Publications by authors named "J Tumaini Dzombo"

Background: Despite the high burden of mental health problems during adolescence and its associated negative consequences, it has remained neglected especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The 2019 novel Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has placed additional stress on adolescent mental health. However, there are few studies documenting the burden of mental health problems and even fewer mental health services in the region.

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Article Synopsis
  • Sexual risk behavior (SRB) during adolescence is a significant public health issue, and this study examined the relationship between self-esteem, hopefulness, and SRB in Kenyan adolescents aged 12-17 from diverse settings in Kilifi and Nairobi.* -
  • The research involved a survey of 296 adolescents who reported experiences of SRB, primarily sexual violence and transactional sex, with 13% of participants having experienced at least one form of SRB.* -
  • While higher hopefulness was linked to not experiencing SRB, neither self-esteem nor hopefulness significantly influenced SRB outcomes in the adjusted analysis; however, depressive symptoms and feelings of unsafety in the neighborhood were strongly associated with an increased occurrence of SRB.*
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Background: The upsurge in the uptake of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has led to a significant increase in the survival of vertically acquired HIV infected children, many of whom are currently living into adolescence and early adulthood. However little if anything is known of the lived experiences and the challenges faced by HIV positive adolescents in the African context. We set out to investigate psychosocial challenges faced by HIV infected adolescents on the Kenyan coast.

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Purpose: The cause of seizures in children with falciparum malaria is unclear. In malaria endemic areas, children who develop severe falciparum malaria with seizures may have a genetically higher risk of epilepsy or febrile seizures. We used the history of seizures in relatives of children previously admitted with malaria to determine if there is evidence for a familial predisposition of seizures in children admitted with malaria and seizures or cerebral malaria.

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