Article
Oncology
Sandra Langat, Festus Njuguna, Gilbert Olbara, Hugo Martijn, Cenne Sieben, Moniek Haverkort, Dennis Njenga, Terry A. Vik, Gertjan Kaspers, Saskia Mostert
Summary: This study explores the influence of health-insurance status on childhood cancer treatment outcomes in a Kenyan academic hospital. The findings indicate that children without health-insurance had significantly lower survival rates compared to those with insurance. Improving health-insurance access is crucial for improving childhood cancer treatment outcomes.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Amnon Amir, Ortal Erez-Granat, Tzipi Braun, Katya Sosnovski, Rotem Hadar, Marina BenShoshan, Sophia Heiman, Haya Abbas-Egbariya, Efrat Glick Saar, Gilat Efroni, Yael Haberman
Summary: This study found that attendance in daycare significantly affects the gut microbial composition of growing children. The specific daycare facility and class also influence the gut microbiome, and each child becomes more similar to others in their daycare. Daycare children have a different gut microbial composition compared to home care children, with enrichment of taxa more frequently observed in older populations.
NPJ BIOFILMS AND MICROBIOMES
(2022)
Article
Respiratory System
Kathrine Pape, Whitney Cowell, Camilla Sandal Sejbaek, Niklas Worm Andersson, Cecilie Svanes, Henrik Albert Kolstad, Xiaoqin Liu, Karin Sorig Hougaard, Rosalind J. Wright, Vivi Schlunssen
Summary: In a study of 466,556 children born in Denmark, three childhood onset asthma phenotypes were identified, and early life ACEs were found to be associated with increased odds for each of these phenotypes among both girls and boys.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Neelima Navuluri, David Lagat, Joseph R. Egger, Elcy Birgen, Lameck Diero, David M. Murdoch, Nathan Thielman, Peter S. Kussin, Loretta G. Que, Devon Paul
Summary: The prevalence of airway disease in Kenya, including asthma, airflow obstruction, and eosinophilic airway inflammation, was determined. The study found that the prevalence of asthma was 21.7%, airflow obstruction was 12.3%, and eosinophilic airway inflammation was 15.7%. Factors such as wheezing or whistling in the last year and SGRQ-C scores were strongly associated with high FeNO levels.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Kenneth Cornetta, Sarah Nyariki, Imran Manji, Ivan Kiplimo, Millicent Korir, Esther Muinga, Naftali Busakhala, Hussein Elias
Summary: This study assessed the feasibility of providing symptom management through telephone monitoring (Telehospice) for patients discharged from a tertiary care hospital in Western Kenya. Participants received weekly phone calls and had access to a 24-hour hotline. The results showed that patient and family participation in Telehospice is feasible and may provide an interim solution for end-of-life patients who lack access to home hospice.
JOURNAL OF PAIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Allison Tarus, Kenneth Cornetta, Daniel Morogo, Jackline Nyongesa, Hussein Elias, Juli M. Boit
Summary: Breast cancer in Kenya is associated with high mortality due to late-stage diagnosis and limited access to specialized care. A study conducted in Western Kenya found that breast cancer patients entering hospice commonly experienced pain and breast wounds. Many patients expressed worry, depression, and stress, while spiritual distress was less prevalent. These findings highlight the need for expertise in pain and wound management, as well as increased awareness of breast cancer in rural areas.
JOURNAL OF PAIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Respiratory System
Hellen Meme, Evans Amukoye, Cressida Bowyer, Jeremiah Chakaya, Darpan Das, Ruaraidh Dobson, Ulrike Dragosits, Jonathan Fuld, Cindy Gray, Matthew Hahn, Richard Kiplimo, Maia Lesosky, Miranda M. Loh, Jean McKendree, Kevin Mortimer, Amos Ndombi, Louis Netter, Angela Obasi, Fred Orina, Clare Pearson, Heather Price, Jennifer K. Quint, Sean Semple, Marsailidh Twigg, Charlotte Waelde, Anna Walnycki, Melaneia Warwick, Jana Wendler, Sarah E. West, Michael Wilson, Lindsay Zurba, Graham Devereux
Summary: Research found that children living in informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya are more likely to have asthma symptoms, which are more severe and less likely to be diagnosed as asthma. Self-reported exposure to air pollution is associated with increased risk of asthma symptoms.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nina Nganga, Julia Dettinger, John Kinuthia, Jared Baeten, Grace John-Stewart, Lauren Gomez, Mary Marwa, Ben Ochieng, Jillian Pintye, Kenneth Mugwanya, Melissa Mugambi
Summary: The study found that in western Kenya, approximately 17% of pregnant women obtained a pregnancy self-test from a pharmacy. The usage of pregnancy tests was higher among employed women, those with partners educated to secondary or college level, and those who lived within 30 minutes traveling distance to the maternal and child health clinic.
Article
Respiratory System
Sanghun Lee, Jessica Lasky-Su, Sungho Won, Cecelia Laurie, Juan Carlos Celedon, Christoph Lange, Scott Weiss, Julian Hecker
Summary: In genome-wide association studies of obesity and BMI, a locus (rs9292139) in LOC102724122 was found to be associated with BMI under a recessive model, highlighting the benefits of the recessive model in whole-genome sequencing analyses. This discovery emphasizes the importance of considering different genetic inheritance models in genetic studies of complex traits like obesity.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Judith Kose, Cosima Lenz, Job Akuno, Fred Kiiru, Justine Jelagat Odionyi, Rose Otieno-Masaba, Elizabeth A. Okoth, Godfrey Woelk, Solomon Leselewa, Pieter Leendert Fraaij, Natella Rakhmanina
Summary: This study evaluated the feasibility of school-based supportive interventions for AYLHIV in Kenya, showing successful implementation of capacity building, care and treatment support, linkages with healthcare facilities, and psychosocial support. By training school staff and student advocates, supportive environments were created in schools for AYLHIV, advancing HIV care, treatment support, and sexual and reproductive health education.
Review
Allergy
Kirsten M. Kloepfer, Joshua L. Kennedy
Summary: The human microbiome associated with the respiratory tract is diverse, heterogeneous, and dynamic. The interactions between microorganisms, host cells, and the host immune system play a complex role in respiratory diseases. Viral infections can alter the presence of bacterial species, increasing the risk for allergies and asthma.
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Dorothy Apedaile, Allison DeLong, Edwin Sang, David Ayuku, Lukoye Atwoli, Omar Galarraga, Paula Braitstein
Summary: This study compared the educational attainment of orphaned and separated children living in Charitable Children's Institutions and family-based settings in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The findings show that children living in institutions were more likely to complete primary school and some secondary school, but less likely to complete all four years of secondary school, compared to children in family-based care. Further support is needed for all orphans to improve primary and secondary school completion.
Article
Respiratory System
Michimasa Fujiogi, Zhaozhong Zhu, Yoshihiko Raita, Tadao Ooka, Juan C. Celedon, Robert Freishtat, Carlos A. Camargo, Kohei Hasegawa
Summary: This multicentre prospective cohort study integrated clinical, virus and lipidomics data to identify different endotypes of bronchiolitis and examined their relationship with subsequent asthma risk.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Kevin Onuonga, Daniel Onguru, Sidney Ogolla, Joshua A. Mutanyi
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence and factors contributing to intimate partner violence among pregnant women receiving prenatal care in Bondo sub-county, Western Kenya. The results showed that approximately 35.3% of the respondents experienced intimate partner violence during pregnancy. Unemployment, having an alcohol-drinking partner, and the lack of support from parents or siblings were independently associated with intimate partner violence.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GYNECOLOGY & OBSTETRICS
(2023)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Stefano Guerra, Julie G. Ledford, Erik Melen, Iris Lavi, Anne-Elie Carsin, Debra A. Stern, Jing Zhai, Marta Vidal, Mariona Bustamante, Kenneth J. Addison, Renata G. Vallecillo, Dean Billheimer, Gerard H. Koppelman, Judith Garcia-Aymerich, Nathanael Lemonnier, Montserrat Fito, Carlota Dobano, Simon Kebede Merid, Inger Kull, Rosemary R. C. McEachan, John Wright, Leda Chatzi, Manolis Kogevinas, Daniela Porta, Silvia Narduzzi, Ferran Ballester, Ana Esplugues, Carlos Zabaleta, Amaia Irizar, Jordi Sunyer, Marilyn Halonen, Jean Bousquet, Fernando D. Martinez, Josep M. Anto
Summary: A study was conducted to screen circulating proteins in childhood asthma and investigate their association with the disease in a mouse model. It was found that creatine kinase (CK) was consistently associated with asthma, and this association was further supported by gene expression analysis and a mouse model experiment.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2023)