Identifying Barriers to the Adoption of Digital Contact Tracing Apps in England: Semistructured Interview Study With Professionals Involved in the Pandemic Response.

Background: The NHS (National Health Service) COVID-19 app was a digital contact tracing app (DCTA) used in England in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of which was to limit the spread of COVID-19 by providing exposure alerts. At the time of the pandemic, questions were raised regarding the effectiveness and cost of the NHS COVID-19 app and whether DCTAs have a role in future pandemics.

Lactic Acid Bacteria from African Fermented Cereal-Based Products: Potential Biological Control Agents for Mycotoxins in Kenya.

Cereals play an important role in global food security. Data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization projects increased consumption of cereals from 2.6 billion tonnes in 2017 to approximately 2.

Glycemic index values of traditional Kenyan foods: the missing link in the effectiveness of dietary approach in the prevention and management of diabetes mellitus in Kenya.

Background: Glycemic index (GI) measures postprandial blood sugar after consumption of carbohydrate-rich foodstuff. Kenya is yet to fully embrace this concept in prevention and management of diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To review and tabulate GIs of locally consumed foods in order to improve dietary management of diabetes mellitus.

First Dye-Decolorizing Peroxidase from an Ascomycetous Fungus Secreted by .

Background: Fungal DyP-type peroxidases have so far been described exclusively for basidiomycetes. Moreover, peroxidases from ascomycetes that oxidize Mn ions are yet not known.

Methods: We describe here the physicochemical, biocatalytic, and molecular characterization of a DyP-type peroxidase (DyP, EC 1.

Parents, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders' experiences of caring for babies born too soon in a low-resource setting: a qualitative study of essential newborn care for preterm infants in Kenya.

Objectives: Prematurity is the leading cause of global neonatal and infant mortality. Many babies could survive by the provision of essential newborn care. This qualitative study was conducted in order to understand, from a family and professional perspective, the barriers and facilitators to essential newborn care.

Genome Sequence of the Versatile Deadwood Decomposer Xylaria grammica IHIA82.

is an ascomycetous decomposer of dead hardwood. The strain IHIA82 was recovered from the Kakamega Forest in Kenya. The whole genome of this strain was sequenced with a total size of 47.

Building Mental Health Research Capacity in Kenya: A South - North Collaboration.

This paper describes a mental health capacity-building partnership between the University of Nairobi (UON) and the University of Washington (UW) that was built upon a foundational 30-year HIV/AIDS research training collaboration between the two institutions. With funding from the US National Institute of Mental Health Medical Education Program Initiative (MEPI), UW and UON faculty collaborated to develop and offer a series of workshops in research methods, grant writing, and manuscript publication for UON faculty and post-graduate students committed to mental health research. UON and UW scientists provided ongoing mentorship to UON trainees through Skype and email.

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: Innovative Training Approach for Nurse-Midwives in High Prevalent Settings.

Background: Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) has no medical benefits and is associated with serious health complications. FGM/C including medicalization is illegal in Kenya. Capacity building for nurse-midwives to manage and prevent FGM/C is therefore critical.

The 'heat' goes away: sexual disorders of married women with female genital mutilation/cutting in Kenya.

Background: Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) has been implicated in sexual complications among women, although there is paucity of research evidence on sexual experiences among married women who have undergone this cultural practice. The aim of this study was to investigate the sexual experiences among married women in Mauche Ward, Nakuru County.

Methods: Quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were used.

Postpartum depression and infant feeding practices in a low income urban settlement in Nairobi-Kenya.

Background: Postpartum depression can compromise caregiving activities, including infant feeding practices, resulting in child malnutrition. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of postpartum depression on infant feeding practices and malnutrition among women in an urban low income settlement in Nairobi-Kenya. We conducted a cross-sectional study based in Kariobangi North Health Centre in Nairobi County.

Characterization of extracellular polymeric substances of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SQR9 induced by root exudates of cucumber.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SQR9 is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPRs) that forms biofilm on the roots of plants and protects them from a variety of pathogens. In this study, we reported the effect of root exudates produced by cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) at different developmental stages on the biochemical composition of the biofilm matrix of SQR9.

Development and delivery of evidence-based messages to reduce the risk of zoonoses in Nairobi, Kenya.

This paper describes a trans-disciplinary process of co-generating and disseminating evidence-based messages for reducing the risk from cryptosporidiosis and other zoonoses in an urban community in Nairobi. Research findings about disease prevalence, risk factors and observed risky and risk-mitigating practices were analysed by a team comprising researchers, community members and local policy- and decision-makers. Using participatory planning, multiple strategies were developed for disseminating key information.

Outcome mapping for fostering and measuring change in risk management behaviour among urban dairy farmers in Nairobi, Kenya.

A study was undertaken to investigate and mitigate the risk from zoonotic Cryptosporidium associated with dairy farming in Dagoretti division, Nairobi, Kenya. Outcome mapping (OM), a relatively new tool for planning and evaluation, was used to foster and then monitor changes in farmer management of health risks. Elements of the OM framework, including the vision, mission and expected progress markers, were developed in participatory sessions and a set of progress markers was used for monitoring behaviour change in farmers participating in the project (the boundary partners).

A trans-disciplinary study on the health risks of cryptosporidiosis from dairy systems in Dagoretti, Nairobi, Kenya: study background and farming system characteristics.

This paper characterises the dairy farming system in Dagoretti, Nairobi. Characterisation was part of a broader ecohealth project to estimate the prevalence and risk of cryptosporidiosis and develop risk mitigation strategies. In the project a trans-disciplinary team addressed epidemiological, socioeconomic, environmental and policy aspects of cryptosporidiosis, an emerging zoonosis.

Social and gender determinants of risk of cryptosporidiosis, an emerging zoonosis, in Dagoretti, Nairobi, Kenya.

The aim of the study was to investigate the social and gender determinants of the risk of exposure to Cryptosporidium from urban dairying in Dagoretti, Nairobi. Focus group discussions were held in six locations to obtain qualitative information on risk of exposure. A repeated cross-sectional descriptive study included participatory assessment and household questionnaires (300 randomly selected urban dairy farming households and 100 non-dairying neighbours).

Use of insecticide treated bed nets among pregnant women in Kilifi District, Kenya.

Background: Malaria is one of the most serious public health problems in Kenya. Pregnant women are among the groups with the highest risk of malaria. Use of insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs) is a cost-effective method of controlling malaria.

Bed net use and associated factors in a rice farming community in Central Kenya.

Background: Use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) continues to offer potential strategy for malaria prevention in endemic areas. However their effectiveness, sustainability and massive scale up remain a factor of socio-economic and cultural variables of the local community which are indispensable during design and implementation stages.

Methods: An ethnographic household survey was conducted in four study villages which were purposefully selected to represent socio-economic and geographical diversity.

Malaria vector control practices in an irrigated rice agro-ecosystem in central Kenya and implications for malaria control.

Background: Malaria transmission in most agricultural ecosystems is complex and hence the need for developing a holistic malaria control strategy with adequate consideration of socio-economic factors driving transmission at community level. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in an irrigated ecosystem with the aim of investigating vector control practices applied and factors affecting their application both at household and community level.

Methods: Four villages representing the socio-economic, demographic and geographical diversity within the study area were purposefully selected.

Investigations into the prevalence of bovine brucellosis and the risk factors that predispose humans to infection among urban dairy and non-dairy farming households in Dagoretti Division, Nairobi, Kenya.

Objective: To explore the knowledge, attitudes and practices of dairy and non-dairy farming households in Dagoretti in regard to the risk posed by bovine brucellosis and determine the prevalence of the disease in urban dairy cattle.

Design: A cross sectional study.

Setting: Urban and Peri-urban dairy farming and non dairy farming households in Dagoretti division, Nairobi.

Investigation of the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis and risk factors for human infection with bovine tuberculosis among dairy and non-dairy farming neighbour households in Dagoretti Division, Nairobi, Kenya.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of bovine tuberculosis in urban dairy cattle and examine possible risk factors for human infection with bovine tuberculosis (BTB).

Design: Cross sectional study.

Setting: Urban and peri-urban dairy and non-dairy farming neighbour households.

Investigation on the prevalence of antimicrobial residues in milk obtained from urban smallholder dairy and non-dairy farming households in Dagoretti Division, Nairobi, Kenya.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and the level of awareness of the risk posed by antibiotic residues among the urban dairy and non-dairy farming households using a household survey and laboratory analysis of milk samples.

Design: A cross sectional study.

Setting: Urban small holder dairy farming and non-farming households in Dagoretti division, Nairobi.

Gender, perceptions and behaviour towards health risks associated with urban dairy farming in Dagoretti Division, Nairobi, Kenya.

Objectives: To determine the socio-cultural, economic and environmental factors that encourage urban dairy production and the factors which may predispose the producer, consumer and other handlers to risks associated with dairy farming. To assess the knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of men and women towards health risks and benefits associated with urban dairy farming in smallholder dairy farming and their immediate non-dairy farming neighbour households.

Design: A cross sectional study and participatory urban appraisal (PUA.

A transdisciplinary perspective on the links between malaria and agroecosystems in Kenya.

An ecosystem approach was applied to study the links between malaria and agriculture in Mwea Division, Kenya. The study was organized into five phases. Phase I had two components including a stakeholder workshop conducted with community representatives and other key stakeholders, and the collation of data on common diseases from outpatient service records at the local hospital.