Correlates of COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance and Hesitancy in Rural Communities in Western Kenya.

Vaccine hesitancy is a significant global public health concern. This study sought to determine the correlates of acceptance and hesitancy regarding COVID-19 vaccines in rural populations of selected counties in Western Kenya and assess the strategies that can be used to improve COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Kenya. The study used a quantitative research strategy with a sample of 806 individuals in the Kisumu, Vihiga, and Kakamega counties. Descriptive statistics, correlations and regression analyses were used. Of the 806 study participants, 55% were males and 45% females. Vaccine acceptance was significantly associated with being a male (AOR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.24-1.59, p < 0.031), having no formal education (AOR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.16-4.40, p < 0.02), working in the private sector (AOR: 5.78, 95% CI: 3.28-10.88 p < 0.02), and have low income (KES 0-999 (USD 0-9.16)), (AOR: 2.35, 95% CI: 1.13-3.47, p < 0.02). Conclusions: The current study suggests that male gender, no formal education, working in the private sector, and low income KES 0-999 (USD 0-9.6) are significant factors influencing awareness of and possible acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination.

Epidemiological characteristics of crashes and pattern of motorcycle injuries presenting to hospitals in Kisumu City, Kenya: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: motorcycle injuries comprise considerable morbidity, disability and mortality of road traffic casualties. The study aimed to assess the pattern and characteristics of motorcycle crash injuries that sought care at the Emergency Departments in Tier III hospitals in Kisumu City during a six-month period from May to November 2019. Methods: this was a cross-sectional study of all motorcycle injury patients presenting to three tier III public and private hospitals in Kisumu City. Using a structured questionnaire, data were collected on human and injury characteristics. Multiple logistic regression model was used to determine the predictors of fatality. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: a total of 1073 of motorcycle crash injury patients sought and obtained care at the hospitals. The majority (73.6%) were males. Seventy-three cases resulted in death (case-fatality rate of 6.80%. The age range was 2-84 years, with a mean of 29.6 years (± SD 12.19). Majority, (43.3%) were aged 21-30 years. Most of the crashes occurred during the daytime (79.1%). Of all motorcycle riders and pillion passengers 30.6% wore helmets at the time of the crash. Head injuries (43.6%) were the most common. Injury seventy scores (ISS) ranged from 1 to 51. Glasgow comma scale <3, un-helmeted patients and major trauma (ISS > 16), significantly influenced mortality (P< 0.001). Conclusion: these findings confirmed and strengthened the documented substantial morbidity, mortality that motorcycle crashes place on individuals and society, contribute to the body of literature on motorcycle injuries and potentially assist in policy decisions on motorcycle transport safety.

The Burden of Motorcycle Crash Injuries on the Public Health System in Kisumu City, Kenya.

BACKGROUND: In Kenya, the increased use of motorcycles for transport has led to increased morbidity, mortality, and disability. These injuries exert a burden on the public health system, yet little information exists on health care resource usage by motorcycle crash injury patients. We aimed to estimate the burden of motorcycle crash injuries on the health system in Kisumu City. METHODS: We conducted a 6-month prospective study of all motorcycle crash injury patients who presented to 3 Tier III public and private hospitals in Kisumu City between May and November 2019. We collected data on demographics, emergency department (ED) visits, admissions, anatomic injury site, services used, and injury severity. We reviewed hospital records to obtain denominator data on all the conditions presenting to the EDs. RESULTS: A total of 1,073 motorcycle crash injury cases accounted for 2.0%, 12.0%, and 13.6% of total emergency visits, total injuries, and total admissions to the hospitals, respectively. Men were overrepresented (P<.001). The mean age was 29.6 years (±standard deviation [SD] 12.19; range=2-84). The average injury severity score was 12.83. Surgical interventions were required by 89.3% of patients admitted. Of the 123 patients admitted to the intensive care unit, 42.3% were due to motorcycle accident injuries. CONCLUSION: Motorcycle injuries impose a major burden on the Kisumu City public health system. Increased promotion and reinforcement of appropriate interventions and legislation can help prevent accidents and mitigate their consequences. Focusing on motorcycle injury prevention will reduce accident-related morbidity, hospitalization, severity, and fatalities and the impact on the public health system.