methods have been used to assess the health systems strength and impact, however, there is inadequate knowledge on methods of analyzing huge number of indices to provide systematic evidence that service readiness is improving or deteriorating over time. Methods: We utilized data from a cross ...
Abstract Background: Skin conditions were the fourth leading cause of nonfatal burden globally, expressed as years lost due to disability and eighteenth leading cause of health burden worldwide, expressed as disability adjusted life years. From Busia County health sector strategic and investment plan 2018-2023 report, skin diseases was third leading cause of morbidity in the county with 6.5%. Skin diseases, though very common in many developing countries, are not often regarded as a signific...
Abstract Introduction: Depression is the most common mental disorder among people living with HIV/AIDS and has a negative impact on HIV treatment outcomes. Training lay HIV counselors to identify and manage depression may contribute to improved patient access and adherence to treatment, and reduce stigma and discrimination among lay health workers toward both HIV and depression. The purpose of this study was to assess the current knowledge and attitudes of lay HIV counselors toward managing ...
Abstract Abstract: Background: Malaria is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in Kenya. The diseases displays varying degrees of endemicity in different regions in the country, however the knowledge, attitudes and practices of communities about the disease prevention and control measures are in many cases not in tandem. Objective: To assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices of the communities towards malaria prevention and control options. Methodology: A cross se...