Obstetric fistula is a complication of pregnancy that affects women following prolonged obstructed labour. Although there have been achievements in the surgical treatment obstetric fistula, long-term emotional, psychological, social and economic experiences after repair received less attention. This paper documents challenges faced by corrective surgery discusses their needs within broader context women's health. We interviewed small sample West Pokot, Kenya, during two-month period 2010,...

Malaria transmission in arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya such as Baringo County, is seasonal often influenced by climatic factors. Unravelling the relationship between climate variables malaria dynamics therefore instrumental developing effective control strategies. The main aim this study was to describe effects variability rainfall, maximum temperature vegetation indices on trends selected health facilities within Kenya. Climate sourced from International Research Institute...

Health, fair financing and responsiveness to the user's needs expectations are seen as essential objectives of health systems. Efforts have been made conceptualise measure a basis for evaluating non-health aspects systems performance. This study assesses applicability tool developed by WHO when applied in context voluntary HIV counselling testing services (VCT) at district level Kenya. A mixed method was conducted employing combination quantitative qualitative research methods concurrently....

Counselling is considered a prerequisite for the proper handling of testing and ensuring effective HIV preventive efforts. services have recently been scaled up substantially with particular focus on provider-initiated models. Increasing test rates attributed to rapid scale-up model, but there limited documentation experiences this new service model. The aim study was determine use different types investigate perceptions these emphasis provider initiated in three selected districts Kenya,...

Malaria, a major cause of morbidity and mortality, is the most prevalent vector borne disease in Baringo County; region which has varied house designs arid semi-arid areas. This study investigated association between structures indoor-malaria abundance County. The density malaria vectors houses with open eaves was higher than that for closed eaves. Grass thatched roof had corrugated iron sheet roofs. Similarly, mud walled other wall types. Houses riverine zone were significantly associated...

The exploitation of the full benefits chicken rearing by smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan (SSA) Africa is often impeded poultry diseases which compounded limited uptake vaccination. We interrogate structural and socioeconomic factors associated with vaccine women Southeastern Kenya. A mixed methods design a convergent approach for comparison quantitative qualitative findings was adopted. This involved administration cross section survey to 1274 households, conduct 23 Focus Groups...

In the absence of effective drugs, vaccines constitute cornerstone for prevention Newcastle disease (ND). Different strategies have been implemented to increase vaccination, but uptake remains low, underscoring need novel vaccine delivery methods. We designed and assessed effectiveness a community-centered ND model in southeastern Kenya. Under model, we sensitized smallholder chicken farmers (SCFs) through structured training on husbandry, biosecurity, ND, its among other aspects....

This article assesses knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding cervical cancer among rural women of Kenya. One hundred sixty (mean age 37.9 years) who sought various health care services at Tigoni subdistrict hospital, Limuru, Kenya, were interviewed using a semistructured questionnaire. In addition, three focus group discussions (25 participants) held, five case narratives recorded, free list risk factors obtained from 41 respondents. All aged between 20 50 years. About 40% knew...

Twenty-five years into the HIV/AIDS epidemic, condom use among married/stable couples remains low and under-researched in developing countries, even countries with high HIV prevalence. Introducing condoms a long-standing relationship, spite of risk, is likely to be awkward. We conducted qualitative study Kampala, Uganda, 39 reporting 100% previous three months. The women were recruited from clinical trial who using whose partners also agreed participate. Twenty-two six men reported having...

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) has been implicated in sexual complications among women, although there is paucity of research evidence on experiences married women who have undergone this cultural practice. The aim study was to investigate the Mauche Ward, Nakuru County. Quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were used. obtained from 318 selected through multistage sampling. categorized into: cut before marriage, after marriage uncut. A questionnaire used collect...

Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), a disease caused by protozoan parasites transmitted tsetse flies, is an important neglected tropical endemic in remote regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Although the determination burden HAT has been based on incidence, mortality and morbidity rates, true goes beyond these metrics. This study sought to establish socio-economic that households with faced coping strategies they employed deal increased burden.A mixed methods approach was used data were obtained...

Rift Valley Fever (RVF), is a viral zoonotic disease transmitted by Aedes and Culex mosquitoes. In Kenya, its occurrence associated with increased rains. Baringo County, RVF was first reported in 2006-2007 resulting 85 human cases 5 deaths, besides livestock losses livelihood disruptions. This study sought to investigate the county's current risk status.A cross-sectional on knowledge, attitudes practices of conducted through mixed methods approach utilizing questionnaire survey (n = 560) 26...

Obstetric fistula classic symptoms of faecal and urinary incontinence cause women to live with social stigma, isolation, psychological trauma lose their source livelihoods. There is a paucity studies on the health seeking behaviour trajectories illness although for decades before surgery. We set out establish complete picture women's using qualitative research. sought answer question: what patterns do obstetric display in quest healing?We used grounded theory methodology analyse data from...

Prompt and appropriate health seeking is critical in the management of childhood illnesses. This paper examines behaviour under-five child morbidity. It explores detail actions taken by 28 mothers when their children become sick. Sixty-two in-depth interviews with were conducted from four study communities. The identified a demographic surveillance system. tape-recorded, transcribed thematically analysed. shows that classify illnesses into main categories: (1) not serious-coughs, colds,...

In resource-poor settings, the accountability for reasonableness (A4R) has been identified as an important advance in priority setting that helps to operationalize fair specific contexts. The four conditions of A4R are backed by theory, not evidence, conformance with them improves decisions. This paper describes healthcare processes Malindi district, Kenya, prior implementation 2008 and evaluates process its A4R. In-depth interviews focus group discussions key players district health system...

The global increase in vector borne diseases has been linked to climate change. Seasonal vegetation changes are known influence disease population. However, the relationship is more theoretical than quantitatively defined. There a growing demand for understanding and prediction of sensitive risks especially regions where meteorological data lacking. This study aimed at analyzing assessing seasonal year-to-year association between climatic factors (rainfall temperature) cover, its...

Baseline information that is essential for determining the areas to target with larval control includes estimates of vector diversity and habitat preferences. Due a lack such in Baringo County, Kenya, this study assessed species preference potential mosquito vectors Rift Valley fever (RVF) malaria.Mosquito larvae were sampled from nine types habitats identified morphologically. Species was estimated by Shannon's index while RVF malaria determined ANOVA.A total 7724 immature mosquitoes...

Abstract Background Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) suffers from a dearth of concrete information on the causes women’s under-representation in scientific research workforce particularly at higher levels compared with wealth that exists global north. The goal this study was to illuminate familial and socio-cultural drivers contribute intersectional gender inequities career progression SSA inform strategies could promote equity for African researchers. Methods This nested within context ‘Developing...

Small ruminant production facets like decision-making, ownership, labour allocation, access to- and control over assets are gendered. This study investigates intra-household gender dynamics practices around sheep goat among smallholder farmers in South East region of Kenya. A quantitative was conducted on 358 dual-headed (married) households to generate gender-disaggregated data decision-making allocation small production. Qualitative collected through focused group discussions bring out the...

Although early diagnosis and treatment are key factors in the effective control of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), many cases disease delay taking appropriate action, leading to untold suffering. As a better understanding treatment-seeking behaviour should help identifying obstacles treatment, pathways followed by 203 former HAT western Kenya eastern Uganda have recently been explored. About 86% had utilized more than two different healthcare options before being correctly diagnosed for...

Abstract: Cervical cancer is the most frequent among women aged between 15 years and 44 in Kenya, resulting an estimated 4,802 being diagnosed with cervical 2,451 dying from disease annually. It often detected at its advanced invasive stages, a protracted illness upon diagnosis. This qualitative study looked trajectories of living enrolled for follow-up care Kenyatta National Hospital treatment center Nairobi Hospice, both county, Kenya. Using phenomenological approach, data were collected...