Lessons from the deployment and management of public handwashing stations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya: A cross-sectional, observational study.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya, 5,311 handwashing stations were distributed by the National Business Compact Coalition (NBCC) to help combat the virus. This study evaluated 316 of these stations across five counties, assessing functionality, usability, and accessibility. Quantitative data, including spot checks and surveys, revealed that 83.9% of the evaluated stations were functional, with paid caretakers, which is associated with higher functionality rates. Qualitative insights underscored challenges such as inadequate signage and limited soap and water availability, particularly affecting individuals with disabilities. Despite initial success, only 61% of stations remained functional 6-8 months post-distribution, often due to relocation by caretakers. Future distributions should prioritize long-term support for caretakers to sustain station functionality. This study highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring and support for public handwashing facilities in pandemic response efforts.

Determinants of quality in home-based management of malaria by community health volunteers in rural Kenya.

INTRODUCTION: Kenya adopted the World Health Organization's recommendation of community case management of malaria (CCMM) in 2012. Trained community health volunteers (CHVs) provide CCMM but information on quality of services is limited. This study aimed to establish determinants of quality of service of CCMM conducted by CHVs. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in November 2016 in Bungoma County, Kenya. Data were collected through observing CHVs perform routine CCMM and through interviews of CHVs using structured questionnaires. A ≥ 75% score was considered as quality provision. Descriptive statistics were performed to describe basic characteristics of the study, followed by Chi-Square test and binary logistic regression to examine the differences and associations between the categorical variables. RESULTS: A total of 147 CHVs participated; 62% of CHVs offered quality services. There was a direct association between quality of services and stock-outs of artemether-lumefantrine (AL), stock-outs of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) and support supervision. CHVs who were supervised during the year preceding the assessment were four times more likely to perform better than those not supervised (uOR 4.2, 95% CI: 1.38-12.85). CHVs with reliable supplies of AL and RDT kits performed three times better than those who experienced stock outs (uOR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.03-10.03 and 3.3, 95% CI: 1.63-6.59 respectively). Biosafety and documentation were the most poorly performed. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of CHVs offered quality CCMM services despite safety gaps. Safety, continuous supplies of RDT, AL and supervision are essential for quality performance by CHV in delivering CCMM.

Factors influencing deliveries at health facilities in a rural Maasai Community in Magadi sub-County, Kenya.

BACKGROUND: In response to poor maternal, newborn, and child health indicators in Magadi sub-county, the "Boma" model was launched to promote health facility delivery by establishing community health units and training community health volunteers (CHVs) and traditional birth attendants (TBAs) as safe motherhood promoters. As a result, health facility delivery increased from 14% to 24%, still considerably below the national average (61%). We therefore conducted this study to determine factors influencing health facility delivery and describe barriers and motivators to the same. METHODS: A mixed methods cross-sectional study involving a survey with 200 women who had delivered in the last 24 months, 3 focus group discussions with health providers, chiefs and CHVs and 26 in-depth interviews with mothers, key decision influencers and TBAs. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using logistic regression were calculated to identify predictive factors for health facility delivery. Thematic analysis was done to describe barriers and motivators to the same. RESULTS: Of the women interviewed, 39% delivered at the health facility. Factors positively associated with health facility deliveries included belonging to the highest wealth quintiles [aOR 4.9 (95%CI 1.5-16.5)], currently not married [aOR 2.4 (95%CI 1.1-5.4)] and living near the health facility [aOR 2.2 (95%CI 1.1 = 4.4)]. High parity [aOR 0.7 (95%CI 0.5-0.9)] was negatively associated with health facility delivery. Barriers to health facility delivery included women not being final decision makers on place of birth, lack of a birth plan, gender of health provider, unfamiliar birthing position, disrespect and/or abuse, distance, attitude of health providers and lack of essential drugs and supplies. Motivators included proximity to health facility, mother's health condition, integration of TBAs into the health system, and health education/advice received. CONCLUSION: Belonging to the highest wealth quintile, currently not married and living near a health facility were positively associated with health facility delivery. Gender inequity and cultural practices such as lack of birth preparedness should be addressed. Transport mechanisms need to be established to avoid delay in reaching a health facility. The health systems also need to be functional with adequate supplies and motivated staff.

Risk Factors for HIV Acquisition in a Prospective Nairobi-Based Female Sex Worker Cohort.

With two million new HIV infections annually, ongoing investigations of risk factors for HIV acquisition is critical to guide ongoing HIV prevention efforts. We conducted a prospective cohort analysis of HIV uninfected female sex workers enrolled at an HIV prevention clinic in Nairobi (n = 1640). In the initially HIV uninfected cohort (70 %), we observed 34 HIV infections during 1514 person-years of follow-up, i.e. an annual incidence of 2.2 % (95 % CI 1.6-3.1 %). In multivariable Cox Proportional Hazard analysis, HIV acquisition was associated with a shorter baseline duration of sex work (aHR 0.76, 95 % CI 0.63-0.91), minimum charge/sex act (aHR 2.74, 0.82-9.15, for low vs. intermediate; aHR 5.70, 1.96-16.59, for high vs. intermediate), N. gonorrhoeae infection (aAHR 5.89, 95 % CI 2.03-17.08), sex with casual clients during menses (aHR 6.19, 95 % CI 2.58-14.84), Depo Provera use (aHR 5.12, 95 % CI 1.98-13.22), and estimated number of annual unprotected regular partner contacts (aHR 1.004, 95 % CI 1.001-1.006). Risk profiling based on baseline predictors suggested that substantial heterogeneity in HIV risk is evident, even within a key population. These data highlight several risk factors for HIV acquisition that could help to re-focus HIV prevention messages.

Determinants of use of skilled birth attendant at delivery in Makueni, Kenya: a cross sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Kenya has a maternal mortality ratio of 488 per 100,000 live births. Preventing maternal deaths depends significantly on the presence of a skilled birth attendant at delivery. Kenyan national statistics estimate that the proportion of births attended by a skilled health professional have remained below 50% for over a decade; currently at 44%, according to Kenya's demographic health survey 2008/09 against the national target of 65%. This study examines the association of mother's characteristics, access to reproductive health services, and the use of skilled birth attendants in Makueni County, Kenya. METHODS: We carried out secondary data analysis of a cross sectional cluster survey that was conducted in August 2012. Interviews were conducted with 1,205 eligible female respondents (15-49 years), who had children less than five years (0-59 months) at the time of the study. Data was analysed using SPSS version 17. Multicollinearity of the independent variables was assessed. Chi-square tests were used and results that were statistically significant with p-values, p < 0.25 were further included into the multivariable logistic regression model. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and their 95% confidence intervals were (95%) calculated. P value less than 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: Among the mothers who were interviewed, 40.3% (489) were delivered by a skilled birth attendant while 59.7% (723) were delivered by unskilled birth attendants. Mothers with tertiary/university education were more likely to use a skilled birth attendant during delivery, adjusted OR 8.657, 95% CI, (1.445- 51.853) compared to those with no education. A woman whose partner had secondary education was 2.9 times more likely to seek skilled delivery, adjusted odds ratio 2.913, 95% CI, (1.337- 6.348). Attending ANC was equally significant, adjusted OR 11.938, 95% CI, (4.086- 34.88). Living within a distance of 1- 5 kilometers from a facility increased the likelihood of skilled birth attendance, adjusted OR 95% CI, 1.594 (1.071- 2.371). CONCLUSIONS: The woman's level of education, her partner's level of education, attending ANC and living within 5kms from a health facility are associated with being assisted by skilled birth attendants. Health education and behaviour change communication strategies can be enhanced to increase demand for skilled delivery.