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Socio-economic burden of Rift Valley fever outbreak in a pastoralist community in Marsabit County, Kenya, 2018

2026-07-13T13:08:12Z

Title: Socio-economic burden of Rift Valley fever outbreak in a pastoralist community in Marsabit County, Kenya, 2018 Authors: Mutiiria, Mathew Munyamaara; Gatongi, Peter; Oyugi, Elvis; Muturi, Mathew; Mwatondo, Athman; Chege, Bernard; Mungiiria, Juster Abstract: Introduction: Rift Valley Fever (RFV) is an acute vector-borne viral zoonotic notifiable disease primarily of domestic animals. It causes significant economic impacts among livestock producers and consumers. An outbreak of RVF occurred in May-June 2018; Marsabit reported positive cases in humans and animals. The study described herd owners’ social demographic characteristics, estimated livestock mortality and quantified the direct and indirect monetary losses in Laisamis Sub-County. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study. Data was collected from 384 households. Direct and indirect costs were estimated using the economic model as described in Velthuis et al. (2008). Descriptive statistics were used to describe social-demographic characteristics. Economic burden incurred was the outcome variable. Results: Majority of the respondents were females (67.2%). Total direct and indirect economic burden/losses were 1,970,000 USD, cattle recorded the highest financial loss at 42.3% (832,850 USD) through mortality. Stormy abortions were the most common syndrome reported at 382(99%).No routine livestock vaccination against RVF. Young herd owners were more likely to suffer economic losses compared to the aged (>60 years of age). Male herd owners and those with formal education were less likely to experience financial loss at (OR=0.42, p-value < 0.0001) than female herd owners. Conclusion: A higher economic burden was associated with the RVF outbreak in Laisamis, particularly among female-headed households of younger age groups. Men had less odds of experiencing a financial burden compared to women. There is a need to vaccinate animals against RVF at the local level to reduce economic losses associated with an outbreak.

Ethical challenges researchers encounter during the informed consent processes for research involving people with schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder: a qualitative assessment

2026-07-13T12:29:40Z

Title: Ethical challenges researchers encounter during the informed consent processes for research involving people with schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder: a qualitative assessment Authors: Bagenda, Godfrey; Bakanoma, Robert; Akena, Dickens; Kamaara, Eunice; Erisa, Sabakaki Mwaka Abstract: Background Informed consent is an important safeguard for participants enrolled in mental health research. However, several factors affect the informed consent process. This study explored the ethical challenges encountered by research team members during the informed consent process when enrolling participants with schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder into research. Methods A qualitative study was conducted with key research team members at three mental health referral hospitals in Uganda. Twenty-one people were purposively selected to participate in semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis and managed using NVivo 14 software. Results Two themes were generated from the interpretation of the data: (1) understanding, family involvement, and decision-making in the consent process, and (2) negotiating vulnerability, decision-making power, and meaning in the informed consent process. Research team members reported that some of their potential participants appeared to be stable but did not fully understand the information provided. and failed capacity assessments even after receiving multiple explanations. Cases of decisional conflicts between participants and family members concerning participation were also reported, whereas some participants easily exhibited restlessness, short attention span and fatigue during lengthy consenting processes, others were hesitant to consent without consulting their family members. Additionally, research team members observed that participants sometimes prolonged the consent discussions by talking about their life stories. The use of psychiatric terms in consent forms inadvertently stigmatized participants, making them uncomfortable. Conclusion Informed consent is an important safeguard for participants enrolled in mental health research. However, multi-faceted ethical challenges affect the informed consent process for patients living with schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorders in Uganda, including cognitive limitations and social factors such as emotional needs, family dynamics and stigma. There is a need to understand the perspectives and experiences of family members who consent on behalf of an individual with limited capacity to consent for research.

Adolescents and young adults and the quest for mental health and well-being: experiences from the african character initiation program (ACIP)

2026-07-13T12:14:27Z

Title: Adolescents and young adults and the quest for mental health and well-being: experiences from the african character initiation program (ACIP) Authors: Kamaara, Eunice; Choge, Emily; Abuya, Pamela; Wahome, Mary; Nyairo, Joyce Abstract: Adolescence is a beautiful stage in human development. However, it is riddled with crises as young people explore, identify, and develop their identities in response to the ultimate question of human existence: Who am I? With dramatic physiological, mental, social, and spiritual changes, young adults are vulnerable to identity crises. Across Africa, Indigenous communities have various rites for adolescents, basically designed to meet their search for individual identity and belonging. These rites are being (re)negotiated, contested, and (re)invented. Tensions arising from parenting, the emergence of complementary parenting institutions, and technological advancement compound this and create new modes of identity and belonging, which in turn lead to constant stress on adolescent health and well-being. This chapter highlights some experiences of adolescents and young adults in expressing their identity over the last 20 years before zeroing in on their gender and sexual identity exploration and search for belonging through modern rites of passage. The chapter uses the experiences of alumni of the African Character Initiation Program (ACIP) to mark ACIP’s 20th anniversary. It concludes that identity and belonging are multiple, complex, and dynamic; the search for identity and belonging affects health and well-being, and national values are integral to holistic development.

Recent advances in combustion chemistry of biofuels: a review

2026-07-13T06:37:11Z

Title: Recent advances in combustion chemistry of biofuels: a review Authors: Sombei, Dorcas Cheptoo; Mecha, Cleophas Achisa; Chollom, Martha Noro Abstract: Renewable energy sources such as biofuels play a critical role in climate change mitigation and in meeting the rising global energy demand. To achieve carbon neutrality, biofuels such as bioethanol, biodiesel and biogas are a promising solution because they are renewable. The use of biofuels has potential to significantly reduce reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to increased access to clean and affordable energy as envisioned in sustainable development goal 7 (SDG 7). However, their effective utilization is constrained by challenges in combustion kinetics, fuel property variability, and emission trade-offs arising from complex reaction pathways compared to conventional fuels. The present study provides a concise review of key aspects in combustion kinetics and mechanisms of bioethanol, biodiesel and biogas. Comparative analysis is provided to highlight inconsistencies in reported findings and limitations in current methodologies. The study proposes ways to address these challenges through combining fundamental research, computational modelling and experimental innovation to accelerate the transition toward a cleaner energy future.