Willingness to HPV self-sampling for cervical cancer screening and its predictors among women attending outpatient clinics in Meru District, Arusha Region, Northern Tanzania.

Background: The ability for women to self-collect human papillomavirus (HPV) samples can potentially reduce the risk of cervical cancer and increase screening coverage.

Objectives: To assess the willingness to HPV self-sampling for cervical cancer screening and its predictors among women attending outpatient clinics in Arusha region, northern Tanzania.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 706 women aged 18-55 years in Meru District Hospital and Usa River Health Centre from March to April 2019.

Chemical and antioxidant characterization of and fruits in Kenya.

This study aimed at chemical characterization of (Hook.f. & Harv.

Leveraging existing education innovations to establish a community of practice to promote medical education scholar development.

Problem: While some academic health centers have organizational structures to support educational scholarship, such as Medical Education Research Units (MERU), many education scholars may lack access to such institutional resources to support their research agenda and professional growth.

Approach: In 2014, as part of an externally funded education grant, three faculty educators established a unique education data management system Research & Evaluation Data for Educational Improvement (REDEI). Lacking an institutional MERU, they established an educational research community of practice (CoP) using REDEI as the research dataset.

Draft Genome Sequence of Streptococcus agalactiae KALRO-LC1 Strain Isolated from a Mastitis-Infected Camel in Laikipia County, Kenya.

We report the draft genome sequence of Streptococcus agalactiae KALRO-LC1 strain obtained from a mastitis-infected camel in Laikipia County, Kenya. The 2,201,604-bp draft genome is assembled into 3 contigs with a GC content of 35.87% and is predicted to contain 1,192 protein-coding sequences.

Whole Genome Re-sequencing and Bulk Segregant Analysis Reveals Chromosomal Location for Papaya Ringspot Virus W Resistance in Squash.

Squash () is among the most important cucurbit crops grown worldwide. Plant pathogen, Papaya ringspot virus W (PRSV-W) causes significant yield loss in commercial squash production globally. The development of virus-resistant cultivars can complement integrated disease management and mitigate losses due to viral infections.

Calcium (Ca2+) expression and intensity in cumulus-oocyte complex (COCs)in Kacang goat after vitrification.

The process of vitrification of the cumulus-oocyte complex (COCs) often results in cold shock. When warming, heat shock occurs which can disrupt the balance of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) intensity. Drastic changes in temperature cause Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), affecting changes on Ca2+ in COCs.

Genomic Position and Markers Associated with the Hull-Less Seed Trait in Pumpkin.

Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) seeds are nutritious and valued as a source of vegetable oil, protein, healthy fatty acids, and minerals. Pumpkin seeds that are naturally devoid of the seedcoat (hull-less) are preferred by the industry as they eliminate the need for de-hulling prior to use. A single recessive gene, designated as n or h, controls the hull-less seed trait in pumpkin.

Long-term climatology and spatial trends of absorption, scattering, and total aerosol optical depths over East Africa during 2001-2019.

The unprecedented increase in anthropogenic activities, coupled with the prevailing climatic conditions, has increased the aerosol load over East Africa (EA). Given this, the present study examined the trends in total, absorption, scattering, and total aerosol extinction optical depth (TAOD, AAOD, SAOD, and TAEOD) over EA, alongside trends in single scattering albedo (SSA). For this purpose, the AOD of different optical properties retrieved from multiple sensors and the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA-2) model between January 2001 to December 2019 were utilized to estimate trends and assess their statistical significance.

Brucellosis testing patterns at health facilities in Arusha region, northern Tanzania.

Background: Brucellosis is listed as one of six priority zoonoses in Tanzania's One Health strategic plan which highlights gaps in data needed for the surveillance and estimation of human brucellosis burdens. This study collected data on current testing practices and test results for human brucellosis in Arusha region, northern Tanzania.

Methods: Retrospective data were extracted from records at 24 health facilities in Arusha region for the period January 2012 to May 2018.

Camels, Camel Milk, and Camel Milk Product Situation in Kenya in Relation to the World.

Kenya is the leading camel milk producer globally, with an annual production volume of 1.165 MMT, followed by Somalia (0.958 MMT) and Mali (0.

Genetic diversity of nontuberculous mycobacteria among symptomatic tuberculosis negative patients in Kenya.

Background: Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) transmission to humans occurs through inhalation of dust particles or vaporized water containing NTM leading to pulmonary manifestations. NTM infections are often misdiagnosed for tuberculosis (TB) due to their similar clinical and radiological manifestations.

Aims And Objectives: We, therefore, performed a species-level identification of NTM in symptomatic TB negative patients through sequencing of the hsp65 gene.

Acceptability of a HIV self-testing program among people who use illicit drugs.

Background: People who use illicit drugs (PWUD) remain at significantly elevated risk for HIV infection and continue to have very low testing rates. HIV self-testing (HIVST) has been shown to be acceptable among many high-risk populations, but less is known about PWUD.

Methods: From May-June 2021, a HIVST program was implemented at a syringe services program (SSP) in Louisville, Kentucky.

Occurrence of serum antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors in donkeys from central Kenya.

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasite of zoonotic concern and economic importance in humans and animals, respectively. This study was conducted to determine the occurrence of T. gondii and associated risk factors in domestic donkeys from Kirinyaga and Meru counties in Kenya.

Pilot Malacology Surveys for the Intermediate Hosts of Schistosomiasis in Rural and Semi-Urban Areas of the Moyen-Ogooué Province, Gabon.

The objective of this pilot malacological survey was to identify the snail intermediate hosts for   in endemic rural and semi-urban areas of Gabon. Snails were collected, morphologically identified, and tested for infection by cercarial shedding. Released cercariae were morphologically identified using low-power light microscopy.

Changes in Quality of Life and Loneliness Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults Participating in Therapist-Guided Digital Mental Health Intervention.

This study aimed to examine the effects of a 12-week multicomponent mobile app-delivered intervention, the Meru Health Program (MHP), on mental health quality of life (QoL) and loneliness among the middle-aged and older adults with depression symptoms. The eligible participants ( age = 57.06, = 11.

Bioefficacy and durability of Olyset Plus, a permethrin and piperonyl butoxide-treated insecticidal net in a 3-year long trial in Kenya.

Background: Long-lasting insecticide nets (LLINs) are a core malaria intervention. LLINs should retain efficacy against mosquito vectors for a minimum of three years. Efficacy and durability of Olyset Plus, a permethrin and piperonyl butoxide (PBO) treated LLIN, was evaluated versus permethrin treated Olyset Net.

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.

A Contrast of Three Inoculation Techniques used to Determine the Race of Unknown Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. niveum Isolates.

Fusarium wilt of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (Fon), has reemerged as a major production constraint in the southeastern USA, especially in Florida.

A cross-sectional study of COVID-19 impacts in culturally and linguistically diverse communities in greater Western Sydney, Australia.

Background: This study explored the experiences of people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds in Greater Western Sydney, Australia, in selected livelihood items during COVID-19 and the perceived impacts of the pandemic on their lives.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was used to collect data between 25 August and 30 September 2020 among CALD communities in Greater Western Sydney. Information was collected on respondents' experiences in selected livelihood items, including housing, finances, safety, accessing social services and activities, finding work, food, clothing, and relationships during COVID-19 and the pandemic's perceived impact on their lives.

Persistence and Changing Distribution of Leishmaniases in Kenya Require a Paradigm Shift.

Background: Leishmaniases present a major global public health problem, being responsible for between 40,000 and 50,000 deaths annually. The resultant morbidity affects the economic productivity and quality of life of individuals in endemic regions. As zoonotic disease(s), leishmaniases have become persistent with intermittent transmission and a tendency to disappear and reemerge, straining the fragile healthcare infrastructure in Kenya.

A Novel QTL for Resistance to Phytophthora Crown Rot in Squash.

Leonian causes significant yield losses in commercial squash () production worldwide. The deployment of resistant cultivars can complement integrated management practices for , but resistant cultivars are currently unavailable for growers. Moderate resistance to Phytophthora crown rot in a selection of accession PI 181761 () (designated line #181761-36P) is controlled by three dominant genes (R4, R5 and R6).

A survey of intestinal helminths in domestic dogs in a human-animal-environmental interface: the Oloisukut Conservancy, Narok County, Kenya.

Dogs living in a domestic-wildlife interface can serve as reservoirs and sentinels of parasites shared among humans, domestic animals and wildlife. In Kenya, the epidemiology of intestinal parasites of dogs and their role as reservoirs of zoonoses is poorly understood, especially in domestic-wildlife interfaces. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of intestinal helminths in domestic dogs in the Oloisukut Conservancy.

Naturally occurring potentially toxic elements in groundwater from the volcanic landscape around Mount Meru, Arusha, Tanzania and their potential health hazard.

The population of the semi-arid areas of the countries in the East African Rift Valley (EARV) is faced with serious problems associated with the availability and the quality of the drinking water. In these areas, the drinking water supply largely relies on groundwater characterised by elevated fluoride concentration (> 1.5 mg/L), resulting from interactions with the surrounding alkaline volcanic rocks.

Human Papillomavirus Types Associated with Cervical Dysplasia among HIV- and Non-HIV-Infected Women Attending Reproductive Health Clinics in Eastern Kenya.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes over 99% of all cervical cancer globally. In 2019, it was responsible for 3286 deaths in Kenya. Data on the epidemiological distribution of HPV genotypes by cervical dysplasia and HIV-infected women which is important in designing prevention strategy monitoring treatment and management of cervical cancer is lacking in Eastern Kenya.