Exploring Consumer Understanding and Perceptions of Front-of-Pack Labelling of Foods and Non-Alcoholic Beverages in Kenya.

: Front-of-package labeling (FOPL) is shown to support healthier consumer choices. Many countries have adopted different FOPL systems. Objective: This study explored perceptions and understanding of three FOPLs and identified features that could enhance their effectiveness in Kenya.

Effectiveness of Three Front-of-Pack Food Labels in Guiding Consumer Identification of Nutrients of Concern and Purchase Intentions in Kenya: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

: Front-of-pack-labels (FOPLs) on packaged foods provide essential information to help consumers make informed dietary choices. However, evidence on their effectiveness, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Kenya, is limited. : This study assessed the effectiveness of three FOPLs in helping consumers identify nutrients of concern in packaged food products and influencing their purchase intention in Kenya.

Adolescents' dietary patterns, their drivers and association with double burden of malnutrition in adolescents: a cross-sectional study in Kenya's urban slums.

Background: The double burden of malnutrition (DBM) during adolescence is associated with growth and developmental impairment and risk of non-communicable diseases. There is limited evidence on adolescent's dietary patterns (DPs), and how they contribute to DBM in urban low income contexts in sub Saharan Africa. This study assessed DPs of adolescents, their drivers and association with DBM in Kenya's urban slums.

A digital dashboard for reporting mental, neurological and substance use disorders in Nairobi, Kenya: Implementing an open source data technology for improving data capture.

The availability of quality and timely data for routine monitoring of mental, neurological and substance use (MNS) disorders is a challenge, particularly in Africa. We assessed the feasibility of using an open-source data science technology (R Shiny) to improve health data reporting in Nairobi City County, Kenya. Based on a previously used manual tool, in June 2022, we developed a digital online data capture and reporting tool using the open-source Kobo toolbox.

Temporal trends analysis of emergency obstetric and newborn care availability and readiness index of healthcare facilities in Burkina Faso.

Background: Ensuring healthcare services are equipped to offer; emergency obstetric and newborn care (EmONC) is crucial for improving the quality of maternal and newborn care in low- and middle-income countries. We assessed the temporal trends of the availability and readiness of the healthcare system to provide EmONC in Burkina Faso.

Methods: We analyzed the data from three national health facilities surveys, conducted in 2014, 2016 and 2018, using the WHO Service Availability and Readiness Assessment tool.

The promotion of ultra-processed foods in modern retail food outlets in rural and urban areas in Kenya.

Objective: To assess the availability and marketing of ultra-processed foods (UPF) in modern retail food outlets (supermarkets and minimarts) in Kenya and associated factors.

Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Kenya from August 2021 to October 2021. Variables included the geographic location and the socio-economic status (SES) levels, the food items displayed for sale and advertised in the stores, and locations in the stores such as the entrance.

The economic burden of type 2 diabetes on the public healthcare system in Kenya: a cost of illness study.

Background: The burden of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a growing public health concern. The availability of cost-of-illness data, particularly public healthcare costs for NCDs, is limited in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), yet such data evidence is needed for policy action.

Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the economic burden of type 2 diabetes (T2D) on Kenya's public healthcare system in 2021 and project costs for 2045.

Mentorship in health research institutions in Africa: A systematic review of approaches, benefits, successes, gaps and challenges.

Background: In Africa, where the burden of diseases is disproportionately high, significant challenges arise from a shortage of skilled researchers, lack of research funding, and limited mentorship opportunities. The continent faces a substantial gap in research output largely attributed to the dearth of mentorship opportunities for early career researchers.

Objective: To explore existing mentorship approaches, identify challenges, gaps, successes, and benefits, and provide insights for strengthening mentorship programs in African health research institutions.

Which government policies to create sustainable food systems have the potential to simultaneously address undernutrition, obesity and environmental sustainability?

Introduction: A transformation of food systems is urgently needed, given their contribution to three ongoing and interlinked global health pandemics: (1) undernutrition and food insecurity, (2) obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and (3) climate change and biodiversity loss. As policymakers make decisions that shape food systems, this study aimed to identify and prioritise policies with double- or triple-duty potential to achieve healthier and more environmentally sustainable food systems.

Methods: This study undertook a 4-step methodological approach, including (i) a compilation of international policy recommendations, (ii) an online survey, (iii) four regional workshops with international experts and (iv) a ranking for prioritisation.

Association between breastfeeding duration and educational attainment in rural Southwest Uganda: a population-based cohort study.

Background: Breastfeeding is important for early childhood nutrition and health. The positive effects on educational outcomes may be attributed to socioeconomic factors. Socioeconomic status is not a strong predictor of breastfeeding in sub-Saharan African countries.

Policies for type 2 diabetes and non-communicable disease management during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya and Tanzania: a desk review and views of decision-makers.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in care that adversely affected the management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) globally. Countries have responded in various ways to support people with NCDs during the pandemic. This study aimed to identify policy gaps, if any, in the management of NCDs, particularly diabetes, during COVID-19 in Kenya and Tanzania to inform recommendations for priority actions for NCD management during any future similar crises.

Utilizing a multi-stage transition model for analysing child stunting in two urban slum settlements of Nairobi: A longitudinal analysis, 2011-2014.

Introduction: Stunting is common among children in many low and middle income countries, particularly in rural and urban slum settings. Few studies have described child stunting transitions and the associated factors in urban slum settlements. We describe transitions between stunting states and associated factors among children living in Nairobi slum settlements.

Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake among people with type 2 diabetes in Kenya and Tanzania: a mixed-methods study.

Background: People with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are at increased risk of poor outcomes from COVID-19. Vaccination can improve outcomes, but vaccine hesitancy remains a major challenge. We examined factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine uptake among people with T2D in two sub-Saharan Africa countries that adopted different national approaches to combat COVID-19, Kenya and Tanzania.

Multimorbidity in African ancestry populations: a scoping review.

Objectives: Multimorbidity (MM) is a growing concern linked to poor outcomes and higher healthcare costs. While most MM research targets European ancestry populations, the prevalence and patterns in African ancestry groups remain underexplored. This study aimed to identify and summarise the available literature on MM in populations with African ancestry, on the continent, and in the diaspora.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody changes over time in a general population cohort in rural Uganda, 1992-2008.

Background: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is ubiquitous and in sub-Saharan Africa, occurs early in life. In a population-based rural African cohort, we leveraged historical samples from the General Population Cohort (GPC) in Uganda to examine the epidemiology of infection with EBV over time, in the era of HIV.

Methods: We used 9024 serum samples collected from the GPC in 1992, 2000, 2008, from 7576 participants across the age range (0-99 years of age) and tested for anti-EBV immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to EAd, VCA, and EBNA-1 using a multiplex bead-based assay.

Cardiometabolic multimorbidity and associated patterns of healthcare utilization and quality of life: Results from the Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health (SAGE) Wave 2 in Ghana.

Understanding the patterns of multimorbidity, defined as the co-occurrence of more than one chronic condition, is important for planning health system capacity and response. This study assessed the association of different cardiometabolic multimorbidity combinations with healthcare utilization and quality of life (QoL). Data were from the World Health Organization (WHO) study on global AGEing and adult health Wave 2 (2015) conducted in Ghana.

Perceived health system facilitators and barriers to integrated management of hypertension and type 2 diabetes in Kenya: a qualitative study.

Objective: Understanding the facilitators and barriers to managing hypertension and type 2 diabetes (T2D) will inform the design of a contextually appropriate integrated chronic care model in Kenya. We explored the perceived facilitators and barriers to the integrated management of hypertension and T2D in Kenya using the Rainbow Model of Integrated Care.

Design: This was a qualitative study using data from a larger mixed-methods study on the health system response to chronic disease management in Kenya, conducted between July 2019 and February 2020.

Mobility limitations and emotional dysfunction in old age: The moderating effects of physical activity and social ties.

Background: This study aims to examine the association between mobility limitations and emotional dysfunction among older Ghanaians and evaluate the buffering effect of physical activity (PA) and social ties in this association.

Methods: The analysis included 1201 adults aged ≥50 from the 2016-17 Aging, Health, Psychological Well-being, and Health-seeking Behavior study. The Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (MOS SF-36) assessed mobility limitations and emotional dysfunction.

Digital health for all: How digital health could reduce inequality and increase universal health coverage.

Digital transformation in health care has a lot of opportunities to improve access and quality of care. However, in reality not all individuals and communities are benefiting equally from these innovations. People in vulnerable conditions, already in need of more care and support, are often not participating in digital health programs.