Hellen Kariuki conducting a sensitisation community meeting at Rabai
Hellen Kariuki, a Doctoral student in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology carried out a a sensitisation community meeting at Rabai, Ruruma, Kasidi Ward and Mawemambomu Ward in Kilifi County.
She is investigating the effects “Female genital schistosomiasis and HIV infection: “The effects of Schistosoma haematobium on α4β7expression among Kenyan women.”
In sub-Saharan Africa, women bear a disproportionate burden of HIV/AIDs and Schistosomiasis which has been associated with poverty among other economic factors. Female genital schistosomiasis is a nationally and internationally important area of research considering the effects of the HIV/AIDs pandemic and the detrimental effect it has on women's reproductive health including its recent association with cervical cancer. Ms Kariuki’s project will shed insight on how the above-mentioned disease potentiates each other.
The results obtained will inform the government and the policymakers on the prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium in the adult population in these endemic areas, and inform policy on targeted mass drug administration in the adult populations. In addition inform and educate the residents on the detrimental effect of the disease, the importance of water sanitation, and hygienic disposal of human waste in the prevention of the disease.
More photos from the meeting can be found here
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