Nurses play a key role in the provision of health care. Over 70% of the nurses in Kenya are Enrol... more Nurses play a key role in the provision of health care. Over 70% of the nurses in Kenya are Enrolled Community Health Nurses (ECHNs). AMREF in partnership with Nursing Council of Kenya and the Ministry of Health pioneered an eLearning Nurse Upgrading Programme. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers that hindered enrolment into the programme. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. A sample of 532 ECHNs was interviewed from four provinces. Data was collected using a pre-tested self administered questionnaire. Analysis was done using SPSS computer software. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables and chi-square tests used to determine variables that were associated with enrolment. Mann Whitney U-test was used for continuous variables. A third (29.7%) of the nurses were from Rift Valley province and 17.9% from Coast. Majority (75%) were from public health facilities. The mean age of the nurses was 40.6 years. The average monthly income was KES 22,49...
Background: Kenya has a maternal mortality ratio of 488 per 100,000 live births. Preventing mater... more 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.
Breastfeeding is the best food source for the nutritional and health needs of young children. How... more Breastfeeding is the best food source for the nutritional and health needs of young children. However when a mother returns to work, breastfeeding may be discontinued prematurely. The purpose of this study was to study infant feeding practices used by working mothers in Nairobi. Mothers attending clinics at two hospitals, one a private hospital serving higher socioeconomic groups and the other a public hospital represented the low socioeconomic groups, were interviewed. A structured interview was held with 444 mothers (200 from the low socioeconomic group and 244 from the high socioeconomic group) between January 5th and February 11th 2000. All mothers with infants aged 16-48 weeks who were willing to participate were interviewed. The prevalence of breastfeeding at the time of the study was found to be 94.1%. The low socioeconomic group exhibited a higher prevalence of breastfeeding (99%) with a 10% difference between the low and high socioeconomic groups. The prevalence of exclusiv...
CHWs used WhatsApp with their supervisors to document their work, spurring healthy competition an... more CHWs used WhatsApp with their supervisors to document their work, spurring healthy competition and team building between CHWs in the 2 pilot sites. While there was considerable variation in the number of times each participant posted messages-from 1 message to 270 messages-in total they posted nearly 2,000 messages over 6 months. 88% of messages corresponded to at least 1 of 3 defined supervisory objectives of (1) creating a social environment, (2) sharing communication and information, or (3) promoting quality of services.
In this paper, it will be examined whether breastfeeding activity is related to decline on job em... more In this paper, it will be examined whether breastfeeding activity is related to decline on job employment in Kenya. While many mothers do some breastfeeding, it may be difficult to find jobs because they have to stay home for feeding. Recently, as the need for income is growing, it is appropriate to find the job-seekers even though they are on the stage of breastfeeding. This paper will focus on this matter particularly in Kenya as a developing country.
The poor feeding practices of pregnant women, infants, and young children contribute to the burde... more The poor feeding practices of pregnant women, infants, and young children contribute to the burden of malnutrition and subsequently to childhood morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Gaining insight into the nutritional and health status of infants and young children will help to focus future nutrition programs and actions. To assess the nutrition and health status of infants and young children in five sub-Saharan African countries: Ivory Coast, Senegal, Cameroon, Kenya, and Nigeria. Published and gray literature was critically reviewed and enriched with the views of local experts from academia, hospitals, and institutions to assess infants' and children's diet and health in the five sub-Saharan African countries. Subsequently, the Africa Nutriday Conference was held in Senegal in November 2011 to further discuss key challenges, action plans, and recommendations for future research. This review highlighted the need for education of parents and healthcare professiona...
To assess the prevalence and associated factors for undernutrition among the beneficiaries of Ken... more To assess the prevalence and associated factors for undernutrition among the beneficiaries of Kenya Cash Transfer Program compared to non-beneficiaries in Korogocho, Nairobi. Optimal nutrition reduces the prevalence of undernutrition and contributes to improved child survival and development. A comparative descriptive cross-sectional study design in which a total of 336 children were sampled from the two groups each consisting 168 children. A questionnaire was administered to caregivers. A Food Frequency Questionnaire and a 24 Hour Recall sought information on foods consumed. Anthropometric measurements were taken based on standard procedures. Wasting, underweight and stunting were determined based on a z-score of > or = -2 or < -2 SD. A chi-square test was used to test significance associations of wasting, underweight and stunting with other variables. A majority (89.3%) and (73.8%) of the principal caregivers were females among the beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries respect...
Background: Kenya has a maternal mortality ratio of 488 per 100,000 live births. Preventing mater... more 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.
Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services have been set up in most Districts in Kenya due t... more Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services have been set up in most Districts in Kenya due to the rising surge of HIV/AIDS. However, the use of these services among married persons has not been fully explored. In Kissi, the issue of VCT is pressing as the rate of HIV prevalence is close to 3%. In 2006, about 20 000 clients came for VCT services in Kenya yet only 165 of these were married persons. In the Keumbu sub-district hospital, of the more than 1000 clients that came for VCT services, approximately 29% were married persons. This paper therefore aims at determining the utilization of VCT services by married persons in the study area. The qualitative data was obtained principally through two focus group discussions (FGDs) in which the respondents were asked to comment on their use of VCT services while the quantitative data was obtained from interviews with 245 respondents. The qualitative data was analyzed through verbatim transcription while for the quantitative data; the responses were coded and populated into SPSS from which the frequencies and percentages were calculated. The results show that actual use of the VCT services is low (28.1%) but slightly higher among female respondents than males. The low usage may be attributed to (a) fear of results, (b) death anxiety, (c) lack of confidentiality and lastly, (d) fear of stigmatization. Female respondents were found to have a greater awareness of VCT and thus its potential use
ABSTRACT To assess the effect of pre-lacteal feeding on full breastfeeding in the first six month... more ABSTRACT To assess the effect of pre-lacteal feeding on full breastfeeding in the first six months of life in selected hospitals, Nairobi Province. Pre-lacteal feeding has been internationally discouraged because of its negative effect on the duration of breastfeeding. A prospective cohort design was used with a sample of 692 mother-infant pairs recruited at birth and followed up until 6 months of age. The sample was drawn from five major hospitals in Nairobi. Data was analyzed using the SPSS computer software. Descriptive analysis was used on all variables. Chi-test was used for univariate analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the effect of pre-lacteal feeding on full breastfeeding. Slightly more than half (58.8%) of the mothers were formally employed and their mean age was 28.3 +/- 4.9 years. The mean income was KES 26,360 +/- 34,696. The mean birth weight of the infants was 3.24 +/- 0.43 kg and 53.3% were males. The prevalence of pre-lacteal feeding was 26.8% (95% CI 23.5%-30.1%). The most common pre-lacteal feeds used at all hospitals were infant formula and glucose solution. There were significant (P &lt; 0.05) differences across the five study hospitals in this practice. In one hospital nearly all (93%) infants received a pre-lacteal feed. The use of pre-lacteal feeding was significant predictor for early cessation of full breastfeeding at 6, 10, 14 and 19 weeks. The practice of giving pre-lacteal feeds is a key determinant of early cessation of full breastfeeding. Some hospitals do not appear to be adhering to international recommendations on infant feeding. Polices to promote exclusive and full breastfeeding are necessary to enable infants to attain optimal health and lead to achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in our settings.
Objective: In the fast growing city of Nairobi, women often combine the roles of mother and worke... more Objective: In the fast growing city of Nairobi, women often combine the roles of mother and worker in trying to achieve better standards of living. The objective of this study was to document the effect of returning to work on breast-feeding by mothers in Kenya. Design: A cross-sectional survey. Setting: Outpatient clinics of two major hospitals in Nairobi, one government hospital in an economically deprived area and one high-fee private hospital. Subjects: Four hundred and forty-four working mothers from low and higher socioeconomic areas in Nairobi. All working mothers with infants aged 4 to 12 months attending during the survey period were invited to participate. Results: The prevalence of breast-feeding at the time of interview was found to be 94.1%. The lower socio-economic group exhibited a higher prevalence of breastfeeding (99%), 10% greater than the higher socio-economic group. The mean number of hours the mothers were away from home due to work was 46.2 hours each week. The majority (54.4%) of the mothers employed a 'house-girl' to care for their infant while they were at work, while 28.4% were able to take their infants to work. Most of the breast-feeding mothers (95%) breast-fed their infants at least three times a day and only 23 mothers reported not being able to breast-feed their infants during the day. The lower socio-economic group had a mean of 5.09 breast-feeding times per day while the higher socio-economic group had a mean of 3 times a day. In a logistic regression analysis the mode of work (fixed working hours vs. shift working hours) was associated with exclusive breast-feeding at one month (odds ratio (OR) ¼ 0.45) and two months (OR ¼ 0.39). Conclusion: In Western countries 'return to work' is often cited as the reason that breast-feeding is discontinued prematurely. In this study we have shown how mothers in Kenya are able to successfully continue breast-feeding after they have returned to work, often for very long hours.
For many women today work is essential for the economic survival of their families while they als... more For many women today work is essential for the economic survival of their families while they also fulfil their role of providing optimum nutrition to their babies through breastfeeding. The objective of the study is to document the effect of returning to work on exclusive breastfeeding by mothers in Kenya. A cross-sectional study of 444 working mothers was undertaken in Nairobi, Kenya. About one half of the mothers were in formal paid employment and the rest were self-employed. The mean number of hours the mothers were away from home due to work was 46.2 hours per week. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 13.3% at three months. Early introduction of complementary foods was high, with 46.4% of the mothers introducing other foods before one month. Breast milk insufficiency and return to work were the main reasons cited for the cessation of exclusive breastfeeding. In a logistic regression analysis the mode of work (fixed working hours versus shift working hours) was associated with exclusive breastfeeding at one month (OR=0.45) and two months (OR=0.39). Working mothers were able to continue breastfeeding, although the exclusive breastfeeding rates were low. The early introduction of other foods is of public health importance as it exposes infants to increased risk of infection and poor nutrition, particularly diarrhoeal diseases and may lead to flattening of the growth curve. Shift work makes it impossible for some mothers to exclusively breastfeed their infants.
Nurses play a key role in the provision of health care. Over 70% of the nurses in Kenya are Enrol... more Nurses play a key role in the provision of health care. Over 70% of the nurses in Kenya are Enrolled Community Health Nurses (ECHNs). AMREF in partnership with Nursing Council of Kenya and the Ministry of Health pioneered an eLearning Nurse Upgrading Programme. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers that hindered enrolment into the programme. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. A sample of 532 ECHNs was interviewed from four provinces. Data was collected using a pre-tested self administered questionnaire. Analysis was done using SPSS computer software. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables and chi-square tests used to determine variables that were associated with enrolment. Mann Whitney U-test was used for continuous variables. A third (29.7%) of the nurses were from Rift Valley province and 17.9% from Coast. Majority (75%) were from public health facilities. The mean age of the nurses was 40.6 years. The average monthly income was KES 22,49...
Nurses play a key role in the provision of health care. Over 70% of the nurses in Kenya are Enrol... more Nurses play a key role in the provision of health care. Over 70% of the nurses in Kenya are Enrolled Community Health Nurses (ECHNs). AMREF in partnership with Nursing Council of Kenya and the Ministry of Health pioneered an eLearning Nurse Upgrading Programme. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers that hindered enrolment into the programme. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. A sample of 532 ECHNs was interviewed from four provinces. Data was collected using a pre-tested self administered questionnaire. Analysis was done using SPSS computer software. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables and chi-square tests used to determine variables that were associated with enrolment. Mann Whitney U-test was used for continuous variables. A third (29.7%) of the nurses were from Rift Valley province and 17.9% from Coast. Majority (75%) were from public health facilities. The mean age of the nurses was 40.6 years. The average monthly income was KES 22,49...
Background: Kenya has a maternal mortality ratio of 488 per 100,000 live births. Preventing mater... more 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.
Breastfeeding is the best food source for the nutritional and health needs of young children. How... more Breastfeeding is the best food source for the nutritional and health needs of young children. However when a mother returns to work, breastfeeding may be discontinued prematurely. The purpose of this study was to study infant feeding practices used by working mothers in Nairobi. Mothers attending clinics at two hospitals, one a private hospital serving higher socioeconomic groups and the other a public hospital represented the low socioeconomic groups, were interviewed. A structured interview was held with 444 mothers (200 from the low socioeconomic group and 244 from the high socioeconomic group) between January 5th and February 11th 2000. All mothers with infants aged 16-48 weeks who were willing to participate were interviewed. The prevalence of breastfeeding at the time of the study was found to be 94.1%. The low socioeconomic group exhibited a higher prevalence of breastfeeding (99%) with a 10% difference between the low and high socioeconomic groups. The prevalence of exclusiv...
CHWs used WhatsApp with their supervisors to document their work, spurring healthy competition an... more CHWs used WhatsApp with their supervisors to document their work, spurring healthy competition and team building between CHWs in the 2 pilot sites. While there was considerable variation in the number of times each participant posted messages-from 1 message to 270 messages-in total they posted nearly 2,000 messages over 6 months. 88% of messages corresponded to at least 1 of 3 defined supervisory objectives of (1) creating a social environment, (2) sharing communication and information, or (3) promoting quality of services.
In this paper, it will be examined whether breastfeeding activity is related to decline on job em... more In this paper, it will be examined whether breastfeeding activity is related to decline on job employment in Kenya. While many mothers do some breastfeeding, it may be difficult to find jobs because they have to stay home for feeding. Recently, as the need for income is growing, it is appropriate to find the job-seekers even though they are on the stage of breastfeeding. This paper will focus on this matter particularly in Kenya as a developing country.
The poor feeding practices of pregnant women, infants, and young children contribute to the burde... more The poor feeding practices of pregnant women, infants, and young children contribute to the burden of malnutrition and subsequently to childhood morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Gaining insight into the nutritional and health status of infants and young children will help to focus future nutrition programs and actions. To assess the nutrition and health status of infants and young children in five sub-Saharan African countries: Ivory Coast, Senegal, Cameroon, Kenya, and Nigeria. Published and gray literature was critically reviewed and enriched with the views of local experts from academia, hospitals, and institutions to assess infants' and children's diet and health in the five sub-Saharan African countries. Subsequently, the Africa Nutriday Conference was held in Senegal in November 2011 to further discuss key challenges, action plans, and recommendations for future research. This review highlighted the need for education of parents and healthcare professiona...
To assess the prevalence and associated factors for undernutrition among the beneficiaries of Ken... more To assess the prevalence and associated factors for undernutrition among the beneficiaries of Kenya Cash Transfer Program compared to non-beneficiaries in Korogocho, Nairobi. Optimal nutrition reduces the prevalence of undernutrition and contributes to improved child survival and development. A comparative descriptive cross-sectional study design in which a total of 336 children were sampled from the two groups each consisting 168 children. A questionnaire was administered to caregivers. A Food Frequency Questionnaire and a 24 Hour Recall sought information on foods consumed. Anthropometric measurements were taken based on standard procedures. Wasting, underweight and stunting were determined based on a z-score of > or = -2 or < -2 SD. A chi-square test was used to test significance associations of wasting, underweight and stunting with other variables. A majority (89.3%) and (73.8%) of the principal caregivers were females among the beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries respect...
Background: Kenya has a maternal mortality ratio of 488 per 100,000 live births. Preventing mater... more 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.
Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services have been set up in most Districts in Kenya due t... more Voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services have been set up in most Districts in Kenya due to the rising surge of HIV/AIDS. However, the use of these services among married persons has not been fully explored. In Kissi, the issue of VCT is pressing as the rate of HIV prevalence is close to 3%. In 2006, about 20 000 clients came for VCT services in Kenya yet only 165 of these were married persons. In the Keumbu sub-district hospital, of the more than 1000 clients that came for VCT services, approximately 29% were married persons. This paper therefore aims at determining the utilization of VCT services by married persons in the study area. The qualitative data was obtained principally through two focus group discussions (FGDs) in which the respondents were asked to comment on their use of VCT services while the quantitative data was obtained from interviews with 245 respondents. The qualitative data was analyzed through verbatim transcription while for the quantitative data; the responses were coded and populated into SPSS from which the frequencies and percentages were calculated. The results show that actual use of the VCT services is low (28.1%) but slightly higher among female respondents than males. The low usage may be attributed to (a) fear of results, (b) death anxiety, (c) lack of confidentiality and lastly, (d) fear of stigmatization. Female respondents were found to have a greater awareness of VCT and thus its potential use
ABSTRACT To assess the effect of pre-lacteal feeding on full breastfeeding in the first six month... more ABSTRACT To assess the effect of pre-lacteal feeding on full breastfeeding in the first six months of life in selected hospitals, Nairobi Province. Pre-lacteal feeding has been internationally discouraged because of its negative effect on the duration of breastfeeding. A prospective cohort design was used with a sample of 692 mother-infant pairs recruited at birth and followed up until 6 months of age. The sample was drawn from five major hospitals in Nairobi. Data was analyzed using the SPSS computer software. Descriptive analysis was used on all variables. Chi-test was used for univariate analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the effect of pre-lacteal feeding on full breastfeeding. Slightly more than half (58.8%) of the mothers were formally employed and their mean age was 28.3 +/- 4.9 years. The mean income was KES 26,360 +/- 34,696. The mean birth weight of the infants was 3.24 +/- 0.43 kg and 53.3% were males. The prevalence of pre-lacteal feeding was 26.8% (95% CI 23.5%-30.1%). The most common pre-lacteal feeds used at all hospitals were infant formula and glucose solution. There were significant (P &lt; 0.05) differences across the five study hospitals in this practice. In one hospital nearly all (93%) infants received a pre-lacteal feed. The use of pre-lacteal feeding was significant predictor for early cessation of full breastfeeding at 6, 10, 14 and 19 weeks. The practice of giving pre-lacteal feeds is a key determinant of early cessation of full breastfeeding. Some hospitals do not appear to be adhering to international recommendations on infant feeding. Polices to promote exclusive and full breastfeeding are necessary to enable infants to attain optimal health and lead to achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in our settings.
Objective: In the fast growing city of Nairobi, women often combine the roles of mother and worke... more Objective: In the fast growing city of Nairobi, women often combine the roles of mother and worker in trying to achieve better standards of living. The objective of this study was to document the effect of returning to work on breast-feeding by mothers in Kenya. Design: A cross-sectional survey. Setting: Outpatient clinics of two major hospitals in Nairobi, one government hospital in an economically deprived area and one high-fee private hospital. Subjects: Four hundred and forty-four working mothers from low and higher socioeconomic areas in Nairobi. All working mothers with infants aged 4 to 12 months attending during the survey period were invited to participate. Results: The prevalence of breast-feeding at the time of interview was found to be 94.1%. The lower socio-economic group exhibited a higher prevalence of breastfeeding (99%), 10% greater than the higher socio-economic group. The mean number of hours the mothers were away from home due to work was 46.2 hours each week. The majority (54.4%) of the mothers employed a 'house-girl' to care for their infant while they were at work, while 28.4% were able to take their infants to work. Most of the breast-feeding mothers (95%) breast-fed their infants at least three times a day and only 23 mothers reported not being able to breast-feed their infants during the day. The lower socio-economic group had a mean of 5.09 breast-feeding times per day while the higher socio-economic group had a mean of 3 times a day. In a logistic regression analysis the mode of work (fixed working hours vs. shift working hours) was associated with exclusive breast-feeding at one month (odds ratio (OR) ¼ 0.45) and two months (OR ¼ 0.39). Conclusion: In Western countries 'return to work' is often cited as the reason that breast-feeding is discontinued prematurely. In this study we have shown how mothers in Kenya are able to successfully continue breast-feeding after they have returned to work, often for very long hours.
For many women today work is essential for the economic survival of their families while they als... more For many women today work is essential for the economic survival of their families while they also fulfil their role of providing optimum nutrition to their babies through breastfeeding. The objective of the study is to document the effect of returning to work on exclusive breastfeeding by mothers in Kenya. A cross-sectional study of 444 working mothers was undertaken in Nairobi, Kenya. About one half of the mothers were in formal paid employment and the rest were self-employed. The mean number of hours the mothers were away from home due to work was 46.2 hours per week. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 13.3% at three months. Early introduction of complementary foods was high, with 46.4% of the mothers introducing other foods before one month. Breast milk insufficiency and return to work were the main reasons cited for the cessation of exclusive breastfeeding. In a logistic regression analysis the mode of work (fixed working hours versus shift working hours) was associated with exclusive breastfeeding at one month (OR=0.45) and two months (OR=0.39). Working mothers were able to continue breastfeeding, although the exclusive breastfeeding rates were low. The early introduction of other foods is of public health importance as it exposes infants to increased risk of infection and poor nutrition, particularly diarrhoeal diseases and may lead to flattening of the growth curve. Shift work makes it impossible for some mothers to exclusively breastfeed their infants.
Nurses play a key role in the provision of health care. Over 70% of the nurses in Kenya are Enrol... more Nurses play a key role in the provision of health care. Over 70% of the nurses in Kenya are Enrolled Community Health Nurses (ECHNs). AMREF in partnership with Nursing Council of Kenya and the Ministry of Health pioneered an eLearning Nurse Upgrading Programme. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers that hindered enrolment into the programme. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. A sample of 532 ECHNs was interviewed from four provinces. Data was collected using a pre-tested self administered questionnaire. Analysis was done using SPSS computer software. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables and chi-square tests used to determine variables that were associated with enrolment. Mann Whitney U-test was used for continuous variables. A third (29.7%) of the nurses were from Rift Valley province and 17.9% from Coast. Majority (75%) were from public health facilities. The mean age of the nurses was 40.6 years. The average monthly income was KES 22,49...
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