Haemoglobin types and variant interference with HbA1c and its association with uncontrolled HbA1c in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus is among the leading global health concerns, causing over 1.5 million deaths alongside other significant comorbidities and complications. Conventional diagnosis involves estimating fasting, random blood glucose levels and glucose tolerance test.

The role of co-infections on cervical intraepithelial neoplasia prevalence in western Kenya.

Background: Screening for co-infections with HIV, HSV-2 and among high-risk human papilloma virus (hr-HPV) positive women remains essential in alleviating high morbidity of cervical cancer (CC). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) among women referred for CC screening at a referral hospital in Kisumu County, Kenya; and to establish the role of co-infection on CIN.

Method: In a cross-sectional study, we collected HPV, HIV, HSV-2 and CT data, cervical cytology results, and demographic information from 517 referrals.

Community education training to optimize the use of artemisinin-based combination therapy in Kamuli District, Uganda.

Background: Community health education improves members health-seeking and utilization behaviours. To enhance the community knowledge and optimize the use of Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), we carried out a community training in Kamuli District, Uganda.

Methods: The Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation and Evaluation (ADDIE) model was adopted.

Determinants of diarrheal disease in children undergoing complementary feeding in a low-income urban setting in Kenya.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify and characterise the determinants influencing the occurrence of diarrheal diseases in children aged 6-24 months undergoing complementary feeding within a low-income urban community in Kenya.

Methods: This study followed a cross-sectional design and recruited caregivers of children aged 6-24 months from 302 households. The dependent variable was the 2-week diarrhoea prevalence among children, with independent variables including sociodemographic characteristics, child immunisation and feeding status, and water and sanitation facilities.

The role of vitamin D status on treatment outcome among HIV- infected children receiving care in Kisumu County, Kenya.

Background: Kenya has a paediatric HIV burden of nearly 140,000 children, of which only 48% of those on antiretroviral therapy (ART) have achieved the desired viral suppression possibly due to vitamin D deficiency. We explored the influence of vitamin D levels on treatment outcome.

Method: We performed a cross-sectional study of 196 participants aged 3 - 14 years; among them 98 HIV infected who received treatment between 2019 - 2020 in Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya.

Nasal Carriage of Methicillin-Resistant Group by Residents of an Urban Informal Settlement in Kenya.

Background: The group constitutes animal-associated bacteria but can comprise up to 4% of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from human clinical samples. They are reservoirs of resistance genes that are transferable to but their distribution in communities in sub-Saharan Africa is unknown despite the clinical importance of methicillin-resistant .

Objectives: We characterised methicillin-resistant group isolates from nasal swabs of presumably healthy people living in an informal settlement in Nairobi to identify their resistance patterns, and carriage of two methicillin resistance genes.

Resistance of sensu lato to Pirimiphos-methyl Insecticide in Kakamega County, Highlands of Western Kenya.

Background: Insecticide treated bed nets and Indoor residual spraying remains the principal interventional malaria control strategies. To achieve malaria disease eradication, vector control programmes that monitor insecticide resistance profiles are necessary.

Objective: The study evaluated pirimiphos-methyl susceptibility of sensu lato in Kakamega County, western Kenya.

Determinants of tuberculosis treatment interruption among patients in Vihiga County, Kenya.

Background: Despite robust Tuberculosis (TB) program with effective chemotherapy and high coverage, treatment interruption remains a serious problem. Interrupting TB treatment means that patients remain infectious for longer time and are at risk of developing drug resistance and death. This study was conducted to identify and describe predictors of TB treatment interruption.

Mapping geographic clusters of new HIV diagnoses to inform granular-level interventions for HIV epidemic control in western Kenya.

Background: As countries make progress towards HIV epidemic control, there is increasing need to identify finer geographic areas to target HIV interventions. We mapped geographic clusters of new HIV diagnoses, and described factors associated with HIV-positive diagnosis, in order to inform targeting of HIV interventions to finer geographic areas and sub-populations.

Methods: We analyzed data for clients aged > 15 years who received home-based HIV testing as part of a routine public health program between May 2016 and July 2017 in Siaya County, western Kenya.

Abundance and Distribution of Malaria Vectors in Various Aquatic Habitats and Land Use Types in Kakamega County, Highlands of Western Kenya.

Background: Management of malaria transmission relies heavily on vector control. Implementation and sustenance of effective control measures require regular monitoring of malaria vector occurrences, species abundance and distribution. The study assessed mosquito larval species composition, distribution and productivity in Kakamega County, western Kenya.

Phenotypic and Genotypic Antibiotic Resistant diarrheagenic pathotypes isolated from Children with Diarrhea in Nairobi City, Kenya.

Background: The marked genome plasticity of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli promotes emergence of pathotypes displaying unique phenotypic and genotypic resistance. This study examined phenotypic and genotypic antibiotic resistant diarrheagenic Escherichia coli pathotypes among children in Nairobi City, Kenya.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, diarrheagenic Escherichia coli pathotypes were isolated from stool samples and their phenotypic and genotypic resistance against eight antimicrobial agents assayed.

Novel biomarkers with promising benefits for diagnosis of cervical neoplasia: a systematic review.

Background: Cervical cancer screening is slowly transitioning from Pappanicolaou cytologic screening to primary Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) or HPV testing as an effort to enhance early detection and treatment. However, an effective triage tests needed to decide who among the VIA or HPV positive women should receive further diagnostic evaluation to avoid unnecessary colposcopy referrals is still lacking. Evidence from experimental studies have shown potential usefulness of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen (SCC Ag), Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (M-CSF), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), MicroRNA, p16INKa / ki-67, HPV E6/E7/mRNA, and DNA methylation biomarkers in detecting premalignant cervical neoplasia.

Epidemiological patterns and antimicrobial resistance of bacterial diarrhea among children in Nairobi City, Kenya.

Aim: Determine the prevalence of enteric bacterial pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance among diarrheic children in Nairobi City, Kenya.

Background: Regardless of enteric bacterial pathogens being a major cause of gastroenteritis in children, their occurrence and antimicrobial resistance patterns reveals regional spatial and temporal variation.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, a total of 374 children below five years presenting with diarrhea at Mbagathi County Hospital were recruited.

Development and Validation of a Sociodemographic and Behavioral Characteristics-Based Risk-Score Algorithm for Targeting HIV Testing Among Adults in Kenya.

To inform targeted HIV testing, we developed and externally validated a risk-score algorithm that incorporated behavioral characteristics. Outpatient data from five health facilities in western Kenya, comprising 19,458 adults ≥ 15 years tested for HIV from September 2017 to May 2018, were included in univariable and multivariable analyses used for algorithm development. Data for 11,330 adults attending one high-volume facility were used for validation.

Influence of blood group, Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and Haemoglobin genotype on Falciparum malaria in children in Vihiga highland of Western Kenya.

Background: Genetic diversity of ABO blood, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency and haemoglobin type and their ability to protect against malaria vary geographically, ethnically and racially. No study has been carried out in populations resident in malaria regions in western Kenya.

Method: A total of 574 malaria cases (severe malaria anaemia, SMA = 137 and non-SMA = 437) seeking treatment at Vihiga County and Referral Hospital in western Kenya, were enrolled and screened for ABO blood group, G6PD deficiency and haemoglobin genotyped in a hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Evaluation of morbidity in Schistosoma mansoni-positive primary and secondary school children after four years of mass drug administration of praziquantel in western Kenya.

Background: World Health Organization guidelines recommend preventive chemotherapy with praziquantel to control morbidity due to schistosomiasis. The primary aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine if 4 years of annual mass drug administration (MDA) in primary and secondary schools lowered potential markers of morbidity in infected children 1 year after the final MDA compared to infected children prior to initial MDA intervention.

Methods: Between 2012 and 2016 all students in two primary and three secondary schools within three kilometers of Lake Victoria in western Kenya received annual mass praziquantel administration.

HIV infection drives IgM and IgG3 subclass bias in Plasmodium falciparum-specific and total immunoglobulin concentration in Western Kenya.

Background: HIV infection is associated with more frequent and severe episodes of malaria and may be the result of altered malaria-specific B cell responses. However, it is poorly understood how HIV and the associated lymphopenia and immune activation affect malaria-specific antibody responses.

Methods: HIV infected and uninfected adults were recruited from Bondo subcounty hospital in Western Kenya at the time of HIV testing (antiretroviral and co-trimoxazole prophylaxis naïve).

Integrated OMICS platforms identify LAIR1 genetic variants as novel predictors of cross-sectional and longitudinal susceptibility to severe malaria and all-cause mortality in Kenyan children.

Background: Severe malarial anaemia (SMA) is a leading cause of childhood mortality in holoendemic Plasmodium falciparum regions.

Methods: To gain an improved understanding of SMA pathogenesis, whole genome and transcriptome profiling was performed in Kenyan children (n=144, 3-36months) with discrete non-SMA and SMA phenotypes. Leukocyte associated immunoglobulin like receptor 1 (LAIR1) emerged as a predictor of susceptibility to SMA (P<1×10, OR: 0.

Molecular basis of reduced LAIR1 expression in childhood severe malarial anaemia: Implications for leukocyte inhibitory signalling.

Background: Leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin like receptor-1 (LAIR1) is a transmembrane inhibitory receptor that influences susceptibility to a myriad of inflammatory diseases. Our recent investigations of severe malarial anaemia (SMA) pathogenesis in Kenyan children discovered that novel LAIR1 genetic variants which were associated with decreased LAIR1 transcripts enhanced the longitudinal risk of SMA and all-cause mortality.

Methods: To characterize the molecular mechanism(s) responsible for altered LAIR1 signalling in severe malaria, we determined LAIR1 transcripts and protein, sLAIR1, sLAIR2, and complement component 1q (C1q) in children with malarial anaemia, followed by a series of in vitro experiments investigating the LAIR1 signalling cascade.

Correction to: Seroprevalence and determinants of transfusion transmissible infections among voluntary blood donors in Homabay, Kisumu and Siaya counties in western Kenya.

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors reported that for two of the authors, Felix Humwa and Vallarie Opollo, an incorrect affiliation has been given. In this Correction the incorrect and correct affiliations are listed.

Barriers and Opportunities to Advancing Women in Leadership Roles in Vector Control: Perspectives from a Stakeholder Survey.

Increasing the active participation of professional women in vector control (VC) activities may help promote greater gender equity in the workplace and reduce the burden of vector-borne diseases. This stakeholder survey examined the current roles and perspective of professionals employed in the VC sector in Kenya, Indonesia, India, and other countries. The largest barriers that women face in pursuing leadership roles in the VC sector include lack of awareness of career opportunities, limitations based on cultural norms, and the belief that VC is men's work.

Seroprevalence and determinants of transfusion transmissible infections among voluntary blood donors in Homabay, Kisumu and Siaya counties in western Kenya.

Objective: Since the implementation of a series of blood donation safety improvements in Kenya, information about seroprevalence and determinants of transfusion transmissible infections among voluntary blood donors especially in high HIV burden regions of Homabay, Kisumu and Siaya counties remain scanty. A cross-sectional study examining HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C virus sero-markers and associated determinants was conducted among voluntary blood donors. Their demographic characteristics and previous risk exposure were recorded in a pre-donation questionnaire, while blood samples collected were screened for hepatitis B, hepatitis C, human immunodeficiency viruses by ELISA and RPR (syphilis), then confirmed using CMIA.

Tumor infiltrating leukocyte density is independent of tumor grade and molecular subtype in aggressive breast cancer of Western Kenya.

Background: Tumors commonly are infiltrated by leukocytes, or tumor infiltrating leukocytes (TILs). It remains unclear, however, if the density and type of individual TILs has a direct or simply correlative role in promoting poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. Breast cancer in Kenyan women is aggressive with presentation at a young age, with advanced grade (grade III), large tumor size (>2.