School of Public Health, Biomedical Sciences and Technology

Utilization of Family Mid upper Arm Circumference Tape for Early Detection of Child Malnutrition in Nomadic Communities - Turkana South, Kenya.

2026-04-15T14:19:58Z

Utilization of Family Mid upper Arm Circumference Tape for Early Detection of Child Malnutrition in Nomadic Communities - Turkana South, Kenya. EKAI, ESEKON BENEDICTO Malnutrition remains a major public health concern in Turkana South Sub-County, Kenya, where children from nomadic pastoralist communities often present at health facilities with advanced stages of undernutrition. The Family-led Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (F-MUAC) screening approach is promoted as a community-based strategy for early detection and referral of malnutrition cases. However, evidence on its uptake and utilization in this context has been limited. This study assessed the utilization, coverage and key determinants of F-MUAC use among caregivers in Turkana South. A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was employed, involving quantitative data from 244 caregivers of children aged 6–59 months selected through simple random sampling and qualitative data from six focus group discussions. Quantitative tools included structured questionnaires and F-MUAC demonstrations, qualitative data explored perceptions and contextual barriers. A 100% response rate was achieved with most respondents being women (97.95%), married (92.21%) and engaged in livestock rearing (26%) or petty trade (25%). About 70.5% of caregivers reported screening their children in the two weeks prior to the survey while 29.5% had not used the tape consistently. Knowledge of malnutrition was significantly associated with F-MUAC utilization (OR = 6.05, p < 0.001). However, technical measurement errors were common, strongly linked to incorrect tape placement (OR = 203.85) and misalignment of the reading window (OR = 136.55) (p < 0.001). Mistrust in the tool due to discrepancies with facility-based readings was noted by 5.3% of respondents. Undernutrition prevalence remained high particularly among children aged 6–24 months (19.5%) compared to those aged 25–59 months (15.2%). The study shows that family led F-MUAC screening improves early detection and promotes community ownership of child health. While the approach reduces the burden on overstretched health systems and lowers screening costs, its utilization depends on the household’s ability to act on referrals. Economic empowerment is therefore crucial not only to create time for screening but also to support access to care. Linking F-MUAC with income-generating activities and broader livelihood programs can enhance its uptake and impact. Integrating F-MUAC into routine outreach, harmonizing home and facility tools and ensuring policy-level support can foster a more resilient and inclusive nutrition response in fragile, underserved areas.

STABILITY OF SELECTED BIOCHEMICAL ANALYTES IN STORED SERUM SPECIMEN AT KERICHO COUNTY REFERRAL HOSPITAL, KENYA

2026-04-15T14:14:58Z

STABILITY OF SELECTED BIOCHEMICAL ANALYTES IN STORED SERUM SPECIMEN AT KERICHO COUNTY REFERRAL HOSPITAL, KENYA Ngetich, Erick Kiprotich Accurate and reliable medical laboratory test results are essential for correct patient diagnosis and management. Pre-analytical variables, including samples storage, can adversely affect the reliability of medical laboratory results. Add-on tests, alongside unprecedented delays in testing, require that serum samples are stored in a manner that maintain their integrity and optimally preserve the various analytes. To ensure accurate results from stored samples, the determination of the stability of the analytes under various environmental conditions and storage periods is important in informing acceptable sample handling and storage. This study aimed at evaluating the stability of selected biochemical analytes in relation to storage time, exposure of light and temperatures to determine the maximum storage period at which accurate and reliable results can still be obtained at the Kericho County Hospital laboratory. Samples drawn from twenty healthy volunteering adult participants, randomly picked from the local population, were processed and analysed at baseline, then set of aliquots was made into 16 sterilized tube and stored at 2- 8℃, -20℃ and other different environmental condition, expose light and other kept in the dark, in batches marked for analysis on the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th days for aliquots refrigerated and frozen, for environmental condition was analysed at 2, 4, 8 and 24 hours. The data was coded and analysed on SPSS version 22. The statistical significance of the difference in the determined analyte concentrations in comparison to baseline levels was evaluated using student paired T-test and Wilcoxon rank test. From the findings, alkaline phosphate, creatinine, and aspartate aminotransferase were found to be stable up to 28 days in the refrigerated and frozen, with mean percentage differences less than calculated reference change value of 16.48%, 35.97% and 42.25% respectively. Sodium, total and direct bilirubin, were however unstable, as their mean percentage difference was more than the calculated reference change value of 2.16%, 0.657% and 1.14%. Urea and glucose showed stability at 2-8℃ for up to the 14th day, while potassium and chloride were only stable in refrigerated serum up to the 7th day. Freezing improved the stability of all the analytes except bilirubin, alanine aminotransferese and sodium. Chloride, creatinine, glucose, potassium, sodium, urea, alkaline phosphates, alanine aminotransferese and aspartate aminotranferese were stable up to 24 hrs when serum sample left at room temperature as their calculated reference change value were 4.54%, 35.97%, 13.14%, 10.89%, 2.16%, 32.15%, 16.48%, 42.25% and 42.52% were less than mean percentage difference respectively only total and direct bilirubin were only stable for 4hrs and 2 hrs. respectively as their mean percentage difference of 0.48 and 0 were less than calculated RCV of 0.675 and 1.14. When serum samples were exposed to light and other aliquots kept in the dark, only total and direct bilirubin were unstable with reference change value of 1.14% and 0.675% respectively. Total bilirubin was only stable for 4 hours with calculated reference change value of -0.48% which is less than reference change value when serum samples were exposed to light but kept in the dark it was stable for 8hrs. This study recommends immediate analysis of serum for sodium, bilirubin, and alanine aminotransferese , which should never be part of add-on tests, and freezing of the samples when analysis is delayed for the other analytes. The findings of this study will help policy makers to make good decisions on health sectors on which laboratory equipment to procure in terms of refrigerators and freezers.

HEPATOCELLULAR INJURY AND METABOLIC DYSREGU LATION OF SELECTED BIOMARKERS IN HIV-1-HCV CO-IN FECTED INDIVIDUALS USING HEROIN IN MOMBASA COUNTY KENYA

2026-04-15T14:12:11Z

HEPATOCELLULAR INJURY AND METABOLIC DYSREGU LATION OF SELECTED BIOMARKERS IN HIV-1-HCV CO-IN FECTED INDIVIDUALS USING HEROIN IN MOMBASA COUNTY KENYA Oriedo, Havila Lukalo Background and study aim: Hepatocellular injury and metabolic dysreg ulation are significant complications in individuals co-infected with hu man immune deficiency virus (HIV-1) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), par ticularly those who use injection heroin. However, this is less recognized. The combined effect of viral pathogenesis, drug intoxication, compro mised bone mineralization and systemic inflammation contribute to accel erated liver damage and metabolic abnormalities including osteoporosis, but effective biomarker –based tools for early detection and monitoring remain limited. The current study aimed to characterize and quantify se lected biomarkers of hepatocellular injury and metabolic dysregulation in HIV-1 and HCV co-infected injection heroin users, with the intent of de veloping a laboratory based diagnostic and monitoring algorithm for early detection and disease progression assessment. Materials and Methods: This case control retrospective study was con ducted targeting injection heroin users stratified into HIV-1 and HCV co infected, mono infected and un-infected groups. A total of 289 samples from persons aged between18 to 65 years were analyzed for liver enzymes (ALP), metabolic indicators (Lipid profile, Calcium and Vitamin D3), and virological parameters (HIV RNA, HCV RNA and CD4 count). Statistical analyses included group comparisons and correlation modeling to evaluate biomarker association with disease severity. Results: The co-infected group exhibited significantly elevated liver en zymes compared to mono infected and uninfected participants (P <0.05). Strong correlations were observed between viral load, biomarker altera tions and duration of heroin use. The combined biomarker profile demon strated potential to distinguish early and advanced hepatic and metabolic impairment. Conclusion: HIV-1 and HCV co-infection in injecting heroin persons is associated with compounded liver injury and metabolic dysregulation that can be effectively assessed through selected biomarkers. These findings support the development of a biomarker –based diagnostic and monitoring algorithm to facilitate early detection and guide targeted clinical interven tions in this high-risk population to avert a rise in mortality rate. Key words: HIV-1-HCV co-infection, Injection heroin use, Hepatocellu lar injury, metabolic dysregulation, Biomarkers, Liver function, Diagnos tic algorithm, Lipid profile.

ETHNOBOTANICAL ASSESSMENT OF HERBAL MEDICINE PRACTICES FOR CANCER TREATMENT AMONG TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONERS IN KENYA.

2026-04-15T14:06:49Z

ETHNOBOTANICAL ASSESSMENT OF HERBAL MEDICINE PRACTICES FOR CANCER TREATMENT AMONG TRADITIONAL MEDICINE PRACTITIONERS IN KENYA. OUKO, JANES OTIENO Traditional Medicine Practitioners (TMPs) play a vital role in healthcare delivery across Africa, including Kenya. They frequently use herbal remedies to address various ailments, including cancer. However, this practice raises global public health concerns due to the lack of adherence to established policies and guidelines, which poses risks to users. In low income countries like Kenya, where conventional cancer treatments are often prohibitively expensive, many patients turn to herbal remedies. This situation underscores the need for standardization and monitoring of traditional medicine practices to mitigate risks associated with contamination, improper dosage, and misdiagnosis. Additionally, there is a significant gap in the systematic documentation and scientific validation of these practices. This study aimed to explore the ethnobotanical knowledge on practices of TMPs in Kenya regarding herbal medicine for cancer treatment. The specific objectives were to: Assess the medicinal plants used by TMPs, assess the Practice TMPs' of cancer treatment in usage of herbal medicines and Determine TMPs' compliance with WHO guidelines for cancer treatment that is the WHO guidelines of guidelines for registration of traditional medicines in the who African region policy 2004-2007. A cross-sectional study design, guided by the plant use value theory, was employed. Purposive and snowballing sampling was used to get counties and TMPs respectively, 53 TMPs from five counties were selected in proportion to the county TMP populations. Data were collected through semi-structured questionnaires and observation check list, ethical approval was attained through MMUST, DPS, ISERC and NACOSTI. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS version 28, including descriptive statistics, means, standard deviations, figures, and proportions, presented through graphs and tables. The study identified 58 unique plants from 14 families of which Rutaceae family was the especial high use culturally. Roots were the most commonly used plant parts (20.6%) for cancer management. Decoctions were the primary preparation method (35%), while poultices were the least used (14.7%). Oral administration was the predominant method. TMPs most frequently treated prostate and throat cancers (20.7%), followed by breast cancer (17.2%). Most new patients (76.9%) were referred by others, with minimal use of modern advertising methods such as social media. Women sought TMP services more than men. Most practitioners (92.3%) planned to pass their knowledge to their descendants. However, compliance with WHO guidelines was low, at only 18.9%. The study highlights the extensive use of herbal remedies by TMPs in Kenya but also reveals significant issues in practice. There is minimal formal supervision and monitoring of traditional medicine practices, and most TMPs lack formal training, relying instead on inherited knowledge. Awareness and compliance to WHO guidelines are notably low.