A Profile of Webuye Health and Demographic Surveillance System in Western Kenya.

Abstract

The Webuye HDSS was established in 2007 as one of the activities of Moi University VLIR- UOS Health Sciences Project. The WHDSS site is a natural progression of Moi University’s Community Based Education and Service (COBES) programme in which the students learn in the community while providing service. The site is used for teaching and research by the College of Health Sciences. The Health & Demographic Surveillance Area (HDSA) is located in Webuye Division in Bungoma East District, Western province. The area lies between latitude 0045’0”N and 0030’0” N of the Equator and longitude 34040’0” E and 34045’0”E of the Greenwich meridian. The area covers approximately 120Km2. It includes both rural and semi-urban areas. The area has a population of 73,000 individuals in approximately 13,000 households in 6 sub-locations. Farming is the main economic activity with sugar cane as the main cash crop. Maize is also grown for subsistence, alongside beans, millet and sorghum. Small scale dairy farming is widely practiced, as well as poultry keeping. A paper factory and chemical processing plant are located in the adjacent area.