Browsing by Author "Lucy Kawira Gitonga"

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    An X-ray image-based pruned dense convolution neural network for tuberculosis detection
    (Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine Update, 2024) Edna Chebet Too; David Gitonga Mwathi; Lucy Kawira Gitonga; Pauline Mwaka
    According to the Ministry of Health in Kenya, tuberculosis (TB) is the fifth greatest cause of death and the main infectious disease killer in Kenya and across the world. In Kenya and throughout Africa, TB continues to wreak havoc on many vulnerable populations, homes, and communities despite being preventable and treatable. Common TB diagnostics, like blood and skin tests, frequently fail to identify the precise kind of TB. As a result, the World Health Organization (WHO) advises expanding the use of X-rays, for screening. In TB-prevalent re- gions of Kenya, a shortage of radiologists hampers effective screening and diagnosis, highlighting the need for scalable solutions for accurate X-ray analysis. Recent advancements in deep learning techniques have shown promise in the healthcare sector, particularly in radiology. However, many deep convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures are computationally intensive due to their size and resource requirements. This study designed and developed a Pruned CNN to address this issue by applying pruning techniques to baseline architectures. This approach significantly reduced model sizes while maintaining accuracy levels. Specifically, the pruned version of the DenseNet model achieved an impressive 99 % accuracy with a reduction rate of 65.8 %. These results highlight the potential of this pruned CNN as an effective and efficient tool for TB detection, particularly in resource-constrained environments. This study addresses the shortage of radiological expertise in many regions by providing a tool that can assist in the interpretation of X-ray images. This capability can help healthcare providers deliver timely and accurate di- agnoses, thereby improving patient care.
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    Post training pressure injury knowledge and prevention practice among primary home caregivers of patients discharged from a Level 5 Hospital in Kenya
    (International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 2023-09-06) Stanley Kiarie Njau; Lucy Kawira Gitonga; Anna Kagure Karani; Henry M. Nyamu
    Pressure injuries are wounds which occur on bony prominences, following prolonged hours of pressure or shear. Their incidence in community settings could be as high as 80%, but application of basic prevention knowledge can avert this trend. The objectives of the study were to determine the level of pressure injury knowledge after a training intervention, to determine the pressure injury prevention practice after the training intervention, and to examine the relationship between post training knowledge, and pressure injury prevention practice. This was a randomized controlled trial, which was conducted at multiple sites, that is, at Embu Level 5 Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya, and at patients’ homes. It was organized in three phases, that is, baseline survey, intervention, and evaluation phases. Phase one was conducted at the hospital, while phase two and three were conducted at patients’ homes. The overall sample size was 34 primary home caregivers, who were selected using simple random sampling technique, and assigned into experimental (n=17) and control groups (n=17) respectively. Data was collected using a researcher administered questionnaire, and an observation checklist. Approval to collect data was obtained from Chuka University Ethics Research Committee (Approval number NACOSTI/NBC/AC-0812), and a research permit was obtained from National Commission on Science, Technology and Innovation (License number: NACOSTI/P/22/21760). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 27, using descriptive and inferential statistics, at 95% confidence level. Majority of the primary home caregivers were female (88.2%, n=15), most (41.2%, n=7) of who were aged 29-38 years, with a mean age of 37.06±11.5SD. Post training knowledge mean score was 37.28±10.39SD, while the post training practice mean score was 40.4±10.4SD. There was a statistically significant association, between post training pressure injury knowledge, and pressure injury prevention practice, at 95% confidence level (ꭓ 2 =6.199, df=1, p=0.013). Both post training pressure injury knowledge and post training pressure injury prevention practice were poor. Primary home caregiver training can significantly improve pressure injury prevention practice, and therefore, continuous training and follow up is recommended.