Poster Presenters

Background:

Soil Transmitted Helminths remains a major neglected tropical disease of public health concern with transmission related to poor water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) conditions. Mwibona ward experiences persistent STH transmissions.

Objective:

To evaluate the impact of integrating WASH interventions with Social Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) in reducing STH prevalence.

Methodology:

A repeated cross-sectional study was conducted among 3000 school-aged children and 1500 households in Vihiga County in 2021. Water quality assessments at household, latrine coverage and hygiene practices were analyzed alongside STH prevalence data; collected through stool sample screening. The results showed that Mwibona ward had the highest prevalence of STH of 31.3%. It also showed use of protected water within the ward at 83.7% and latrine coverage at 55%. This triggered an integrated approach of reducing the prevalence. 50 community WASH champions and change agents consisting of informal community group leaders were selected using stratified random sampling, trained and deployed within the ward to advocate for improved WASH practices in the community and schools. Their key roles included; community sensitization on WASH-NTDs, equipping the community with knowledge on installation of home-made handwashing facilities, domestic soap making, promoting proper hygiene and conducting campaigns against open defecation. A mid term survey was conducted in 2023 to evaluate the status of STH against WASH status. 

RESULTS:

The results showed improved WASH status. Protected water had risen to 90% and latrine coverage to 87%. Hand hygiene had improved too. This had immensely led to a drop in the prevalence STH to 18%. The survey indicated that people’s knowledge on transmission and prevention of STH had improved thus creating community-led demand for proper WASH status in the ward.

Conclusion:

The study underscores the need for a holistic, multi-sectoral approach combining sustained SBCC and WASH improvements to achieve long term STH control. 

Introduction

Schistosomiasis remains a highly focal parasitic disease in Kenya, closely linked to freshwater ecosystems. Analysis of over 2,000 georeferenced survey points highlights marked spatial heterogeneity, with 60–70% of sites showing low prevalence (

Cholera, a severe diarrheal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, poses significant public health challenges in Kenya, particularly during recurrent outbreaks from 2022 to 2025. This study aims to develop and apply statistical models to identify social vulnerabilities associated with cholera incidence, facilitating equitable public health responses.

A retrospective analysis was conducted using cholera surveillance data from the Ministry of Health, Kenya, covering the years 2022-2025. The dataset included variables such as county, gender, age, number of reported cases, and deaths. Social vulnerability predictors were sourced from the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey and the Kenya Continuous Household Survey, focusing on access to improved drinking water, sanitation, and county-level poverty severity. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and statistical modeling using Poisson regression for cholera cases and logistic regression for deaths.

Results indicated that males experienced a 25% higher incidence of cholera compared to females, and improved water access correlated with increased incidence. Conversely, better sanitation reduced incidence rates. The equity assessment revealed a pro-poor inequality in cholera incidence, with a concentration index of −0.075, while mortality showed a stronger pro-poor inequality (CI = −0.253), indicating that poorer counties suffered disproportionately higher mortality rates.

In conclusion, the findings underscore the importance of sanitation in reducing cholera incidence and highlight significant disparities in mortality outcomes based on socioeconomic status. These insights advocate for targeted public health interventions to address the underlying social vulnerabilities contributing to cholera outbreaks in Kenya.

Background
Points of Entry (PoEs) are frontline components of national health security systems, serving as the interface between public health systems and international travel and trade. Under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), countries must maintain core public health capacities at designated airports, ports, and ground crossings to detect, assess, and respond to cross-border health threats. In Kenya, several non-designated PoEs facilitate cross-border movement but operate with varying levels of preparedness. This study assessed health security risks across non-designated PoEs to inform national designation planning and strengthen pandemic preparedness.

Methods
A mixed-methods risk assessment was conducted across fifteen non-designated PoEs between August 2025 and January 2026. Data were collected using WHO IHR core capacity assessment tools, structured risk assessment questionnaires, and key informant interviews. Assessment domains included coordination and communication systems, surveillance capacities, environmental health safeguards, and emergency preparedness for Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC).

Results
Nationally, routine core capacities averaged approximately 65%, while emergency response capacities averaged only 25%, indicating a preparedness gap. Capacity scores varied across sites. Eldoret International Airport recorded the highest score (80%), while several sites demonstrated limited readiness, including Isiolo Airport (~30%) and Nadapal Border (~33% routine capacity with minimal emergency preparedness). Risk-tier analysis revealed an exposure–capacity mismatch at high-risk borders, particularly Nadapal. Structural gaps included absence of isolation infrastructure, limited simulation exercises, insufficient trained personnel, weak surveillance integration with national systems, and limited One Health coordination at livestock-intensive borders. These findings informed Kenya’s national risk-tiered PoE designation roadmap to guide phased strengthening of IHR-compliant border health capacities.

Conclusion
Kenya’s PoE network demonstrates partial routine functionality but remains underprepared for multi-hazard public health emergencies. Strengthening emergency preparedness, institutionalizing simulation exercises, and prioritizing high-risk border corridors through a phased designation roadmap are essential to enhance cross-border disease detection and pandemic preparedness.

Background
Transboundary, zoonotic, and endemic animal diseases affect livestock productivity, food security, biodiversity, trade, and human health in Kenya. Early detection of disease events in animals is essential for preventing zoonotic spillover and mitigating public health threats. Although Kenya has developed the Kenya Animal Biosurveillance System (KABS) and the One Health Strategic Plan (2021–2025), animal health surveillance remains fragmented across counties. To address these gaps, we document the development of an integrated animal disease surveillance and response framework to strengthen early detection, reporting, and coordinated response across the human–animal–environment interface

Methods
The framework was developed through a structured process including review of international and national surveillance guidelines, assessment of existing surveillance systems and reporting platforms, and multisectoral consultations involving stakeholders from the animal, human, and environmental health sectors. Technical working groups and national validation workshops were convened to refine, finalize and validate the framework.

Results.
The framework has harmonized case definitions and alert thresholds for priority animal diseases, standardized surveillance and reporting tools, and interoperable digital reporting mechanisms enabling real-time data sharing across counties. It establishes laboratory tiering and referral pathways, integrated reporting and feedback mechanisms, and governance arrangements for One Health coordination through defined roles for the Directorate of Veterinary Services and collaboration with human and environmental health sectors. The framework expands surveillance across livestock, wildlife, apiculture, aquatic, and production systems while strengthening preparedness through rapid response teams and standardized outbreak investigation protocols.

Conclusion
The integrated surveillance and response framework strengthens animal health surveillance and multisectoral coordination under the One Health approach. By improving early detection, data integration, and coordinated response to zoonotic and transboundary animal diseases, it enhances Kenya’s preparedness for emerging health threats and reinforces national and global health security commitments. 

Introduction: The ecology of diseases that are transmitted in sub-Saharan Africa is being redefined by climate variability, and it affects the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) unevenly. Taita Taveta County is typified by a high degree of ecological heterogeneity of high-altitude Taita Hills to irrigated borderlands and semi-arid lowlands. This translates into differentiated sub-county susceptibility to the effect of vector-borne, waterborne, zoonotic, nutritional, respiratory, and heat diseases. Despite the increasing climate shocks, preparation to diagnostic has not been appropriately specified, at the sub-county level. 

Aim: To identify the pattern of climate-sensitive disease trends and diagnostic capacity gaps in Wundanyi, Mwatate, Voi, and Taveta sub-counties.

Methods: The scope review focused on reviewing peer-reviewed resources, international climate-health literature, national and county policy frameworks, and recent (2025/2026) sub-county epidemiologic rates. Evidence was interpreted on a One Health framework.

Results: Disease patterns are changing due to increased temperature, unpredictable bimodal precipitations, drought-floods, deforestation, and the expansion and migration of people across borders. Highland warming in Wundanyi promotes malaria and arboviral growth. Cholera, typhoid, respiratory disease and zoonotic threat is more active in semi-arid Mwatate and Voi, while malaria is common in irrigated Taveta with increasing arboviral and filarial vulnerability. The largest proportion of outpatient diagnoses has been Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (69%), skin infections (12%), and diarrheal diseases (5%) as per the County surveillance data (2025/2026).

Conclusion: Majority of the diagnostic systems remain much dependent on microscopy and rapid-test-based diagnostic systems with minimal decentralized molecular capacity and human-animal-environmental surveillance. Climatic change in Taita Taveta County is not a future speculation, but a present-day epidemiological phenomenon that is changing the disease patterns along ecological gradients. Taita Taveta provides the scales of climate-adaptive diagnostics in ecological diversity on the African continent. We recommend geographically decentralizing diagnostic capabilities, increasing One Health-surveillance, strengthening climate-predicted modelling and workforce development.

Introduction: Malaria epidemiology in Kenya is heterogeneous because of geographic and climatic differences. Semi-arid and arid zones are prone to seasonal increases in malaria cases above expected levels after rainy seasons, leading to malaria outbreaks. In November 2023, there was a >155% increase in rainfall above Marsabit’s monthly average. The malaria surveillance system detected a 345% increase in cases, rising from 210 during Epiweek 1 to Epiweek 6 of the previous year to 934 in 2024.

Aim: An outbreak investigation was conducted to characterize the cases and guide prevention and control efforts.

Methods: We reviewed routine surveillance data from December 2023 to February 2024, abstracted data from 12 facilities that surpassed action thresholds (5-year weekly median + third quantile), conducted data quality assessments, and conducted two community-focused group discussions. The data were analyzed as frequencies and proportions.

Results: Of the 757 malaria cases abstracted, the median age was 17 years (interquartile range: 10–28 years), and 227 cases (30.0%) were individuals aged 10–20 years. Males accounted for 424 cases (56.0%), 421 cases (55.6%) were tested using Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum)-specific rapid diagnostic tests, and 44.4% were tested using microscopy. Of the cases identified via microscopy, 94.9% involved P. falciparum, 2.7% involved Plasmodium vivax, and 2.4% involved Plasmodium ovale. Severe malaria cases were 90 (11.9%), with three deaths. Facilities having acceptable reporting accuracy were 33.3%, and completeness of monthly summaries was 39%. Potential exposures reported by the community included proximity to a national park, proximity to stagnant water, and sleeping outside during herding.

Conclusion: The outbreak was predominantly due to P. falciparum, with most cases among males aged 10–20 years. Integrating meteorological early warnings into routine subnational surveillance, ensuring timely activation of rapid response teams, and implementing targeted interventions for nomadic pastoralists during rainy seasons are recommended.

Introduction

Effective pandemic preparedness depends on functional subnational systems where outbreaks are first detected and response actions are initiated. In decentralized settings such as Nigeria, translating national health security priorities into operational state-level capacity remains a critical challenge. While the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) provides a standardized framework for assessing national preparedness, evidence on how subnational adaptations inform preparedness planning and multisectoral collaboration remains limited.

Aim

This study assessed how Nigeria’s adapted subnational JEE framework contributes to strengthening preparedness and operationalizing the One Health approach.

Methods

A structured descriptive analysis of subnational JEE reports and State Action Plans for Health Security (SAPHS) was conducted. Data were extracted using a standardized template capturing: (i) assessment stage, (ii) identified technical gaps across 14 JEE areas, and (iii) presence of multisectoral actions in SAPHS. States were categorized as “completed” (internal and external assessment plus SAPHS) or “early implementation” based on predefined milestones. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic grouping of recurring gaps. One Health operationalization was assessed by inclusion of cross-sectoral (human–animal–environment) activities in SAPHS.

Results

Of 37 states, 15 (41%) initiated the assessment process; 7 (47%) completed the full cycle. Recurrent gaps among completed states included multisectoral coordination (6/7), workforce surge capacity (5/7), and integration of surveillance and response systems (5/7). All completed states developed SAPHS; however, only 5/7 included explicit cross-sectoral activities linking human, animal, and environmental sectors. States at early stages showed fewer multisectoral actions, indicating variability in translating findings into preparedness planning.

Conclusion

Subnational health security assessments supported identification of preparedness gaps and development of state-level action plans. However, variation in implementation and limited integration of cross-sectoral actions suggest inconsistent operationalization of the One Health approach. Strengthening standardization of multisectoral indicators and monitoring of SAPHS implementation may improve preparedness in decentralized systems.

Background

Community Health Promoters play a vital role in connecting households to health services and strengthening primary healthcare from the ground up. Through routine household visits, CHPs promote preventive health practices, identify concerns early, and support referrals to health facilities. In Trans Nzoia County, CHPs operate within community units under Community Health Extension Workers, maintaining a working link between communities and health facilities.

Objective

To describe the contribution of CHPs in improving access to maternal health services in Maili Saba and Toro Community Units, Trans Nzoia County, between October 2024 and April 2025.

Methods

A descriptive assessment was conducted across Maili Saba and Toro Community Units between October 2024 and April 2025. 40 CHPs, 20 per unit, conducted routine household visits across 158 combined households. Data were drawn from household visit records and reports submitted to Community Health Extension Workers. CHPs identified pregnant mothers, encouraged early ANC attendance, conducted monthly followup visits, supported iron and folic acid supplementation, and linked mothers to Maili Saba Health Centre. Findings were summarised using frequencies and percentages.

Results

Seventeen pregnant mothers were identified from 158 households visited and linked to Maili Saba Health Centre. All 17 completed the recommended four ANC visits and 16 of 17 (94%) delivered at the facility. Before the assessment period, facility ANC attendance stood at 76%. Monthly CHP follow-up visits supported consistent iron and folic acid supplementation throughout pregnancy.

Conclusion

Findings from the two community units show that CHP engagement through household visits, early pregnancy identification, and consistent follow-up was associated with improved ANC completion and high facility delivery rates. All identified mothers completed four ANC visits and 94% delivered at the facility, against a baseline ANC attendance of 76%. Supporting CHPs as an organised community link is a practical, low-cost approach to improving maternal health outcomes at primary healthcare level.

Background: Misinformation and disease-related myths undermine public health responses by influencing care-seeking behaviour, delaying outbreak detection, and eroding trust in health systems. To address this challenge, the Kenya National Public Health Institute (KNPHI) developed standardized, context-specific myth-busting fact sheets to provide clear, evidence-based information for the public and to support healthcare workers with concise reference materials.

Methods: Between December 2025 and March 2026, a structured process was used to develop web-based fact sheets for priority diseases relevant to Kenya’s public health landscape. National policy documents, WHO guidance, and Africa CDC fact sheet standards were reviewed. Priority diseases were identified based on national surveillance priorities outlined in the third edition of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) technical guidelines and the risk of outbreaks. A standardized template was developed, incorporating key sections such as key facts, symptoms, epidemiology, transmission, diagnostics, prevention and control, surveillance, treatment, vaccines, and myths versus facts. Draft content was contextualized using Kenya-specific epidemiological information and public health response structures and prepared for stakeholder validation to ensure alignment with national policies.

Results: The initiative demonstrated the importance of translating technical disease information into clear, accessible language that directly addresses misinformation. Development of a standardized template improved consistency across diseases and enhanced usability for digital dissemination. Early engagement of technical experts and stakeholders supported scientific accuracy while maintaining relevance for public audiences. Integrating myth-busting content within standard disease fact sheets proved to be a practical approach to addressing misinformation without creating parallel communication products.

Conclusion: Contextualized myth-busting fact sheets provide a practical approach for strengthening public health communication and improving access to credible information. Once finalized, the fact sheets will support risk communication, outbreak preparedness, and public engagement through the KNPHI digital platforms. 

Introduction: Risk assessment played a critical role in public health emergency management, particularly in settings experiencing recurrent and complex emergencies. Kenya had faced multiple public health threats, including disease outbreaks and climate-related disasters, with increasing frequency and impact.

Aim: The assessment aimed to identify and prioritize public health hazards and develop a comprehensive national risk profile using the Strategic Tool for Assessing Risks (STAR), to guide preparedness and response planning.

Methods: In June 2023, a qualitative and participatory risk assessment was conducted involving multi-sectoral experts. Through structured discussions and consensus-building, hazards were identified and assessed based on their likelihood and potential impact, informed by available data and past emergency response experiences.

Results: A total of 25 hazards were identified, of which eight were classified as very high-risk. These included Ebola disease, drought, chemical events, transportation accidents, severe acute respiratory infections, leishmaniasis, and antimicrobial resistance. Additional hazards were categorized as high and moderate risk. The process facilitated a shared understanding of national risks and strengthened collaboration across sectors.

Conclusion: The STAR assessment informed the development of Kenya’s national risk profile and guided emergency preparedness and response planning. Lessons learned highlighted the importance of inclusive stakeholder engagement, data-informed decision-making, and regular risk profiling. The risk calendar developed significantly reflected several risks that later occurred, underscoring its practical utility and the need for a follow-up STAR assessment to capture evolving risks, monitor trends, and strengthen resilience within Kenya’s public health emergency management system.

Introduction/Problem

Flood-prone sub-counties in the Lake Victoria basin face persistent threats from climate-sensitive, water-borne, vector-borne, and zoonotic diseases. In Bunyala Sub-County, disease surveillance prior to 2024 was limited by delayed community-level detection, fragmented reporting, and weak integration across human, animal, and environmental health sectors. These gaps undermined early warning and rapid response during flood events, exposing vulnerable populations to preventable outbreaks and threatening local health security.

Aim/Research Question

This study assessed whether integrating One Health principles into routine community surveillance could improve early detection, reporting performance, and coordinated outbreak response in a flood-prone sub-county setting.

Methods

From January 2024 to December 2025, Bunyala Sub-County implemented a One Health–integrated community surveillance model linking Community Health Promoters, health facilities, public health, veterinary, and environmental health teams. Community event-based surveillance was strengthened through targeted capacity building, routine use of Ministry of Health tools, and reporting via the District Health Information Software 2 platform. Integrated multi-sectoral surveillance review meetings were conducted weekly during flood periods to support rapid, coordinated decision-making.

Results

Weekly surveillance reporting timeliness improved from 67 percent in 2023 to 93 percent in 2025, while data completeness increased from 72 percent to 96 percent. Detection of priority epidemic-prone conditions improved substantially, with community alerts identified within 24–48 hours compared to previous delays of 4–7 days. Coordinated multi-sectoral response actions were initiated within 72 hours of alert confirmation, and no large-scale outbreaks were recorded during the implementation period despite recurrent flooding.

Conclusion

Integrating One Health principles into routine community surveillance strengthened sub-county health security by improving early detection, data quality, and coordinated response in a climate-sensitive setting. This scalable, systems-based model demonstrates the potential of sub-national One Health integration to enhance pandemic preparedness, climate resilience, and equitable health protection.