"Those are things for married people" exploring parents'/adults' and adolescents' perspectives on contraceptives in Narok and Homa Bay Counties, Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Contraceptive use among adolescent girls is low in many sub-Saharan African countries including Kenya. Attitude and perspectives about contraception of community members including adolescent girls themselves may be likely to limit contraceptive use among adolescent girls. This study was conducted to explore and compare adults'/parents' and adolescent girls' narratives and perspectives about contraception in Narok and Homa Bay counties, Kenya. METHODS: Qualitative data from 45 in-depth-interviews conducted with purposively selected consenting adolescent girls aged 15-19 was used. Additionally, twelve focus group discussions were held with 86 consenting adults conveniently recruited from the two counties. All discussions were conducted in the local language and audio recorded following consent of the study participants. Female moderators were engaged throughout the study making it appropriate for the study to solicit feedback from the targeted respondents. RESULTS: Findings highlighted adults' perceptions on adolescents' sexuality and the presence of stringent conceptions about the side-effects of contraception in the study communities. Some participants underscored the need for open contraceptive talk between parents and their adolescent girls. Four main themes emerged from the discussions; (i) Perceptions about adolescents' sexuality and risk prevention, (ii) Conceptions about contraception among nulligravida adolescents: fear of infertility, malformation and sexual libertinism, (iii) Post-pregnancy contraceptive considerations and (iv) Thinking differently: divergent views regarding contraceptives and parent/adolescent discussion. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest the need for increased attention towards adolescents and their caregivers particularly in demystifying contraceptive misconceptions. Programmatic responses and models which include the provision of comprehensive sexuality education and increased access to and utilization of SRH information, products and services through a well-informed approach need to be well executed. Programmatic efforts like SRH community education should further seek to enhance the capacity of parents to discuss sexuality with their adolescents.

Regional legal and policy instruments for addressing LGBT exclusion in Africa.

The vulnerability of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons in Africa to public health and other risks is heightened by their exclusion from socio-economic opportunities and services. We analysed existing regional-level legal and policy instruments and treaties for the opportunities they offer to tackle the exclusion of LGBT persons in Africa. We identified seven key living legal and policy instruments, formulated and adopted between 1981 and 2018, by the African Union (AU) or its precursor, the Organization of African Unity. These treaties and instruments do not only highlight the region's challenges related to inclusion, most of them are binding and enforceable, and all enshrine the responsibility of AU member-states to safeguard and ensure the inclusion and protection of citizens, their gender or sexual orientation notwithstanding. The instruments set forth strong and ambitious agendas of inclusion and recognise and affirm the rights of the region's citizens to sexual and reproductive health (SRH), equality, freedom and opportunities, regardless of their sexual orientation. Their language is generally universalist and their rejection of discrimination, criminalisation, and denial of socio-economic opportunities and services to the region's sexual minorities is forthright. However, the instruments do not explicitly mention LGBT persons and lack clear and effective mechanisms for answerability among member-states. Accountability and commitment among member-states towards these instruments and policies will improve national legal and policy environments and propel forward the agenda of LGBT inclusion, SRH and wellbeing in the region.

Anti-obesity effects of dichloromethane leaf extract of Gnidia glauca in high fat diet-induced obese rats.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by increased adipose tissue mass due to positive energy balance. Prescription of anti-obesity drugs can be useful adjuncts to diet and exercise for obese patients who have failed to achieve weight loss. However, these drugs are ineffective and are associated with adverse effects. In recent times, medicinal plants have drawn a sharp focus owing to their biocompatibility and effectiveness. Attempts to determine the therapeutic effects and identification of bio-active principles from herbal prescriptions have become the prime focus in the validation of their folkloric usage and in drug discovery programs. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the anti-obesity effects of Dichloromethane leaf extract of Gnidia glauca in high-fat-diet-induced obese rats. METHODS: Obesity was induced experimentally in white albino Wistar rats by feeding them with prepared high-fat-diet and water ad libitum for a period of 12 weeks. The in-vivo anti-obesity effects were determined by oral administration of Gnidia glauca at dosage levels of 200, 250 and 300 mg/kg body weight from the 6th to 12th week of study. Phytochemical analysis of Gnidia glauca was conducted using gas chromatography linked to mass spectrophotometer. RESULTS: The results indicated that Gnidia glauca exhibited potent anti-obesity effects. It significantly reduced the body weight, organ weights, organo-somatic indices, anthropometric indices, the total fat content, adiposity index, atherogenic index as well as various lipid profiles. It also decreased the total feed intake. However, it significantly increased levels of high-density lipoproteins and rectal body temperature of rats. Quantitative phytochemical analysis also revealed the presence of various phytocompounds that have shown to be associated with anti-obesity effects. CONCLUSION: The anti-obesity effects of Gnidia glauca maybe attributed to the phytochemicals present. The present study, therefore, scientifically validates the traditional use of Gnidia glauca as a potential candidate for the synthesis of new effective anti-obesity supplement.

In Vitro Antioxidant Properties of Dichloromethanolic Leaf Extract of Gnidia glauca (Fresen) as a Promising Antiobesity Drug.

The acquisition of ethnobotanical information from traditional practitioners remains an empirical aspect of understanding the ethnopharmacology research. However, integration of information on chemical composition of plant extracts and their pharmacological activities forms a key resource for synthesis of new and effective therapeutics. In traditional African medicine, Gnidia glauca has folkloric remedies against obesity and its associated oxidative stress-mediated complications. However, the upsurge in its use has not been accompanied with scientific validations to support these claims. The present study aimed to determine the antioxidant potential of G glauca as a promising antiobesity agent. The antioxidant effects of the extract were assessed against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, hydroxyl, hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide, and superoxide radicals as well as lipid peroxidation, iron-chelating effect, and ferric-reducing power. Phytochemical analysis was conducted using gas chromatography linked to mass spectrophotometry. The results revealed that G glauca exhibited scavenging activities against all radicals formed. Besides, the extract showed iron chelation and ferric reducing abilities. The extract indicated a lower half maximal inhibitory concentration value than the standards used. For instance, the extract inhibited 50% of the formation of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine at the concentration of 1.33 ± 0.03 mg/mL relative to 1.39 ± 0.06 mg/mL of the standard, vitamin C at 1% confidence limit. Similarly, the extract scavenged 50% of hydroxyl radical at 204.34 ± 10.64 µg/mL relative to 210.05 ± 8.80 µg/mL of gallic acid. The extract also contained various phytochemicals that have been associated with antiobesity effects. The synergistic effects of these phytocompounds increase their bioavailability and action on multiple molecular targets thereby correcting obesity-induced oxidative stress.

Modulation of Cognition: The Role of Gnidia glauca on Spatial Learning and Memory Retention in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats.

Chronic exposures to high-fat diets are linked to neuropathological changes that culminate in obesity-related cognitive dysfunction and brain alteration. Learning, memory performance, and executive function are the main domains affected by an obesogenic diet. There are limited effective therapies for addressing cognitive deficits. Thus, it is important to identify additional and alternative therapies. In African traditional medicine, Gnidia glauca has putative efficacy in the management of obesity and associated complications. The use of Gnidia glauca is largely based on its long-term traditional use. Its therapeutic application has not been accompanied by sufficient scientific evaluation to validate its use. Therefore, the current study sought to explore the modulatory effects of dichloromethane leaf extracts of Gnidia glauca on cognitive function in the high-fat diet- (HFD-) induced obese rats. Obesity was induced by feeding the rats with prepared HFD and water ad libitum for 6 weeks. The in vivo antiobesity effects were determined by oral administration of G. glauca at dosage levels of 200, 250, and 300 mg/kg body weight in HFD-induced obese rats from the 6th to the 12th weeks. The Lee obesity index was used as a diagnostic criterion of obesity. The Morris water maze was employed to test spatial learning and memory retention in rats. The results indicated that Gnidia glauca showed potent antiobesity effects as indicated in the reduction of body weight and obesity index in extract-treated rats. Moreover, Gnidia glauca exhibited cognitive-enhancing effects in obese rats. The positive influences on cognitive functions might be attributed to the extracts' phytochemicals that have been suggested to confer protection against obesity-induced oxidative damage, reduction of central inflammation, and increased neurogenesis. The therapeutic effects observed suggest that Gnidia glauca might be an alternative to current medications for the symptomatic complications of obesity, such as learning and memory loss. Further studies are therefore needed to establish its toxicity profiles.

Effects of DCM Leaf Extract of Gnidia glauca (Fresen) on Locomotor Activity, Anxiety, and Exploration-Like Behaviors in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats.

Obesity is the main component of metabolic syndromes involving distinct etiologies that target different underlying behavioral and physiological functions within the brain structures and neuronal circuits. An alteration in the neuronal circuitry stemming from abdominal or central obesity stimulates a cascade of changes in neurochemical signaling that directly or indirectly mediate spontaneously emitted behaviors such as locomotor activity patterns, anxiety, and exploration. Pharmacological agents available for the treatment of neurologic disorders have been associated with limited potency and intolerable adverse effects. These have necessitated the upsurge in the utilization of herbal prescriptions due to their affordability and easy accessibility and are firmly embedded within wider belief systems of many people. Gnidia glauca has been used in the management of many ailments including obesity and associated symptomatic complications. However, its upsurge in use has not been accompanied by empirical determination of these folkloric claims. The present study, therefore, is aimed at determining the modulatory effects of dichloromethane leaf extract of Gnidia glauca on locomotor activity, exploration, and anxiety-like behaviors in high-fat diet-induced obese rats in an open-field arena. Obesity was experimentally induced by feeding the rats with prepared high-fat diet and water ad libitum for 6 weeks. The in vivo antiobesity effects were determined by oral administration of G. glauca at dosage levels of 200, 250, and 300 mg/kg body weight in high-fat diet-induced obese rats from the 6th to 12th week. Phytochemical analysis was done using gas chromatography linked to mass spectroscopy. Results indicated that Gnidia glauca showed anxiolytic effects and significantly increased spontaneous locomotor activity and exploration-like behaviors in HFD-induced obese rats. The plant extract also contained phytocompounds that have been associated with amelioration of the main neurodegenerative mediators, viz., inflammation and oxidative stress. These findings provide "qualified leads" for the synthesis of new alternative therapeutic agents for the management of neurologic disorders. However, there is a need to conduct toxicity studies of Gnidia glauca to establish its safety profiles.