https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/501 Fri, 15 May 2026 12:08:18 GMT 2026-05-15T12:08:18Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6173 Prevalence, Knowledge, and Occupational Risk Factors for Tuberculosis among Health Workers in Siaya County Hospitals, Kenya Wambura, Mary Juma; Onyango, Patrick; Wandiga, Steve; Onguru, Daniel TB is a known occupational hazard for healthcare workers (HCWs), especially in countries with high TB burdens. It is estimated that HCWs have a 2- to 3-fold increased risk of developing TB compared with the general population. This study sought to determine the burden of TB among healthcare workers in hospitals in Siaya County and establish their knowledge of TB, and the associated occupational risk factors Wed, 11 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6173 2024-09-11T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6133 Effect of Rainfall on Seasonality of Malaria Transmission Dynamics and Percentage Occurrence of mRDT Positives Around the Five Rural Health Facilities in Vihiga County, Kenya Ongonda, John Khamala; Ayieko, Cyrus; Miheso, Stephen; Munde, Elly The negative impact and concern of malaria is felt world over with 247 million cases reported in 2021. The cases were reported in 84 malaria endemic countries with high number of casualties experienced in Africa. Normally, malaria infection is influenced by climatic factors while its treatment and resilience to drugs is controlled by health interventions measures both at the hospital level and in the community. Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Tests (mRDTs) are recommended by WHO for malaria testing and are expansively used in rural set-ups. However, their success in performance is controlled by many factors. This study aimed at correlating the effect of rainfall patterns to malaria positive case as tested by mRDT in Vihiga County, Kenya. Methodology: This study focused on the participation of 500 patients from a population of 18201 patients within a two (2) Kilometre radius of the five rural health facilities in Vihiga County. Facilities had poor infrastructure in terms of malaria testing and mostly relied on mRDT for malaria testing and surveillance. Data was collected from the five health facilities at the end of every month for a period of twelve months. The rain gauge reading was also collected daily by Vihiga metrological department from which the average monthly rainfall was computed. This was run from April 2022 and March 2023. Care start TM Rapid Diagnostic Tests were used to detect HRP2/3 proteins/antigens which are specifically responsive to Plasmodium falciparum antibodies. Results and Data Analysis: Average rainfall for the period between April 2022 and March 2023 was 185mm; the average percentage prevalence of malaria during the same period in this region was 21.3%. This region experienced one peak of rainfall recorded at 360mm in the month of September; 2022.The month of April recorded the highest malaria prevalence of 38.4% with an average rainfall amount of 311.7mm while February recorded the lowest malaria prevalence of 7.16% with an average rainfall amount of 0.2mm. The data showed that there were more patients in the middle age category of between five (5) and eighteen (18) years. More women came to the facilities than men; hence more women were malaria positive than men. Linear regression analysis was performed which emerged that the average rainfall accounts for 28.37% variations in prevalence (R2=0.2837). The model coefficient showed that average rainfall has a positive significant effect on prevalence (β=0.0591, p Wed, 24 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6133 2024-04-24T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6132 Meta-analytic review on the impact of factors that affect performance of malaria rapid diagnostic test in Africa Ongonda, John Khamala; Ayieko, Cyrus; Miheso, Stephen Timely, accurate diagnosis and treatment has improved malaria case management. Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test (mRDT) kits are largely used in malaria diagnosis. Their performance is compromised by factors related to gene deletions, parasite density, quality of the kit, poor storage conditions and end-user inefficiencies hence diagnosis gives either positive, negative, false negative (FN) or false positive (FP) which defines consequent management strategies. This review assessed reports on prevalence of the Plasmodium falciparum histidine rich protein 2/3 (Pfhrp2/3) gene deletions in malaria infected populations in Africa and the risk of mRDT failure to identify malaria positive cases. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement was used for data collection. Literature search was done using Google and Mendel search for data published in a malaria journal, Journal of infectious diseases, scientific reports, Annals of Ibadan postgraduate medicine, and BMC journals published between 2019 and 2023. Fifty eight reports were identified were screened and tested for eligibility. Majority of studies described the consistent use of Pfhrp2/3 mRDT for malaria diagnosis in rural health facilities in Africa and nine reports met inclusion criteria for review. Five of them certified the world health organization’s sample criteria of ‘more than 350 sample’ to estimate the prevalence of Pfhrp2/3 gene deletions leading to declaration of false negative results of which one study posted FN outcome resulting from these deletions. Four out of nine studies did not meet this WHO criterion. This review affirmed presence of Pfhrp2/3 gene deletions challenges in Africa though other countries recorded the converse. Data was pooled using random effect models with Odds ratio and 95% confidence limit. The prevalence of the gene deletions was heterogeneous, ranging from 0% to 78.1%. The review found that an average prevalence of Pfhrp2/3 deletion as 26.2%. This was above the WHO standard recommended declaration value of 5%.; a factor that demonstrated setback to the use of mRDT in malaria endemic regions. Therefore alternative methods should be used where aspersions are cast on outcome of mRDT for it will help improve malaria treatment, tracking and management. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1436244 Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6132 2024-03-25T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6103 Phenotypic and Genotypic Methods for the Identification and Quantification of Cyanobacteria in Lake Water Onyango, David Miruka; Ramkat, Rose. C Early monitoring of Microcystis, a cyanobacterium that produces microcystin, is paramount in order to confirm the presence of Microcystis spp. Both phenotypic and genotypic methods have been used. The phenotypic methods provide the presence of the microcystis but do not confirm its species type and toxin produced. Additionally, phenotypic methods cannot differentiate toxigenic from non-toxigenic Microcystis. Therefore, the current protocol also describes genetic methods based on PCR to detect toxigenic Microcystis spp. based on microcystin synthetase E (mcy E) gene and 16-23S RNA genes for species-specific identification, which can effectively comprehend distinct lineages and discrimination of potential complexity of microcystin populations. The presence of these microcystin toxins in blood, in most cases, indicates contamination of drinking water by cyanobacteria. The methods presented herein are used to identify microcystin toxins in drinking water and blood. DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3782-1_23 Wed, 24 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6103 2024-04-24T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6025 Comparative Efficacy of Levofloxacin Versus Amoxycillin/Clavulanic Acid Combined with Azithromycin in Treatment of Community-Acquired Pneumonia Musungu, Vincent; Onguru, Daniel; Onyango, Patrick Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is an important cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Early initiation of antibiotics is highly recommended. In most CAP cases, multiple drug options are increasingly becoming available, but there is often a lack of evidence that allows for a direct comparison of the efficacy of one drug versus another. https://doi.org/10.59652/aim.v2i1.112 Wed, 06 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6025 2024-03-06T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5892 Antimicrobial Resistance in a Changing Climatic Context: An Emerging Public Health Threat in Africa Asweto, Collins Otieno; Onyango, Patrick Ogola Although there are improvements in human survival as a result of the accessibility of powerful antibiotics, this gain is approaching its limit due to the changing climate and development of resistance to therapeutic agents for the treatment of microbial infections. The fact that a high prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) significantly decreases the ability to treat infections effectively, increasing complications, hospitalizations, and unnecessary costs to healthcare is even more obvious. African nations are the hardest affected, since they have less access to new antibiotics, are under more financial strain, and are unable to pay for second-line antibiotics. Additionally, the inadequate health systems in the majority of African nations raise the risk of an increase in AMR and its effects. Action is therefore needed at all levels to stem the flow of an oncoming climate catastrophe. Antimicrobial resistance has no negative effects on a microbial fitness, making it crucial to stop it from occurring as a result of climate change. This chapter sought to provide evidence base for our understanding of AMR and climate change by taking a public health-focused approach. Additionally, it shed light on the aspects of climate change on the spread and proliferation of antibiotic resistance in Africa. The article can be accessed in full via:https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-41268-4_10 Tue, 31 Oct 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5892 2023-10-31T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5891 The cost of beauty: Perspectives of salon workers in Kisumu City, Kenya Onyango, Patrick Ogola Despite occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in cosmetics and personal care products (PCPs), salon workers receive minimal formal protections. Consequently, most salon workers rely on personal safeguards. However, the nature of such individual-level safeguards remains unknown. Knowledge of risks associated with occupational use of cosmetics and PCPs and information needs of salon workers were investigated in Kisumu City, Kenya. Responses from 302 respondents showed that 84% were women and 30% had post-secondary education. Seventy percent reported knowing that ingestion, inhalation, dermal absorption, and injection are the pathways through which harmful products in cosmetics and PCPs may enter the body. Salon workers who had been employed for more than 5 years were at least twice more likely to report that it is not the case that cosmetics and PCPs only cause harm to children (5–10 years vs 1 year: OR = 2.440, 95% CI, 1.160–5.239; >10 years vs 1 year: OR = 8.857, 95% CI, 3.163–29.377); they were about three times more likely to either agree with the statement that cosmetics and PCPs only cause harm under prolonged exposure or to say that they did not know compared to their counterparts who had worked in the industry for 1 year (5–10 years vs 1 year: OR = 2.750, 95% CI, 1.144–7.179; >10 years vs 1 year: 3.179, 95% CI, 1.173–9.096). Over 50% of the respondents reported that they need information on how to protect themselves and others; on available protective measures; and on cosmetic products and PCPs that are safe. Sixty percent reported that they would prefer to get such information from the Ministry of Health at the county or national level and on product inserts. Overall, salon workers in Kisumu City are knowledgeable about the risks associated with their occupation but also appreciate gaps in their knowledge, which can be filled by government-mandated interventions. Mon, 06 Nov 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5891 2023-11-06T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5725 Agricultural pesticides do not suppress infection of Biomphalaria (Gastropoda) by Schistosoma mansoni (Trematoda) Akbar A. Ganatra, Jeremias M. Becker, Naeem Shahid, Salim Kaneno, Henner Hollert, Matthias Liess, Eric L. Agola, Francis McOdimba, Ulrike Fillinger Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by trematodes of the genus Schistosoma. The pathogen is transmitted via freshwater snails. These snails indirectly benefit from agricultural pesticides which affect their enemy species. Pesticide exposure of surface waters may thus increase the risk of schistosomiasis transmission unless it also affects the pathogen. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.02.13.528426 Wed, 15 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5725 2023-02-15T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5702 Enviromental Risk Factors Associated with Primary Liver Cancer in Western Kenya: A Mini-review Evaline Chemutai , David M. Onyango a , Cyrus Ayieko a and Roselida A. Owour Primary Liver Cancer (PLC) is a global health burden, which is poorly addressed in developing countries. It is ranked the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with high incidence rates reported in Asia and Africa. Currently, in Kenya, there is an upward trend of PLC cases reported with no confirmed causes. Furthermore, there is lack of sufficient knowledge on the prognosis mechanisms of PLC, despite some of its known risk factors being established. These additional factors, ranging from lifestyle choices to pre-existing environmental concomitants, could actually play role on the etiology of the disease yet remain unexplored. Due to this, there was a need on evaluating the impacts of exposure to environmental risk factors such as pesticides, food contaminated with aflatoxin, or harmful cyanobacteria algae blooms in regions where PLC is endemic. As a result, this mini-review, aimed at analyzing relevant epidemiological data on primary liver cancer underpinning the mechanism of action of environmental toxin as an emergent risk factor in Western Kenya. This was achieved through meta-synthesis analysis of the previous research findings, with the purpose of integrating their results to inform the present intrinsic case study. Among the many epidemiological studies associating PLC and environmental toxin as an emergent risk factor reviewed in the current study, environmental exposure to microcystin toxin was inferred to constitute a public health hazard due to the continued presence in drinking water sources. Majority of the epidemiological data are in support of the potential association between environmental microcystin toxins and Primary Liver cancer in developing countries. These findings can be used to edify the health and medical professionals at all levels of prevention, including the diagnosis and treatment of liver disease patients, also these findings can act as baseline data that is required for better and informed Lake management water quality. https://doi.org/10.9734/jamb/2021/v21i1230418 Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5702 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5608 Malaria diagnosis in rural healthcare facilities and treatment-seeking behavior in malaria endemic settings in western Kenya Collince J. Omondi, David Odongo , Wilfred O. Otambo, Kevin O. Ochwedo, Antony Otieno , Ming-Chieh Lee, James W. Kazura, Andrew K. Githeko, Guiyun Yan Accurate diagnosis and timely treatment are central requirements for effective malaria management in communities. However, in resource-constrained settings, healthcare facilities are likely to be few, inaccessible, and ill-equipped with frequent drug or rapid diagnostic test kit (RDT) shortages. This may jeopardize much-needed quality care for patients and may have an impact on treatment-seeking behavior among the local population. The study’s goal is to determine treatment-seeking behavior, malaria diagnosis and treatment, and likely treatment-seeking determinants in the local population. Passive case detection, which targeted all patients with suspected malaria cases, was conducted in ten public healthcare facilities over a three-month period. Monthly malaria cases, methods of diagnosis and antimalarial drug availability were for use under a CC0 license. This article is a US Government work. It is not subject to copyright under 17 USC 105 and is also made available (which was not certified by peer review) is the author/funder, who has granted medRxiv a license to display the preprint in perpetuity. medRxiv preprint doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.01.05.23284237; this version posted January 6, 2023. The copyright holder for this preprint . assessed. A household-based survey was also carried out. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data from household heads. Malaria knowledge, treatment seeking behavior, and predictors of malaria treatment-seeking were all determined. Three of the seven dispensaries lacked a laboratory to conduct microscopy-based diagnosis. These three dispensaries also experienced frequent RDT stock-outs, which resulted in a clinical diagnosis of malaria. The majority of local residents with fever (50.3%) purchased antimalarial drugs from a chemist. About 37% of fever patients sought treatment at healthcare facility while the remaining 12.7% did nothing. In irrigated areas, 45.5% (46/64) of fever patients sought treatment at healthcare facilities, compared to 25% (18/64) in non-irrigated areas (p = 0.009). Most children aged below 5 who had fever (77.7%) were taken to healthcare facility for treatment compared to 31.4% of older children or 20.9% of adults (0.0001). Predictors of treatment seeking included access to healthcare facility (OR = 16.23, 95% CI: 2.74-96.12), and ability to pay hospital bill (OR = 10.6, 95% CI: 1.97- 57). Other factors that influenced health-seeking behavior included the severity of symptoms, the age of the fever patient and knowledge of malaria symptoms. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/5608 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z