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PubMed2005

HIV type 1 subtypes in circulation in northern Kenya.

The genetic subtypes of HIV-1 circulating in northern Kenya have not been characterized. Here we report the partial sequencing and analysis of samples collected in the years 2003 and 2004 from 72 HIV-1-positive patients in northern Kenya, which borders Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan. From the analysis of partial env sequences, it was determined that 50% were subtype A, 39% subtype C, and 11% subtype D. This shows that in the northern border region of Kenya subtypes A and C are the dominant HIV-1 subtypes in circulation. Ethiopia is dominated mainly by HIV-1 subtype C, which incidentally is the dominant subtype in the town of Moyale, which borders Ethiopia. These results show that cross-border movements play an important role in the circulation of subtypes in Northern Kenya.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Estimated mineral intakes of toddlers: predicted prevalence of inadequacy in village populations in Egypt, Kenya, and Mexico.

Intakes of minerals and factors that might affect their bioavailability were estimated for 255 toddlers aged 18-30 mo living in villages in Egypt, Kenya, and Mexico. Mean intakes over 1 y were compared with international-requirement estimates by using a probability approach. The prevalence of iron intakes likely to be inadequate to prevent anemia was estimated as 35% in Egypt, 13% in Kenya, and 43% in Mexico. The prevalence of zinc intakes likely to be inadequate to meet basal requirements was estimated as 57% and 25% in Kenya and Mexico, respectively, but only 10% in Egypt, where the use of yeast-leavened breads was judged to have improved zinc availability. There was no suggestion that estimated copper or magnesium intakes were inadequate, but calcium intakes in Kenya and Egypt were well below recommended amounts. Studies of factors affecting mineral bioavailability in the diets of these countries' populations could suggest dietary changes that might improve effective mineral intake with minimal cost.

Calcium, Dietary↗

PubMed2002

Forty-one near full-length HIV-1 sequences from Kenya reveal an epidemic of subtype A and A-containing recombinants.

OBJECTIVE: To further define the genetic diversity of HIV-1 in Kenya using approaches that clearly distinguish subtypes from inter-subtype recombinants. DESIGN: Near full genome sequencing and analysis were used, including sensitive new tools for detection and mapping of recombinants. METHODS: Purified peripheral blood mononuclear cell DNA from 41 HIV-1 positive blood donations collected from six hospitals across southern Kenya was used to amplify near full-length genomes by nested PCR. These were sequenced on an ABI 3100 automated sequencer and analyzed phylogenetically. RESULTS: Among 41 near full-length genomes, 25 were non-recombinant (61%) and 16 were recombinant (39%). Of the 25 pure subtypes, 23 were subtype A, one was subtype C and one was subtype D. Most recombinants consisted of subtype A and either subtype C or subtype D; a few contained A2, a recently identified sub-subtype. Two A2/D recombinants had identical breakpoints and may represent a circulating recombinant form. A third A2/D recombinant had the same structure as a previously described Korean isolate, and these may constitute a second A2-containing circulating recombinant form. CONCLUSIONS: In Kenya, 93% of HIV-1 genomes were subtype A or A-containing recombinant strains. Almost 40% of all strains were recombinant. Vaccine candidates tested in Kenya should be based on subtype A strains, but the methods used for evaluation of breakthrough infections during future vaccine trials should be capable of identifying non-A subtypes, the A2 sub-subtype, and recombinants.

Disease Outbreaks↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The Measles Initiative to control measles in Kenya.

PURPOSE: To describe the epidemiology of measles in Kenya and evaluate the Measles Initiative's (MI's) mass immunization campaign and its impact on measles control in Kenya. METHODS: This descriptive study focused on evaluating the MI's simultaneous mass campaigns in the provinces of Kenya, the implementation process of the campaign strategy, post-campaign impact data, and pre-campaign measles trends. Secondary data were obtained from the Kenya Ministry of Health and MI documentation involving vaccine coverage, and morbidity and mortality rates. Analysis focused on program achievement with a comparison of immunization coverage results and program goals. OUTCOMES: Campaign goals of vaccination coverage were successfully achieved, and subsequent surveillance data indicate significant decreases in measles morbidity and mortality. Barriers to participation, sociocultural factors, and environmental demographics were identified and addressed. IMPLICATIONS: The success of the MI immunization program was the result of the commitment of expert international public health agencies in partnership with the Kenyan government. The strategies used for this successful public health activity can be applied to improve vaccination programs in other countries.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Isolation of Mycobacterium avium complex from water in the United States, Finland, Zaire, and Kenya.

Disseminated infection with organisms of the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is a common complication of AIDS in the United States and other developing countries, but it is rare or absent in sub-Saharan Africa. To assess the comparative likelihood of exposure to MAC in these geographic areas, we used a standard protocol to culture 91 water samples from environmental sites and piped water supply systems in the United States, Finland, Zaire, and Kenya. MAC was isolated from all geographic areas and from 22 of 91 (24%) samples. Isolation rates were 13 of 47 (28%) for environmental samples and 9 of 44 (20%) for water supply samples. Overall isolation rates were 18 of 52 (35%) samples in the United States and Finland, whereas they were 4 of 39 (10%) samples in Zaire and Kenya (P = 0.015). MAC isolation rates from water supply systems were 8 of 25 (32%) samples in the United States and Finland and 1 of 19 (5%) samples in Zaire and Kenya (P = 0.056). MAC was isolated from hospital water in the United States and Finland but not in hospital water in Zaire and Kenya. Serovar determinations showed that six of eight isolates from the United States were serovar 4 or 8. One MAC isolate from Zaire was identified as an "X" mycobacterium. These data suggest that exposure to MAC in water is likely in diverse areas of the world, but that the likelihood of human exposure to the organism in water may be slightly less in sub-Saharan Africa than in developed countries in the Northern Hemisphere.

AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections↗

PubMed1998

Prevalence of human calicivirus infections in Kenya as determined by enzyme immunoassays for three genogroups of the virus.

An epidemiological survey on human calicivirus (HuCV) infections and associated gastroenteritis in infants was conducted to clarify the prevalence of HuCV infections in infants and adults in Kenya. Enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for three genogroups of HuCVs, Norwalk virus (NV), Mexico virus (MXV), and Sapporo virus (SV), were used to detect antigen or antibody. We tested 1,431 stool samples obtained from children younger than 6 years old with acute gastroenteritis who visited outpatient clinics in three districts in Kenya from August 1991 to July 1994. Thirty-two (2.2%) of these stool samples were positive for SV antigen. Only one (0.1%) of 1,186 samples was positive for NV antigen and none of 246 samples was positive for MXV antigen. One hundred ninety-three serum samples were tested for antibodies to NV and MXV, and 64 of them were examined for antibody to SV. The pattern of the age-related prevalence of serum antibody to NV was different from that of antibodies to MXV and SV. The acquisition of serum antibodies to HuCVs in the three genogroups appeared in early childhood, at about 1 to 2 years of age. The prevalence of serum antibody to NV was low (about 60%) throughout adulthood compared with a high prevalence of antibody (approximately 80 to 90%) to MXV and SV. These data indicate that infections with viruses in the three genogroups of HuCVs are common in Kenya, and immunological responses to NV may be different from those to MXV and SV. The EIAs for the detection of NV and MXV antigens appear to be quite specific for prototype NV and MXV strains, respectively, so that they can detect only a few strains of HuCVs related to them. Alternatively, NV and MXV caused less severe infections that did not bring children to the outpatient clinics for gastroenteritis in Kenya.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

The changing pattern of imported malaria in British visitors to Kenya 1987-1990.

Following a sudden increase of imported malaria from Kenya in December 1989-January 1990, an investigation was set up to identify risk factors for travellers' malaria. A questionnaire asking for details of travel patterns and compliance with prophylaxis was sent to cases reported over the 6-month Kenyan winter period. Quarterly malaria attack rates between January 1987 and June 1991 were calculated and linked to meteorological conditions in Mombasa. The number of travellers to Kenya has doubled in the 4 years studied and the quarterly rates varied 4-fold over this period. There was no clear seasonal pattern of malaria in travellers, nor was there any clear relation of malaria to coastal rainfall. Compliance with chemoprophylaxis was poor, with only 16% of cases using currently advised regimens. While the annual malaria attack rate per 10,000 travellers decreased by 37% over the study period, the total numbers of malaria cases imported from Kenya rose by 61%, reflecting the increase in the numbers of travellers to the region. As the popularity of East Africa as a tourist destination continues to increase, Kenya will remain an important and significant source of malaria imported into the UK.

Adult↗

PubMed1987

A prevalence study of HIV antibodies in rural Kenya.

In order to describe the prevalence of HIV antibodies and AIDS in West Kenya, serological tests, including ELISA, and in some cases immunoblotting, were performed on whole blood collected on filter paper from 603 Kenyans. Serum samples from 55 of these persons underwent the same examinations, and 45 were further examined by immunofluorescence and a commercial ELISA. The majority of the Kenyans examined were residents of a province in West Kenya, while the others were students from other parts of Kenya, predominantly rural areas. Male/female ratio was 62/38. Median age was 18 years (range 0-70). Five Danes with previously demonstrated HIV antibodies, and 10 Danish controls were examined for HIV antibodies in filter paper whole blood, and in serum by ELISA and immunoblotting. The tests carried out on the filter paper blood were found to be reliable. Only one of the examined Kenyans had antibodies to HIV by both ELISA and immunoblotting, representing a prevalence of 0.17% (95% confidence limits: 0.00-0.93%). This low prevalence is not in accord with results previously presented from rural districts in Kenya.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed2001

Lymphatic filariasis in kenya since 1910, and the prospects for its elimination: a review.

OBJECTIVES: To provide an overview of lymphatic filiariasis in Kenya from the first time its prevalence was reported to the present day, with suggestions of issues that are yet to be resolved and to present the prospects for its elimination. DATA SOURCES: Published and unpublished reports on filariasis studies in Kenya. STUDY SELECTION: Field-based epidemiological studies covering aspects of clinical, parasitology, entomology, social, economic, diagnosis and control of filariasis. DATA EXTRACTION: Review of published articles in scientific journals and communications, retrieval and review of published scientific articles from the Internet and personal communications. DATA SYNTHESIS: Re-organisation and pooling retrieved published data. CONCLUSIONS: Almost one century after the first documented report of lymphatic filariasis in Kenya, no National Control Programme has been instituted. However, important findings that have implications on its control have been made and they should be utilised to implement a National Control Programme. On implementation of the National Control Programme, research should be focussed on the remaining unresolved issues and conducted within the framework of the Programme. The World Health Organisation has targeted lymphatic filariasis for global elimination by the year 2020. Kenya is well positioned to formulate her National Plan for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (NPELF) and join other endemic countries worldwide, which have already launched their plans, in the global efforts to eliminate lymphatic filariasis as a public health problem.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

PubMed2001

The growing threat of arbovirus transmission and outbreaks in Kenya: a review.

OBJECTIVE: To review the trend in arbovirus outbreaks and activity in Kenya in the last ten years. DATA SOURCE: Published reports of past outbreak investigations and more recent data available at the Arbovirology and Viral haemorrhagic fevers reference centre, Centre for Virus Research, Nairobi. STUDY SELECTION: Past and recent outbreaks and active transmission reports of arboviruses of medical importance in Kenya including Yellow fever (YF), Rift Valley Fever (RVF), Dengue and Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever. SYNTHESIS: Each of the viruses was reviewed providing critical information on classification, incidence, outbreak, and activity in Kenya, mode of transmission, recognition of cases, management and control. CONCLUSION: There is increased frequency of outbreaks and detection of arbovirus activity in humans and vectors in the last ten years including re-emergence of YF virus as a public health concern in Kenya. The importance of recognition of cases and diagnosis (especially in malaria endemic areas) is critical to management and control. Effective countrywide surveillance backed by diagnostic centres is highly recommended.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Human group C rotaviruses identified in Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Rotavirus is associated with acute infantile gastro-enteritis in infants and young children worldwide. Rotavirus is associated with the high cases of morbidity and mortality and it is estimated that up to 650,000 deaths in young children occur annually in the less developed countries. Approximately a quarter of these deaths occur in African children yet minimal data exist on the circulating rotavirus strains in Africa. OBJECTIVE: To characterise the circulating rotavirus strains in Kenya. DESIGN: A prospective study to investigate rotavirus infection in infants and young children with acute diarrhoea in different areas of Kenya. Between September 2001 and February 2002, 119 faecal specimens were collected from children aged between 1 and 60 months with acute infantile gastro-enteritis. SETTING: Faecal samples were collected from clinics around Nairobi and its suburbs including Karen, Ngong, Ongata Rongai. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Faecal samples were collected from 119 infants and young children with diarrhoea and were analysed by commercial ELISA and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) to identify possible non-group A rotaviruses. Extraction of any potential rotavirus double-stranded RNA from faeces and characterisation by SDS-PAGE showed the presence of human group C rotaviruses. RESULTS: Examination of these samples with a commercial ELISA assay for the presence of group A rotavirus antigen showed that 13 specimens (11%) were positive. An analysis of all stool specimens was performed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to identify possible non-group A rotaviruses. Extraction of any potential rotavirus double-stranded RNA from faeces and characterisation by SDS-PAGE showed the presence of human group C rotaviruses. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of group C rotaviruses in Kenya. Further studies are underway to continue the surveillance of rotavirus strains in Kenya; as this information will be useful in planning rotavirus vaccine trials in Africa.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed2005

Psychiatric morbidity among leprosy patients in Teso and Busia districts of Western Kenya.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the magnitude of psychiatric disorders among leprosy patients in western Kenya. DESIGN: A cross-sectional descriptive study. SETTING: Busia and Teso districts in western Kenya. SUBJECTS: A sample of 152 male and female, adult leprosy patients. RESULTS: The prevalence of psychiatric morbidity (PM) was 53.29%. The PM was positively correlated with physical disability and marital status but not with age, sex, education, type of leprosy, or duration of the illness. The prevalence of psychiatric morbidity was lower among Kenyan leprosy patients compared to studies carried out in India (56% to 78%). It was high compared to the rate of psychiatric morbidity in those seeking medical help in primary health care centres in Kenya, which was recently estimated to be 10%. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of PM in leprosy patients in western Kenya was lower than that in studies carried out in India. This could be attributed to de-institutionalisation and re-integration of leprosy sufferers back into their local communities. Since the rate was more than double that in the general Kenyan population and seemed to be related to presence of physical disability, an appraisal of psychiatric services offered to these patients is needed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Post traumatic stress disorder among Mau Mau concentration camp survivors in Kenya.

BACKGROUND: A decade before Kenya's independence in 1963 thousands of 'Mau Mau' fighters were arrested and incarcerated in concentration camps where many underwent torture and inhuman treatment. No studies have been done to establish the presence of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychiatric morbidity among the survivors of those concentration camps. OBJECTIVES: To establish the prevalence of PTSD and other psychiatric morbidity and associated factors among the Mau Mau Concentration Camp survivors. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, descriptive study of all consecutive concentration camp survivors included in the study. SETTING: Mau Mau War Veterans' Association (MMWVA) headquarters at Mwea House, Nairobi, Kenya Human Rights Commission headquarters in Nairobi, Tumaini House (Venue of MMWVA elections, 2005) and the MMWVA branch office in Kajiado District, Rift Valley Province, Kenya. SUBJECTS: One hundred and eighty one Mau Mau Concentration Camp Survivors who gave consent to participate in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Lifetime and Current PTSD, IES-R score and other Psychiatric Morbidity as measured using the SCID and the IES-R. RESULTS: A DSM-IV-TR diagnosis of current PTSD was made in 65.7% of the survivors. Current PTSD was associated with higher IES-R scores and older age, lower income, non-Catholic religion, larger household size, older age at incarceration, greater length of incarceration, incarceration in two or more camps, experiencing other traumatic events, family history of mental illness and having other psychiatric illness. CONCLUSIONS: Similar to other former Prisoners of War (POWs) elsewhere, these survivors suffer high PTSD prevalence rates and a special veterans' service is recommended to address this problem and its associated factors among these and other veterans in Kenya.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

PVO / NGO initiatives, Africa. Women Fighting AIDS in Kenya (WOFAK).

Women Fighting AIDS in Kenya (WOFAK) was founded in order to improve the effectiveness of existing AIDS services delivered to women in Kenya. Founded by both seropositive and seronegative women, WOFAK is unique in that it is the only AIDS support organization (ASO) in Kenya run by and for women. WOFAK contributes to the empowerment of HIV positive women and girls by assisting them in gaining control over their own health and serostatus, to live positively with the infection, and to protect their families and communities from becoming infected. WOFAK founders feel that existing ASOs address women's issues as only a small part of their programs and that most existing programs aimed at women focus on commercial sex workers. Whenever possible, WOFAK provides psychological and material support for women affected by HIV/AIDS. They conduct training in home-based care techniques and visit hospitalized members to offer counseling and support. WOFAK conducts HIV/AIDS education and outreach in schools, churches, commercial centers, and rural areas. All activities center around a network of positive women from all parts of society responding to the community and advocating for stronger responses by the government and other agencies providing HIV/AIDS prevention and care services. They stress the basic human rights of HIV positive women such as their right to marriage and reproduction, proper medical care, housing, and jobs. For more information, please contact Dorothy Odhiambo, WOFAK, PO Box 58428, Nairobi, Kenya; tel: +1 254 2 217039; fax: +1 254 2 243164.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed2001

Behavioural effects of infant and child mortality on fertility in Kenya.

This paper analyses the behavioural effects of infant and child mortality on birth intervals in Kenya. Analysing the behavioural effects of infant and child mortality on fertility independent of its biological effects has been considered a difficult task. In this paper, a procedure for analysing these effects separately is developed and applied to the 1989 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) data. The results of the analysis suggests that women in Kenya adopt various strategies such as curtailing the duration of breastfeeding, increasing frequency of coitus, and to a lesser extent use of contraception in order to replace infant or children who have died or to insure against those who are likely to die. These findings suggest the existence of behavioural effects of infant and child mortality on fertility in Kenya.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Maternal and congenital syphilis programmes: case studies in Bolivia, Kenya and South Africa.

Preventing congenital syphilis is not technically difficult, however operational difficulties limit the effectiveness of programmes in many settings. This paper reports on programmes in Bolivia, Kenya, and South Africa. All three countries have established antenatal syphilis control programmes. Early antenatal syphilis screening and management of positive cases were difficult to implement since most women presented for their first antenatal clinic visit after 6 months of pregnancy. Most women had rapid plasma reagin (RPR) testing; results were available on the same day in some clinics but took up to 4 weeks in others. No clinic had a system for tracking RPR-reactive women who did not return for their results. There were no guidelines for providers in Kenya and Bolivia. In all countries, supplies, drugs, notification cards, and other consumables were often unavailable. Health-care providers were unmotivated in Kenya and reported an excessive client load. In South Africa and Kenya some clients reported at their exit interview that they had never heard of syphilis nor had they been informed why blood was collected. Several prevention strategies could be implemented at the clinic level. These include encouraging women to attend for antenatal care before the fourth month of pregnancy, providing point-of-care testing so that results are available immediately and women who test positive can be treated, implementing presumptive treatment of sexual partners of women who test positive, adding a second test later in pregnancy so that incident cases can be managed, and improving the quality of syphilis care during pregnancy, delivery, and the neonatal period.

Bolivia↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The Situation Analysis Study of the family planning program in Kenya.

A new, relatively "quick and clean" operations research approach called a "situation analysis" was developed for examining the strengths and weaknesses of the family planning program of Kenya. Field research teams visited a stratified random sample of 99 of the Ministry of Health's approximately 775 service delivery points. Observation techniques and interviewing were used to collect information on program components and on the quality of care provided to new family planning clients during the observation day. As late as 1986, the Kenya program was rated "weak" and "poor" in the international literature. The Kenya Situation Analysis Study found a functioning, integrated maternal and child health/family planning program serving large numbers of clients, with an emphasis on oral contraceptives and Depo-Provera (and an underemphasis on permanent methods). Although a number of program problems were revealed by the study, overall, in terms of performance, a rating of "moderate" is suggested as more appropriate for Kenya's national family planning program today. In terms of the quality of care, a "moderate to moderate-high" rating is suggested.

Family Planning Services↗

PubMed1991

Trends and determinants of contraceptive use in Kenya.

This study uses the 1977-1978 Kenya Fertility Survey and the 1989 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey to examine trends and determinants of contraceptive use in Kenya. A substantial increase in contraceptive use occurred in Kenya over the decade. Yet although the increase was shared by all groups in the country, the amount of change differed greatly. A regression decomposition procedure revealed that shifts in population composition--that is, an increase in better educated women and in the proportion of women who want to cease childbearing--were the primary sources of aggregate change in contraceptive use.

Adolescent↗