ABSTRACT
The most important factor in reducing the impact of an epidemic is a timely response with implementation of effective control measures at the point of detection. This study sought to assess the malaria reporting and epidemic preparedness systems of health facilities in Eldoret West District, Kenya. A cross-sectional study design was adapted. A census technique was used to select all the forty five health facilities in the district comprising of government, mission and non-governmental facilities. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used for data collection and analysis done using Stata. Categorical variables were summarized as frequencies and corresponding percentages. The overall reporting rate was 91.7% for all the health facilities. Only 15 health facilities (33%) plotted malaria trend lines for number of cases of malaria. Malaria epidemics were reported within 24 hours in 22 health facilities but they lacked the appropriate supplies to respond to confirmed cases or epidemics. The overall malaria reporting completeness rate was above 90% implying that the malaria surveillance system was generally good. Concerted efforts by concerned stakeholders should ensure improvement of malaria epidemic preparedness system in all health facilities and provision of information to health personnel on malaria outbreak response strategies.
ABSTRACT
Trachoma is responsible for the visual impairment of about two million people worldwide, out of which a majority are irreversibly blind. The study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes and eye care seeking practices of the community regarding the available trachoma eye care services. Community members aged eighteen and over participated. Descriptive cross-sectional study design was adapted. Data analysis was performed using Stata. The level of awareness of trachoma disease in the study area was high (95%). About three quarters (71%) of the respondents were knowledgeable of the available trachoma eye care services. A majority had a positive attitude towards the available services and expressed need for the services. Public health facilities were mostly preferred. The study concluded that the community was knowledgeable of the available trachoma eye care services and had a positive attitude towards the services. Concerned stakeholders should reinforce the positive attitudes through community based educational programs and improve eye care seeking practices through community participation in education and outreach services.
