Public Health
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Item Influence of Food Taboos of the Mijikenda on the Nutritional Status of Under-Five-Year-Old Children(Chuka University, 2022) Nanua, J.N.; Mbogoh, P.M.Child-under nutrition leads to high morbidity and mortality in many developing countries. Approximately 3.1 million child deaths annually are attributed to malnutrition related illnesses. Causes malnutrition include household income, political and economic instability, education level, sanitation, climatic conditions, culinary practices, and food beliefs. The influence of food taboos among the Mijikenda on child nutrition is not fully investigated. This study investigated whether Mijikenda food habits and taboos had an influence on the nutrition status of under-five year old children. Focus group discussions with Kaya elders from five Mijikenda subgroups were used to identify food taboos. Structured questionnaire was developed to find out whether these taboos affected food choices by mothers. Anthropometric measurements of children, weight-for-age z-score (WAZ), height-for age z-score (HAZ), skin fold thickness and visual examination were used to determine nutritional status of chidren. Commonly restricted foods were animal products including eggs, fish, gizzards, beef, chicken, liver, pepper and some vegetables. The restrictions targeted women, especially pregnant women, and children but not men. There were significant correlations between WAZ and number of children in the family (r = 0.228, P = 0.009); mother’s education level and number of children (r = -0.346, P = 0.000). There was positive correlation between WAZ and consumption of meat after delivery (r = 0.194, P = 0.029); WAZ and consumption of gizzard (r = 0.285, P = 0.001); HAZ and consumption of liver (r = 0.208, P = 0.019); skin fold thickness and breastfeeding while pregnant (r = 0.199, P = 0.027), Skin fold thickness and consumption of gizzard (r = 0.198, P = 0.025) and negative correlation between HAZ and pumpkin while pregnant (r = -0.173, P = 0.049). Mother’s adherence to the food taboos showed negative nutritional outcomes. This study shows that children from mothers who ignored traditional food restrictions had better nutritional outcomes than for those who adhered to the restrictions. Food taboos should be considered as a significant contributor to malnutrition and needs to be addressed in nutritional intervention programmes.Item “Sitawahi Sahau Hasara Nilipata” (I Will Never Forget the Losses I Incurred): Impact of Covid-19 on Food System Actors at the Eldoret Food Market in Kenya(Taylor & Francis Group, LLC, 2022) Gichunge, C.; Jepkemoi, G.; Kidwaro, F.The corona virus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is a global public health crisis that disrupted the food supply chain. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on food ven- dors at the Eldoret Food Market in Kenya. A qualitative study was conducted and data was collected using in-depth inter- views among 12 food vendors. Data was analyzed using the- matic analysis and three themes emerged: challenges faced, lessons learnt, and government interventions needed. Market food vendors are an integral part of the food system and should work at improving the quality of their food system to make it resilient.Item Prevalence of Household Food Fecurity in Kenya: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis(Medip Academy, 2022) Kiboi, W. K.; Mucheru, P. K.; Mututho, L. N.; Kimiywe, J. O.; Chege, P. M.; Negesse, A. A.Food is both a basic need and a human right. As such, food security is a critical factor in individual and social health. This study aimed at assessing the pooled prevalence of household food security in Kenya. Relevant studies were systematically searched through manual and electronic searches. We searched databases including; Scopus, Embase, Science Direct, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane Library. The Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses protocol (PRISMA-P) guideline was followed. Heterogeneity of the primary studies was examined using the Cochrane Q test statistics and I2 test. A random-effect model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of household food security. The prevalence was determined at a 95% confidence interval with its corresponding odds at a p value of less than 0.05. A total of 15 studies were included. The pooled prevalence of household food security was 22.33% (95% CI: 16.60%-28.06%). Households in an urban setting had a lower (19.28%) food security (95% CI: 12.55%-26.01%) as compared to those in rural settings (25.27%) (95% CI: 16.60%- 28.06%). Additionally, those studies conducted post the Sustainable development goals (SDGs) had a higher (24.20%) household food security prevalence (95% CI: 11.49%-36.91%) as compared to those conducted before (21.16%) (95% CI: 14.11%-28.21%). Household food security remains a major concern in the country, particularly in the urban setting. Policymakers and the Government (national and county levels) at large should upscale and accelerate efforts to improve the household food security situation.Item Isolation, Identification and Determination of the Prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex among People Living with HIV in Kisumu County, Kenya(Science Journal of Public Health, 2016-07-12) Usagi,M. B. and Odilla,G. A.Abstract: Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex are important pathogens to man and causative agents of tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is one of the diseases that continue to be a public health concern in the world. Earlier, tuberculosis was considered controlled, but with emergence of HIV and AIDS, the disease has been exacerbated, with the highest incidences being in sub- Saharan Africa. Kenya ranks 15th and 5th in the World and Africa respectively. The World Health Organization indicates that there were 300 TB cases per 100,000 people in 2011. Information on the identity of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis in HIV positive patients seeking treatment in Kisumu County is limited. In this study, we isolated and identified the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and also determined the prevalence of tuberculosis in HIV patients seeking treatment in Kisumu County. A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2013 and June 2014. The study engaged, 379 HIV positive patients suspected of TB infection who gave sputum samples. The sputum samples were then decontaminated, concentrated, liquefied and neutralized before being cultured in liquid media using MGIT 960 tubes. The culture positive MGIT tubes were sub cultured in Brain Heart Infusion Agar (BHIA) before microscopic examination of the culture using ZN smear for Acid Fast Bacilli and identified using Genotype MTBC. In the study, 130 (34.3%) of the 379 suspected TB patients were diagnosed positive for pulmonary TB by MGIT culture. A significantly greater number of males were diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis compared to females (57.7% and 42.3% respectively; χ2 = 1.0342, df = 1 P < 0.05). Further, the study revealed that TB prevalence decreased steadily with age, with the youths being at greater risk of becoming active patients. In the age category of 26-35 years, prevalence was 36.92% while, for age category above 55 years it was 6.15%. Based on the results, the etiological agent of tuberculosis in Kisumu County is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the prevalence of infection was higher in males than in females and the prevalence rate to infection was highest among the youth. There is need for rapid and accurate diagnosis of active TB particularly in HIV-positive patients. Also, TB awareness and control programme should mainly be directed towards the youths by the all the stakeholders in the Public Health sector.Item Point prevalence survey to assess antibiotic prescribing pattern among hospitalized patients in a county referral hospital in Kenya(Frontiers in antibiotics, 2022-11-26) Kamita, Moses; Maina, Michael; Kimani, Racheal; Mwangi, Robert; Mureithi, Dominic; Nduta, Cynthia; Gitaka, JesseAntibiotic resistance causes higher morbidity and mortality and higher healthcare costs. One of the factors influencing the emergence of antibiotic resistance is the inappropriate use of antibiotics. Clinical practitioners’ incorrect prescription patterns and a disregard for antibiotic usage recommendations are the leading causes of this resistance. This study examined the antibiotic prescription patterns among hospitalized patients at the Kiambu Level 5 hospital (KL5) to find potential for hospital quality improvement. This study was conducted in July 2021, and all patients hospitalized on the study day were included. The information was extracted from patient medical records using a World Health Organization Point Prevalence Survey (PPS) instrument. Anonymized data was gathered, entered, and then SPSS version 26 was used for analysis. Among the 308 surveyed patients, 191 (62%) received antibiotic medication, and 60.1% of the total were female. The pediatric ward, which had an antibiotic prescription rate of 94.1%, had the highest rate of antibiotic usage, followed by the medical ward (69.2%) and gynecological ward (65.6%). Over 40% of antibiotic prescriptions had a prophylactic medical indication. Penicillin G was the most prescribed antibiotic for community-acquired infections (32.2%), followed by 3rd generation cephalosporins (27.6%) and aminoglycosides (17.2%). Based on the Aware classification, 57% of the prescribed antibiotics were in the Access class while 42% were in the Watch class. Incomplete site of indication, lack of a method of administration, and length of administration are some of the conformities that were missing in the medical records. This study shows that antibiotic prescription rates are high, particularly for young patients, and there is a higher risk of antibiotic misuse. The data makes a compelling justification for using antibiotic stewardship practices in Kenyan hospitals.Item Influence of food taboos of the Mijikenda on the nutritional status of under-five-year-old children(Journal of Environmental Sustainability Advancement Research, 2022) Nanua, J. N.; Mbogoh, P. M.Child-under nutrition leads to high morbidity and mortality in many developing countries. Approximately 3.1 million child deaths annually are attributed to malnutrition related illnesses. Causes malnutrition include household income, political and economic instability, education level, sanitation, climatic conditions, culinary practices, and food beliefs. The influence of food taboos among the Mijikenda on child nutrition is not fully investigated. This study investigated whether Mijikenda food habits and taboos had an influence on the nutrition status of under-five year old children. Focus group discussions with Kaya elders from five Mijikenda subgroups were used to identify food taboos. Structured questionnaire was developed to find out whether these taboos affected food choices by mothers. Anthropometric measurements of children, weight-for-age z-score (WAZ), height-for age z-score (HAZ), skin fold thickness and visual examination were used to determine nutritional status of chidren. Commonly restricted foods were animal products including eggs, fish, gizzards, beef, chicken, liver, pepper and some vegetables. The restrictions targeted women, especially pregnant women, and children but not men. There were significant correlations between WAZ and number of children in the family (r = 0.228, P = 0.009); mother’s education level and number of children (r = -0.346, P = 0.000). There was positive correlation between WAZ and consumption of meat after delivery (r = 0.194, P = 0.029); WAZ and consumption of gizzard (r = 0.285, P = 0.001); HAZ and consumption of liver (r = 0.208, P = 0.019); skin fold thickness and breastfeeding while pregnant (r = 0.199, P = 0.027), Skin fold thickness and consumption of gizzard (r = 0.198, P = 0.025) and negative correlation between HAZ and pumpkin while pregnant (r = -0.173, P = 0.049). Mother’s adherence to the food taboos showed negative nutritional outcomes. This study shows that children from mothers who ignored traditional food restrictions had better nutritional outcomes than for those who adhered to the restrictions. Food taboos should be considered as a significant contributor to malnutrition and needs to be addressed in nutritional intervention programmes.Item The influence of balanced processing construct among health leaders on the governance of county referral hospitals in Kenya(Journal International of Business Management, 4 (, 2023-06-08) Eunice Mutemi, 2 Prof. Judith Kimiywe, PhD, 3 Dr. Augustus Nyakundi, PhDAuthentic Leadership has received considerable attention because of its potential implications on the governance of an organization. Scholars have outlined authentic leadership as a possible solution for the governance of hospitals today. This study focused on five County referral hospitals. The preparedness of County referral hospitals was a challenge during the implementation of devolution in Kenya. The transfer of national government services to the County governments was occasioned by the promulgation of the Kenyan constitution 2010. Authentic leadership is one of the most effective types of leadership and its influence on the governance of health institutions has rarely been addressed in Kenya. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of balanced processing on the governance of County referral hospitals in Kenya. This mixed methods study was anchored on pragmatism philosophy where both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect data. The study population included County health leaders such as director of health, County health management team and health program managers. This included doctors, nurses, nutritionists, clinical officers, public health officers, and health workers in the sampled five County referral hospitals. The study employed both purposive and random sampling techniques. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS, while qualitative data was analyzed based on emerging themes in narrative form as guided by the study objectives. It was determined that there exists a relationship between balanced processing, leadership efficacy and governance of County referral hospitals in Kenya. The government and key stakeholders could apply the results in policy making. Effective policy could ensure that all health institutions engage and develop leaders’ authentic leadership knowledge and skills. The Ministry of Health should utilize the capacity building recommendations to develop those in service in order to improve the leadership and governance of health institutions in Kenya and beyond.Item Prevalence of household food security in Kenya: a systematic review and meta-analysis(International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health, 2022-05-04) Kiboi, Willy K.; Mucheru, Patrick K.; Mututho, Leah N.; Kimiywe, Judith O.; Chege, Peter M.; Negesse, Ayenew A.Food is both a basic need and a human right. As such, food security is a critical factor in individual and social health. This study aimed at assessing the pooled prevalence of household food security in Kenya. Relevant studies were systematically searched through manual and electronic searches. We searched databases including; Scopus, Embase, Science Direct, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane Library. The Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses protocol (PRISMA-P) guideline was followed. Heterogeneity of the primary studies was examined using the Cochrane Q test statistics and I2 test. A random-effect model was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of household food security. The prevalence was determined at a 95% confidence interval with its corresponding odds at a p value of less than 0.05. A total of 15 studies were included. The pooled prevalence of household food security was 22.33% (95% CI: 16.60%-28.06%). Households in an urban setting had a lower (19.28%) food security (95% CI: 12.55%-26.01%) as compared to those in rural settings (25.27%) (95% CI: 16.60%- 28.06%). Additionally, those studies conducted post the Sustainable development goals (SDGs) had a higher (24.20%) household food security prevalence (95% CI: 11.49%-36.91%) as compared to those conducted before (21.16%) (95% CI: 14.11%-28.21%). Household food security remains a major concern in the country, particularly in the urban setting. Policymakers and the Government (national and county levels) at large should upscale and accelerate efforts to improve the household food security situation.