Poster Presenters

Introduction: Cross-border regions such as Turkana North and Kibish sub-counties in Kenya are disproportionately vulnerable to public health emergencies, including Marburg Virus Disease (MVD), due to porous borders, high pastoralist mobility, and weak health infrastructure. Despite this heightened risk, there is a significant gap in localized, community-led preparedness systems, leaving populations exposed and unprepared.

Research Question: This assessment aimed to assess and strengthen community-level preparedness capacities, focusing on the structures and knowledge necessary for effective risk communication and community engagement in high-risk border communities.

Methods: In December 2025, a rapid preparedness assessment and capacity-strengthening exercise was conducted. Through facility visits, key informant interviews, and community engagements, the team evaluated existing Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) structures, availability of culturally appropriate Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials, and the knowledge levels of Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and local leaders.

Results: Community-level preparedness was found to be severely deficient. RCCE activities were minimal or absent, IEC materials were either unavailable or not in local languages, and CHPs, border security personnel, and community leaders demonstrated limited awareness of MVD. Subsequently, over 1,100 community members and 25 CHPs were sensitized on MVD detection, prevention, and reporting, revealing a substantial unmet need for localized health information.

Conclusion: Effective public health emergency preparedness in high-risk cross-border corridors requires urgent investment in community-led strategies. This includes developing context-appropriate IEC materials, training CHPs and local networks, and establishing sustained RCCE coordination mechanisms to ensure communities are informed, engaged, and capable of acting as first responders.

Keywords: Marburg Virus Disease (MVD), Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE), Community-led (CL), Preparedness.

Introduction. 

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as hypertension and diabetes, contribute to 37% of deaths in Kenya, with hypertension affecting nearly one in four adults. However, rural areas face challenges like limited diagnostic tools, geographic barriers, and financial constraints, leading to low awareness, treatment, and control rates. To achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), innovative primary health care models that decentralize chronic disease management while ensuring continuity of care are essential. The AMPATH Bridging Income Generation with Group Integrated Care (BIGPIC) program was launched in Bungoma County to address these gaps by combining NCD care with community engagement and economic empowerment.

Aim. 

The goal of the BIGPIC program is to improve access to and quality of NCD care in rural Kenya through a community-oriented primary care (COPC) approach that integrates clinical services with social and economic support systems.

Methods.

The program offers group-based, clinician-led care at over 30 decentralized community care points, 850 patients, supported by over 300 community health promoters. Services include blood pressure and glucose monitoring, medication refills, lifestyle counseling, and point-of-care diagnostics. Social determinants of health addressed through 320 microfinance groups with 7,600 members to boost financial resilience and health insurance access. Vulnerable patients are supported through agri-nutritional programs and caregiver networks. A structured Primary Care Network ensures continuity of care via referral pathways to Webuye County Hospital and nearby health centers.

Results.

Monitoring data revealed that 76.7% of patients maintained consistent care. Hypertensive patients experienced significant reductions in systolic blood pressure (7.0–12.0 mmHg). Community-based diagnostic tools, like portable ultrasounds, enhanced early detection and clinical decision-making.

Conclusion.

The AMPATH BIGPIC model highlights potential of community-oriented primary care to improve NCD outcomes and support UHC efforts. By integrating healthcare services with economic empowerment and decentralized diagnostics, the program offers a scalable solution for equitable healthcare delivery in rural Kenya.

Introduction/Problem
Optimal infant and young child feeding is critical for achieving Universal Health Coverage and reducing preventable child morbidity and mortality. In Bunyala Sub-County, suboptimal exclusive breastfeeding and weak continuity of community-based nutrition support limited equitable access to preventive services, particularly in flood-prone and hard-to-reach settings. The Baby-Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI), implemented in collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross, aimed to strengthen community-based nutrition services and facility–community linkage.

Aim
To assess the effectiveness of BFCI in improving access to infant feeding services and continuity of care.

Methods
Between 2023 and 2025, BFCI was implemented in two purposively selected Community Units (Rugunga and Lugale) linked to Khajula Dispensary, chosen based on high burden and vulnerability. Community Health Promoters delivered household counselling supported by Mother Support Groups and routine supervision. Programme data were collected using Ministry of Health tools and analyzed using a before–after approach.

Results
Exclusive breastfeeding counselling coverage increased from 71.5% to 99.1% (+27.6 percentage points). A total of 19 functional Mother Support Groups were established. Service uptake improved: new ANC attendance increased by 22.3% and fourth ANC visits by 14.5%. Fully immunized children increased by 40.8%, with BCG (+32.6%) and Measles-Rubella (+28.6%) coverage improving. Additionally, 1,398 children were screened, identifying 10 SAM and 55 MAM cases.

Conclusion
BFCI improved access to nutrition and primary health services while strengthening continuity of care. Integrating BFCI within routine community health systems offers a sustainable pathway for advancing Universal Health Coverage in underserved settings.

Background:
Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a vector-borne neglected tropical disease targeted for global elimination by 2030 in line with the WHO 2021-2030 NTD roadmap. In Kenya, approximately 4.3 million people remain at risk, primarily across 23 endemic implementation units (IUs) in the coastal region. Sustained Mass Drug Administration (MDA) since 2002 has substantially reduced transmission. This study evaluates the impact of MDA and monitors ongoing transmission in Kilifi and Kwale counties.

Methods: Transmission Assessment Surveys (TAS 1 in 2022 and TAS 2 in 2025) were conducted in 11 IUs (Kilifi: 7; Kwale: 4). Thirty primary schools per IU were selected, targeting children aged 6–7 years who had lived through multiple MDA rounds between 2016-2022. Sample size was derived from school enrolment data obtained from the Ministry of Education. Children were randomly selected and screened for circulating filarial antigen using Filariasis Test Strip kits, with unique barcoded identifiers. Geographic locations of schools were recorded using GPS. LF prevalence was calculated as the proportion of children testing positive.

Results: TAS 1 analyzed 17,599 samples, detecting three positive cases (0.02%), Rabai 2, Magarini 1 in Kilifi. TAS 2 screened 15,996 children, identifying seven positive cases (0.04%) in Ganze 3, Rabai 1 (Kilifi) Lungalunga 3 (Kwale). Infection levels remained below the WHO 2% antigenemia threshold, indicating sustained interruption of transmission.

Conclusion: These findings support the cessation of MDA in surveyed IUs and confirm progress toward LF elimination as a public health problem. However, there is need for strengthened post-MDA surveillance and targeted interventions in areas with persistent antigenemia positives. Kenya’s experience demonstrates that sustained program investment, high coverage, and coordinated implementation can reduce transmission levels and  elimination of LF  in endemic regions.

The misuse of stupefying drugs,particularly Zolpidemand Scopolamine has emerged as  a critical threat to public health and security in Kenya.Scopolamine known locally as the "devil's breath" is increasingly employed to incapacitate victims in public spaces and commercial establishments,while Zolpidem (Mchele) contributes to the growing category of sedative hypnotics used for criminal purposes.This dual use phenomenonwhere essential medications are diverted for criminal exploitation-necessitates innovative technology-driven responses that strengthen health system integrity while enhancing community protection.

The paper employs a descriptive review approach,synthesizing evidence from peer-reviewed literature,Government reports including those from the Ministry of Health, National Authority for Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA). and International Agency publications such as United Nations Ofiice on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) technical briefs.The analysis focuses on technological interventions implemented or piloted in Kenya between 2020 and 2024,examining their applicationto pharmaceutical misuse,surveillance and control.

Three technological advancements demonstrate particular promise.First,digitized pharmacutical track and trace systems enable end to end monitoring of medication distribution,reducing opportunities for diversion of controlled substances.Second,the deployment of 30 field testing kits by UNODC each testing upto 500 tests,has enhanced rapid on-site detection of stupefying substances.Third,digital surveillance platforms using open source tools such as Kobo toolbox and R Shiny applications have improved reporing timelinesand data quality for substance use disorders in Nairobi.Additionally,community-based digital interventions like youth empoerment Digital intervention show early effectiveness in preventing substance use among adolescents in informsl settlements.

Technological innovations offer a viable pathways for strengthening Kenya's response to stupefying drug misuse.Integrated digital surveillance,enhanced supply chain transparency,and community-fucused platforms collectively enhance health security architecture.These approaches supported by robust regulatory frameworks,position Kenya to better address emerging phaemaceutical substance abuse challenges. 

Background
HIV and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) frequently co-occur in endemic regions, yet the immunological and virological consequences of their interaction remain poorly defined. Clinical studies are limited by heterogeneity in infection timing and treatment, highlighting the need for controlled experimental models.

Methods
Using a longitudinal non-human primate model (Chlorocebus aethiops), we investigated immune and pathogen dynamics following infection with Leishmania donovani and simian–human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV). Animals were assigned to four groups: L. donovani only, SHIV only, L. donovani followed by SHIV, and SHIV followed by L. donovani. Viral load, splenic parasite burden, antigen-specific antibody responses, and IFN-γ T-cell responses were assessed over 32 weeks.

Results
SHIV replication differed significantly between groups (Kruskal–Wallis, p = 0.0118). SHIV-only animals exhibited sustained high-level viremia (median 1.06 × 10⁴ copies/mL), whereas viral loads were markedly reduced in L. donovani–SHIV (8.5 × 10² copies/mL) and SHIV–L. donovani animals (7.3 × 10¹ copies/mL), with the latter significantly lower than SHIV-only controls (p < 0.01). Splenic L. donovani parasite burden was highest in parasite-only animals (32.4% infected cells) and significantly reduced in co-infected groups (~25–27%, one-way ANOVA p = 0.0016). Established L. donovani infection impaired SHIV-specific IgG responses (median OD 0.74 vs 1.58 in SHIV-only animals, p = 0.0157), while SHIV infection delayed but did not abolish parasite-specific antibody development. Antigen-specific IFN-γ responses were significantly diminished in co-infected animals (p < 0.05), although global T-cell responsiveness remained intact.

Conclusions
SHIV–L. donovani co-infection results in bidirectional, infection-order–dependent modulation of viral replication, parasite burden, and adaptive immune responses. These findings provide mechanistic insight into HIV–VL co-infection and underscore the importance of temporal dynamics in shaping immune competence and disease outcome in co-endemic settings.

Viagra (Sildenafil), treats erectile dysfunction by enhancing the effects of nitric oxide(NO),a highly reactive gas that acts as a vital signaling molecule in the body primarily known for inducing vasodilation(widening blood vessels) to improve blood flow,oxygen delivery and nutrient transport. Nitric oxide plays a critical role in cardiovascular health, immune function and neuro transmission. However NO exhibits a "Dual-use effect" where it's impact is highly dependent on concentration,timing and location.  It may act as both a protective or destructive agent. This study aims to investigatate the various forms of Viagra found in the local market, ascertain their chemical composition and any form of adulteration including but not limited to substance abuse. 

Mixed method approach was adopted whereby Questionnaires were administered among a populace of 18 -65 years of age and samples  collected in major urban cities of the country, were screened for contents & constituents using Gas chromatography- Mass spectroscopy technique. Results showed that the active ingredient in Viagra was Sildenafil citrate. Notably, more than 47% of the samples were found to be counterfeit while 24% of the samples were found to be laced with Ecstasy, a psychotropic substance(controlled). High rates of abuse were reported among men including youths of below 22 years of age. These findings suggest that the blue pill is increasingly being used to boost sexual performance and Libido rather than treat diagnosed erectile dysfunctions. This poses a significant threat to our Public health and there is need to sensitize the public through campaign awareness, strenghten strict pharmaceutical regulations  through the Ministry of Health, and enhance  chemical testing through the Government Chemist. The war on zero tolerance  against counterfeit regimes and other toxic chemical substances cannot be overemphasized.

ABSTRACT

Title

The Evolving Role of Laboratory Systems in Surveillance and Outbreak Management in Kenya

Background

Strong laboratory systems are central to effective health security, enabling early detection, confirmation, and response to public health threats. In Kenya, laboratory capacity has evolved from fragmented diagnostics to an integrated national system supporting surveillance and outbreak response.

Aim

To examine the evolution of Kenya’s public health laboratory systems and assess their role in strengthening surveillance and outbreak management within a health security framework.

Methods

This study employed a qualitative narrative review design covering the period 2000–2025. A purposive sample of key data sources (n≈30) was selected, including national policy documents, laboratory strategic plans, surveillance reports, and published literature. Additional evidence was drawn from documented outbreak responses. Data were collected through structured document review using a standardized form capturing laboratory capacity, system integration, and outbreak response performance across three predefined phases: pre-2000, 2000–2015, and 2016–present. Data were analysed thematically and structured around key health security functions of detection and confirmation.

Results

In the pre-2000 phase, Kenya’s laboratory systems were limited, focusing on HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, with weak surveillance links. Between 2005 and 2015, global partnerships expanded diagnostic capacity, improving detection and confirmation of outbreaks such as Rift Valley fever, cholera, measles, and H1N1, while introducing molecular and genomic techniques. Since 2016, a coordinated national laboratory network with reference laboratories, mobile units, and expanded genomic surveillance has enabled pathogen sequencing, tracking, and monitoring of variants of concern for diseases including COVID-19, MPOX, cholera, measles, dengue, chikungunya, kal-azar and yellow fever.

Conclusion

Kenya’s laboratories progressed from fragmented, disease-specific systems to a coordinated network with genomic surveillance and outbreak monitoring. Continued investment in decentralized capacity, digital tools, and One Health strategies is vital for strengthening national health security.

Erratic national disbursements, chronic stockouts, and limited facility-level autonomy undermine primary health care (PHC) delivery across Kenya’s counties. School-based interventions like the National School Deworming Program (NSDP), targeting soil-transmitted helminths in children aged 2–14 using all schools as a delivery platform, are especially vulnerable to these financing gaps.

To document how Nyamira County’s Facility Improvement Fund (FIF) and Revolving Health Products and Technologies (HPTs) Financing Act, 2025 strengthened PHC financing and sustained school-based deworming delivery.

A descriptive review using routine programme data, departmental memos, and stakeholder consultations from Nyamira’s Department of Health Services, PATH, and Evidence Action. Indicators included facility enrolment, fund utilisation, commodity availability, and NSDP coverage. The NSDP targets all children aged 2–14 years across all schools as a platform for universal deworming.

The FIF achieved 100% facility enrolment and utilisation, with 35% of funds directed to HPTs including NSDP deworming commodities. The Revolving HPTs Financing Act attained 100% county-wide coverage, delivering:

•       Commodity security: Elimination of stock-outs ensured uninterrupted deworming tablet supply across all schools.

•       Improved service delivery: Predictable financing enabled timely NSDP campaigns without national disbursement delays.

•       Community trust: Engagement of school committees, parents, and community health promoters boosted caregiver consent and legitimacy.

•       UHC equity: School-age children — often missed by facility-based care — gained access to preventive services, advancing equitable coverage.

Nyamira County demonstrates that county-level legislation and multi-sectoral collaboration can anchor school-based programs like the NSDP within resilient PHC financing frameworks. These reforms offer a scalable blueprint for counties across Kenya to eliminate stock-outs, extend equitable services from facilities to classrooms, and accelerate progress toward UHC.

Abstract

Introduction: In 2020, an estimated 869,000 children aged 5–14 died globally, with sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 77%. Evidence on the magnitude, timing, and determinants of inpatient mortality in this age group remains limited. This study estimated inpatient mortality, described the timing of deaths, and identified factors associated with time to inpatient mortality among children aged 5–14 years admitted to Obama Children’s Hospital in Kisumu, Kenya.

Methods: A facility-based retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 2022 and December 2023. Inpatient mortality was the primary outcome.  Fatality rates (FR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using exact binomial methods. Time to death was analyzed using Kaplan–Meier survival methods with log-rank tests. Factors associated with time to mortality were assessed using multivariable Cox regression, reporting adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% CIs. Children discharged alive or transferred were censored at exit.

Results: Among 1,326 eligible admissions, 274 inpatient deaths occurred (FR: 20.7%). Median time to death following admission was 2 days (IQR: 0–7), and 36.5% of deaths occurred within the first day of admission. Children aged 10–14 years had a higher hazard of inpatient death compared with those aged 5–9 years (aHR 1.62, CI: 1.20–2.18). Increased hazards were observed among children residing in Nyakach (aHR 2.05, CI: 1.24–3.40). HIV-positive children experienced more than twice the hazard of death (aHR 2.23, 95% CI 1.30–3.83), Admission due to injury (aHR 2.04, 95% CI 1.07–3.89) and undocumented sickle cell testing (aHR 3.20, 95% CI 2.22–4.61) were independently associated with early inpatient death.

Conclusion: Inpatient mortality was high early after admission.  HIV infection and diagnostic gaps were associated with early inpatient death. Strengthening early inpatient risk identification, improving diagnostic documentation, and prioritizing care for clinically vulnerable older children may reduce preventable mortality.

Introduction: Rabies is a neglected tropical disease that disproportionately affects marginalized communities despite the availability of effective vaccines. The “Zero by 30” global strategic plan aims to eliminate dog‑mediated human rabies deaths by 2030. However, localized barriers such as underreporting, fragmented vaccine supply, and insufficient governance impede progress in Kenya.

Methods: We employed qualitative system dynamics and group model building (GMB) to explore systemic barriers. Thirty‑four expert interviews were thematically coded, five field observations contextualized findings, and a 20‑participant GMB workshop validated and refined causal‑loop diagrams (CLDs). This triangulated approach mapped how surveillance capacity, vaccine availability and uptake, trust, prioritization, and budget allocations interact to sustain rabies persistence. Stakeholder validation ensured accuracy and consensus across health and veterinary sectors.

Results: Analysis revealed reinforcing loops—such as underreporting reducing prioritization, weakening surveillance, and further reinforcing underreporting—and balancing loops around vaccine uptake and workforce readiness. Key impediments included vaccine stock‑outs, budget deficits, reliance on donor funding, and success‑induced complacency. Economic constraints, particularly high out‑of‑pocket costs, undermined sustained control. These dynamics intersect directly with “Zero by 30” objectives, highlighting the need for stable, multiyear funding, cross‑sectoral collaboration, and innovative vaccination strategies.

Conclusions: Stakeholder‑validated CLDs demonstrate that Kenya’s rabies‑control bottlenecks form self‑reinforcing cycles that stall progress. Policy entry points identified include stabilizing vaccine supply chains, securing long‑term financing, strengthening surveillance systems, and building community trust through awareness campaigns. Streamlined pre‑exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) regimens are proposed as one cost‑saving innovation. While findings are context‑specific to Kenya, they offer a structured systems map that shifts the focus from what fails to why it persists, providing decision‑makers with actionable insights to advance toward “Zero by 30.”

Introduction: Acute malnutrition remains a major public health concern in Mandera County, Kenya, where prevalence exceeds the emergency threshold (≥15%). Nutrition surveillance systems are essential for timely detection of vulnerable populations and for guiding evidence-based public health action. The Kenya Health Information System (KHIS) monitors acute malnutrition among children aged 6–59 months. This evaluation assessed the performance of the surveillance system using standard surveillance attributes.

Methods: A mixed-methods cross-sectional evaluation was conducted from December 2025 to January 2026 in 18 purposively selected health facilities across six sub-counties. Respondents, frontline healthcare workers and county and sub-county health managers involved in surveillance were purposively selected. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, and retrospective review of KHIS data from 2023 to 2025. The evaluation was guided by the CDC surveillance evaluation framework and assessed usefulness, simplicity, acceptability, flexibility, representativeness, timeliness and stability. Quantitative data were analysed using Microsoft Excel, while qualitative data were analysed thematically.

Results: A total of 62 respondents participated. Perceived usefulness was high (98%), with surveillance data informing decision-making such as outreach planning, emergency response, and resource allocation. Simplicity and acceptability were also high. Reporting completeness remained above 93%, and representativeness was strong, with all six sub-counties consistently submitting monthly reports. However, timeliness declined from 86.6% in 2023 to 71.1% in 2025. System stability was limited, with only 25% of facilities reporting reliable internet connectivity. Declining trends in Severe and Moderate Acute Malnutrition cases were observed but may reflect reporting variations, service utilization, or case detection rather than true reductions in disease burden. Key challenges included commodity stockouts, climate-related shocks, and limited staff capacity.

Conclusion: The surveillance system is functional but constrained by weaknesses in timeliness and stability. Strengthening infrastructure, reporting systems, and workforce capacity is essential to improve performance and responsiveness.