Abstract BACKGROUND: Efforts to mitigate vision loss due to uncorrected refractive errors (UREs) in Africa remain unpredictable. This study investigated the prevalence and socio-demographic distribution of UREs in school-going adolescents of Kakamega County in Kenya. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with randomly selected secondary school adolescents. Participants were screened and clinically examined for URE types and dioptric strength and were administered questi...
Abstract Context: Self-directed learning (SDL) is a prominent pedagogical approach in nursing education. The success of self-directed learning hinges upon an individual's readiness, which is influenced by the complexity of factors. Self-directed learning readiness represents an individual's capacity and willingness to take charge of their learning journey. Evaluating factors influencing self-directed learning readiness is pivotal for educational planning, aiding in selecting appropriate inst...
Abstract AIM To investigate the prevalence of visual impairment (VI) and provide an estimation of uncorrected refractive errors in school-aged children, conducted by optometry students as a community service. METHODS The study was cross-sectional. Totally 3343 participants were included in the study. The initial examination involved assessing the uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and visual acuity (VA) while using a +2.00 D lens. The inclusion criteria for a subsequent comprehensive ...
Abstract Context: Physical assessment is essential to the overall health assessment, constituting the nursing process's first phase. The physical assessment competence of nurse interns has been observed as insufficient in evaluating and solving patients' health problems in the clinical environment. This insufficiency has negatively influenced their ability to make better clinical decisions for patients, thus contributing to poor quality of patient care. Aim: To investigate factors influenci...
Abstract BACKGROUND: Low-vision assistive devices play an essential role in improving the reading performance and quality of life of low-vision children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A school-based observational cross-sectional study design was employed based on a census survey that identified 21 low-vision learners who had been assessed and placed in 11 primary public inclusive schools in Kakamega County, of whom 19 consented to participate in this study. Participants responded to the LV Prasad Fu...
Abstract A viral illness called COVID-19 can be spread from one person to another. 2019 saw the first case of the virus reported in Wuhan, China, while 2020 saw Kenya record the first COVID-19 infection in Sub-Saharan Africa. To stop the virus from spreading, it is crucial to have the proper information, attitudes, and behaviors. There has been increased research on the impact COVID-19 had on the normal lives of people, however, studies of this effect on rural communities are scarce. Hence, ...
Abstract Context: The zoonotic coronavirus of 2019 (COVID-19) was caused by an enveloped Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) virus from the Coronaviridae family in the Sarbecovirus subgenus and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome – Coronavirus – 2 (SARS-Cov-2) organism. The index case was believed to have originated and transmitted from animals (bats) to humans in November 2019 at the Wuhan live market in China, and subsequently, transmissions were among the human race through direct and indirect conta...
Abstract Leptospirosis is an important re-emerging zoonosis of worldwide public health concern. Leptospirosis is caused by a bacteriumof the genus Leptospira. There was an outbreak of leptospirosis in humans in Bungoma County in 2004 with severe consequences. Leptospirosis is enzootic in cattle in Bungoma County. Thisstudy was conductedbetween April and July of 2017 to determine the risk factors for leptospirosis in humans in Bungoma County. The risk factors considered in this study were;rai...
Abstract Context: Globally, efforts are being made to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic and improve the general health of people living with HIV/AIDS through continuous access to care and support services. However, the incidence of dropouts from utilization of HIV care and support services is rising among the HIV-positive clients enrolled in comprehensive care clinics in Baringo County for unidentified reasons. As a result, recognizing the opportunities and challenges in low-resourced communities th...
Abstract The rising prevalence of youth involvement in substance abuse is a global issue that requires immediate attention.The critical need everywhere in the 21 century world is to prepare students to lead healthy lives by providing them with relevant educational programmes inclusive of family matters. The study examined influence of family issues on effectiveness of substance abuse preventive measures among secondary school students in Kakamega County through mixed design. The target popul...
Effective partner notification is vital for managing and preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Confidential communication ensures trust and privacy, while clear and compassionate messaging provides essential information sensitively. Utilizing multiple channels—such as face-to-face conversations, phone calls, and digital notifications—ensures partners are effectively reached. Offering comprehensive education on STIs and emotional support, along with actionable steps like testi...
Abstract/Overview The challenge in tetraploid cotton cultivars is the narrow genetic base and therefore, the bottleneck is how to obtain interspecific hybrids and introduce the germplasm directly from wild cotton to elite cultivars. Construction of genetic maps has provided insight into understanding the genome structure, interrelationships between organisms in relation to evolution, and discovery of genes that carry important agronomic traits in plants. In this study, we generated an int...
Abstract Objective Contact lens (CL) use for myopia correction among children and teenagers has become a focal point of global interest. Yet, spectacles remain dominant for vision correction in this age group. This study investigated the factors affecting CL uptake among myopic school-going children and teenagers attending Kenyan eye clinics. Study Design Cross-sectional study. Methods A survey conducted across 13 Kenyan eye clinics, involving myopic participants aged 8-19 years. Data collec...
Abstract/Overview Today, many herbal preparations are being prescribed as analgesics. In the past decade, there has been a resurgence of interest in traditional systems of medicine which has become a topic of global interest. Indeed, many important drugs in the market have been obtained directly/ indirectly from natural sources, for example: morphine, pilocarpine, quinine and artemisinin among others. Lonchocarpus eriocalyx (Harms) belongs to the family Fabaceae and is used traditionally ...
Abstract/Overview Malaria transmission in arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya such as Baringo County, is seasonal and often influenced by climatic factors. Unravelling the relationship between climate variables and malaria transmission dynamics is therefore instrumental in developing effective malaria control strategies. The main aim of this study was to describe the effects of variability of rainfall, maximum temperature and vegetation indices on seasonal trends of malaria in selected he...