Search

ObjectivesTo assess experiences of and response to the COVID-19 pandemic at community pharmacies in Kenya.Design, setting and participantsThis was a mixed-methods study conducted from November 2020 to April 2021, targeting service providers in three counties (Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu), selected purposively to represent the main urban centres; pharmacies were selected randomly from a list of licensed pharmacies.ResultsOf 195 sampled pharmacies, 108 (55%) completed a questionnaire and 103 (53%) received a simulated client call; 18 service providers were interviewed. The initial weeks of the pandemic were characterised by fear and panic among service providers and a surge in client flow. Subsequently, 65 (60%) of 108 pharmacies experienced a dip in demand to below prepandemic levels and 34 (31%) reported challenges with unavailability, high price and poor quality of products. Almost all pharmacies were actively providing preventive materials and therapies; educating clients on prevention measures; counselling anxious clients; and handling and referring suspect cases. Fifty-nine pharmacies (55% (95% CI 45% to 65%)) reported receiving a client asking for COVID-19 testing and a similar proportion stated they would support pharmacy-based testing if implemented. For treatment of simulated clients, most pharmacies (71%, 73 of 103) recommended alternative therapies and nutritional supplements such as vitamin C; the rest recommended conventional therapies such as antibiotics. While 52 (48%) of 108 pharmacies had at least one staff member trained on COVID-19, a general feeling of disconnection from the national programme prevailed.ConclusionsPrivate pharmacies in Kenya were actively contributing to the COVID-19 response, but more deliberate engagement, support and linkages are required. Notably, there is an urgent need to develop guidelines for pharmacy-based COVID-19 testing, a service that is clearly needed and which could greatly increase test coverage. Pharmacy-based COVID-19 programmes should be accompanied with implementation research to inform current and future pandemic responses.

Prevalence rates for patients with diabetes mellitus are rising across countries including sub-Saharan African countries, which will continue. As a result, there are an increasing number of patients with insulin-dependent diabetes across sub-Saharan Africa including Kenya. Growing prevalence rates are increasing the costs of treating patients with diabetes enhanced by associated complications. These include both microvascular and macrovascular complications, with hypoglycaemia and generally poor control of diabetes contributing to the burden. Long-acting insulin analogues were developed to reduce rates of hypoglycaemia associated with insulin usage, including nocturnal hypoglycaemia, and improve adherence through improving patient convenience. As a result, they are now included in the Kenyan Essential Medicines List. However, long-acting insulin analogues are typically considerably more expensive than standard insulins limiting their use in practice, especially in countries such as Kenya with concerns with affordability even for standard insulins such as Mixtard®. Consequently, a need to ascertain current utilisation and expenditure patterns for the different insulins including long-acting insulin analogues across Kenya starting with leading referral hospitals. Research in Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) showed growing use of insulin glargine reaching up to 3.4 to 3.6% of total insulin utilisation in 2019 and 2020. However, prescribing was limited by considerably higher prices (3.4 fold higher) than standard insulins on a defined daily dose basis. Considerably higher prices resulted in no utilisation of long-acting insulin analogues in another leading referral hospital in Kenya. Overall, appreciably lowering the prices of long-acting insulin analogues through instigating local production and other activities should increase their use benefiting patients and the healthcare system in Kenya and wider. These are considerations for the future.

Background and aimsA substantial amount of antibiotic use in hospitals may be inappropriate, potentially leading to the development and spread of antibiotic resistance, adverse effects, mortality and increased hospital costs. The objective was to assess current patterns of antibiotic use in a leading referral hospital in Western Kenya. This would lead to the identification of opportunities for quality improvement in this hospital and others across Kenya.MethodologyA point prevalence survey was carried out with data abstracted principally from patient medical records supplemented by interviews from physicians when needed. The pattern of antibiotic use was analyzed by descriptive methods. Differences in antibiotic use and indications between the selected wards were compared using the Chi-square test or Fisher's exact tests.ResultsAmong the patients surveyed, 67.7% were on antibiotics. The most common classes of antibiotics prescribed were third generation cephalosporins (55%), imidazole derivatives like metronidazole (41.8%) and broad spectrum penicillins (41.8%). The most common indication for antibiotic use was medical prophylaxis (29%), with local guidelines advocating antibiotic prophylaxis in mothers after delivery of their child as well as in neonates with birth asphyxia and low weight at birth. Dosing of antibiotics was seen as generally optimal when assessed against current recommendations.ConclusionWhilst the dosing of antibiotics seemed adequate, there was high use of antibiotics in this hospital. This needs to be urgently reviewed with currently appreciable empiric antibiotic use. Programmes are being instigated to address these concerns. This includes developing antibiotic guidelines and formularies especially for empiric use as well as implementing antimicrobial stewardship activities.

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the extent of self-medication of antibiotics and dispensing practices in Kenya.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out at three selected pharmacies in Nairobi (Kenya), between January and March 2017, targeting principally antibiotic prescriptions for systemic use issued and dispensed as well as antibiotics sold over-the-counter without a prescription. The quality of antibiotics prescribed and dispensed was assessed against key WHO and other criteria. Benchmarking was used to assess the quality of antibiotics prescribed as there are no predetermined levels, just guidance and the rationale. Key indicators included: utilization of penicillins, percentage utilization of third-and fourth-generation of cephalosporins versus first and second generation, utilization of macrolides including lincosamides and utilization of quinolones as a percent of total systemic antibiotic use.FindingsThere was a low level of dispensing of antibiotics without a prescription with over 90% (94.1%) of antibiotics dispensed with a valid prescription. The most common antibiotics dispensed were the penicillins at just over 50% of all antibiotics, the cephalosporins at over 12% (12.6%) and the fluoroquinolones at just under 12% (11.7%). There were concerns with high use of third and fourth generation cephalosporins versus first- and second-generation as well as co-amoxiclav versus other penicillins.ConclusionLow levels of self-medication of antibiotics and high adherence to quality standards for dispensing are encouraging and provide direction to other countries. Educational initiatives are needed though to address high levels of co-amoxiclav prescribing.

Background: Chemotherapy-related side effects and their management in patients with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) are not well defined in developing countries, including Kenya. This needs addressing considering the high number of patients with cancer in these countries. Consequently, we sought to determine the common side effects of chemotherapy used to treat NHL in pediatric patients and its implications. Methods: Observational study conducted at the Kenyatta National Hospital in patients aged ≤15 years. Some data was collected by reviewing patients’ records admitted to the pediatric oncology ward, December 2016 to May 2017; and additional data was collected retrospectively (review of patients’ records with NHL, January-2014 to May-2017). Data were analyzed descriptively. Results: Overall, out of the identified NHL patients (n = 85), 93% (n = 79) had chemotherapy-related side effects. The majority of patients suffered from side effects were managed; apart from 23% to 24% of the documented anemia and hypersensitivity, respectively. Conclusions: Whilst the majority of the reported side-effects were being managed, the lack of management of some side effects raises real concerns since this indicates either failure to manage or failure to document their management in patients’ records, both of which should be addressed appropriately to improve future care.

Aim: Zidovudine and tenofovir form the backbone of antiretroviral therapy in Kenya. However, their side-effects may affect the quality of life (QoL) of patients. The aim was to compare the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adult patients on tenofovir versus zidovudine based regimens in a referral hospital in Kenya to provide future guidance. Methods: A comparative cross sectional study among 501 adult out-patients on either tenofovir or zidovudine was undertaken in Kenyatta National Hospital between 2015 and 2016. The Medical Outcome Study HIV Health Survey (MOS-HIV) was administered along with other key aspects of treatment. Linear regression analysis was performed to identify determinants of HRQoL. Results: Patients on zidovudine had a higher Physical Health Summary Score (PHSS) and Mental Health Summary Score (MHSS) compared to those on tenofovir. The presence of any symptom of the disease and a stated inability to cope were negatively associated with PHSS, whilst having a regular source of income improved PHSS. Being on tenofovir, symptom of illness [β = -1.24; 95% CI (-2.253, -0.226)], absence of pain [β=0.413; 95% CI (0.152, 0.674)] and patient stated inability to cope with HIV [β = -1.029; 95% CI (-1.441, -0.617)] affected the MHSS. Patients on tenofovir and second line regimens had more signs and symptoms of illness. Conclusion: Participants on zidovudine based regimens showed a better performance across all aspects of HRQoL. These are considerations for the future.

Background. Currently the majority of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries where there are appreciable funding concerns. In Kenya, most patients currently pay out of pocket for treatment and those who are insured are generally not covered for the full costs of treatment. This places a considerable burden on households if family members develop cancer. However, the actual cost of cancer treatment in Kenya is unknown. Such an analysis is essential to better allocate resources as Kenya strives towards universal healthcare. Objectives. Evaluate the economic burden of treating cancer patients. Method. Descriptive cross-sectional cost of illness study in the leading teaching and referral hospital in Kenya, with data collected from the hospital files of sampled adult patients for treatment during 2016. Results: 412 patient files were reviewed, of which 63.4% (n=261) were female and 36.6% (n=151) male. Cost of cancer care is highly dependent on the modality. Most reviewed patients had surgery, chemotherapy and palliative care. The cost of cancer therapy varied with the type of cancer. Patients on chemotherapy alone cost an average of KES 138,207 (USD 1364.3); while those treated with surgery cost an average of KES 128,207 (1265.6), and those on radiotherapy KES 119,036 (1175.1). Some patients had a combination of all three, costing on average KES 333,462 (3291.8) per patient during the year. Conclusion. The cost of cancer treatment in Kenya depends on the type of cancer, the modality, cost of medicines and the type of inpatient admission. The greatest contributors are currently the cost of medicines and inpatient admissions. This pilot study can inform future initiatives among the government as well as private and public insurance companies to increase available resources, and better allocate available resources, to more effectively treat patients with cancer in Kenya. We will be monitoring developments and conducting further research