Journals and Articles

Association Between Khat (Catha edulis) Chewing and Infection with Helicobacter pylori: A Case Control Study in Nairobi County

2026-03-12T11:59:37Z

Association Between Khat (Catha edulis) Chewing and Infection with Helicobacter pylori: A Case Control Study in Nairobi County MOHAMED ABDI HASSAN; K Mohamed, N Zipporah, L Hudson Background: Khat (Catha edulis) is a psycho-stimulant substance grown and widely chewed in East Africa. The use of Khat leads to a number of health complications however its adverse effects and prevalence are not well studied. Objective: To compare the prevalence of Khat chewing among H. Pylori infected cases and controls. Design: Individual matched case control study Setting: KEMRI’s Centre for Clinical Research (CCR) and St. Michael’s Digestive Disease and Medical Care. Subjects: Ninety three cases were selected using Rome III criteria for functional dyspepsia, and the controls (n=93) were matched on age and gender. Results: Khat Chewing was associated with infection with H. Pylori. Of the 93 cases, 58.1% were H. Pylori positive with a majority being Khat chewers 67.2% (41/61) and 32.8% (20/61) non-Khat chewers; the two groups were significantly different (p-value=0.007). Functional dyspepsia was associated with H. Pylori. Therefore, participants with functional dyspepsia were twice more likely of being diagnosed with H. Pylori (OR 2.1, 95% CI: 1.2,3.9). Conclusion: The prevalence of H. Pylori infection was found to be higher among khat chewers, indicating that Khat chewing could be a predisposing factor to H. Pylori infection and to gastrointestinal disorders. Community-based awareness creation about the adverse effect of Khat use is thus recommended.

The Influence of Household Socio-Economic Characteristics and Awareness on Aflatoxin Contamination of Maize in Makueni County, Kenya

2026-03-12T11:55:08Z

The Influence of Household Socio-Economic Characteristics and Awareness on Aflatoxin Contamination of Maize in Makueni County, Kenya JAMES MWASHEMBE MALUSHA Background: Aflatoxicosis resulting from consumption of contaminated maize poses a significant public health problem in many countries including Kenya, and many people living in developing countries could be chronically exposed to aflatoxin through their diet. It is caused by Aflatoxins produced by fungus of species Aspergillusparasiticus and Aspergillus flavus found mainly in cereals and other foodstuffs. Objective: To determine socio-economic and aflatoxin awareness factors associated with aflatoxin contamination in household maize in Makueni County, Kenya. Design: A comparative descriptive analytical study. Setting: Kibwezi and Kilome sub-counties of Makueni County, Kenya. Subjects: Four hundred and fifty household heads or their representatives with maize in their household stores, comprising 225 from each study site. Results: Majority of the households’ main source of income was farming and most of them were poor, but level of awareness on aflatoxin was very high. The results further showed significant associations of some socio-economic characteristics and awareness with aflatoxin contamination of maize. Gender of household head was significantly associated with proper maize storage. Age of respondent was found to be significantly associated with knowledge/awareness of aflatoxin and knowledge on signs of suspected aflatoxin contaminated maize. There was significant association between age of respondent and perception on whether altitude/climate affected aflatoxin contamination, level of education and knowledge/awareness of aflatoxin. Level of education was significantly associated with Knowledge on identification of contaminated maize as well as on Knowledge on signs of aflatoxin. Besides, level of education was significantly associated with proper ventilation, discoloration of maize, and maize in storage affected by pests/insects, and cleaning of maize prior to storage. There was also significant association between occupation of respondent and proper maize storage. Income of house hold head was significantly associated with knowledge/awareness on aflatoxin. Knowledge/awareness of aflatoxin problem was also significantly associated with placing of material underneath of maize during drying, cleaning of maize prior to storage, moldy condition of maize, aflatoxin content in maize and proper maize storage. Conclusion: These study findings imply that efforts to control and prevent aflatoxin contamination of maize should take into consideration socio-economic characteristics as well as aflatoxin awareness. Thus reducing poverty levels by raising income, education levels and awareness of the community will most likely have a profound impact on control of aflatoxin. There is need, therefore, for policy makers and stakeholders to promote household positive socio-economic factors and aflatoxin awareness in households. This can greatly contribute to reduction of aflatoxin contamination in maize.

Predictors of maternal mortality among women of reproductive age seeking health care services at Kisii Level 5 Hospital

2026-03-11T09:33:41Z

Predictors of maternal mortality among women of reproductive age seeking health care services at Kisii Level 5 Hospital ALFRED A. OSORO; Z Ng’ang’a, M Mutugi, P Wanzala Background: The safe motherhood initiative was launched in 1987 as a flagship to set a base to reduce maternal mortality. Despite efforts by government and international agencies, Kenya has continued to experience a rise in maternal mortality. Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the antecedents’ factors which have contributed to maternal deaths in Kisii County, Kenya. Methodology: A retrospective review of 72 maternal deaths which occurred between 1st January 2009 and 30th June 2010 was undertaken by an independent obstetrician. Interviews were conducted with relatives of the deceased women using a confidential questionnaire for female death based on distant as well as proximate factors that may have contributed to maternal death. Health care workers were also interviewed to assess the ability and readiness of the hospital to offer emergency obstetric care. Results: Among the 72 maternal deaths recorded during the study period 42 (58.3%) were as a result of direct obstetric complications which included haemorrhage, post-partum sepsis, pre-eclampsia and abortion. Thirty-three (45.8%) were as a result of indirect causes such as peritonitis, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, anaemia and convulsive disorders. Access to care was hampered by lack of money for transport and hospital user fees. Transport was also unavailable in some cases where money was not the problem. Besides, long distance to the hospital caused delay to seek care. But even for those who were prompt at the hospital also experienced delayed care as health service providers were unavailable as they were attending to other cases. Delay in service provision by healthcare workers, delayed quality obstetric emergency response and delayed care while at the hospital continue to be a challenge to maternal care. Conclusion: Maternal mortality continues as a result of failure of the health system, lack of access to quality care, poor health infrastructure, women empowerment and socio-economic issues.

Nutrition Status and Associated Morbidity Risk Factors among Orphanage and Non-Orphanage Children in Selected Public Primary Schools within Dagoretti, Nairobi, Kenya

2026-03-11T09:30:59Z

Nutrition Status and Associated Morbidity Risk Factors among Orphanage and Non-Orphanage Children in Selected Public Primary Schools within Dagoretti, Nairobi, Kenya ELIZABETH WANJIRU MWANIKI; AN Mokokha, JN Muttunga Background: Most of the nutritional surveys that have been carried out in Kenya have concentrated on children aged five years and below who are under the care of their parent(s). The HIV/AIDS, conflict, natural disasters, endemic diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis and rising poverty has claimed the health and lives of millions of productive adults, leaving their children orphaned and vulnerable. This has led to mushrooming of orphanages to take care of these orphans and vulnerable children in Kenya. Objective: Compare the nutrition status and associated risk factors of primary school children living in orphanages and those not living in orphanages in selected public primary schools in Dagoretti Division, Nairobi. Design: Descriptive cross sectional survey. Setting: Four public primary schools in Dagoretti Division. Data were collected from school registers and directly questioning the students, parents /guardians or caretakers. Subjects: Four hundred and sixteen, four to eleven year olds randomly selected orphanage and non-orphanage children who attended the same primary school. Results: The orphanage children had a significantly higher rate of stunting and underweight (p< 0.05) than the non-orphanage children. The orphanage children had also a significantly higher rate of morbidity (p<0.05) than the non-orphanage children. The orphanage children were more than three times more likely to take inadequate calories compared to the non-orphanage children. Conclusions: The main factors associated with the higher rate of malnutrition among orphanage children were high morbidity rate, inadequate amounts and diversity of foods served, low rates of vaccination and basic hygiene.