Results of a Recent Health Needs Study
The Akado Clinic conducted a Rapid Needs Assessment (RNA) survey in April 2007. The aim of the RNA was to gather information on the neighborhoods and areas that are to receive long lasting insecticide (LLINfs) bed nets. As a result of the RNA, the Akado Clinic identified 7,307 households without bed nets and at risk for Malaria. In addition, the RNA identified households most at risk that can benefit from the six thousand Malaria nets to be distributed in June 2007. The households most at risk were determined using the following criteria: number of children under 5 in the household, if the household includes a pregnant mother, if the household is headed by a child, if the household has abandoned children, households with people living with HIV/AIDS; and the overall household population density. Special consideration will also be given to orphaned and vulnerable children under the care of elderly and poor grandparents and the rural fisher-folk households living within the impoverished and densely populated fishing-slums in the beach areas.
From the RNA, it clearly emerged that there are still a lot of misconceptions and myths associated with malaria. A majority of those surveyed believe that malaria is spread by eating some kinds of food like sugarcane or unripe mangoes, by walking in the rain, or by walking in the sunlight. Another problem identified by the RNA was that children tend to receive treatment much later after the symptoms of Malaria have set in. The reason for this being the cultural practice that requires that a sick woman or child can only go to the hospital after seeking permission from the husband. Other reasons include long distances to travel to the nearest hospital and extreme poverty that reduces the ability of households to meet medical costs.
The LLINfs (long lasting insecticide nets) are now in Nairobi and will be shipped to Mbita by the end of May 2007. Akado plans to distribute the 6000 LLINfs in 10 different areas over the course of the month of June 2007. A report of the distribution of the nets along with photographs and a short video will be posted on the website by July 2007.
Magdalene Ouma, the Chief Administrator of the Akado Clinic has stated, "This donation of six thousand malaria bed nets will go into local history book as the largest consignment of insecticide treated nets ever distributed to the poorest and most marginalized households in the Mbita region by either a non-governmental organization or a community based organization (CBO). We also wanted to draw your kind attention that the nets provided by Kenyan government have failed to reach the poorest pregnant women and desperate children less than 5 years old, since the majority cannot meet the costs and conditions imposed by the government."
Health Education Camp 2006
A Health Education Camp and mosquito net distribution was organized by the Akado Medical Clinic (AMC) in Mbita, Kenya on August 11, 2006. The Health Education Camp was a success, as it was attended by the largest number of orphaned and vulnerable children due to the addition of 15 more schools serviced by AMC. The Camp was held in three different zones to make it convenient for the maximum number of orphaned and vulnerable children to attend the event.
The Clinical Officer for AMC kicked off the event by introducing everyone and invited the orphans to introduce themselves. He gave a short explanation on the transmission of malaria by mosquitoes and explained how to follow some simple procedures to prevent the disease.
In addition the following information was provided to the orphans and their care givers/parents:
- The importance of early diagnosis and prompt treatment of malaria.
- The importance of correct dosage and ensuring that it is completed and that a second dose of SP should not be taken for at least 3 weeks.
- Importance of antipyretic and fluid treatment.
- SP apparently has slow action on the clinical symptoms.
- Fever episode may recur within 48 hours after the dose of SP; therefore, there is also the need for antipyretics to manage the fever episode.
- The childrenfs care providers were given clear instructions and the facilitator confirmed if it was understood.
This yearfs meeting was presided over by the Public Health Officer, other government officials, Professor Achola Pala and visitors from child-focused organizations. Orphans and vulnerable children attended the event from 20 primary schools in the area. The event was the most successful event ever held recently.
A Speech From Professor Pala
After the presentation on prevention and transmission of Malaria, Professor Achola, the only woman professor in the community and the wife of the former Ambassador to the United States, gave a speech. Professor Achola related her own personal experiences and life history. She explained that she was one of nine children in her family, that her elder sisters had dropped out of school due to early marriages and that she herself faced difficulties in continuing her education. She explained the cultural factors that act as a barrier for female education. When she was in class two, she had to drop out of school to live with her older sister and take care of her niece. However, her sister was a teacher at a local school and encouraged her to continue her studies so that after a few months she was able to go back to school. She finished her primary education, did very well in national exams, and because of her high scores received a sponsorship for high school. She later proceeded to one of the top universities in United States and completed her Ph.D. Professor Achola, strongly encouraged girls to concentrate on their studies and urged their parents to keep them in school.
Speech From One of the Childrenfs Representative
One of the orphaned girls from Kombe Primary School encouraged her peers to concentrate in school and forget about leisure. She said that most orphaned girls in the villages where they come from were lured by small gifts and money, making them fall prey to exploitative-men and resulting in early pregnancies which cause girls to drop out of high school. She also spoke about rural poverty and talked about how it is a result of HIV/AIDS.
She said that many girls resort to prostitution to get money in order to survive. She encouraged her fellow girls to concentrate on their studies to avoid ending up in these circumstances. She finally appealed to those in authority to ensure protection, promotion and enhancement of child rights as a solution to their problems.
Speech From The Public Health Officer
The Public Health officer in charge of Suba District, who is also the coordinator and the representative of Constituency AIDS Control Committee (CACC) was introduced. He talked about the active role played by the Akado Womenfs Group (a part of the Akado Medical Center) in the Mbita region. As a representative of the Kenyan government, he lauded the significant work done by the Akado Medical Center and its partners in the area of prevention of Malaria and HIV/AIDS. He also confirmed that his office would continue to support the AMC and its work in the area of prevention of Malaria and HIV/AIDS.
Distribution Of The Nets
One hundred twenty nets were distributed to the invited children. The care giver of each child was issued a mosquito net, while the Nyatiti music group entertained the participants with songs and instrumental music.
In sum, the Camp was successful in highlighting the importance of orphaned and vulnerable childrenfs education, prevention of Malaria and HIV/AIDS, good parenting skills and child rights issues. The Camp concluded with a delicious lunch prepared by Akado Staff.
Health Education Camp 2005
A 2005 health survey in the Mbita region of Kenya concluded that individuals under the age of 19 years were at risk from dying of Malaria, while children between six months and five years old were at the greatest risk for contracting the disease. The survey concluded that providing mosquito nets would have a significant impact on reducing the spread of Malaria in Mbita and on the overall health of the children in the community.
Akado Medical Clinic, with the support of Power of Love and Be The Cause (www.bethecause.org), organized a Health Education Camp on September 9, 2005. The Health Education Camp was attended by 127 orphaned children, 73 care providers for the children, clients from other medical clinics in the area, Akado staff, and local government officials who were impressed by Akadofs efforts to reduce the impact of Malaria. A total of 212 mosquito nets were distributed to AIDS orphans under the age of 5 years, and pregnant mothers with children under the age of five years. Additionally, the District Malaria Control Officer educated the participants about the need for prevention of Malaria and ways to prevent it.
As a result of the distribution and use of Malaria nets in September 2005, a check of medical records in December 2005 indicated that there was a significant decrease in the prevalence of Malaria among orphans under the age of five years who received the mosquito nets.
Last year, Be the Cause, a California-based organization, provided funding for the purchase of mosquito nets. The nets were purchased at eight dollars (USD) a piece from a Nairobi-based project called Women Equality Empowerment Project (WEEP) run by Health Education for Africa Resource Team (HEART). The WEEP project currently consists of HIV positive women, who have lost their husbands to AIDS and are trying desperately to support their households, sometimes with four to five children at home. They are now employed by WEEP and several times a week work to make Malaria bed nets for HEART.
The Akado Medical Clinic distributed the nets during the Camp. As a result of the success of the Health Education Camp last year, the Akado Medical Clinic and Power of Love are planning to make the Camp an annual event. Help us purchase mosquito nets for this yearfs distribution. Every dollar you contribute to this campaign will be used to purchase and transport mosquito nets for the children of Mbita, Kenya.
At present the Power of Love Foundation is raising funds for distribution of long lasting insecticide treated nets (LLINfs) for distribution at the Health Education Day 2008. Your generous donation will go a long way in preventing malaria and saving the life of a child vulnerable to Malaria in Kenya.
Report on Health Education Day 2005