Relief International is a humanitarian non-profit agency that provides emergency relief, economic rehabilitation, development assistance, and programme services to vulnerable communities worldwide. Relief International UK is non-political and non-sectarian in its mission. It is based in Washington, D.C. and in London.Relief International was founded in the U.S. in 1990 by Farshad Rastegar, an Iranian American. The European headquarters under the title Relief International UK began operations in 2005. The organisation has more than 7,000 professionals assisting people affected by humanitarian crises in 26 countries.
Risky sexual behaviors (RSB) remain one of the major causes of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of various RSB and their correlates among sexually active men in Rwanda, one of the poorest countries in the world. Using data from the 2020 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey, a nationally representative sample of sexually active males (n = 4735) was examined for the prevalence of non-condom use, having multiple sex partners, engagement in commercial sex, and sexual debut before age 18. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to explore 17 factors associated with various patterns of RSB. Results indicated that non-condom use, early sexual debut, multiple sex partners, and engagement in commercial sex were reported by 55.3
BACKGROUND:Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) increasingly being disproportionately affected. Although anecdotal evidence or reports indicate an increasing number of Kenyan men having NCDs, the prevalence and associated factors are not well understood. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of non-communicable diseases among men in Kenya. METHODS:Secondary data comprising 14,439 men aged 15-54 years from the 2022 cross-sectional Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) in Kenya were analyzed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses in SPSS, version 29. RESULTS:Overall, the percentage of men with at least one NCD was 9.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.7-10.2%). Whereas the proportion of participants with multiple NCDs was 1.9 (95% CI: 1.6-2.3). Across NCDs, the highest prevalent NCD was hypertension (3.5% 95%CI:3.1-3.9) followed by depression (2.2% (95%CI:1.9-2.5), anxiety (1.6% (95%CI:1.3-1.9), arthritis (1.4% (95%CI:1.1-1.6), heart disease (1.2% (95%CI:0.9-1.5), diabetes (1% (95%CI:0.8-1.3), lung disease (1% (95%CI:0.7-1.3), and cancer (0.1% (95%CI:0-0.1). In terms of multiple chronic conditions (multimorbidity), the majority of the participants had diabetes and hypertension (0.5% (95%CI:0.3-0.7) followed by hypertension and depression (0.3% (95%CI:0.2-0.4), hypertension and anxiety (0.3% (95%CI:0.2-0.4), and arthritis and depression (0.2% (95%CI:0.1-0.2). Several factors, such as age, region, residence, ethnicity, education level, health status, wealth index, religion, media access, and living a sedentary lifestyle, were found to be significantly associated with the prevalence of NCDs. CONCLUSION:The overall prevalence of NCDs among men is relatively low based on available national data. We found that sociodemographic and lifestyle factors were significantly associated with the prevalence of NCDs. Although causal relationships cannot be inferred from this study, the findings suggest that initiatives such as tailored health education, regular medical checkups, and the promotion of physical activity may be relevant components of broader efforts to support men's health in relation to non‑communicable diseases (NCDs). Region‑specific policies and culturally sensitive approaches may help address variations in risk factors and observed ethnic disparities. Encouraging healthier lifestyle practices among men of all backgrounds and improving access to integrated healthcare in rural areas may also be important considerations. Further research is needed to explore how media exposure, media content, health messaging, and religious contexts may influence men's exposure to NCDs in Kenya and other sub-Saharan countries.
The use of multiple HIV prevention strategies is more effective in preventing HIV than single-method approaches. This study, therefore, aimed to examine the factors associated with the utilization of multiple HIV prevention methods among Kenyan men. We analysed secondary data from the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) involving 14,453 participants who were selected by multistage stratified sampling. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted using SPSS (version 29) to identify associated factors. About 75.4
Background In Kenya, women of reproductive age (WRA) face a 6.0% HIV prevalence, double that of men, with 53% of cases undiagnosed, driving transmission and threatening 2030 HIV elimination targets. HIV self-testing (HIVST) offers a private, accessible alternative, yet its adoption among WRA remains poorly understood. This study determined the prevalence and factors associated with awareness and use of HIVST kits among WRA in Kenya. Methods Using the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey, we analyzed HIVST awareness and use among WRA aged 15–49. Multivariable logistic regression in SPSS (v 29), accounting for complex survey design, identified associated sociodemographic, behavioral, and cultural factors. The survey weights were applied to ensure representativeness, and variance inflation factors assessed multicollinearity. Results Of the 16,638 women of reproductive age included in the study, 51% (95% CI: 49.6–52.5) were aware of HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits, while 9.5% (95% CI: 8.9–10.2) had ever self-tested. Factors associated with higher odds of HIVST kit awareness included being in the middle wealth quintile (AOR 1.81, 95% CI: 1.12–2.92), having completed secondary education (AOR 3.24, 95% CI: 1.73–6.08), and radio access (AOR 1.61, 95% CI: 1.13–2.28), television (AOR 1.46, 95% CI: 1.01–2.10), or the internet (AOR 1.92, 95% CI: 1.34–2.74). Women who had experienced genital ulcers (AOR 2.32, 95% CI: 1.24–4.34) and those from the Luo (AOR 2.45, 95% CI: 1.05–5.73) and Meru (AOR 2.51, 95% CI: 1.06–5.95) ethnicities were more likely to be aware of HIVST kits. Joint financial decision-making with a partner was linked to higher odds of awareness (AOR 3.20, 95% CI: 1.79–5.73), while joint purchasing decisions (AOR 0.55, 95% CI: 0.35–0.87), justifying wife beating (AOR 0.64, 95% CI: 0.46–0.88), and residence in Nairobi (AOR 0.22, 95% CI: 0.10–0.52), Nyanza (AOR 0.41, 95% CI: 0.18–0.92), Rift Valley (AOR 0.43, 95% CI: 0.20–0.93), or Eastern regions (AOR 0.38, 95% CI: 0.18–0.80) were associated with lower odds of awareness compared with those from the coast. Regarding HIV self-testing itself, tertiary education (AOR 1.76, 95% CI: 1.06–2.90), access to newspapers (AOR 1.66, 95% CI: 1.03–2.68), and internet use (AOR 1.88, 95% CI: 1.12–3.16) were each associated with higher likelihood of self-testing, while being undecided about having more children was linked to lower odds of HIV self-testing (AOR 0.33, 95% CI: 0.14–0.80). Conclusions The Suboptimal HIVST awareness and uptake among Kenyan WRA in this study reflect disparities in wealth, education, region, and gender norms. To boost HIVST kit awareness and uptake and to support Kenya’s goal of reducing HIV incidence by 2030, stakeholders should prioritize: (1) subsidized HIVST kits for low-income groups, (2) culturally tailored HIV prevention campaigns targeting high-HIV-prevalence regions, (3) media-driven education to normalize HIV testing, and (4) gender-transformative programs integrating IPV screening and HIVST into maternal health services. We envision that these strategies may ensure equitable access to HIVST and reduce HIV transmission risks. Trial registration Trial number registration was not applicable in this study.
The provision of quality intrapartum care increases women’s utilization of skilled birth attendants in health facilities and improves maternal and newborn health. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with the quality of intrapartum care using the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS). Secondary data from the 2022 KDHS of 11,863 participants, who were selected by multistage stratified sampling, was used. Based on literature and the availability of indicators within the 2022 KDHS, the quality of intrapartum care was operationalized as receiving all the three clinical components of intrapartum care including a mother having a facility-based delivery, receiving skilled assistance during childbirth, and placing the newborn on the mother’s breast within one hour from birth by the skilled birth attendant. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to analyze the data using SPSS (version 20). Of the 11,863 women who had recently given birth, about 52.6
