Trends and factors associated with declining lifetime fertility among married women in Kenya between 2003 and 2014: an analysis of Kenya demographic health surveys

Published: 2024
Topic: Reduction in lifetime Fertility
Author(s): James Orwa, Samwel Maina Gatimu, Paulino Ariho, Marleen Temmerman & Stanley Luchters

Globally, fertility has declined in the last three decades. In sub-Saharan Africa Including Kenya, this decline started more recent and at a slower pace compared to other regions. Despite a significant fertility decline in Kenya, there are disparities in intra- and interregional fertility. Reduction in lifetime fertility has health benefits for both the mother and child, thus it is important to improve women and children health outcomes associated with high fertility. The study, therefore evaluated the factors associate with change in lifetime fertility among married women of reproductive age in Kenya between 2003 and 2014.

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in pregnant women in Kilifi, Kenya from March 2020 to March 2022

Published: 2024
Topic: SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence
Author(s): Angela Koech, Geoffrey Omuse , Alex G Mugo, Isaac G Mwaniki, Joseph M Mutunga, Moses W Mukhanya, Onesmus Wanje, Grace M Mwashigadi, Geoffrey G Katana, Rachel Craik, Peter von Dadelszen, Kirsty Le Doare, Marleen Temmerman

Seroprevalence studies are an alternative approach to estimating the extent of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and the evolution of the pandemic in different geographical settings. We aimed to determine the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence from March 2020 to March 2022 in a rural and urban setting in Kilifi County, Kenya.

Promoting data harmonization to evaluate vaccine hesitancy in LMICs: approach and applications

Published: 2024
Topic: Data Harmonization
Author(s): Ryan T. Rego, Yuri Zhukov, Kyrani A. Reneau, Amy Pienta, Kristina L. Rice, Patrick Brady , Geoffrey H. Siwo, Peninah Wanjiku Wachira, Amina Abubakar , Ken Kollman, and Akbar K. Waljee

Factors influencing the health of populations are subjects of interdisciplinary study. However, datasets relevant to public health often lack interdisciplinary breath. It is difficult to combine data on health outcomes with datasets on potentially important contextual factors, like political violence or development, due to incompatible levels of geographic support; differing data formats and structures; differences in sampling procedures and wording; and the stability of temporal trends. We present a computational package to combine spatially misaligned datasets, and provide an illustrative analysis of multi-dimensional factors in health outcomes.

Health facilities preparedness to deliver maternal and newborn health care in Kilifi and Kisii Counties, Kenya

Published: 2024
Topic: Maternal and newborn health care
Author(s): James Orwa, Marleen Temmerman, Lucy Nyaga, Kennedy Mulama & Stanley Luchters

Health facility preparedness is essential for delivering quality maternal and newborn care, minimizing morbidity and mortality by addressing delays in seeking skilled care, reaching appropriate facilities, and receiving emergency care. A rapid assessment of 23 government health facilities in Kilifi and Kisii counties identified poor maternal and newborn indicators in 16 facilities. The Access to Quality Care through Extending and Strengthening Health Systems (AQCESS) project supported these facilities with training, equipment, and referral linkages. This study focuses on facility preparedness of the 16 facilities to deliver maternal and newborn health services, specifically delays two and three at the end of the project implementation.

Psychometric evaluation of PHQ–9 and GAD–7 among community health volunteers and nurses/midwives in Kenya following a nation-wide telephonic survey

Published: 2024
Topic: Psychometric evaluation of PHQ–9 and GAD–7 among community health volunteers and nurses/midwives
Author(s): Sabina Adhiambo Odero, Paul Mwangi, Rachel Odhiambo, Brenda Mumbua Nzioka, Constance Shumba, Eunice Ndirangu-Mugo, and Amina Abubakar

Nurses/midwives and Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) are exposed to chronic stressors putting them at risk of developing mental health problems. This has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. There is limited empirical evidence of the burden of mental health problems among health care workers partly due to the lack of adequately standardized and validated measures for use among health care workers in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to perform the psychometric evaluation of the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 administered to nurses/midwives and CHVs across 47 counties in Kenya.

Psychometric evaluation of the computerized battery for neuropsychological evaluation of children (BENCI) among school aged children in the context of HIV in an urban Kenyan setting

Published: 2024
Topic: Psychometric evaluation of the computerized battery for neuropsychological evaluation of children (BENCI)
Author(s): Maina Rachel, He Jia, Abubakar Amina, Miguel Perez-Garcia, Manasi Kumar & Jelte M. Wicherts

Culturally validated neurocognitive measures for children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries are important in the timely and correct identification of neurocognitive impairments. Such measures can inform development of interventions for children exposed to additional vulnerabilities like HIV infection. The Battery for Neuropsychological Evaluation of Children (BENCI) is an openly available, computerized neuropsychological battery specifically developed to evaluate neurocognitive impairment. This study adapted the BENCI and evaluated its reliability and validity in Kenya.