Chuka University

Climate change is expected to significantly affect agricultural production in East Africa (EA). In this study, we synthesized the DSSAT-CERES-Maize model calibrated and evaluated experiments to analyze the sensitivity of climatic variables on maize yield in the region. We used calibrated cultivar coefficients of locally adopted varieties in twelve sites across the region. Consequently, we generated synthetic scenarios of precipitation and temperature changes in line with the plausible projections of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to characterize the impact of climate change on maize production across the region. Our findings reveal that the impacts of climate change are heterogeneous and vary from location to location. The analysis points to adverse effects in the semi-arid zones, with maize production in Katumani (Kenya), Dodoma (Tanzania), and Ruzizi (Rwanda) expected to decline by -25% to -30% under an extreme temperature rise of +3 °C and a 30% decline in precipitation. The results also reveal that increased precipitation will compensate for yield losses resulting from elevated temperatures in both arid and humid zones. The potential yield gain under increased precipitation and warming is 16%, 18%, and 5% in Katumani, Dodoma, and Morogoro (Tanzania), respectively. The study recommends site-specific soil, water, and land management adaptation strategies. Strategies for soil and water conservation are recommended for dry regions, whereas approaches such as varying sowing dates are recommended for semi-humid to humid zones. Nutrient enhancement and cultivar variation might be feasible in both contexts.

Background Nurses comprise the dominant cadre of healthcare workers yet there remains an acute shortage of nurses globally with Africa most affected. However, access to higher nursing education in sub-Saharan Africa remains limited. We aimed to i) Assess the need for a Master of Nursing (MScN) program among graduate nurses in Kenya ii) Identify preferred MScN program options among graduate nurses intending to enrol for MScN in Kenya iii) Identify skills mismatch among graduate nurses in Kenya iv) Assess the relationship between intention to enrol in MScN program and job satisfaction among graduate nurses in Kenya. Methods A cross-sectional design employing an online survey was used. Consenting nurses with a first degree in nursing were included. Socio-demographic indicators, job satisfaction and skills mismatch were assessed. The need for an MScN program was assessed by determining the proportion of participants who expressed the desire to pursue an MScN program. Preferred MScN program options were determined as frequencies and proportions. Skills mismatch was computed as frequencies and proportions. The relationship between the need for MScN and job satisfaction was assessed using the point biserial-correlation. Results Of the 355 volunteers enrolled, (n = 337, 94.9% [95% CI: 92.1–96.9]) expressed the desire to pursue MScN training with the critical care/renal specialty (n = 84, 24.9% [95% CI: 20.3–29.9]) being the most preferred. A majority of the volunteers (n = 319, 89.9%) felt their skills were inferior to their responsibilities (under skilled). We found no significant correlation between the need for MScN and job satisfaction (r = 0.058; p = 0.269). Conclusion Our findings suggest a strong desire by graduate nurses in Kenya to pursue MScN with a preference for critical care specialization. There is a need to establish more MScN programs in Kenya coupled with the deployment of nurses as per the scope of practice.

This study explored the land use and land cover (LULC) changes (1995–2023) in the gold mining hotspots of Mang’onyi, Sambaru, and Londoni in the Singida region of Tanzania. The study integrated remote sensing (RS) to evaluate the LULC transitions with social survey assessments (83 respondents) to determine the resident’s perceptions of the environmental, social, and economic implications of mining bridging technical data with socio-economic realities. Supervised classification of Landsat images was conducted using the random forest (RF) classifier to generate LULC maps with five classes (bareland, agricultural land, forest, built-up, and shrubs and grasses), followed by an analysis to identify LULC change trends. The results showed an overall increase in agricultural land 168.51 km² (587.55%), bareland 7.70 km² (121.45%), and built-up areas 0.55 km² (134.15%), while forest and shrubs and grasses areas declined by 97.67 km² (− 72.59%) and 79.09 km² (− 43.49%), respectively. A social survey assessment revealed residents perceived environmental (deforestation, biodiversity loss, land degradation, water, air, soil pollution), social (occupational hazards, land use conflicts, negative effects on livelihoods and culture, discrimination, child labor, community displacement), and economic (improved housing, infrastructural development, job creation, economy boost, improved access to services) impacts resulting from mining activities. Our findings underscore the importance of balancing the economic benefits of gold mining with the imperative to protect the environment and support sustainable livelihoods in the mining regions.

The Darfur conflict, which emerged in the early 21st century, represents a multifaceted crisis driven by socio-political and environmental factors, with resource scarcity, exacerbated by climate change, playing a pivotal role in intensifying tensions between agricultural and pastoral communities. While climate change is typically associated with adverse environmental outcomes, an analysis of data spanning four decades (1980–2023) reveals a contrasting trend of increased precipitation, enhanced vegetation, and decreased drought frequency in recent years. This research explores the potential of these positive environmental changes to mitigate resource-based conflicts and foster political stability in Darfur as improved environmental conditions are posited to create a foundation for conflict resolution and sustainable peacebuilding. The present study integrates trends in the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) to examine these shifts. EVI data, derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) at a 250 m resolution, was used to assess large-scale vegetation patterns in arid and semi-arid landscapes. The Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model was employed to forecast future precipitation scenarios up to the year 2034, enhancing the understanding of long-term climatic trends. Data processing and analysis utilized advanced tools, including Google Earth Engine (GEE), ArcGIS Pro (version 3.4), and R software (version 4.3.2). The findings reveal a significant (33.19%) improvement in natural vegetation cover between 2000 and 2023, with degraded and unchanged areas accounting for 1.95% and 64.86%, respectively. This finding aligns with a marked increase in annual precipitation and a reduction in drought intensity over the study period. Historical SPEI analysis showed persistent drought events between 1980 and 2012, followed by a notable decline in drought frequency and severity from 2013 to 2024. Precipitation projections suggest a stable trend, potentially supporting further vegetation recovery in the region. These environmental improvements are preliminarily linked to climate-change-induced increases in precipitation and reductions in drought severity. This study’s findings contribute to a nuanced understanding of the interplay between environmental dynamics and socio-political stability in Darfur, offering actionable insights for policy interventions aimed at fostering sustainable peace and resilience in the region.

Plant-associated cyanobacteria play pivotal roles in diverse ecosystems, impacting plant health, nitrogen fixation, and overall ecosystem dynamics. The rapid and accurate detection of cyanobacteria within plant environments is crucial for understanding their ecological roles and managing associated risks. This chapter provides an overview of nucleic acid-based methods for the rapid detection of cyanobacteria associated with plants. Four distinct techniques, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative PCR (qPCR), loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), and metagenomic sequencing are discussed. Each technique’s stepwise procedures, associated materials, and reagents are explained. By employing these techniques, the study aims to expedite the identification and characterization of plant-associated cyanobacteria, contributing to advancements in understanding their role in plant health and ecosystem dynamics.

This study examined the effects of fumonisins (FBs) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), alone or in combination, on the productivity and health of laying hens, as well as the transfer of aflatoxins (AFs) to chicken food products. The efficacy and safety of mycotoxin detoxifiers (bentonite and fumonisin esterase) to mitigate these effects were also assessed. Laying hens (400) were divided into 20 groups and fed a control, moderate (54.6 µg/kg feed) or high (546 µg/kg feed) AFB1 or FBs (7.9 mg/kg feed) added diets, either alone or in combination, with the mycotoxin detoxifiers added in selected diets. Productivity was evaluated by feed intake, egg weight, egg production, and feed conversion ratio whereas health was assessed by organ weights, blood biochemistry, and mortality. Aflatoxins residues in plasma, liver, muscle, and eggs were determined using UHPLC-MS/MS methods. A diet with AFB1 at a concentration of 546 µg/kg feed decreased egg production and various AFB1-contaminated diets increased serum uric acid levels and weights of liver, spleen, heart, and gizzard. Interactions between AFB1 and FBs significantly impacted spleen, heart, and gizzard weights as well as AFB1 residues in eggs. Maximum AFB1 residues of 0.64 µg/kg and aflatoxin M1 (below limits of quantification) were observed in liver, plasma, and eggs of layers fed diets with AFB1. The mycotoxin detoxifiers reduced effects of AFB1 and FBs on egg production, organ weights, blood biochemistry, and AFB1 residues in tissues. This study highlights the importance of mycotoxin detoxifiers as a mitigation strategy against mycotoxins in poultry production.

Fish feed is critical in aquaculture production, accounting for over 60% of operational costs, with protein being the most expensive component. Traditionally, fish meal (FM) has been the primary protein source. However, due to declining capture fisheries and high demand, FM has become scarce and costly, necessitating the search for alternative, low-cost, and nutritionally balanced protein sources. A 180-day feeding experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing FM with a combination of cottonseed and sunflower meal (SFM) in Nile tilapia diets on growth performance, protein digestibility, and economic returns. Freshwater shrimp meal was replaced at 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% (diets D1, D2, D3, and D4) and compared to the control diet (D0) containing only FM. Monosex Nile tilapia fingerlings (25 ± 0.01 g) were allocated to 15 cages within an 800 m² earthen pond. Fish on diets D0 and D1 showed superior growth performance metrics, including final mean body weight, weight gain, daily weight gain, specific growth rate, feed conversion ratio, and survival rate (p>0.05), compared to diets D2, D3, and D4. Growth performance declined significantly with increasing levels of the plant protein mixture (p<0.05). Diet D0 had the highest apparent protein digestibility, while D4 had the lowest. Cost-benefit analysis revealed that diet D0 had the highest production cost, followed by diets D1, D2, D3, and D4, with no significant cost difference between D0 and D1 (p>0.05). Thus, the plant protein mixture can effectively replace FM at a 25% inclusion level in Nile tilapia diets.

Background: Caffeine is an alkaloid belonging to the methylxanthine family. An overdose of caffeine causes the following side effects: restlessness, nervousness, excitement, insomnia, flushed face, diuresis, gastrointestinal disturbances, muscle twitching, rambling flow of thought and speech, and tachycardia or cardiac arrhythmia. This study aimed to determine the caffeine levels of various brands of coffee and cocoa and enlighten people on the safe and healthy consumption of the two products. Methods: Different brands of coffee and cocoa products were randomly sampled and purchased from supermarkets and shops in Nairobi, Kenya. Five samples of coffee and four brands of cocoa were purchased from a supermarket and taken to the laboratory for analysis. Caffeine was extracted, and quantitative analysis was done using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Results: The study found that coffee has a higher concentration of caffeine than cocoa. Coffee Brand A recorded the lowest level of caffeine with 30.9845 µ g/g, while Coffee Brand C recorded the highest level of caffeine with 426.9639 µ g/g. Among the Cocoa brands, Cocoa Brand B recorded the lowest level of caffeine (2.6367 µg/g), while Cocoa Brand C recorded the highest level of caffeine at 19.03 µ g/g. Conclusion: Therefore, there is a need to reduce coffee consumption per day because caffeine overdose can cause high blood pressure and other illnesses. Cocoa is recommended for consumption since it contains less caffeine per serving. Keywords: Caffeine, coffee, cocoa, Kenya

Sorghum stands as a fundamental food and cash crop in Tharaka-Nithi, yet its production remains suboptimal due to soil fertility limitations. Globally, sorghum yields hover around 2.5 t/ha, indicating an untapped potential given its maximum yield potential of 5 t/ha. Kenya has witnessed a decline in sorghum yields from 0.95 t/ha to 0.78 t/ha, primarily attributed to inadequate soil fertility management and agronomic practices. Most soil management interventions have traditionally focused on singular practices, leaving gaps in understanding the efficacy of integrated approaches. This study sought to evaluate the impact of integrated soil fertility management practices on sorghum and green gram yield in Tharaka-Nithi County. The study was conducted in Nairobi Ndogo and Kairini Farm, the study employed a 3 x 5 factorial experiment in a Randomized Complete Block Design, different fertilizer types and cropping systems. Results, analyzed using Statistical Analysis Software version 9.4, demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) effects of integrated soil fertility management on sorghum yield. Stover yields ranged from 1.93 t/ha to 0.28 t/ha and 7.18 t/ha to 1.35 t/ha at Nairobi Ndogo and Kairini farm, respectively, with the MBILI intercropping technique and NPK fertilizer yielding highest stover. Similarly, grain yields varied from 0.68 t/ha to 0.08 t/ha and 4.01 t/ha to 0.25 t/ha at Nairobi Ndogo and Kairini farm, respectively, with conventional intercropping and NPK plus Zinc fertilizer emerging as optimal treatments. In green gram yields, monocrop green gram and NPK fertilizer demonstrating superior performance. The analysis of treatment effect showed that the means for green gram stover yield ranged from 0.47 t/ha to 0.07 t/ha and 6.70 t/ha to 1.62 t/ha for Nairobi Ndogo and Kairini farm, respectively. The treatment with monocrop green gram, NPK fertilizer had the highest stover yield at both sites. The means for green gram grain yield ranged from 0.22 t/ha to 0.07 t/ha and 1.07 t/ha to 0.11 t/ha for Nairobi Ndogo and Kairini farm, respectively. Overall, the study underscores the potential of integrated soil fertility management in enhancing sorghum and green gram production, ensuring food security, and improving soil health in Tharaka-Nithi County. The findings advocate for the adoption of conventional intercropping systems supplemented with appropriate fertilization strategies to optimize crop productivity and soil fertility management in similar agro-ecological contexts.

To understand the success of invasive alien species, it is necessary to evaluate the site-specific eco-evolutionary challenges they face in their new environments. We explored whether the rearrangement of genetic diversity is linked to the invasiveness of Prosopis juliflora by (i) comparing different stages of invasion (founding vs invasive populations) in two invaded areas (Afar Region, Ethiopia and Baringo County, Kenya) to evaluate whether different stages are dominated by different genetic attributes (e.g., characteristic genotypes or levels of genetic diversity) and by (ii) evaluating if landscape features affected dispersal between invasive populations in the two invaded areas. We hypothesised that different invasion stages would have unique genetic characteristics due to either site-specific demographic and/or dispersal dynamics. We also compared the genetic characteristics at an ‘invasive–non-invasive congener’ level by studying the non-invasive P. pallida, introduced to Baringo County, and assessed whether it hybridises with P. juliflora. In the Afar Region, the establishment and spread of P. juliflora were characterised by extensive gene flow that homogenised genetic diversity across all populations. In contrast, in Baringo County, invasive populations had lower genetic diversity than founders, and genetic differentiation was lower between invasive populations than between invasive and founder populations. In both invaded areas, we found no evidence that dispersal was hampered by geographic distance, bioclimatic conditions, or distance to roads, rivers and villages, at least at the spatial scales of our study; indicating frequent long-distance dispersal. Allelic richness was higher in P. juliflora than P. pallida founders and hybrids were mainly planted trees probably resulting from the sympatric cultivation of the two species following their introduction. Thus, management actions on Prosopis invasion in eastern Africa should consider site-specific dynamics occurring during the invasion.

The potato cyst nematode Globodera rostochiensis originates from the Andean Mountain region in South America and has unintentionally been introduced to all inhabited continents. Several studies have examined the population genetic structure of this pest in various countries by using microsatellite markers. However, merging microsatellite data produced from different laboratories is challenging and can introduce uncertainty when interpreting the results. To overcome this challenge and to explore invasion routes of this pest, we have genotyped 22 G. rostochiensis populations from all continents. Within populations, the highest genetic diversity was observed in the South American populations, the European populations showed an intermediate level of genetic diversity and the remaining populations were the less diverse. This confirmed pre-existing knowledge such as a first introduction event from South America to Europe, but the less diverse populations could originate either from South America or from Europe. At the continental scale, STRUCTURE genetic clustering output indicated that North America and Asia have experienced at least two introduction events. Comparing different evolutionary scenarios, the Approximate Bayesian Computation analysis showed that Europe served as a secondary distribution centre for the invasion of G. rostochiensis into all other continents (North America, Africa, Asia and Oceania).

Many researchers have reported street food vendor characteristics including their food safety and hygiene awareness, attitudes, and practices. Data on street food vending are usually qualitative and include a large number of variables. This presents difficulties to researchers in trying to find the best way to reduce such data to a limited number of composites for use in further studies. Nonlinear principal component analysis (NLPCA) is a multivariate analysis technique that is most ideal for data reduction to yield uncorrelated summary variables while taking into account non-numeric measurement and the probable nonlinear relationships in the data. The objective of this study was to reduce and summarize the large heterogeneous data obtained from 345 street food vendors (SFVs) from six study locations in Kiambu County, Kenya, containing ordinal and nominal data into one or more components that may be used to elucidate the associations within the SFVs characteristics. NLPCA identified seven components of knowledge and practices related to food safety and hygiene among SFVs, which included: the cleanliness of the vending area, individual SFV hygiene and food handling practices, initiatives put in place to ensure food hygiene and safety, washing practices and food safety knowledge, food safety standards and regulations, storage practices for raw and ready-to-eat food, adherence and attitude toward food safety stipulations and SFVs’ mobility. The seven components also represent the categories of concern in enhancing the quality and safety of street vended foods. These components may be used as the basis for evaluating street food quality and safety.

Internal displacement of populations due to armed conflicts can substantially impact a region’s Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) and the efforts towards the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The objective of this study was to determine the effects of conflict-driven Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) on vegetation cover and environmental sustainability in the Kas locality of Darfur, Sudan. Supervised classification and change analysis were performed on Sentinel-2 satellite images for the years 2016 and 2022 using QGIS software. The Sentinel-2 Level 2A data were analysed using the Random Forest (RF) Machine Learning (ML) classifier. Five land cover types were successfully classified (agricultural land, vegetation cover, built-up area, sand, and bareland) with overall accuracies of more than 86% and Kappa coefficients greater than 0.74. The results revealed a 35.33% (-10.20 km²) decline in vegetation cover area over the six-year study period, equivalent to an average annual loss rate of -5.89% (-1.70 km²) of vegetation cover. In contrast, agricultural land and built-up areas increased by 17.53% (98.12 km²) and 60.53% (5.29 km²) respectively between the two study years. The trends of the changes among different LULC classes suggest potential influences of human activities especially the IDPs, natural processes, and a combination of both in the study area. This study highlights the impacts of IDPs on natural resources and land cover patterns in a conflict-affected region. It also offers pertinent data that can support decision-makers in restoring the affected areas and preventing further environmental degradation for sustainability.

The accessory protease transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) enhances severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) uptake into ACE2-expressing cells, although how increased entry impacts downstream viral and host processes remains unclear. To investigate this in more detail, we performed infection assays in engineered cells promoting ACE2-mediated entry with and without TMPRSS2 coexpression. Electron microscopy and inhibitor experiments indicated TMPRSS2-mediated cell entry was associated with increased virion internalization into endosomes, and partially dependent upon clathrin-mediated endocytosis. TMPRSS2 increased panvariant uptake efficiency and enhanced early rates of virus replication, transcription, and secretion, with variant-specific profiles observed. On the host side, transcriptional profiling confirmed the magnitude of infection-induced antiviral and proinflammatory responses were linked to uptake efficiency, with TMPRSS2-assisted entry boosting early antiviral responses. In addition, TMPRSS2-enhanced infections increased rates of cytopathology, apoptosis, and necrosis and modulated virus secretion kinetics in a variant-specific manner. On the virus side, convergent signatures of cell-uptake-dependent innate immune induction were recorded in viral genomes, manifesting as switches in dominant coupled Nsp3 residues whose frequencies were correlated to the magnitude of the cellular response to infection. Experimentally, we demonstrated that selected Nsp3 mutations conferred enhanced interferon antagonism. More broadly, we show that TMPRSS2 orthologues from evolutionarily diverse mammals facilitate pan-variant enhancement of cell uptake. In summary, our study uncovers previously unreported associations, linking cell entry efficiency to innate immune activation kinetics, cell death rates, virus secretion dynamics, and convergent selection of viral mutations. These data expand our understanding of TMPRSS2's role in the SARS-CoV-2 life cycle and confirm its broader significance in zoonotic reservoirs and animal models.

Kenya is a major player in the global ornamental trade, exporting substantial quantities of ornamental fish to the global market. The sector plays an important role in the country's economy through foreign exchange. However, the country's ornamental fish industry has not fully developed to generate more economic benefits. This paper sought to identify the existing opportunities for enhancing the production and trade of ornamental fish in the country. The findings reveal that there are opportunities for collection of native freshwater ornamental fish species from the vast freshwater resources in the country; for the culture of marine ornamental fish; for public aquariums as centres of recreation, conservation, research and education; and for employment and development of support industries. The findings also show that there are international legislations and national policies that create an enabling environment for the growth of the industry. To unlock the full potential of the industry, training and research, investment and infrastructure development, quality assurance, collaboration and networking, and environmental sustainability strategies need to be put in place. This will ensure Kenya's position as a key player in the global ornamental fish trade.

This study used gamma ray spectrometry to determine the radiological safety of construction soil sampled randomly from Mbeere North region, Kenya. The mean activity concentration of 232Th, 238U, and 40K was 149.7 ± 2.8 Bqkg−1, 88.3 ± 2.4 Bqkg−1, and 490 ± 35 Bqkg−1, respectively. These averages exceed the world average for all the radionuclides. The radionuclides were non-uniformly distributed, with higher concentrations along the slopes and on the feet of the hills. The mean absorbed dose rate, indoor and outdoor annual effective dose, radium equivalent, external hazard index, and internal hazard index were 157.9 ± 4.4 nGh−1, 0.58 ± 0.02 mSvy−1, 0.39 ± 0.01 mSvy−1, 340.7 ± 9.2 Bqkg−1, 0.92 ± 0.02 and 1.14 ± 0.03, respectively. Among the radiation safety indicators, only the average internal hazard index exceeded slightly the acceptable safe limit. Therefore, soils of Mbeere North region are radiologically safe for use in brick making and construction of human habitats.

Khat farming is an important source of revenue and a possible source of potential investment in Kenya. Despite the benefits, various production and marketing risks, which negatively influence productivity, profitability, economic growth and farmers' livelihood, remains a challenge. Insurance for agricultural enterprises has the ability to open up access to essential services that boost productivity and marketing. This study aimed at determining the effect of socioeconomic and institutional factors on khat farmers' willingness to pay for agricultural insurance. The data used in this study was obtained from khat farmers in Meru County, Kenya, from a sample of 323 farmers. The study employed the utility maximization theory and the double-bounded dichotomous choice model. Empirical results propose that the household size, size of land owned, awareness of agricultural insurance, credit access and the amount of khat bushes possessed by the family positively and significantly affected willingness to pay. The farmer's age and income earned from khat production negatively and significantly influenced willingness to pay. This study concluded that awareness of agricultural insurance and credit access greatly influence khat farmers' willingness to pay. The study recommends improving farmers' credit facilities to allow them access more financial capability since the study showed that the willingness to pay for insurance was proportional to credit access. The study further recommends strengthening on awareness on the importance of agricultural insurance to enhance khat farmers' involvement in agricultural insurance scheme. The results of this study will equip decision-makers with evidence-based tools to excellently market and establish demand-driven insurance products to meet the demands of khat farmers.

Organometallic η6-arene ruthenium(II) complexes with 3-chloro-6-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridazine (Ru1, Ru2, and Ru5) and 3-chloro-6-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridazine (Ru3-4) N,N’ heterocyclic and η6-arene (cymene (Ru1-4) or toluene (Ru 5)) have been synthesized. The ruthenium(II) complexes have common “three-legged piano-stool” pseudo-octahedral structures known for half-sandwich complexes. Evolution of their UV–Visible absorption spectra in PBS buffer or DMSO over 24 h confirmed their good solvolysis stability. Titrations of the complexes with the calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) were monitored using UV–Visible absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies. The complexes interact moderately with CT-DNA and their binding constants are in the order of 104 M−1. Competitive binding of the complexes to a DNA-Hoechst 33,258 depicted competitive displacement of Hoechst from DNA’s minor grooves. These complexes bind to glutathione forming GSH-adducts through S coordination by replacement of a halide, with the iodo-analogues having higher binding constants than the chloro-complexes. Cyclic voltammograms of the complexes exhibited one electron-transfer quasi-reversible process. Trends in the molecular docking data of Ru1-5/DNA were similar to those for DNA binding constants. Of the five, only Ru1, Ru3 and Ru5 showed some activity (moderate) against the MCF-7 breast cancer cells with IC50 values in the range of 59.2–39.9 for which Ru5 was the most active. However, the more difficult-to-treat cell line, MDA-MB 231 cell was recalcitrant to the treatment by these complexes. Molecular docking simulations visualized the interactions of arene Ru(II) complexes with CT-DNA via minor grooving. The trends were corroborated by electrochemical and cytotoxicity data.

Globally, delayed diagnosis of Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant contributor to spread of TB despite avaiability of diagnostic aligorithm and advanced diagnostic machine. Kenya is still grouped among high TB burden nations and has the highest TB incidences in East Africa. This has been associated with delays in diagnosis, resulted to either individual or community health and economic challenges. The purpose of this study was to assess health system related factors influencing timely diagnosis of TB in Tharaka Nithi County. A descriptive crossectional survey study design was adopted among 154 randomly selected patients and 12 purposively selected key informants in selected hospitals in Tharaka Nithi County. A self administered questionaire and key informant guide were used to collect data among patients and key informants respectively. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse data. Bivariate analysis was used to test the strength of association between health system related factors and duration of TB before diagnosis. Qualitative data was analysed thematically. Study findings revealed that most (70.86%, n=107) respondents delayed in diagnosis. Bivariate regression results revealed that multiple visits (OR=3.24;95%CI:1.55-6.76,p=0.002), long turnarround time (OR=2.38 ;95% CI:1.06-5.30;p=0.035), cash payment (OR=4.53;95%CI:1.82-11.23; p= 0.001), far diagnostic centers (OR=3.86;95%CI:1.71-8.73;p=0.001),lack of prior TB health education (OR=2.71; 95%CI: 1.29-5.64;p=0.008) and long laboratory results turnarround time (OR=2.49; 95% CI: 1.29-5.64; p=0.016) as significants associated with delayed diagnosis. Machine breakdown, misdiagnosis, and inadequate counselling on TB were identified as precipitators of diagnostic delay within a hospital. The study recommends empowerment of community based-hospital referral system, strengthening of collaboration between County government and independent service providers, equipping health facility and continuous training on TB diagnosis and care.

Globally, more than 2.3 million women of reproductive age were diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020 alone. Breast cancer can be detected early through breast self-examination (BSE) practice. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that women should start Breast Self-Examination (BSE) from the age of 20 years to detect breast cancer early. Early detection of the disease in the preclinical stage when the disease is localized and asymptomatic has greater chances of cure and survival. The objective of this study was to determine level of knowledge on breast self-examination among women aged above 20 years attending the Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital (MeTRH). Meru County has recorded an upsurge of breast cancer in the last five years. Methods: The study adopted descriptive cross-sectional study design. A sample of 423 respondents selected by systematic random sampling was interviewed using a researcher administered questionnaire, and an observation checklist. Data collection tools were pretested and validated at Githongo Sub-County hospital. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis, using the Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Software Version 26. Results: The results showed that majority (57%) of the respondents had poor BSE knowledge (mean score 46.14±9.7SD). The majority (70%) had poor BSE practice with a mean score breast self-examination practice at 44.4±30SD. Conclusions: The study concluded that both the level of knowledge and practice of breast self-examination were poor. Recommendations: The study recommends that health care providers offer regular health education, and demonstrations on BSE procedure, using appropriate teaching aids. Key words: Cancer, Knowledge, Breast Self-Examination