Factors Linked to Female Genital Mutilation Practice Among Women Living In Alungu Village of Mandera County, Kenya.

Background: Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) is a harmful traditional practice with severe health complications, deeply rooted in many sub-Saharan African countries. In Kenya, the prevalence of FGM/C is 15% in women aged between 15 and 49 years. The Kenyan Somalis practice FGM/C with a prevalence above 90%. FGM/C practice continues to persist in Alungu village, Mandera County in the North Eastern of Kenya despite efforts by anti-FGM programs. However, the underlying factors behind FGM practice in the area have not been explored. Objective: To assess factors contributing to female genital mutilation practice among women living in Alungu village of Mandera County, Kenya. Methods and materials: This study utilised a descriptive cross sectional design. The study population was women of reproductive age (from 18 to 49 years) who resided in Alungu village in Mandera County, Kenya. A study sample of 98 women was selected using simple random sampling technique. Data was collected using a researcher-administered questionnaire and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Results: Most of the respondents were aged 35 - 44 (45.8%), married (100%), had no formal education (74.7%) and had no formal employment (89.2%). All participants agreed that traditional beliefs, customs and rite of passage to womanhood contributed to FGM, 90.4% of the participants acknowledged that FGM is a symbol of ethnic identity and inclusivity. Factors affecting prevention of and response to FGM were low involvement of women in anti-FGM programs (91.6%); support for FGM by local leaders and elders (100%); failure by authorities to take action against those perpetuating FGM (100%); indifference to FGM practice continuation among local religious and political leaders (96.4%) and poor enforcement of existing laws against FGM (100%). Conclusion: A wide range of socio-cultural factors did contribute to FGM practice among women living in Alungu village, Mandera County.

Curbing an outbreak of circulating vaccine derived poliovirus type 2 in Dollo Zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia: response to outbreak.

Introduction: although the oral polio vaccine prevents virus transmission from person to person, it is crucial for poliovirus eradication. The continued use of live attenuated poliovirus poses an ongoing risk of circulating Vaccine Derived Poliovirus-2 (cVDPV2) outbreaks. This study assesses the response to the cVDPV2 outbreak in Dollo Zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia. Methods: after examining and verifying the occurrence of the outbreak, a team was established and prepared by resource mobilization, advocacy, and social mobilization. The group endorsed a four-step vaccination strategy, first the rapid response within 14-days by vaccinating a monovalent oral poliovirus-2 (mOPV2) to all under 5-year children in the Zone. The team further enhanced Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIA) for all under-five children with repeated doses of vaccines. At the same time, the team initiated community-based surveillance of Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP). Results: in the rapid-response immunization, an average of 91.4% of 0-11 months old and 90.2% of 12-59 months children were vaccinated. In SIA-1, the team vaccinated an average of 88% and 97%, and in SIA-2, 94.8% and 97.6% of children 0-11 months old and 12-59 months old, respectively. The active community-based surveillance of AFP revealed the existence of the disease in a sporadic form, of which two cases were found in Bokh district. Conclusion: the response to curb the outbreak of cVDPV2 has shown a flow of actions to combat the outbreak. Strengthening and formation of response teams at different levels, resource mobilization, advocacy, and social mobilization are all essential components in maximizing the response to the outbreak.

THE EFFECT OF MEDICATED INTRA-ANAL PACKING ON DECREASING OF ACUTE POST-OPERATIVE URINARY RETENTION INCIDENCE AFTER OPEN HEMORRHOIDECTOMY.

OBJECTIVE: The aim: To evaluate the effect of decreasing post-operative anal pain and spasm on the rate of post-surgical acute urinary obstruction in patients undergoing hemorrhoidectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and methods: The study was conducted from April 2013 to April 2019 on 571 patients that were undergoing conventional hemorrhoidectomy. The operation was followed by using the medicated intra-anal packing and then the patients were monitored postoperatively for the first 24 hours for the incidence of postoperative urinary retention. The hypothesis of this study was that the acute urinary retention is the most common post-operative complication of the anal surgeries and that the irritation-blockade mechanism which is induced due to anal skin injury is the main cause of that obstruction. Thus, reducing the incidence of this mechanism will reduce urinary retention and post-operative pain. RESULTS: Results and conclusions: The results found that 569 (99.64%) patients were showed no signs of urinary retention with the exception of only two (0.35%) patients were showed signs of urinary retention. Finally, it was concluded that usage of medicated anal-packing methods was of benefit in decreasing the rate of postoperative urinary retention due to its effect in decreasing postoperative anal pain and spasm.