Analysing child linear growth trajectories among under-5 children in two Nairobi informal settlements.

Objective: We sought to identify factors associated with linear growth among under-5 children in two urban informal settlements in Nairobi.

Design: We used longitudinal data for the period 2007-2012 from under-5 children recruited in the two sites between birth and 23 months and followed up until they reached 5 years of age. We fitted a generalized linear model on height-for-age Z-scores using the generalized estimating equations method to model linear growth trajectories among under-5 children.

Association between household food security and infant feeding practices in urban informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya.

Studies in urban informal settlements show widespread inappropriate infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and high rates of food insecurity. This study assessed the association between household food security and IYCF practices in two urban informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. The study adopted a longitudinal design that involved a census sample of 1110 children less than 12 months of age and their mothers aged between 12 and 49 years.

Addressing planetary health challenges in Africa.

Drawing on the report of the Rockefeller Foundation-Lancet Commission on planetary health-Safeguarding human health in the Anthropocene epoch, this piece presents a discussion of the implications of the report's findings and conclusions for Africa. It explores the key planetary health challenges facing Africa and what Africa can do to address them. In addition to highlighting current and future trajectories of key environmental changes in Africa and their implications for health and well-being, this transcript from the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) side event, "Healthy Lives on a Healthy Planet", identifies a set of priority action Africa needs to take in order to deal with these challenges.

Potential effectiveness of Community Health Strategy to promote exclusive breastfeeding in urban poor settings in Nairobi, Kenya: a quasi-experimental study.

Early nutrition is critical for later health and sustainable development. We determined potential effectiveness of the Kenyan Community Health Strategy in promoting exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) in urban poor settings in Nairobi, Kenya. We used a quasi-experimental study design, based on three studies [Pre-intervention (2007-2011; n=5824), Intervention (2012-2015; n=1110) and Comparison (2012-2014; n=487)], which followed mother-child pairs longitudinally to establish EBF rates from 0 to 6 months.