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Purpose In 2009 the Kenyan Government introduced health system reforms to address persistently high maternal and newborn mortality including deployment of skilled birth attendants (SBAs) to health facilities in remote areas, and proscription of births attended by traditional birth attendants (TBAs). Despite these initiatives, uptake of SBA services remains low and inequitably distributed. This paper describes the development of an SBA/TBA collaborative model of maternal health care for pastoralist communities in Laikipia and Samburu. Description A range of approaches were used to generate a comprehensive understanding of the maternal and child health issues affecting these pastoralist communities including community and government consultations, creation of a booklet and film recognising the contributions of both TBAs and SBAs that formed the basis of subsequent discussions, and mixed methods research projects. Based on the knowledge and understanding collectively generated by these approaches we developed an evidence-based, locally acceptable and feasible model for SBA/TBA collaborative care of women during pregnancy and childbirth. Assessment The proposed collaborative care model includes: antenatal and post-natal care delivered by both SBAs and TBAs; TBAs as birth companions who support women and SBAs; training TBAs in recognition of birth complications, nutrition during pregnancy and following birth, referral processes, and family planning; training SBAs in respectful maternity care; and affordable, feasible redesign of health facility infrastructure and services so they better meet the identified needs of pastoralist women and their families. Conclusion The transition from births predominantly attended by TBAs to births attended by SBAs is likely to be a gradual one, and an interim SBA/TBA collaborative model of care has the potential to maximise the safety of pastoralist women and babies during the transition phase, and may even accelerate the transition itself., Author(s): Michelle Kermode [sup.1] , Alison Morgan [sup.1] , Josephat Nyagero [sup.2] , Florence Nderitu [sup.3] , Tanya Caulfield [sup.1] , Matthew Reeve [sup.1] , John Nduba [sup.2] Author Affiliations: [...]

Introduction: The emergence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) has become a major public health concern that threatens advances made in global TB control efforts. Though the problem is prevalent, it did not receive major attention to generate supportive evidence for the prevention and control of MDR-TB. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of MDR-TB in a national TB referral centre in Ethiopia., Methods: An unmatched, case-control study was conducted at St. Peter Hospital to assess risk factors associated with MDR-TB. The study included 103 culture proven, MDR-TB patients referred to the hospital during the study period (cases) and 103 randomly-selected TB patients with confirmed TB who turned negative after treatment (controls). Regressions analyses were used to determine the association of variables., Results: The mean age among cases and controls was 30.5 (±9.26) and 34.73 (±11.28) years, respectively. The likelihood of having MDR-TB was 20.3 times higher among those who had a any previous history of TB treatment (AOR=20.3 [CI 5.13, 80.58]), 15.7 times higher among those who had TB more than once (AOR=15.7 [CI 4.18, 58.71]) compared those who had once, 6.8 times higher among those who had pulmonary TB (AOR=6.8 [CI 1.16, 40.17]) and 16.1 times higher for those who had experienced treatment with a Category II regimen (AOR=16.1 [CI 2.40, 108.56]). HIV infection was less common among cases than controls., Conclusion: This study concluded that special attention should be given to patients with a history of the following: TB more than once, presence of pulmonary TB, and used a Category II treatment regimen, as these were all determining factors for MDR-TB. Thus, this study urges the development and implementation of well-planned and integrated strategies for MDR-TB control and prevention in Ethiopia., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interest.

Introduction: Current efforts to reduce maternal and newborn mortality focus on promoting institutional deliveries with skilled birth attendants (SBAs), and discouraging deliveries at home attended by traditional birth attendants (TBAs). In rural Kenya, semi-nomadic pastoralist communities are underserved by the formal health system, experience high maternal and neonatal mortality, and rely primarily on TBAs for delivery care, despite Government proscription of TBA-assisted births. This study examined the knowledge, attitude and practices of TBAs serving these communities to assess the potential for collaboration between TBAs and SBAs., Methods: A cross-sectional, interviewer-administered survey was conducted among 171 TBAs from Maasai and Samburu pastoralist communities in Laikipia and Samburu counties, Kenya, as part of a larger mixed-methods study in partnership with a local service provider., Results: BAs were relatively elderly (mean age 59.6 years), and attended an average of 5-6 deliveries per year. A minority (22.2%) had received formal training. They provided antenatal, intra-partum and post-partum care. Most TBA care was non-interventionist, but not necessarily consistent with best practice. Most had encountered birth complications, but knowledge regarding management of complications was sub-optimal. Most had previously referred at least one woman to a health facility (80.1%), were key participants in decision making to refer women (96.5%), and had been present at an institutional delivery (54.4%)., Conclusion: TBAs continue to be key providers of maternal and neonatal healthcare in regions where the formal health system has poor coverage or acceptability. Strengthening existing TBA/SBA collaborations could improve both community links to the formal health system, and the quality of care provided to pastoralist women, while remaining consistent with current Government policy., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interest.

Introduction: In Kenya, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women; almost half of all women with invasive cervical cancer are diagnosed at a late stage. Few women are aware of the symptoms and risk factors of cervical cancer and that its precursor lesions are detectable through screening thus most women seek treatment when the cancer is at an advanced stage. The study explored the influence of cervical cancer awareness on stage at diagnosis in patients attending Kenyatta National Hospital., Methods: A cross-sectional survey was adapted to obtain socio-demographic information, knowledge on symptoms and risk factors from 361 women with histological diagnosis of cervical cancer conveniently sampled at Kenyatta National Hospital. Associations between stage at diagnosis and knowledge on cervical cancer were tested using chi-square statistic and fisher's exact test at 95% confidence interval., Results: Seven in every 10 women (72.6%) presented with advanced stage cervical cancer. Knowledge on the sexually transmitted nature of cervical cancer was inadequate, 22% of women with early stage and 23.7% of women with advanced stage cervical cancer (p=0.874). Majority of the women were not aware of the causative link between cervical cancer and human papillomavirus (HPV), 8 (13.1%) of women with early stage and 5 (3.5%) of women with advanced stage cervical cancer (p=0.036)., Conclusion: Stage at presentation was advanced and knowledge on the role of a sexually transmitted virus in the cervical cancer aetiology was poor among the women. Increasing screening programs and providing information highlighting this association is necessary., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interest.

Introduction: Friends are considered an important source of advice and information about sex. Conversations about sex among young people tend to generate norms that influence positive or negative pressure on individuals to conform to group standards. The aim of the study was to explore peer communication on sex and sexual health., Methods: Grounded theory qualitative study design was employed using focus group discussions and participant observation. Participants were selected using criterion purposive sampling. Semi-structured guides and checklists were used as data collection tools. Information was audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim and uploaded to ATLAS.ti 7 software for coding. Data collection and analysis were undertaken simultaneously using constant comparative analysis., Results: Students talked with peers and sexual partners about sex more than sexual health issues. Common places of talk included dormitory, begtera (near dorm where students meet), and space (reading rooms). Whereas, time of talk, either in a group or with just their close friends or sex partners, included during training, evening and weekend time, during walking together, and break time. Students used verbal and non-verbal and formal and informal communication styles., Conclusion: The content, place, and time for discussions about sex were influenced by gender, social-cultural norms (e.g. religion), rural vs urban living, and the occurrence of sexual health issues (e.g, sexually-transmitted infections or unwanted pregnancies). Priority should be given to designing audience-specific strategies and messages to promote discussions about sex and to encourage safe sexual practices. Primary target groups should include female and rural students, who are predisposed to risky sexual behavior., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interest.

Introduction: The burden of preeclampsia has been a major concern worldwide, particularly in developing countries such as Ethiopia. Preeclampsia is associated with substantial maternal complications, both acute and long-term. The aim of this research was to determine the magnitude and trends of preeclampsia/ eclampsia, maternal complications, and neonatal complications among women delivering babies at selected government hospitals in Ethiopia., Methods: Data were collected retrospectively by reviewing the five-year medical records for 2009 to 2013, using data abstraction tools, to identify mothers with preeclampsia/eclampsia. A total of 1,809 cases were reviewed for general characteristics of the mother, delivery details, and any complications. Descriptive analyses were employed. In addition, extended Mantel Haenszel chi square for linear trend was used to check for significance of the trends., Results: The five year average proportion of preeclampsia/eclampsia was 4.2% (95%CI 4.02%, 4.4%). The proportion of women with preeclampsia was 2.2% in 2009 and increased to 5.58% in 2013 (p<0.001), which was a 154% increase. Of the 1,809 mothers with preeclampsia/eclampsia, 36% (95%CI 33.85%, 38.28%) experienced at least one maternal complication; there was an increase of 26.5% (p<0.01) over the five year period. The main complications were HELLP (variant of preeclampsia with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count) syndrome, 257 (39.5%); aspiration pneumonia, 114 (17.5%); pulmonary edema, 114 (17.5%); and abruption placentae, 100 (15.3%). At least one neonatal complication occurred in 66.4% (95%CI 64.24%, 68.59%) of deliveries during the five-year study. A decreasing trend in neonatal complications was observed from 2009 (76%) to 2013 (66%), which showed a percentage change over time of negative 13.2%. The most common neonatal complications were stillbirths, which accounted for 363 (30.2%); prematurity, with 395 (32.8%); respiratory distress syndrome, with 456 (37.9%); and low birth weight, with 363 (30.2%)., Conclusion: There was an increasing trend of preeclampsia/eclampsia and maternal complications over a five year period in selected maternity governmental hospitals. In contrast, neonatal complications experienced a significant decrease over the five-year period. It is essential to raise awareness among mothers in the community regarding early signs and symptoms of preeclampsia/eclampsia and to design a better tracking system for antenatal care programs., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interest.

Introduction: Jigger infestation is an important but neglected public health problem. The study assessed the knowledge, attitude and practices of household members on jigger infestation, practices and control within Murang'a district, a rural location in Kenya., Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was used. Structured interview schedules and observation checklist were used to collect quantitative data. A sample size of 271 household members was interviewed. Descriptive and inferential statistics were analyzed and odds ratios computed at 95% confidence interval to determine variables association., Results: On knowledge, 70.1% acknowledged poor hygiene and sanitation contributes to jigger infestation while 16.6% identified jigger flea as the cause of jigger infestation. Over half (53.9%) reported jiggers are transmissible from person to person. Majority (94.8%) identified signs and symptoms of jigger infestation. Over a quarter (23.6%) reported an infested household member and 18.8% infested persons were confirmed during the study. Many (59.8%) held the opinion that, jigger infested persons are lazy, 26.2% reported they are poor and 12% reported they either have specific blood or are from certain families. Below half (48.7%) believed in myths and misconceptions on jiggers. Majority (90.8%) reported needles/pins were the mostly used jigger removal items followed by thorns 38.7%. About two thirds (62.0%) were not aware of communal jigger prevention and control activities. The Chi-square results showed that, the village, type of house floor and compound maintenance were significantly associated with jigger infestation (p<0.05)., Conclusion: Knowledge on jigger infestation is high but this has not translated to jigger prevention and control in the area.