Journal of Agriculture, Science and Technology

Predictors of treatment outcomes of childhood tuberculosis among patients attending the TB clinic at Mbagathi County Hospital, Nairobi County

George Muthu, Simon Karanja, Evans Amukoye, Justus Simba — Wed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Globally, tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death by a single infectious agent. An estimated one million children develop tuberculosis disease, and an estimated 233,000 die from its complications worldwide each year. Kenya is among the 30 high TB burden countries which accounted for 87% of the world’s cases. In 2019, 86,385 TB cases were notified in Kenya among which 8,393 were children aged below 15 years. Unlike studies on TB in adults, there is limited published data for the predictors of treatment outcomes in children. The aim of TB treatment policy is to cure patients and therefore alleviate suffering and prevent death from the disease. It’s also aimed at preventing long-term complications arising from the disease and prevent relapse. Treatment is also aimed at preventing the transmission of the infection and development of drug resistance. Outcomes of treatment is a good indicator of the performance of the TB program.

Objectives: To determine the predictors of treatment outcomes of childhood tuberculosis among patients attending the TB clinic at Mbagathi County Hospital, Nairobi County

Design: A three-year retrospective study.

Setting: Tuberculosis clinic at Mbagathi County Hospital, Nairobi

Subjects: Files of patients aged below 15 years registered for treatment of TB at Mbagathi County Hospital between 1st January, 2018 and 31st December, 2020.

Results: The findings of the study showed the proportion of males and females were comparable at 62 (49.2%) and 64 (50.8%), respectively. Of these children, 64 (50.8%) were aged < 1 year and 47 (37.3%) had severe acute malnutrition. Of all the study subjects, 80 (63.5%) had pulmonary TB, 39 (31.0%) had extra-pulmonary TB and 4 (3.2%) had miliary TB. The HIV testing rate was 115 (91.2%) with the HIV positivity rate of 28 (22.2%). Genexpert test was done in 54 (42.9%) children out of which 30 (55.6%) had Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) detected. Good/favourable treatment outcomes were observed in 68 (53.9%) of respondents. Among the 19 children aged between 1 year and < 5 years, 13 (68.4%) had good treatment outcomes and was highest compared to the other age groups. Age was significantly associated with treatment outcome (Fishers Exact test, p<0.05). Out of 116 children whose DOT supporter was a household member, 63 (54.4%) had good treatment outcomes and was significantly associated with treatment outcome (Fishers Exact test, p<0.05). Among 82 children who had pulmonary tuberculosis, 50 (61.0%) compared to 18 (43.9%) of 41 children with EPTB had good treatment outcome. On binary logistic regression, the type of TB was the only variable that significantly contributed to the model.

Conclusion: Children below one year of age contributed the highest TB burden and malnutrition being a very important factor associated with TB disease. Pulmonary TB remained the predominant type of the disease and HIV positivity rate was double the national scale. Most children were self-referrals and those whose treatment outcomes were not evaluated contributed a high proportion of poor treatment outcomes.

Recommendation: A better referral framework should be implemented so as capture data particularly for treatment outcomes. Multi-centre research that is more representative is also recommended.

Trends and prospects of poultry value chains in Africa

E. Fallou Guèye — Wed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This paper presents the current situation of poultry value chains (PVCs) and future trends using the most recent and accurate statistical data in Africa. It discusses the challenges facing the PVCs in uncertain socio-economic environments and explores the opportunities and prospects for PVCs under promising improvement in human capital development and innovative technology transfer realities. With the poultry-derived foods being critically important for a healthy and productive society, poultry value chains (PVCs) have been making substantial progress in Africa since 1961. Although poultry production is one of the fastest-growing agricultural sectors in Africa with an average 10-year growth rate of 40.9% in Africa compared with 36.2% worldwide from 1961 to 2021, such a growth is much more noticeable in Northern (53.1%) and Southern (52.9%) African countries. These high poultry stocks are the benefits of decades of poultry research and development investments in dayold chicks from high-performance hybrid stocks, balanced feeds, drugs, vaccines and the presence of consumers who can afford to buy commercial poultry products. Poultry meat is the largest source of animal protein in the human diet, while egg consumption is higher than that of mutton, goat, pork, and camel meats. In Africa, data show that future consumption projection rates have been highest (99% since 2004) for white-meat and eggs. Regardless of country’s economic level, PVCs have taken the lead in the production of animal products. In 2022, chickens accounted for 97.0% of the Africa’s total poultry numbers and contributed 83.0% and 99.8% of poultry meat and egg production, respectively. The PVCs are expected to continue to grow as demands for poultry meat and eggs are driven by human population growth, increased purchasing power, higher urbanization rate and enhanced communication. Nonetheless, due to low productivity, the growing demand for poultry products has not been accompanied by an equivalent growth in local production. The PVCs in Africa are also facing unprecedented challenges, both in rural and urban areas, poultry being a major asset and key to poverty alleviation, income generation, employment, and market participation. The aims of this paper are to highlight the trends, constraints and opportunities to the PVC actors in Africa.

The Dynamics of greenhouse gas emission during food waste composting

Wed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Composting is an environmentally friendly method of managing organic waste, but it has a substantial downside in the form of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions such as: carbon monoxide (CO), nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH₄), and carbon dioxide (CO₂). Organic waste makes up a total of 67% of total waste released daily in Kenya, while cow dung is a readily available resource. The aim of this study was to assess the dynamics of the emissions of GHGs specifically CH4 and CO2 from organic waste in an in-vessel aerated composting system. The feedstock was a mixture of cow dung and food waste materials and was composted for a total of sixty days. Five treatments: T0 = 100% cow dung (CD), T1 = 75% CD + 25% food waste (FW), T2 = 50% CD + 50% FW, T3 = 25% CD + 75% FW and T4 = 100% FW + 0% CD were set up in a complete randomized design (CRD) layout. GHGs emissions were collected using a plastic gas pack from each treatment weekly from the 2nd week to the 8th week of the composting process and measured using gas chromatography methods. The GHGs emission gradually reduced as composting progressed. The average carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) for the entire period from treatments T0, T1 and T2 were 1.282, 4.322 and 2.596 kgCO₂e/ton respectively; these were higher compared to, T3: 0.380 and T4: 0.534 kgCO₂e/ton. ANOVA analysis indicated that there were significant differences in GHGs emission between treatments, p<0.05. Tukey’s HSD affirmed that treatments T0, T1 and T2 were significantly different from each other and from treatments T3 and T4. Treatments T3 and T4 were not significantly different from each other. The C:N ratio at end of the decomposition process ranged between 26:9 and 22:9, which is higher compared to the recommended 15:1 for agricultural production. Treatment T3 emitted the least GHGs to the environment, thus, a combination ratio of 25% CD + 75% FW is recommended which is within EPA recommended range of 0.1 to 0.5 kgCO2e/ton of composted wet waste.

Influence of disaster response awareness on disaster response planning in institutions of higher learning in Nakuru county, Kenya.

Isaac K. Chepkiyeng, Charles Mburu, Xavier F. Ichani — Wed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Disasters in institutions of higher learning remain common and include fires, collapse of buildings, diseases or epidemics and terrorism attacks. The main objective of this study was to establish the influence of disaster response awareness on disaster response planning in institutions of higher learning in Kenya, with particular focus on Nakuru County. The target population were the members of staff and students from twenty institutions of higher learning in the county, which included universities and colleges. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the respondents. Ethical considerations were undertaken throughout the study, and data was collected through the use of questionnaires with both closed and open-ended questions, in addition to interviews. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences Version 24. The study concluded that there is high level of disaster response awareness in institutions of higher learning within Nakuru County. The effect of disaster response awareness on disaster response planning showed existence of a significant correlation of (r = 0.781, p < 0.05). Pearson’s correlations coefficient was higher than 0.5, suggesting a strong relationship between the two variables. The study thus recommends increased undertaking of disaster preparedness efforts to address potential calamities, development of broadly applicable preparedness metrics, and ensuring adherence to policies laid down by Ministry of Education. It is also necessary to engage multiple stakeholder groups in formulating metrics that are considered appropriate.

Foliar application of Trichoderma hamatum enhances grains yield and suppress rice blast severity

Manjoe Aaron Bandiyo Paye, Josephine Karanja, Patrick Juma , Losenge Turoop — Wed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In recent years, rice demand has been on the increase while its production is decreasing due to biotic and abiotic stresses. Rice blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae remains the major biotic factor affecting smallholder rice farmers. This fungal disease cause 60-100% yield losses in rice production, thus leading to food insecurity especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, the disease is managed through prophylactic application of synthetic fungicides which are not environmentally friendly. Thus, the use of biopesticide may offer a sustainable management strategy. In this study, the efficacy of Trichoderma hamatum was assessed against rice blast disease through seeds-priming, roots dipping and foliar sprayed at 5ml/20L of water in the greenhouse. Data was collected on disease incidence and severity, tiller number, height, grains yield and dry root and shoot weights. The disease was scored on a scale of 0-10. Log transformed data was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance in GenStat 14th edition. The treatments means were separated using Tukeys studentized test. The results of this study indicates that the mode of application of T. hamatum had significant influence on rice blast severity on the leaves and panicles (P<0.006) and (P<0.001) respectively. The lowest blast severity was recorded in the foliar sprayed rice plants, compared to seeds-priming, roots dipping and control. The difference in leaf blast severity was significant between the foliar sprayed to that of seeds-priming, roots dipping and control. This study also revealed that the mode of delivery of T. hamatum was important in influencing grains yield of the rice (P<0.001). The highest grains yield was recorded in the foliar sprayed rice. Therefore, this study suggests that there is a potential in the use of foliar spray of T. hamatum in the management of rice blast and the enhancement grains yield of rice.

Development of additive manufacturing biofilaments from recycled high-density polyethylene and rice husks: optimization of extrusion parameters

Maurine N. Andanje , James W. Mwangi , Bruno R. Mose, Sandro Carrara — Wed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The success of additive manufacturing technology continues to depend heavily on new material development. Recycled bioplastic materials have been found to offer an alternative choice with promising results due to their economic and environmental benefits. In fused filament fabrication technology, the unsatisfactory performance including poor adhesion between layers for many bioplastic materials derived from recycled plastics has, however, made researchers continue exploring new ways of enhancing their performance. This study presents findings on the fabrication and optimization of extrusion parameters of biofilaments from recycled high-density polyethylene and rice husks, an agricultural by-product. The process parameters identified in the filament fabrication were heater temperatures, screw speed, and the rate of fan cooling of the filament-making machine, the Composer 450, by 3Devo. Using the Taguchi design of experiment and analysis, the optimal process parameters identified for the filament fabrication were heater temperature of 220°C, screw speed of 10 rpm, and fan cooling of 30% to produce a filament of 1.63 mm thickness with a circular cross-section.

Determinants of finger millet adoption, non-adoption and dis-adoption among smallholder farmers in Nakuru, Kenya

Wed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Previous studies on technology adoption have treated smallholder farmers’ decisions as being binary. In this article, we assess the adoption, non-adoption and dis-adoptions decisions among smallholder finger millet producers in Nakuru, Kenya. The crop has potential to enhance food security and nutrition in the context of climate change. Data for the study were collected from a household survey of 326 households selected through a multi-stage sampling process. Descriptive and logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the data. The study findings reveal that knowledge levels were higher among the adopters (81.4%), compared to the dis-adopters (45.6%) and non-adopters (58.2%). While attitudes towards finger millet production were generally negative, a large proportion of adopters had positive attitudes towards the economic value of the crop and its contribution to human health. Regression results show that higher levels of knowledge were positively associated with finger millet adoption. As expected, positive attitudes had a positive influence on adoption while concurrently negatively influencing dis-adoption. Further the results suggest that changing attitudes on economic value and the role finger millet plays on human health could improve adoption decisions. The other factors that had a positive influence on adoption were education, income, farming experience, while gender (being female), education (higher), and income had negative influence on dis-adoption. Overall, our results suggest the importance of psychosocial factors (knowledge and attitude), the importance of finger millet to female household heads and resource endowment factors (such as education and income) in sustaining adoption decisions while concurrently dissuading dis-adoption.

Microbial colonies isolated on surgical sites and surgical instruments intraoperatively at a public referral hospital, Kenya

Joan Shisoka, Albanus Mutisya, Drusilla Makworo — Wed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Background: The surgical field is considered to remain aseptic during operations. This may change with time as surgery progress, microbes eventually settle in the surgical field and cause contamination of sterilized surgical instruments and surgical sites. Microbial contamination of surgical sites and instruments leads to the development of Surgical Site Infection (CDC, 2019). Researchers have demonstrated intraoperative contamination of surgical instruments and surgical sites was common in spite of various means of preventing Surgical Site Infections, such as skin preparation preoperatively, prophylactic antibiotics, and intraoperative aseptic technique. Different types of microorganisms have been isolated on surgical instruments mainly postoperatively (Saito et al, 2014). This study dwelled on the intraoperative sessions of surgery. Change of surgical instruments and drapes after prolonged exposure is recommended strongly as basic practice.

Materials and Methods: Analytical cross-sectional design was used. The study subjects were 93 surgical patients pre and post-surgery wound swabs were done. Instruments swabs was done at intervals from 0 minute then hourly up to 4 hours. Check lists and laboratory forms were used for data collection. Sample size was 651 (93x7) 2 samples on the surgical site and 5 samples from the instruments. SPSS was used to analyze descriptive statistics.

Results: Staphylococcus species had the highest frequency and percentage both on the surgical site pre and post-surgery as well as instrument swabs at all levels of time from time 0 then hourly up to 4 hours. The staphylococcus species infection range was 7% to 20%. Others included Bacillus species, klebsiella and Escherichia coli at minimal percentages.

Conclusion: In surgical site infections, the study demonstrates that the frequently occurring organism is Staphylococcus aureus. This is due to normal flora of skin of patients and also shed by the personnel in the theatres. There was evidence of microbial colonization on the surgical sites and instruments. Recommendation: Change of surgical instruments and drapes, enhanced surgical prepping and enhance instrument processing and sterilization.

Insulin resistance (IR), lipid profiles, body mass index and vitamin d levels in black women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who are in vitro fertilization candidates at a tertiary hospital in western Kenya

Cyprian Mabonga , Linge Kavoo , Joseph Kweri , M. David Kamau — Wed, 21 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The primary cause of endocrine and reproductive abnormalities, with implications for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk conditions, is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Since Achard and Thiers originally characterized "la diabetes des femmes a barbe" (diabetes of the bearded ladies) in 1921, insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) have remained two of the most prevalent metabolic issues. Seventy percent 70% of women with PCOS exhibit IR, with significant proportion at risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The underlying cause of insulin resistance is unclear, and conflicting research findings have hampered care strategies for both PCOS in general and insulin resistance specifically. Research suggests that 80% of women with PCOS had low vitamin D levels, which may be the missing component between Vitamin D and insulin resistance, since Vitamin D helps in reuptake of calcium and insulin release is calcium dependent.

Aim: To evaluate and compare the insulin resistance, lipid profiles, body mass index and Vitamin D levels in black women with PCOS who are IVF candidates.

Materials and Methods: A case control study conducted at the Mediheal Fertility Center in Eldoret, Western Kenya, between June 2023 and February 2024. A sample size of 40 was used in this study. Study population involved women of reproductive age who were divided into two groups. Twenty (20) cases were identified as per the Rotterdam criteria of PCOS diagnosis and assigned into group I while the 20 controls were drawn from the general population in the neighborhood community and assigned into group II. The following measures were taken at the Mediheal Fertility Center and Moi Teaching & Referral hospital laboratories: body mass index, waist hip ratio, fasting blood glucose, insulin, lipid profiles; total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and vitamin D. Oxidase peroxidase, enzymatic colorimetric, and automated Chemiluminescence (ECLIA) method were used. The data were analyzed using Wilcoxon rank sum test and the statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 25, with significance set at P <0.05.

Results: While lipid profiles and the waist-hip ratio were similar, there was a slight variation in the means of BMI, fasting blood glucose, insulin levels, and vitamin D levels between the PCOS group and the non-PCOS group. Homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and BMI linked favorably in the PCOS group, whereas triglycerides and HOMA-IR correlated positively in group II. When comparing the metabolic parameters of the PCOS group, there were no statistically significant differences in HOMA-IR, BMI, waist- hip ratio, Vitamin D and lipid profiles cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL:LDL ratio, total cholesterol: triglyceride ratio and Castellis risk index between the PCOS and non PCOS group (all p> 0.05). Regression analysis showed that LDL, HDL, TRI, vitamin D, and total cholesterol were important predictors of HOMA-IR but WHR was not.

Conclusion: Although no statistically significant differences in HOMA-IR, BMI, Vitamin D, and lipid profiles were established between PCOS and non PCOS groups, these factors were still identified as significant predictors of insulin resistance within the PCOS population. Further research should explore additional factors influencing insulin resistance in PCOS, such as genetic predispositions or lifestyle interventions and assess the potential synergistic effects of Vitamin D supplementation and hypoglycemic agents on lipid metabolism and metabolic dysregulations.