Journal Reviews

Africa Design Review Journal Editorial

2026-02-24T08:23:32Z

Africa Design Review Journal Editorial Maina, S. M Welcome to Volume 5, Issue 1 of the Africa Design Review Journal, where we continue to explore and analyze critical facets of design, education, and innovation within the African context. In this edition, we delve into a diverse array of topics that encapsulate the evolving landscape of design and its intersection with education, technology, ethics, and societal needs.

Diseases of Economic Importance in Feedlot Cattle in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review with a Focus on Existing and Potential Options for Control

2025-04-29T09:29:16Z

Diseases of Economic Importance in Feedlot Cattle in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review with a Focus on Existing and Potential Options for Control Mwacalimba, kennedy; Kimeli, Peter; Tiernan, Raymond; Barbara, Poulsen N A large number of livestock are found in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including 20-25% of the world's ruminants..................................................

Salmonella Typhi Haplotype 58 biofilm formation and genetic variation in isolates from typhoid fever patients with gallstones in an endemic setting in Kenya

2025-01-31T10:09:05Z

Salmonella Typhi Haplotype 58 biofilm formation and genetic variation in isolates from typhoid fever patients with gallstones in an endemic setting in Kenya Wachira, Peter; Muturi, Peter; Wagacha, Maina; Maina, Cecilia; Kavai, Susan M.; Mugo, Michael M.; Mohamed, Musa; Gonza´ lez, Juan F; Kariuki, Samuel; Gunn, John S. Although typhoid fever has largely been eliminated in high-income countries, it remains a major global public health concern especially among low- and middle-income countries. The causative agent, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi), is a human restricted pathogen with a limited capacity to replicate outside the human host. Human carriers, 90% of whom have gallstones in their gallbladder, continue to shed the pathogen for an ill-defined period of time after treatment. The genetic mechanisms involved in establishing the carrier state are poorly understood, but S. Typhi is thought to undergo specific genetic changes within the gallbladder as an adaptive mechanism. In the current study, we aimed to identify the genetic differences in longitudinal clinical S. Typhi isolates from asymptomatic carriers with gallstones in a typhoid endemic setting in Nairobi, Kenya. Whole-genome sequences were analyzed from 22 S. Typhi isolates, 20 from stool samples, and 2 from blood samples, all genotype 4.3.1 (H58). Out of this, 19 strains were from four patients also diagnosed with gallstones, of whom three had typhoid symptoms and continued to shed S. Typhi after treatment. All isolates had point mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR), and only sub-lineage 4.3.1.2.EA3 encoded multidrug resistance genes. There was no variation in antimicrobial resistance patterns among strains from the same patient/household. Non-multidrug resistant (MDR) isolates formed significantly stronger biofilms in vitro than the MDR isolates, p<0.001. A point mutation within the treB gene (treB A383T) was observed in strains isolated after clinical resolution from patients living in 75% of the households. For missense mutations in Vi capsular polysaccharide genes, tviE P263S was also observed in 18% of the isolates. This study provides insights into the role of typhoid carriage, biofilm formation, AMR genes, and genetic variations in S. Typhi during asymptomatic carriage.

An Evaluation of a Community Dementia Screening Program in Rural Kenya: Dem-sky

2025-01-28T06:38:26Z

An Evaluation of a Community Dementia Screening Program in Rural Kenya: Dem-sky Ndetei, David M; Farina, Nicolas; Onuonga, Kevin Introduction: This study describes the implementation outcomes and evaluation of DEM-SKY, a community-based dementia screening program developed in rural Kenya with the support of community health care workers (CHWs). Methods: DEM-SKY was delivered to 3546 older adults in Makueni County, Kenya, over a 6-month period. Using a mixed-methods design, we explored implementation outcomes with stakeholders through surveys and interviews. Results: The program demonstrated good acceptability, adoption, and fidelity and was effective in instigating behavior change. Individuals who screened positive for dementia were 28.7 times more likely to intend to speak to a doctor. Qualitative data showed that participants valued the program but indicated scope for improvement, particularly further down the diagnostic pathway. Discussion: DEM-SKY was successful across several implementation metrics. Although the program demonstrates that community-based screening can be conducted effectively with minimal resources, future research needs to explore the long-term benefits of dementia screening in Kenya. Highlights: Community-based dementia screening is feasible in rural Africa. Involving community health workers strengthens trust in health care systems. Empowering community health workers enhances the community capacity to address dementia Screening promotes proactive health seeking among older adults.; Introduction: This study describes the implementation outcomes and evaluation of DEM-SKY, a community-based dementia screening program developed in rural Kenya with the support of community health care workers (CHWs). Methods: DEM-SKY was delivered to 3546 older adults in Makueni County, Kenya, over a 6-month period. Using a mixed-methods design, we explored implementation outcomes with stakeholders through surveys and interviews. Results: The program demonstrated good acceptability, adoption, and fidelity and was effective in instigating behavior change. Individuals who screened positive for dementia were 28.7 times more likely to intend to speak to a doctor. Qualitative data showed that participants valued the program but indicated scope for improvement, particularly further down the diagnostic pathway. Discussion: DEM-SKY was successful across several implementation metrics. Although the program demonstrates that community-based screening can be conducted effectively with minimal resources, future research needs to explore the long-term benefits of dementia screening in Kenya. Highlights: Community-based dementia screening is feasible in rural Africa. Involving community health workers strengthens trust in health care systems. Empowering community health workers enhances the community capacity to address dementia Screening promotes proactive health seeking among older adults.