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Research Papers
The capacity and training needs of primary health care workers in Nyeri and Nakuru counties of Kenya: a cross-sectional study
Health systems based on primary healthcare (PHC) have reduced costs and are effective for improved health outcomes. Kenya’s health system grapples with providing equitable access to essential health services, but there is increasing commitment by the government to strengthen primary healthcare. The aim of this paper is to provide a baseline assessment of the capacity and training needs of healthcare workers (HCWs) in Nakuru and Nyeri Counties and identify priorities for intervention. Read More
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Research Papers
Diagnostics for detection and surveillance of priority epidemic-prone diseases in Africa: an assessment of testing capacity and laboratory strengthening needs
In 2023, Africa faced 180 public health emergencies, with 90% linked to infectious diseases and 75% to zoonotic origins. A self-assessment survey conducted among 15 African Union Member States revealed significant disparities in diagnostic capacity for epidemic-prone diseases. While testing for diseases like COVID-19, polio, and measles has improved due to prior investments, capacity remains limited for others such as dengue and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever. Many countries are not yet utilizing multiplex testing, which could enhance diagnostic efficiency. Key challenges include limited lab
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Research Papers
Cytokine profiles, blood parasite load and clinical features of visceral leishmaniasis in West Pokot County, Kenya
A study conducted in West Pokot County, Kenya, assessed the immunological and clinical response of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients undergoing treatment with sodium stibogluconate and paromomycin (SSG-PM). Patients presented with typical VL symptoms such as splenomegaly, weight loss, pancytopenia, and anemia, and had a median blood parasite load of 2.6 × 10⁴ parasite equivalents/mL. These findings support the effectiveness of SSG-PM and highlight cytokine profiling as a potential tool for monitoring VL treatment response. Read More
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Research Papers
Community perception of epilepsy and its treatment in onchocerciasis-endemic villages of Maridi county, western equatoria state, South Sudan
To assess the community’s perception of epilepsy and its treatment in onchocerciasis-endemic villages of Maridi County, Western Equatoria State, South Sudan. The study was conducted prior to the setting up of a community-based intervention to manage the important disease burden caused by onchocerciasis-associated epilepsy in these villages. Read More>>>
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Research Papers
Water, sanitation, and intimate partner violence: Insights from Kibra Slums, Nairobi
Intimate partner violence (IPV) poses significant health and social challenges for women, particularly in slums characterised by limited access to basic amenities like water and sanitation facilities. This study aimed to investigate the association between accessibility of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities and IPV among women in Kibra, Nairobi county, Kenya. Read more >>>>
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Research Papers
Building citizen science intelligence for outbreak preparedness and response: a mixed-method study in nine countries to assess knowledge, readiness and feasibility
Citizen science (CS) is an emerging approach in public health to harness the collective intelligence of individuals to augment traditional scientific efforts. However, citizens’ viewpoint, especially the hard-to-reach population, is lacking in current outbreak-related literature. We aim to understand the awareness, readiness and feasibility of outbreak-related CS, including digitally enabled CS, in low-income and middle-income countries. Read More >>>
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Research Papers
Insights of Healthcare Workers and Community Members on Mental Health Perception and Practices in Meru County, Kenya
ntal health is a neglected field in many low and middle-income countries, such as Kenya, where information on the prevalence of mental health conditions is scarce. This problem is aggravated by an uneven distribution of mental health service providers and widespread ignorance and stigma around mental illness in the general population. The study in Meru County, Kenya, aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of healthcare workers and community members regarding mental health. Read More >>>
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Research Papers
Making aid effective at the community level: the AMREF experience
Effective use of donor aid is critical in achieving the sixth Millennium Development Goal –reversing the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2015. The Paris Declaration of 2005 identified five key principles for aid effectiveness: ownership, alignment, harmonisation, mutual accountability and managing for results. As civil society organisations play a critical role in implementing HIV/AIDS interventions, it is important that they adhere to these principles. Often, however, they fail to implement interventions conforming with the principles, leading to duplication and inefficiency. Two case studies from AMR
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