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Levels of mental health awareness in rural Kenya remain very low with higher levels of stigma and discrimination towards people with psychosocial disabilities, especially for women. This study aimed to describe the levels and correlates of mental health knowledge, discrimination and social functioning among rural women with psychosocial disabilities in Kenya. We randomly recruited 25 women living with psychosocial disabilities in a rural county. Mental health knowledge was measured by Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS), anticipated discrimination was measured by Questionnaire on Anticipated Discrimination while social functioning was measured using the Social Functioning questionnaire. The mean age of study participants was 36.6 ± 3.0 and the mean score of MAKS was 21.9 ± 30. The most endorsed item was referring a friend with mental illness to a professional to seek help. The prevalence of low social functioning was 64%. In terms of identification of mental illness, majority (88%) identified depression as a mental illness. Higher mental health knowledge was associated with a higher level of education (p = 0.012), being self-employed as opposed to unemployed (p = 0.018) and earning monthly income (p = 0.023). The most frequent reason for anticipated discrimination was friends and neighbors knowing about their mental health problems (24.0%). Anticipated discrimination was associated with participants who had ever been treated for a mental health problem (p = 0.05). Poor social functioning was significantly correlated with the number of years lived with disability (p < 0.001). Poor mental health awareness and discrimination against people with psychosocial disabilities limit their functioning, health-seeking and recovery in Kenya. There is need for prioritization of mental health services and increased mental health awareness to improve health-seeking behavior, social participation and recovery for persons with psychosocial disabilities.

Insecticide treated nets (ITNs) have become the preferred vector control tool for malaria. Studies indicate that even after universal net distribution, primary school children were significantly less likely to use ITNs compared to other age groups. The objective of this study was to examine the ownership and utilization of ITNs among primary school children living in Kasipul, one year after mass distribution of ITNs in Kasipul, Homa-Bay County. A cross-sectional study of 398 primary school pupils was conducted in Kasipul. Data on insecticide net use was collected using a questionnaire. The study established that only 51.0 % of the study population owned ITN, which is below the 80% target set by the Kenya Ministry of Health. Among 203 pupils who reported having ITN at home, 189 (93.1%) obtained them free from the government during 2014, mass distribution campaign. ITNs use among pupils in the area increased from 33% in 2015 to 75% in 2016. Age significantly influenced net ownership (?2=7.549, df =3, p=0.054). The difference in ITNs ownership per school was significant (?2=37.191, DF =8, p =0.000), indicating that net distribution was not done uniformly within Kasipul. The study concludes that a relatively high ITNs use in this survey, despite moderate coverage (51%) of nets and indicates an overall desire to deploy the nets by the pupils when they are available. Lack of educational campaigns accompanying universal net distributions was evident as 20.7% of net were not in regular use.

Malaria is endemic in areas bordering Lake Victoria basin of Kenya. Untreated malaria in school children, result in reduced ability to concentrate and learn in school. Available data show that the overall prevalence of Plasmodium among primary school children in Kasipul was 25.8 % in 2013. There was a need to establish the current status of Plasmodium prevalence in Kasipul following mass distribution of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) in 2014. This study assessed the prevalence of Plasmodium infection among school children living in Kasipul and their reported use of bed nets, one year after mass distribution of ITN in Kasipul, Homa-Bay County. A cross-sectional study of 398 primary school pupils was conducted in the area. Pupil’s finger prick blood was used for malaria parasite detection by microscopy. Data on ITNs use was collected using a questionnaire. The overall prevalence of Plasmodium among children was 10.05%. The association between net ownership and Plasmodium prevalence among pupils was significant (c2= 14.46, df =1, p = 0.000). The study observed a significant decline in Plasmodium prevalence from 25.8% in 2011 to 10.05% in 2016, providing evidence that ITNs, which was the major control strategy implemented in Kasipul reduced Plasmodium infection in the study population. Overall pupil net ownership increased from 33% in June 2014 to 51% in 2016. In conclusion, the prevalence of Plasmodium infections reduced significantly following distribution of free ITNs in Kasipul. The study demonstrates that universal distribution of free ITNs is an effective strategy in reducing the prevalence of Plasmodium infection among school children.

Malaria is endemic in areas bordering Lake Victoria basin of Kenya. Untreated malaria in school children, result in reduced ability to concentrate and learn in school. Available data show that the overall prevalence of Plasmodium among primary school children in Kasipul was 25.8 % in 2013. There was a need to establish the current status of Plasmodium prevalence in Kasipul following mass distribution of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) in 2014. This study assessed the prevalence of Plasmodium infection among school children living in Kasipul and their reported use of bed nets, one year after mass distribution of ITN in Kasipul, Homa-Bay County. A cross-sectional study of 398 primary school pupils was conducted in the area. Pupil’s finger prick blood was used for malaria parasite detection by microscopy. Data on ITNs use was collected using a questionnaire. The overall prevalence of Plasmodium among children was 10.05%. The association between net ownership and Plasmodium prevalence among pupils was significant (c2= 14.46, df =1, p = 0.000). The study observed a significant decline in Plasmodium prevalence from 25.8% in 2011 to 10.05% in 2016, providing evidence that ITNs, which was the major control strategy implemented in Kasipul reduced Plasmodium infection in the study population. Overall pupil net ownership increased from 33% in June 2014 to 51% in 2016. In conclusion, the prevalence of Plasmodium infections reduced significantly following distribution of free ITNs in Kasipul. The study demonstrates that universal distribution of free ITNs is an effective strategy in reducing the prevalence of Plasmodium infection among school children.

Insecticide treated nets (ITNs) have become the preferred vector control tool for malaria. Studies indicate that even after universal net distribution, primary school children were significantly less likely to use ITNs compared to other age groups. The objective of this study was to examine the ownership and utilization of ITNs among primary school children living in Kasipul, one year after mass distribution of ITNs in Kasipul, Homa-Bay County. A cross-sectional study of 398 primary school pupils was conducted in Kasipul. Data on insecticide net use was collected using a questionnaire. The study established that only 51.0 % of the study population owned ITN, which is below the 80% target set by the Kenya Ministry of Health. Among 203 pupils who reported having ITN at home, 189 (93.1%) obtained them free from the government during 2014, mass distribution campaign. ITNs use among pupils in the area increased from 33% in 2015 to 75% in 2016. Age significantly influenced net ownership (?2=7.549, df =3, p=0.054). The difference in ITNs ownership per school was significant (?2=37.191, DF =8, p =0.000), indicating that net distribution was not done uniformly within Kasipul. The study concludes that a relatively high ITNs use in this survey, despite moderate coverage (51%) of nets and indicates an overall desire to deploy the nets by the pupils when they are available. Lack of educational campaigns accompanying universal net distributions was evident as 20.7% of net were not in regular use.

Insecticide treated nets (ITNs) have become the preferred vector control tool for malaria. Studies indicate that even after universal net distribution, primary school children were significantly less likely to use ITNs compared to other age groups. The objective of this study was to examine the ownership and utilization of ITNs among primary school children living in Kasipul, one year after mass distribution of ITNs in Kasipul, Homa-Bay County. A cross-sectional study of 398 primary school pupils was conducted in Kasipul. Data on insecticide net use was collected using a questionnaire. The study established that only 51.0 % of the study population owned ITN, which is below the 80% target set by the Kenya Ministry of Health. Among 203 pupils who reported having ITN at home, 189 (93.1%) obtained them free from the government during 2014, mass distribution campaign. ITNs use among pupils in the area increased from 33% in 2015 to 75% in 2016. Age significantly influenced net ownership (?2=7.549, df =3, p=0.054). The difference in ITNs ownership per school was significant (?2=37.191, DF =8, p =0.000), indicating that net distribution was not done uniformly within Kasipul. The study concludes that a relatively high ITNs use in this survey, despite moderate coverage (51%) of nets and indicates an overall desire to deploy the nets by the pupils when they are available. Lack of educational campaigns accompanying universal net distributions was evident as 20.7% of net were not in regular use.

Malaria is endemic in areas bordering Lake Victoria basin of Kenya. Untreated malaria in school children, result in reduced ability to concentrate and learn in school. Available data show that the overall prevalence of Plasmodium among primary school children in Kasipul was 25.8 % in 2013. There was a need to establish the current status of Plasmodium prevalence in Kasipul following mass distribution of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) in 2014. This study assessed the prevalence of Plasmodium infection among school children living in Kasipul and their reported use of bed nets, one year after mass distribution of ITN in Kasipul, Homa-Bay County. A cross-sectional study of 398 primary school pupils was conducted in the area. Pupil’s finger prick blood was used for malaria parasite detection by microscopy. Data on ITNs use was collected using a questionnaire. The overall prevalence of Plasmodium among children was 10.05%. The association between net ownership and Plasmodium prevalence among pupils was significant (c2= 14.46, df =1, p = 0.000). The study observed a significant decline in Plasmodium prevalence from 25.8% in 2011 to 10.05% in 2016, providing evidence that ITNs, which was the major control strategy implemented in Kasipul reduced Plasmodium infection in the study population. Overall pupil net ownership increased from 33% in June 2014 to 51% in 2016. In conclusion, the prevalence of Plasmodium infections reduced significantly following distribution of free ITNs in Kasipul. The study demonstrates that universal distribution of free ITNs is an effective strategy in reducing the prevalence of Plasmodium infection among school children.

BackgroundMonitoring and evaluation of entomological, parasitological and clinical data is an important component of malaria control as it is a measure of the success of the interventions. In many studies, clinical data has been used to monitor trends in malaria morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to demonstrate age dependent prevalence of malaria in the pre- and post-interventions period.MethodsA series of cross-sectional malaria parasitological surveys were conducted in Iguhu, western Kenya. Participants were randomly selected school-aged children between 6 and 13 years. The study was conducted between June 2002-December 2003 and January 2012-February 2015. Sexual and asexual parasite prevalence and densities were determined using microscopy. Age-dependence in parasite infections was compared between 2002-2003 and 2012-2015.ResultsPlasmodium falciparum had the highest prevalence of 43.5 and 11.5% in the pre- and post-intervention periods. Plasmodium malariae had a prevalence of 2.3 and 0.2%, while Plasmodium ovale had a prevalence of 0.3 and 0.1% during the pre- and post-intervention period, respectively. There was a 73.7% reduction in prevalence of P. falciparum in the post-intervention compared to the pre-intervention period. Plasmodium falciparum parasite density increased by 71.2% between pre- and post-intervention period from (geometric mean of) 554.4-949.2 parasites/µl. Geometric mean gametocytaemia in Iguhu was higher in the post-intervention period (106.4 parasites/µl), when compared to the pre-intervention period (54.1 parasites/µl). Prevalence and density of P. falciparum showed a lower age-dependency during post-intervention period when compared to pre-intervention period.ConclusionThe study provides evidence for reduction of malaria prevalence following the introduction of LLINs and ACT in western Kenya. Fewer people become infected but the few infected may be more infectious as suggested by higher gametocyte densities. The high parasite

BackgroundMonitoring and evaluation of entomological, parasitological and clinical data is an important component of malaria control as it is a measure of the success of the interventions. In many studies, clinical data has been used to monitor trends in malaria morbidity and mortality. This study was conducted to demonstrate age dependent prevalence of malaria in the pre- and post-interventions period.MethodsA series of cross-sectional malaria parasitological surveys were conducted in Iguhu, western Kenya. Participants were randomly selected school-aged children between 6 and 13 years. The study was conducted between June 2002-December 2003 and January 2012-February 2015. Sexual and asexual parasite prevalence and densities were determined using microscopy. Age-dependence in parasite infections was compared between 2002-2003 and 2012-2015.ResultsPlasmodium falciparum had the highest prevalence of 43.5 and 11.5% in the pre- and post-intervention periods. Plasmodium malariae had a prevalence of 2.3 and 0.2%, while Plasmodium ovale had a prevalence of 0.3 and 0.1% during the pre- and post-intervention period, respectively. There was a 73.7% reduction in prevalence of P. falciparum in the post-intervention compared to the pre-intervention period. Plasmodium falciparum parasite density increased by 71.2% between pre- and post-intervention period from (geometric mean of) 554.4-949.2 parasites/µl. Geometric mean gametocytaemia in Iguhu was higher in the post-intervention period (106.4 parasites/µl), when compared to the pre-intervention period (54.1 parasites/µl). Prevalence and density of P. falciparum showed a lower age-dependency during post-intervention period when compared to pre-intervention period.ConclusionThe study provides evidence for reduction of malaria prevalence following the introduction of LLINs and ACT in western Kenya. Fewer people become infected but the few infected may be more infectious as suggested by higher gametocyte densities