Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Julia L. Shenkman, Leah C. Neubauer, Linda Mason, Kelvin Oruko, Kelly Alexander, Penelope A. Phillips-Howard, Elizabeth Nyothach
Summary: Existing school environments and staff play a critical role in Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH) for school aged girls in middle and low-income countries. This research highlights the importance of building an MHH-supportive environment with multiple school personnel within schools to develop a gender-equitable environment for girls to learn confidently without undue interference. Sensitization of teachers and puberty education across both genders are key components to developing the MHH-supportive environment in schools.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shekhar Chauhan, Pradeep Kumar, Strong Pillar Marbaniang, Shobhit Srivastava, Ratna Patel, Preeti Dhillon
Summary: This study found variations in factors affecting the use of sanitary napkins among adolescent girls in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, with education, occupation, and family economic status playing significant roles in sanitary napkin use.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Diksha Pokhrel, Sabina Bhattarai, Malin Emgard, Michael von Schickfus, Birger C. Forsberg, Olivia Biermann
Summary: The study in Sindupalchowk, Nepal showed that the use of vaginal menstrual cups among school-aged girls is feasible and acceptable, with positive feedback from participants and practical, economic, and environmental benefits. Addressing concerns and discomforts, as well as promoting peer and family support, will be essential for the scale-up of menstrual cups.
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Shannon N. Wood, Rachel Milkovich, Mary Thiongo, Meagan E. Byrne, Bianca Devoto, Grace Wamue-Ngare, Michele R. Decker, Peter Gichangi
Summary: This study investigated menstrual health product-access challenges among AGYW in Nairobi, Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that challenges were primarily financial; while challenges decreased during the pandemic, they remained prevalent; the deprioritization of menstrual health within household budgets had an impact on product-access challenges.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Assumpta Nantume, Bertha Akinyi Oketch, Dickson Otiangala, Sona Shah, Teresa Cauvel, Boniface Nyumbile, Bernard Olayo
Summary: This study aimed to assess the feasibility, performance, and acceptability of a low-cost wireless wearable technology for continuous monitoring of sick newborns in resource-limited settings. The results demonstrated that the adoption of this technology was feasible and acceptable in the study setting.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ann E. Maltby, Belinda C. Odhiambo, Maureen Nyaura, Rosemary Shikari, Emily L. Tuthill
Summary: This study tested a personalized infant feeding support program among perinatal women living with HIV in Kenya. The findings showed that through face-to-face and frequent infant feeding support sessions, women were able to successfully practice exclusive breastfeeding.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Markus W. Haun, Mariell Hoffmann, Alina Wildenauer, Justus Tonnies, Michel Wensing, Joachim Szecsenyi, Frank Peters-Klimm, Regina Krisam, Dorothea Kronsteiner, Mechthild Hartmann, Hans-Christoph Friederich
Summary: This study explored the experiences of health providers with an integrated mental healthcare model using mental health specialist video consultations in primary care. Participants found the video consultations to be feasible, easy to use, and time-saving, and believed it improved access to mental healthcare for patients. However, technical issues such as poor Internet connectivity were identified as a main barrier to implementation.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jacob Stocks, Saduma Ibrahim, Lawrence Park, Megan Huchko
Summary: Mobile phone ownership and use are high among women in western Kenya, but individual preferences for communication of HPV results and treatment vary.
JMIR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SURVEILLANCE
(2022)
Article
Surgery
Joseph DeVitis, Emily Flom, Tristan Cooper-Roth, Alan Davis, Laura Krech, Chelsea Fisk, Steffen Pounders, Douglas Kwazneski, Alistair Chapman, Carrie Valdez
Summary: This study demonstrates the feasibility of a non-opioid pain management protocol following emergent laparoscopic appendectomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The results show that patients are generally satisfied with their post-operative pain control and report high quality of life after two weeks.
SURGICAL ENDOSCOPY AND OTHER INTERVENTIONAL TECHNIQUES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
E. Wangeci Kagucia, Benard Ochieng, Joyce Were, Kyla Hayford, David Obor, Katherine L. O'Brien, Dustin G. Gibson
Summary: The study evaluated the impact of SMS reminders and unconditional monetary incentives on measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) uptake in Kenya. The results showed that the effect of SMS reminders combined with a small incentive was comparable to that of SMS reminders alone, indicating limited utility. Further research is needed to address unexpected supply constraints.
Article
Orthopedics
Jennifer Pearson, Jessica Coggins, Sandi Derham, Julie Russell, Nicola E. Walsh, Erik Lenguerrand, Shea Palmer, Fiona Cramp
Summary: This study aimed to determine the practicality and acceptability of conducting a future definitive randomised controlled trial of the Fibromyalgia Self-management Programme (FSMP) in a community setting. The results showed that recruiting people with fibromyalgia from Primary Care to participate in a randomised controlled trial testing the FSMP in a community setting is feasible, although improvement in trial attrition and engagement with the intervention is needed.
BMC MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS
(2022)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Yvonne de Paiva Buischi, Natalia de Campos Kajimoto, Sergio Luis Funari, Mwongera Kimathi, Peter Michael Loomer
Summary: The study assessed the impact of an oral health education program on adolescent girls in rural Kenya and found that it effectively reduced dental caries and periodontal diseases. The program also significantly decreased dental plaque biofilm and gingival inflammation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DENTAL HYGIENE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Elliot Hampsey, Marton Meszaros, Caroline Skirrow, Rebecca Strawbridge, Rosie H. Taylor, Lazarus Chok, Dag Aarsland, Ammar Al-Chalabi, Ray Chaudhuri, Jack Weston, Emil Fristed, Aleksandra Podlewska, Olabisi Awogbemila, Allan H. Young
Summary: This study aims to assess the feasibility of collecting speech data remotely from individuals with neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders using a smartphone app. The study will evaluate participants' speech abilities and symptoms using speech tasks and symptom scales, and predict diagnostic groups based on acoustic and linguistic patterns.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Edgar Brodkin, Ee-Neng Loh, Michael Spiro, Vivienne Hannon, Jez Fabes, S. Ramani Moonesinghe, Duncan Wagstaff
Summary: This study is a sub-study within a feasibility randomized controlled trial, aiming to evaluate patient and staff experiences of octreotide infusion during liver transplantation and provide suggestions for improvement to the trials team based on formative understanding.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Laure M. G. Verstraeten, Janneke P. van Wijngaarden, Marina Tol-Schilder, Carel G. M. Meskers, Andrea B. Maier
Summary: This study aims to explore the prevalence and treatment efficacy of sarcopenia in geriatric rehabilitation patients. The study includes an observational cohort study, surveys and semi-structured interviews, a randomized controlled trial, and knowledge sharing on sarcopenia diagnosis and treatment. The results of the study will be disseminated through scientific peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and social media.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nadine Wunsch, Stefan J. Green, Sebastian Adam, Janie Hampton, Penelope A. Phillips-Howard, Supriya D. Mehta
Summary: This study examined the effectiveness of different cleaning methods in eliminating S. aureus from silicone menstrual cups. The results showed that cleaning cups with soap and water, followed by steeping in boiled water, was the most effective in eliminating bacteria. Additionally, raised lettering on the cup's outer surface affected bacterial recovery.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Garazi Zulaika, Miriam Bulbarelli, Elizabeth Nyothach, Annemieke van Eijk, Linda Mason, Eunice Fwaya, David Obor, Daniel Kwaro, Duolao Wang, Supriya D. Mehta, Penelope A. Phillips-Howard
Summary: The study aims to measure the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on adolescent pregnancy and school dropout among school-going girls in Kenya. The findings show that girls experiencing COVID-19 containment measures had twice the risk of falling pregnant and three times the risk of school dropout compared to pre-COVID-19 learners.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Marni Sommer, Penelope A. Phillips-Howard, Caitlin Gruer, Margaret L. Schmitt, Angela-Maithy Nguyen, Amanda Berry, Shivani Kochhar, Sarah Gorrell Kulkarni, Denis Nash, Andrew R. Maroko
Summary: The study identifies that pandemic-related income loss is a significant predictor of menstrual product insecurity, particularly for individuals with lower income and educational attainment. Providing free or subsidized menstrual products is essential for vulnerable populations and those most affected by the pandemic-related income loss.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Sian Floyd, Sarah Mulwa, Faith Magut, Annabelle Gourlay, Nondumiso Mthiyane, Vivienne Kamire, Jane Osindo, Moses Otieno, Natsayi Chimbindi, Abdhalah Ziraba, Penelope Phillips-Howard, Daniel Kwaro, Maryam Shahmanesh, Isolde Birdthistle
Summary: This study examines the impact of the DREAMS program on the uptake of services and sexual risk among AGYW. The results show that the DREAMS program has had a positive effect on increasing knowledge of HIV status, but there is a need for more efforts to promote the use of condoms and PrEP among AGYW.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Madeleine Boyers, Supriya Garikipati, Alice Biggane, Elizabeth Douglas, Nicola Hawkes, Ciara Kiely, Cheryl Giddings, Julie Kelly, Diane Exley, Penelope A. Phillips-Howard, Linda Mason
Summary: This qualitative study investigated the menstrual experiences and perceptions of women living in poverty in the UK and gathered the views of staff supporting these women. The results demonstrated that impoverished women lack the necessary resources to manage their menstrual health, resulting in negative impacts on their overall well-being. Support, including access to free products, is needed at both local and national levels.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Eliud Kibuchi, Proloy Barua, Ivy Chumo, Noemia Teixeira de Siqueira Filha, Penelope Phillips-Howard, Md Imran Hossain Mithu, Caroline Kabaria, Zahidul Quayyum, Lana Whittaker, Laura Dean, Ross Forsyth, Tasmiah Selim, Bachera Aktar, Varun Sai, Sureka Garimella, Samuel Saidu, Ibrahim Gandi, Lakshmi K. Josyula, Blessing Mberu, Helen Elsey, Alastair H. Leyland, Linsay Gray
Summary: This article examines the health inequalities among urban slum residents, with a particular focus on the health conditions of children aged 0-4. By analyzing survey data from Kenya and Bangladesh, the study finds that social determinants of health (SDoH) play a significant role in influencing the health outcomes of slum children. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and international conferences.
Article
Criminology & Penology
Beate Ringwald, Rachel Tolhurst, Miriam Taegtmeyer, Lina Digolo, Grace Gichuna, Mwangi Michael Gaitho, Penelope A. Phillips-Howard, Lilian Otiso, Emanuele Giorgi
Summary: This study compares rates of current intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization among women and men in different urban residential areas in Kenya. The findings reveal that women in informal settlements bear the greatest burden of IPV, and residing in informal settlements is associated with IPV against women, but not men. Factors such as witnessing father beat mother, using physical violence against partner, partner's alcohol use, and marital status are associated with IPV against both women and men. The study highlights the importance of collecting disaggregated IPV data to inform policy and programming beyond the rural-urban divide.
JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Eric Ng'eno, Margaret Lind, Allan Audi, Alice Ouma, Clifford Oduor, Patrick K. Munywoki, George O. Agogo, George Odongo, Samuel Kiplangat, Newton Wamola, Mike Powel Osita, Robert Mugoh, Caroline Ochieng, Victor Omballa, Ondari D. Mogeni, Matthew Mikoleit, Barry S. Fields, Joel M. Montgomery, Jillian Gauld, Robert F. Breiman, Bonventure Juma, Elizabeth Hunsperger, Marc-Alain Widdowon, Godfrey Bigogo, Eric D. Mintz, Jennifer R. Veran
Summary: A long-term study was conducted in the densely populated urban informal settlement of Kibera to investigate the incidence and antimicrobial resistance of typhoid fever. The findings revealed fluctuating rates of typhoid fever and high prevalence of multidrug resistance, particularly among children. The study suggests that implementing typhoid fever control measures, including vaccination, could effectively reduce the burden of the disease in this area.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Margaret L. Schmitt, Katie Dimond, Andrew R. Maroko, Penelope A. Phillips-Howard, Caitlin Gruer, Amanda Berry, Denis Nash, Shivani Kochhar, Marni Sommer
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened gender inequalities in the US, leading to increased vulnerability and decreased well-being for women. This study examines the impact of inconsistent access to menstrual products on women's lives and highlights the need for policy reform and education to address menstrual product insecurity.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Clifford Oduor, Irene Omwenga, Alice Ouma, Robert Mutinda, Samwel Kiplangat, Ondari D. Mogeni, Leonard Cosmas, Allan Audi, George S. Odongo, David Obor, Robert Breiman, Joel Montgomery, George Agogo, Patrick Munywoki, Godfrey Bigogo, Jennifer R. Verani
Summary: This study examined mortality patterns and trends in an urban informal settlement in Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya. The results showed that overall mortality rate and cause-specific mortality rates declined over time, representing significant public health successes among this population.
GLOBAL HEALTH ACTION
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Supriya J. Mehta, Garazi Zulaika, Walter Agingu, Elizabeth Nyothach, Runa Bhaumik, Stefan Green, Anna Maria van Eijk, Daniel Kwaro, Fredrick Otieno, Penelope Phillips-Howard
Summary: This study assessed the impact of menstrual cups on bacterial vaginosis (BV), vaginal microbiome (VMB), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The findings showed that menstrual cup use reduced the occurrence of BV and increased the abundance of Lactobacillus crispatus in the vaginal microbiome, but had no effect on STIs.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Daniel J. Erchick, Seema Subedi, Andrea Verhulst, Michel Guillot, Linda S. Adair, Aluisio J. D. Barros, Bernard Chasekwa, Parul Christian, Bruna Goncalves C. da Silva, Mariangela F. Silveira, Pedro C. Hallal, Jean H. Humphrey, Lieven Huybregts, Simon Kariuki, Subarna K. Khatry, Carl Lachat, Alicia Matijasevich, Peter D. McElroy, Ana Maria B. Menezes, Luke C. Mullany, Tita Lorna L. Perez, Penelope A. Phillips-Howard, Dominique Roberfroid, Ina S. Santos, Feiko O. ter Kuile, Thulasiraj D. Ravilla, James M. Tielsch, Lee S. F. Wu, Joanne Katz
Summary: This study analyzed data from 11 population-based pregnancy or birth cohort studies and found that these studies' methods and protocols provided high-quality vital event data, improving understanding of infant mortality patterns in low- and middle-income countries.
POPULATION HEALTH METRICS
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Masih A. Babagoli, Anja Benshaul-Tolonen, Garazi Zulaika, Elizabeth Nyothach, Clifford Oduor, David Obor, Linda Mason, Emily Kerubo, Isaac Ngere, Kayla F. Laserson, Rhiannon Tudor Edwards, Penelope A. Phillips-Howard
Summary: The study on providing menstrual cups and sanitary pads to primary schoolgirls in rural Kenya found that the menstrual cup intervention had higher benefits in improving health outcomes, while the sanitary pad intervention had lower cost-effectiveness in reducing school absenteeism.
WOMENS HEALTH REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Criminology & Penology
Beate Ringwald, Margaret Kababu, Christian B. Ochieng, Miriam Taegtmeyer, Garazi Zulaika, Penelope A. Phillips-Howard, Lina Digolo
Summary: This study investigated the past-year IPV experience and perpetration among women and men in an informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya. The findings showed a high correlation between IPV experience and perpetration, with similar rates among men and women. Gender attitudes, knowledge, and skills were associated with IPV outcomes.
JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE
(2022)