Mobile phone technologies improve adherence to antiretroviral treatment in a resource-limited setting: a randomized controlled trial of text message reminders.

Objective: There is limited evidence on whether growing mobile phone availability in sub-Saharan Africa can be used to promote high adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). This study tested the efficacy of short message service (SMS) reminders on adherence to ART among patients attending a rural clinic in Kenya.

Design: A randomized controlled trial of four SMS reminder interventions with 48 weeks of follow-up.

Integrating common and rare genetic variation in diverse human populations.

Despite great progress in identifying genetic variants that influence human disease, most inherited risk remains unexplained. A more complete understanding requires genome-wide studies that fully examine less common alleles in populations with a wide range of ancestry. To inform the design and interpretation of such studies, we genotyped 1.

HIV/AIDS and cultural practices in western Kenya: the impact of sexual cleansing rituals on sexual behaviours.

This paper reports on an exploratory study examining the role of sexual cleansing rituals in the transmission of HIV among the Luo community in western Kenya. Data were collected using both in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The study population consisted of 38 widows, 12 community elders and 44 cleansers.

Antiretroviral durability and tolerability in HIV-infected adults living in urban Kenya.

Background: Insufficient data exist on the durability and tolerability of first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens provided by HIV treatment programs implemented in developing countries.

Methods: Longitudinal observation of clinical, immunologic, and treatment parameters of all HIV-infected adult patients initiated on ART was performed at Saint Mary's Mission Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya from September 2004 until August 2006.

Results: A total of 1286 patients were analyzed (59.

Vitamin a deficiency and anaemia in young children living in a malaria endemic district of western Kenya.

Background: Vitamin A deficiency makes children vulnerable to infections and influences the outcome of various infections. In 1993 vitamin A deficiency was found to be a public health problem in Bungoma district of western Kenya.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency, anaemia and malaria parasitaemia and to correlate these with haemoglobin, ferritin and acute phase response.