Pilot implementation of short message service for randomisation in a multisite pragmatic factorial clinical trial in Kenya.

Background: The traditional use of sealed envelopes for randomisation is susceptible to manipulation and the risk of damage to envelopes during shipping and storage. Additionally, the filling and sealing of envelopes are tedious, time-consuming, and error-prone. Other randomisation alternatives such as web-based methods are preferred.

Audit of care for children aged 6 to 59 months admitted with severe malnutrition at kenyatta national hospital, kenya.

We conducted a prospective audit of 101 children with severe malnutrition aged 6 to 59 months admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya's largest tertiary level health facility, from February-April 2008. A structured tool was prepared to capture data to allow assessment of implementation of the WHO guidelines steps 1-8. Overall, 58% of children had marasmus and 47% of children were younger than one year old.