Publications

2017
Mengech J, Njoroge, S Mburu, Tenge C. Water Quality and Management Practices among Parents/Guardians in Households with Children Aged under Five Years in Munyaka Slum Eldoret. Journal of Natural Sciences Research [Internet]. 2017;7(18):1-8. Water Quality and Management Practices among Parents/Guardians in Households with Children Aged under Five Years in MunyakaAbstract

Treating water at the household level has been shown to be one of the most effective means of preventing water-borne disease. Promoting household water treatment and safe storage (HWTS) ensures that vulnerable populations take charge of their own water security by providing them with the appropriate knowledge and tools. The main objective of the study was to assess household water quality management practices among parents/ guardians in household with children aged under five years. The specific objectives were; to establish socio-demographic characteristics of parents/guardians with children aged under five, to establish community’s perception and practice towards improving water quality and to determine if there is biological contamination of household water. This was a cross-sectional study of parents/ guardians in the households with children aged under- five years. Interviewer administered questionnaires were used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics of parents/guardians, level of education, occupation, income, marital status, number of children, age range of children, and household water quality management practices: training on water safety practices, place of training, major source of drinking water for children, practices for water safety and reasons for not practicing water safety.  Water samples were collected and analysed for biological contamination. Data was coded and entered using SPSS version 19. A correlation analysis was done between socio-demographic characteristics, and water quality management practice and also relationship between biological quality of water and household water quality management practices. Data were analysed and represented in tables, graphs and pie charts. A total of ninety six (96) households participated in the study. 84 (96.9%) of the respondents  were married, 56 (58.3%) had attained primary education while 47(49%) indicated they were in business or unemployed, 82 (85.4%) earned an income of ten thousand shillings or less, 50 (52%) had  two or three children. 62 (64.6%) had undergone some form of training on water safety whereby most were trained in schools. 41 (42.7%) of households practiced  boiling, 7 (7.3%)  chemical treatment, 1 (1%) hand washing before handling drinking water.  Most households 91 (94.8%) in Munyaka slum used stored water collected from eight (8) communal piped water points. The samples collected from the 8communal water points tested negative for coliform bacteria. At the household level,  10 (10.4%) samples of water  had coliform bacteria contamination above 10 counts/100ml which is not fit for drinking while 15 (16%) of water samples tested positive for E.coli. There was a strong positive correlation between socio-demographic characteristics and household water quality management practices variables whereby Pearson’s r was 0.778. There was a strong positive and significant correlation between biological quality of waterand Household water quality management practices.(r = 0.836, p= 0.000) Majority of the households in Munyaka with children aged under five years had parents/guardians who were married, had primary level of education, were either unemployed  or in business with an income of less than 10,000 Kenyan shillings. Majority of parents/guardians had received training on water safety but few practiced water treatment. Contamination of drinking water occurred during storage.

Keywords: Water quality, Household water treatment and Storage
2016
Pili NN, França SC, Kyndt T, Makumba BA, Skilton R, Höfte M, Mibey RK, Gheysen G. Analysis of fungal endophytes associated with rice roots from irrigated and upland ecosystems in Kenya. Plant and Soil [Internet]. 2016;405:371–380. WebsiteAbstract
Fungal endophytes are commonly associated with plants, and are considered an important component of crop production. They can influence plant growth and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The aim of this study was to analyse and identify endophytic fungi associated with rice roots in irrigated and upland ecosystems in Kenya, as an inventory for a future search for biological control and growth promoting agents.
Atwoli L, Platt JM, Basu A, Williams DR, Stein DJ, Koenen KC. {Associations between lifetime potentially traumatic events and chronic physical conditions in the South African Stress and Health Survey: A cross-sectional study}. BMC Psychiatry. 2016;16.Abstract
© 2016 The Author(s).Background: This study examined the association between the type, and cumulative number of lifetime potentially traumatic events (PTEs), and chronic physical conditions, in a South African sample. PTE exposures have been associated with an increased risk for a wide range of chronic physical conditions, but it is unclear whether psychiatric disorders mediate this association. Given the established differences in trauma occurrence, and the epidemiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in South Africa relative to other countries, examining associations between PTEs and chronic physical conditions, particularly while accounting for psychiatric comorbidity is important. Methods: Data were drawn from the South African Stress and Health Study, a cross-sectional population-representative study of psychological and physical health of South African adults. Twenty-seven PTEs, based on the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview Version 3.0, DSM-IV PTSD module were grouped into seven PTE types (war events, physical violence, sexual violence, accidents, unexpected death of a loved one, network events, and witnessing PTEs). Five clusters of physical conditions (cardiovascular, arthritis, respiratory, chronic pain, and other health conditions) were examined. Logistic regressions assessed the odds of reporting a physical condition in relation to type and cumulative number of PTEs. Cochran-Armitage test for trend was used to examine dose-response effect of cumulative PTEs on physical conditions. Results: After adjusting for sociodemographic variables and psychiatric disorders, respondents with any PTE had increased odds of all assessed physical conditions, ranging between 1.48 (95 {%} CI: 1.06-2.07) for arthritis and 2.07 (95 {%} CI: 1.57-2.73) for respiratory conditions, compared to those without PTE exposure. Sexual violence, physical violence, unexpected death of a loved one, and network PTEs significantly increased the odds of all or nearly all the physical conditions assessed. There was a dose-response relationship between number of PTEs and increased odds of all physical conditions. Conclusions: Results from this study, the first in an African general population, are consistent with other population-based studies; PTEs confer a broad-spectrum risk for chronic physical conditions, independent of psychiatric disorders. These risks increase with each cumulative PTE exposure. Clinically, comprehensive evaluations for risk of mental and physical health morbidities should be considered among PTE survivors.

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