Faith Leaders Improve Healthy Timing and Spacing of Pregnancy: Results of Operations Research on the Channels of Hope Methodology in Kenya and Ghana.

Background: Family planning averts unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and maternal deaths, while improving child health and socio-economic progress, but an estimated 218 million women and girls in low- and middle-income countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, have an unmet need for modern family planning. Faith leaders can impact the demand and uptake of family planning. However, there is limited understanding of the mechanisms for effective family planning advocacy by faith leaders.

Comparison of allele frequencies of Plasmodium falciparum merozoite antigens in malaria infections sampled in different years in a Kenyan population.

Background: Plasmodium falciparum merozoite antigens elicit antibody responses in malaria-endemic populations, some of which are clinically protective, which is one of the reasons why merozoite antigens are the focus of malaria vaccine development efforts. Polymorphisms in several merozoite antigen-encoding genes are thought to arise as a result of selection by the human immune system.

Methods: The allele frequency distribution of 15 merozoite antigens over a two-year period, 2007 and 2008, was examined in parasites obtained from children with uncomplicated malaria.

The public sector nursing workforce in Kenya: a county-level analysis.

Background: Kenya's human resources for health shortage is well documented, yet in line with the new constitution, responsibility for health service delivery will be devolved to 47 new county administrations. This work describes the public sector nursing workforce likely to be inherited by the counties, and examines the relationships between nursing workforce density and key indicators.

Methods: National nursing deployment data linked to nursing supply data were used and analyzed using statistical and geographical analysis software.