Abstract/Overview In Kenya, no studies have attempted to use routine health facility data disaggregated by level of care, to find out if there is a significant statistical relationship between physical accessibility and utilization of maternity services at the ward administrative level. A cross-sectional study design used publicly available geospatial data in combination with routine data from the web-based district health information software (DHIS2) platform. Access Mod (version 5.2.6) ...
Abstract/Overview Ever since the first case report of HIV infection approximately twenty years ago, enormous human and material resources have been put in place to assist in the control and management of the scourge. With an increase in number of cases of immunosuppression came an increase in the number of microbial organisms, which were previously unknown. Some, which have existed albeit at an equilibrium with the human immune system and by extension the body’s defence mechanism have f...
Abstract/Overview Background: Due to the difficulty in implementing microscopy-based definitive diagnosis of malaria especially in resource-poor areas, rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits as alternatives have been developed by different companies. Kits from different companies may differ in sensitivity and specificity. It is therefore imperative to conduct field evaluation of kits from different manufacturers before they are recommended for widespread use in diagnosis of malaria. The present...
Abstract/Overview Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant cancer of the liver arising from uncontrolled multiplication of the abnormal liver cells. It is an ignored public health condition where patients come late to the hospital at terminal stages. Its development is proceeded by liver inflammation arising from the risk factors of HCC affecting the liver. HCC is one of the few cancers with both infectious and non-infectious causes. The common causes range from infections with viral...
Abstract/Overview ApolipoproteinL1 (APOL1) protects humans and some primates against several African trypanosomes. APOL1 genetic variants strongly associated with kidney disease in African Americans have additional trypanolytic activity against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, the cause of acute African sleeping sickness. We combined genetic, physiological, and biochemical studies to explore coevolution between the APOL1 gene and trypanosomes. We analyzed the APOL1 sequence in modern and a...
Abstract/Overview Schistosomes and soil-transmitted helminths (STH) (hookworm, Trichuris trichiura and Ascaris lumbricoides) are widely distributed in developing countries where they infect over 230 million and 1.5 billion people, respectively. The parasites are frequently co-endemic and many individuals are co-infected with two or more of the species, but information on how the parasites interact in co-infected individuals is scarce. The present study assessed Schistosoma haematobium and...
Abstract/Overview The paper uses the DEA technique to estimate efficiency scores in Kenyan public hospitals and then applies the Tobit regression to study inter-hospital variation in the scores. The DEA analysis reveals that small hospitals are more efficient than large hospitals, with efficiency levels ranging from 74-91% in small DMUs and from 57-78% in large DMUs. Tobit regression analysis shows efficiency scores are negatively correlated with the hospital’s distance from the manager...
Abstract/Overview Liver cancer, also known as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary cancer of the liver and the fifth cause of mortality world-wide. It is a global public health problem which is poorly addressed in the developing countries. Data on prevalence and incidence is scanty leading to inability to predict the burden of HCC in the developing world and this leads to poor policy framework for management and control of HCC. More-over, management and control of HCC is poorly add...
Abstract/Overview During the Later Iron Age period in Kenya, communities that built structures known in the local language as ohingni (singular - ohinga)' occupied the Lake Victoria region in south-western Kenya. The term refers to both stone-built and earth-built settlement enclosures widely distributed in the Nyanza region, that were abandoned before and during the colonial period. Their distribution and contents, in terms of archaeological remains and use of space, indicate that they w...
Abstract Girls’ retention in schools has been found to be a major challenge. Failure to retain girlsin secondary schools can be considered as a waste of potential human resources andmoney spend on them in primary education and time lost in sending them to schoolin the first place. These girls may become a breed of illiterate women who are lessproductive economically, socially and politically. Among the critical contemporary socialissues affecting many countries is teenage pregnancies. This...
This is an industrial attachment report done at Kenya Marine Fisheries and Research Institute (KMFRI).
Abstract Traditional financial forecasting methods often struggle to capture the complex interactions and emerging patterns that precede financial crises. By leveraging on TDA, this research aims to uncover potential topological features that might serve as early warning signals for impending financial crises. The study adopts the utilization of Topological Data Analysis, an initiative mathematical framework to explore and analyze the inherent topological structures within financial data set...
Abstract The relationship between government revenue and economic growth is a debate that has existed for a long time in the living history.Government revenue impacts economic growth differently within different regions. Some researchers argue that government revenue positively affects economic growth while others argue that the relationship is negative. However, minimal literature exists exploring the relationship between the two variables at country specific level. The objective of this st...
Abstract Rainfall patterns play a critical role in shaping various aspects of our lives. Understanding the patterns, trends and predictability of rainfall is essential for effective planning and decision making in various aspects including agriculture, water resource management, disaster preparedness and social economic planning. In agricultural activities crops require specific amount of water at the right time for growth. By understanding the rainfall patterns, farmers can adapt their farm...
Abstract The aim of food labels is to inform consumers on the food content. The information conveyed on food labels has evolved over time thus the objectives of food labelling have become numerous. Despite the recognized association of food labels utilization and disease management, the current global mortality rate from diabetes mellitus and hypertension remains high. In order for the prevalence rate of diabetes mellitus and hypertension to reduce, population-wide interventions including th...