"Are we ready to transition from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization support?" Perceptions from 15 Kenyan counties.

Introduction: Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, defined a transition roadmap for countries receiving funding support based on their income status projections. According to the latest projections, Kenya will complete their transition from vaccine funding in 2029. While eligible countries are kept informed and supported for a smooth transition process, the extent to which countries understand the significant implications of a complete end of GAVI support on immunization service delivery varies.

Comparative property investigation of raw and treated coconut shell biomass for potential polymer composite application.

The use of environmentally friendly materials for industrial applications has increased tremendously in the past decades due to environmental concerns associated with using synthetic materials. The present comparative investigation studied the properties of raw and chemically-treated coconut shell biomass for possible polymeric composite applications. The coconut shell biomass was treated with alkali (NaOH), bleaching and combined NaOH-bleaching solutions and investigated the surface morphology, chemical transformations, and thermal stability.

Stakeholder Perspectives on Research Consent and Reconsent for Procedures Involving Biological Samples and Biobanking of Children and Adolescents Living With HIV in Kenya.

Objective: To explore the perspectives of stakeholders on consenting and reconsenting children and adolescents living with HIV (CALWH) to participate in research involving biological sampling and biobanking. Stakeholders included CALWH, their caregivers, subject matter experts (SMEs) such as Institutional Review Board (IRB) members, Community Advisory Board (CAB) members, Healthcare Providers, researchers, and community leaders.

Study Design: This qualitative study was conducted at the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) in Kenya.

Inflammatory, Hematological, and Biochemical Biomarkers in COVID-19 Patients.

Introduction: There are few accurate prognostic indications of the illness's development and severity for COVID-19, despite certain biomarkers having been investigated. The unexpected nature of COVID-19's course, which can quickly progress from asymptomatic to life-threatening symptoms, lies at the heart of the disease's intricacy. Predicting SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity through laboratory biomarkers and as such, identifying the patients' illness severity at the time of their initial admission would be crucial in improving patient care.

Food insecurity is associated with greater difficulty accessing care among people living with HIV with or without comorbid non-communicable diseases in western Kenya.

Introduction: The relationship between food insecurity and access to healthcare in low-resource settings remains unclear. Some studies find that food insecurity is a barrier to accessing care, while others report that food insecurity is associated with a greater need for care, leading to more care utilisation. We use data from the Harambee study in western Kenya to assess the association between food insecurity and difficulty accessing care among people living with HIV (PLWH) with or without comorbid non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

"There Is No Peace", "We Are Just Persevering": Triggers, Manifestations, and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence Against Men in Kenya.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) within heterosexual relationships affects both men and women, yet an in-depth description of IPV against men in developing countries is still limited. This study explored community perceptions of male IPV victimization in an informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya. We conducted 12 focus group discussions (FGDs) with 118 ever-married participants (59 men and 59 women), divided into 6 FGDs for each gender.

A DNA methylation signature identified in the buccal mucosa reflecting active tuberculosis is changing during tuberculosis treatment.

Tuberculosis (TB) poses a significant global health threat, with high mortality rates if left untreated. Current sputum-based TB treatment monitoring methods face numerous challenges, particularly in relation to sample collection and analysis. This pilot study explores the potential of TB status assessment using DNA methylation (DNAm) signatures, which are gaining recognition as diagnostic and predictive tools for various diseases.

Readiness of primary healthcare and community markets for joint delivery of cardiovascular disease prevention services in Kenya: an observational feasibility study of Health Kiosks in Markets (HEKIMA).

Objectives: The increasing burden of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in Kenya threatens its healthcare system. There is a need for innovative models that improve equitable access to CVD prevention services. Community markets are social establishments with untapped potential to promote public health.

Relationship between malaria vector survival, infectivity, and insecticide-treated net use in western Kenya.

Background: Significant effort and resources have been invested to control malaria transmission in sub-Saharan Africa, but it remains a major public health problem. For the parasite to be transmitted, the female Anopheles vector must survive 10-14 days following an infective bite to allow Plasmodium gametocytes to develop into infectious sporozoites. The goal of this study was to assess factors associated with wild-caught Anopheles survival and infection following host-seeking and indoor resting.

Sonication-assisted activation of empty fruit bunches to produce activated carbon for supercapacitor's electrodes: Surface chemistry and morphology characterization.

Thermochemical treatment of empty fruit bunches (EFBs) had been proven to be the fastest way of converting this agro-industrial waste into value. Two-step carbonization and activation was used to convert the EFB to activated carbon with high specific surface area (SSA) and porosity. Hydrothermal carbonization was done at 225 to 275 ; at retention time of 1-3 h.

Exploring psychotic symptoms among substance-naïve individuals and recent abstainers without a psychosis diagnosis: A cross-country study across Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, and South Africa.

Psychotic symptoms are of increasing interest in mental health due to their predictive value for future psychotic disorders. While these symptoms are prevalent in the general population, their occurrence varies globally. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and factors associated with psychotic symptoms among individuals identified as substance-naïve and recent abstainers without a history of psychosis.

Thermal and catalytic pyrolysis of automotive plastic wastes to diesel range fuel.

This study investigated the pyrolysis of automotive plastic wastes (APW) for the production of diesel-grade oil products using a modified calcium bentonite clay catalyst. The research aimed to optimize the process for maximum oil yield and diesel range organics yield. The APW was characterized by its chemical composition and physical properties and the optimal temperature and catalyst amount were determined for maximum oil yield and diesel range hydrocarbons.

Truth is relative; Client report versus provider report, a post-modern analysis of data from a trial in the private retail medicine sector.

In malaria-endemic countries, private retail outlets are a major source of antimalarials for individuals experiencing an acute febrile illness. However, there remains a challenge in how the decision to dispense the drugs is made. The lack of malaria diagnostic tools in the retail sector leads to a presumptive approach to diagnosis and overuse of ACTs.

Young people's lived sexual and reproductive health citizenship: participation and power of youth in Malawi.

This qualitative, focused critical ethnographic study explores how young people's 'lived SRH citizenship' and their active roles realising their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) and rights, shape their agency and participation in decision-making in Malawi. Informed by postcolonial feminist and difference-centred citizenship theories, our findings reveal that age-based power differentials, systems of gerontocracy and a culture of adultism impede bona fide youth involvement in SRH policymaking, making young citizens' participation more of an illusion than reality. Although democratisation and decentralisation aim to promote youth engagement, SRH policy spaces/processes lack institutionalised processes for integrating youth and remain dominated by donors and government.

Changing Trends of Odontogenic Cysts and Tumors in Kenya: A 20-Year Retrospective Analysis.

Objectives: This study endeavors to bridge the long-term diagnostic and management gap through a comprehensive audit of odontogenic cysts and tumors in Kenya, offering crucial insights for both clinicians and policymakers.

Methods: Patient records (2001-2020) with odontogenic cysts and tumors were retrospectively abstracted from two major referral hospitals in Nairobi, Kenya, covering demographics, lesion location, and histological diagnosis. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 29.

Antibiotic use in infants in the 6 weeks after delivery in seven low- and middle-income countries: findings from the A-PLUS trial.

Objectives: Antibiotic use is increasing in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC); however, few studies have examined the rates of use in a population. The use of antibiotics for liveborn infants in LMIC was examined.

Design: The study, a planned prospective, observational secondary analysis of the A-PLUS randomised controlled trial of azithromycin, was conducted in Global Network sites in seven countries: Bangladesh, Pakistan, India (two sites), Kenya, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Guatemala.

Accuracy of alternative PHQ-9 scoring algorithms to screen for depression in people living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: Screening for depression remains a priority for people living with HIV (PLWH) accessing care. The nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) is a widely used depression screening tool, but has limited accuracy when applied across various cultural contexts. We aimed to evaluate the performance of alternative PHQ-9 scoring algorithms in sub-Saharan African PLWH.

A scoping review of substance use brief interventions in Africa.

Background: The burden of substance use in Africa is substantial. Brief interventions (BIs) are a recommended public health strategy for the prevention and early intervention for substance use problems. The objective of this scoping review was to map the literature on substance use BIs in Africa, identify gaps, and provide directions for future research.

Outcomes After Loss to Follow-Up for Pregnant and Postpartum Women Living With HIV and Their Children in Kenya: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Many prevention of vertical transmission (PVT) studies assess outcomes within 12 months postpartum and exclude those lost to follow-up (LTFU), potentially biasing outcomes toward those retained in care.

Setting: Five public facilities in western Kenya.

Methods: We recruited women living with HIV (WLH) ≥18 years enrolled in antenatal clinic (ANC).

Mortality and Associated Risk Factors Among People Living With HIV With Kaposi Sarcoma: A5263/AMC066 and A5264/AMC067.

Background: AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma (AIDS-KS) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV in Africa. Mortality among people with AIDS-KS on antiretroviral therapy remains high compared with people on antiretroviral therapy who do not have AIDS-KS.

Setting: People living with HIV with Kaposi sarcoma (KS) who participated in 2 randomized trials (A5263/AMC066 [advanced stage] and A5264/AMC067 [mild-to-moderate stage]) conducted by AIDS Clinical Trials Group/AIDS Malignancy Consortium in low- and middle-income countries.