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Socio-Economic Factors and Cultural Practices influencing the resurgence of Bed Bugs (Cimex Hemipterus); Nakuru town, Kenya.
No full textBed bugs are parasitic insects that feed mostly on blood (human) .The most occurring
bed bug, Cimex lactularius is found in almost all continents. Cimex hemipterus
commonly known as the Tropical bed bugs resurge in warmer climates like Africa,
Asia and America. The objectives of this study was to identify and determine
socioeconomic factors, cultural practices that led to resurgence of bed bugs, reasons for
residents to deny public health officials access to their homes and to identify methods
been used to eradicate the bed bugs in Nakuru County. The study adopted Analytic
epidemiological study design using cross-sectional descriptive survey approaches for
data collection and used the formula (Mugenda and Mugenda, 1999) in determining the
sample size of 422 households. Data collection tools used included questionnaires, KII
and FGD. Data gathered from the study was entered into Microsoft Excel spreadsheet
and then exported into SPSS software version 24 for data cleaning and analysis. This
study sought approval from Mount Kenya University Ethical Review Board (Ref No.
MKU/ERC/0890) and the Kenya National Commission for Science, Technology and
Innovation–NACOSTI (NACOSTI/P/1821614/23855). Consent to participate in this
study was sought from all the heads of households and confidentiality was observed.
The results of this study indicates that low income communities are more susceptible to
the burden of bed bugs resurgence due to financial constraints and there was a
statistical significance between income and presence of bed bugs in the homesteads (χ2
=12, p=0.001). This study found that residents still believe that bed bugs are brought by
curses and witch craft and this lack of awareness lead to resurgence of bed bugs and
that Public health officials are least sought after to curb bed bugs resurgence in Nakuru
County. Majority of the residents who experienced the bed bugs sprayed the bed bugs
by themselves in spite availability of professional control and MOH officials. This
study in its totality concludes that, current socioeconomic status among the respondents
is limiting the fight against bed bugs resurgence, cultural beliefs are limiting the
eradication of bed bugs and leads to the resurgence, respondents were not readily open
to the idea of Ministry of Health officials eradicating bed bugs in their homesteads and
that respondents were not well sensitized to modern control methods which can lead to
resurgence of bed bugs. This study further recommends that, County Government
should organize communal spraying so to reach each and every household as is
highlighted by the FGD with the CHVs, private spraying firms and the Nakuru County
Health Department to come up with more affordable methods, enhance surveillance of
bed bugs and research as is highlighted in KII with the chief Public health Officer in
charge of vector control and motivation of CHVs training and empowerment with
equipment in bed bugs prevention and control method
Utilization of personal protective equipment and associated factors among nurses at Thika Level 5 Hospital
No full textThe incidence of infections among nurses is increasing tremendously in the world, with the highest percentage from the third world countries. Hospital-acquired infections have been recognized as a problem affecting the quality of health care and a principal source of adverse healthcare outcomes. Hospital-acquired infection occurs due to poor utilization of PPE among healthcare workers. This study examined the utilization of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) among nurses in Thika level 5 hospital, Kiambu County, Kenya. Specifically, the study looked into the influence of knowledge about PPE, attitudes towards the use of PPE, and health facility-related factors on the utilization of PPE. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted in the present study to collect quantitative and qualitative data in line with the study objectives. The study population was 246 nurses working in Thika level 5 hospitals and with more than 6 months of experience. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in line with the study hypotheses. Regression results revealed that all the three variables (knowledge about PPE, attitudes towards use of PPE, and health facility-related factors) were all significant predictors of utilization of PPE among nurses. In addition, attitude towards the use of PPE was found to be the most significant predictor of utilization of PPE. Knowledge about PPE is critical to the utilization of PPE. Positive attitudes would enhance the utilization of PPE. Health facility-related factors are important towards the utilization of PPE by health care workers. Based on the study conclusions, the researcher recommends the management of hospitals should ensure that nurses are well trained by planning for periodical training, and when doing so, to utilize experts. For hospitals aiming to reduce or avoid healthcare worker acquired infections or nurses acquired infections, the management should invest more to develop ways of enhancing positive attitudes among nurses. More attention should be paid to the importance of utilizing PPE and the consequences for doing the contrary. Besides, the management of hospitals should ensure that, at all times, recommended PPE is available and accessible
Central nervous system stimulating activity of phytexponent preparation
Get PDFDisorders affecting the central nervous system are categorized as some of the chronic conditions that affect mankind. These have been managed by prescription of the central nervous stimulants that help in reducing the symptoms such as fatigue and as well as increasing the alertness and cognitive function. However, in many cases these stimulants have been abused by many as some of them are illicit substances such as cocaine. The abuse of these stimulants results into addiction and upon use over a long time they result into long term effects and even death. The abuse of these substances has been common among the young people of between 18-25 years of age. The statistics on abuse of the stimulants by these younger generation was at 406,000 by the year 2014.This has seen much control of these products making them only available under critical condition. Use of herbal stimulants is proving to be an alternative. The use of these products has been there for some quite a long time but less attention was granted to them. Aim: The current study aimed at evaluating the CNS stimulating effects of the phytexponent. Methods: The ability of the phytexponent to increase the motor activity was evaluated by the Rota rod and actophotometer methods. The Swiss albino mice were divided in five groups of five mice. Caffeine at dose level of 30 mg/kg bw was chosen as the standard CNS stimulant. The phytexpont was evaluated in three different doses of 50 %, 25% and 12.5%.Both caffeine and phytexponent was administered orally with the volume administered depending on the body weight of each mouse. The reduction in the number of counts and fall of time from the rod was taken as an indicator in the reduced stimulation of the central nervous system. Results: caffeine at dose of 30 mg/kg bw recorded fall of time of 281.0 ±12.19 seconds while phytexponent at 50 %, 25% and 12.5% recorded fall off time of 240.0 ±28.21, 281.2 ±18.21 and 300.0± 0.00 seconds respectively. The number of counts recorded in the actophotometer were 248.6±25.68, 204.6±25.28, and 231.0±25.12 and 213.8±35.00 counts for caffeine, phytexponent at 50 %, 25% and 12.5% respectively. In the actophotometer caffeine significantly increased the alertness of the mice hence increase in the locomotion that was indicated by high counts than the phytexponent. Phytexponent in the Rota rod test showed dose dependent CNS stimulating activity while in the actophotometer 25 % doses recorded the highest activity. Conclusion: phytexponet is a potential stimulant of the central nervous system
MKU strengthens capacity to fight Covid-19
No full textMount Kenya University strengthens capacity to fight Covid-19 by acquiring equipment that enables it to undertake Covid-19 tests and get the results in real time.
The university took delivery of the Real Time PCR (RT PCR) equipment as a major accomplishment as it will enable it to test for Covid-19 in real time reducing significantly the results waiting period.
MKU principal laboratory technologists, Mr. Eliud Ng’ang’a, while receiving the equipment at Main Campus, said “ The RT PCR Covid Machine will greatly assist the students and staff of the university easily know their Covid-19 status” .Mount Kenya universit
How Thika’s ‘five-star mortuary’ got the name of Mau Mau general
No full textAny deaths from criminal activities in the counties of Kiambu, Murang’a and Machakos are likely to end up at the General Kago Funeral Home. The mortuary at the ThikaLevel 5 Hospital is one of the largest
public facilities in the area after it was expanded and rebranded in a Sh300 million public-private partnership with Mount Kenya University which uses it as a teaching facility for its medical students
Traditional herbal remedies for managing COVID-19 major symptoms: A case study of Kole district, Northern Uganda
No full textBackground: Today, the world is battling COVID-19 which has claimed millions of lives within a short period. As biotechnological research is in progress, it’s expedient to explore alternative sources of medication. Exploring plants that have been used in the management of COVID-19 related symptoms for ages may unveil a potential treatment option for this pestilence. We, therefore, conducted a study in Kole district, Northern Uganda to document the plants that are used in the management of the four key COVID-19 related symptoms including flue, cough, sore throat, and difficulty in breathing. Materials and Methods: We employed a cross-sectional quantitative survey design. We used stratified sampling to select 50 participants from each of the five sub-counties in the district, and convenience sampling to select a total of 250 participants and administered interviewer-administered questionnaires. Results: We identified over 50 herbs that are used in the treatment of COVID-19 related symptoms. However, we were able to report on the fourteen most common ones that belonged to 12 families in this paper. Clematis hirsute Perr. & Guill, (68.0%) and Citrus limon burm. F. (30.8%); Eucalyptus grandis M., (49.2%) and Zingibar officinalis, (28.0%); Conyza floribunda H.B.K. (26.4%) and Allium sativum A. (23.6%); Capparis tomentosa Lam. (19.4%) and Acacia hockii De Wild, (17.4%): for the treatment of flu, cough, sore throat and breathing difficulties respectively. Different plant parts of the diverse plant species were used in treating the symptoms. For Clematis hirsute Perr. & Guill, all plant parts were used differently to treat each of the 4 symptoms. Conclusion: Kole district possesses a multitude of herbs with the potential of treating COVID-19 symptoms. There is a need for further pharmacological investigations to validate their activity and possible development for clinical use in the management of COVID-19
Men’s and women’s knowledge of danger signs relevant to postnatal and neonatal care-seeking: A cross sectional study from Bungoma County, Kenya
No full textNeonatal and maternal mortality rates remain high in Kenya. Knowledge of neonatal danger signs may reduce delay in deciding to seek care. Evidence is emerging on the influential role of male partners in improving maternal and newborn health. This study analysed the factors that determine men’s and women’s knowledge and practices in postnatal and neonatal care-seeking, in order to inform design of future interventions
Evaluation of Antidepressant activity of the Phytexponent Preparation
No full textBackground: Depression is a common ailment that is spread globally and it
affects both younger and older generations. The spreading rate of this disease
has been on the rise in the recent years. The reports indicates about 4.4 % of the
entire global population was affected with depression by the year 2015. About
5 % of the adult population was those with 60 years of age and above. Suicidal
thoughts are the major experienced thoughts among many people under
depression in the recent days. The conventional antidepressant have shown to
be limited in managing depression. This is has been due to the poor
understanding of the onset mechanism of depression. Additionally the
conventional drugs are only designed for specific mechanism of action and the
mechanism of occurrence of depression is complex hence choice of a suitable
conventional drug is a challenge. Alternative therapies that involve use of herbal
remedies are currently employed in treatment of depression. Plants are potential
agents based on their ability to act through different mechanisms as a result of
the different bioactive constituents. For this reason the plant based remedies are
able to treat various diseases that occur through various biological pathways.
Objective: This study aimed at evaluating the antidepressant activity of the
phytexponent preparation, a natural plant based product.
Methods: The forced swim test and tail suspension test were used as the models
for evaluating the antidepressant activity. Fluoxetine at dose level of 20 mg/kg
bw was used as the standard antidepressant drug for both models. Phytexponent
preparation was evaluated at three dose levels 100%, 50 % and 25%
respectively. The positive control drug and phytexponent were prepared in normal
saline and orally administered 60 minutes prior to the study. The immobility
time in both the test was used as an indicator of depression. The depressive like
conditions were induced by suspending the animal at a given height and
allowing the mice swim in a controlled container respectively.
Results: The results showed that fluoxetine was able to increase the mobility of
the mice in the tail suspension test as compared to the phytexponent. The
immobility time of fluoxetine was 2.643±0.0633 and of phytexponent both models
hence reducing depression. 3.547±0.4334, 3.327±0.5519 and for 100 %, 50 %
and 25% respectively in the tail suspension test. In the forced swim test,
fluoxetine recorded immobility time of 2.448±0.0.2951 and phytexponent
2.375±0.2.980, 1.975±0.02179 and 2.733±0.09196 minutes for 100 %, 50 %
and 25% respectively. The phytexponent at 50 % dose level recorded the best
antidepressant activity.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the study has shown phytexponent has antidepressant
properties and it can be used as a potential herbal remedy for depression like
conditions
An investigation of selected psychosocial influences on the resilience of families living with mental illness in Nyeri county, Kenya
No full textNumerous studies have demonstrated that family members living with a person with a mental illness suffer from significant stresses, experience moderately high levels of burden and often receive inadequate assistance from mental health professionals. The major objective of this study was to find out whether selected psychosocial influences; attitudes and perceptions of family members on mental illness as well as the social support systems have significant influences on the resilience of the families living with a mentally ill member in Nyeri County, Kenya. The study was guided by two theories; Hardiness theory of Resilience by Suzanne Kobasa(1979) and the Attribution theory by Fritz Heider(1958). This study adopted the Ex-post facto research design. The target population was the family members who live with and take care of 600 mentally ill relatives who had have visited the Nyeri County Referral hospital in the month preceding data collection. Yamane’s formula was applied to determine a sample size of 240 families who participated in the study. Ten close family members were purposively selected to take part in in-depth interviews, one family was selected for the biographical study, while the remaining 229 families were subjected to a questionnaire. The instruments were tried out in a pilot study, carried out in Laikipia County and adjustments made as was found necessary. Reliability of the instruments was determined using test-retest method and a reliability index of 0.751 was obtained, which was considered adequate. Validity was enhanced by building participant trust, spending enough time in the field as well as member checking in order to correct any errors of facts or interpretation for the qualitative data. The qualitative data was transcribed and analyzed by the researcher identifying patterns and themes, then comparing the different ideas in order to bring out underlying meanings and relationships. The quantitative data was analyzed using multi-linear regression to test the hypothesis, p=.05 significance level, with the aid of SPSS (Version 23). The results are presented in prose and also in tables. The study found that the aspects of perceptions and attitudes tested have a significant influence on the resilience of the family members who take care of their mentally ill members. It was also found that the social support these families received from both formal and informal sectors was inadequate and had a significant influence on their resilience. Interventions to alleviate the suffering of family members under this study were found to include; development of institutions where the mentally ill can be taken care of by trained staff, provision of free medical care and establishment of a scheme that supports the families financially. Based on the above findings, a model framework was developed and recommended for supporting the family members. It is recommended that continuous sensitization of the community members by the Ministry of health on mental illness be carried out to reduce stigma as well as the formation of support groups that would provide counseling and other services to those living with the mentally ill
Medical and obstetric factorsassociatedwith preterm deliveries among women of childbearing age at Pumwani maternity hospital, Nairobi County, Kenya
No full textBackground: The rate of pre-term birth (PTB) in Kenya stands at 12.3%. Preterm deliveries are associated with high neonatal mortality and have a huge financial burden on the parents and the government. Prematurity is also associated with chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension in adult life. The study objective was to determine the medical1and obstetric factors1associated1with preterm deliveries among women of childbearing age (15-49 years) at Pumwani maternity hospital (PMH).
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 191 mothers of reproductive age (15-49 years) who delivered at PMH during the study period. Data was collected using a questionnaire and a data abstraction tool. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize categorical variables. Chi-square was used to test for the strengths of associations. Prevalence adjusted odds ratios (PAOR) were used to estimate the strengths of associations.
Results: The study found that the association between past pregnancy (p=1.0), history of surgery (p=1.0), medication (p=1.0), urinary tract infection (p=0.453), miscarriage (p=1.0) and chronic disease (p=0.395) and preterm delivery among women of child bearing age (15-49 years) at PMH was not statistically significant. The association between premature delivery (p=0.021), parity (p=0.000), premature rapture of membranes (PROM) (p=0.000), antepartum hemorrhage (APH) (p=0.045), cervical incompetence (p=0.001), pre-eclampsia toxemia (PET) (p=0.000), and placenta abruption complications (p=0.009) and preterm delivery was statistically significant.
Conclusions: The association between premature delivery, parity, PROM, APH, cervical incompetence, PET and placenta abruption complications and preterm delivery was statistically significant