Dasel Wambua Mulwa Kaindi

1. Poultry production is among the fastest-growing livestock sectors globally and plays a significant role in enhancing food security and nutrition (Erdaw & Beyene, 2022). Global chicken meat produ...

This study explores the factors influencing consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for novel, healthy, and locally produced food products in East Africa, focusing on sensory experiences and packaging design. Conducted in Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya, the research includes two complementary studies: Study A examines sensory evaluations (taste, texture, aroma, color, and general acceptance) as predictors of WTP, while Study B assesses the impact of visual packaging features (e.g., typography, illustrations, and product windows) on consumer perceptions and WTP. Study A highlights that general acceptance (GA) is the strongest predictor of WTP, driven primarily by taste, texture, and aroma, while visual sensory cues play a secondary role. In contrast, Study B demonstrates that packaging design features, such as product visibility and ingredient-focused imagery, significantly influence WTP, with health messaging increasing perceived value but locality cues reducing it, likely due to cultural biases against packaged local products. The results reveal a critical difference: WTP is more stable and predictable in sensory evaluations but more volatile in response to packaging designs, driven by consumer expectations. These findings underscore the importance of aligning sensory and visual attributes to understand consumer expectations and enhance WTP for innovative food products in emerging markets.

In arid Turkana County, over 90% of the population is food insecure, and wild edible plants (WEPs) provide 12–30% of dietary intake. However, climate change and overexploitation threaten these crucial resources. This study employed sequential qualitative methods to investigate community perceptions, conservation priorities for WEPs, barriers, and necessary actions in Turkana. It combined participatory community workshops and expert validation interviews. The research revealed critical threats to WEP availability, including climate change, shifting cultural practices, and a lack of natural regeneration. Key conservation barriers included intergenerational knowledge gaps, inadequate policy implementation, and conflicts between immediate needs and long-term conservation goals. In developing conservation plans, the stakeholders identified and prioritized WEP species based on food value, medicinal properties, cultural significance, utility, and drought resistance. The co-developed conservation strategy emphasized both in situ protection measures, such as community awareness programs and local policy enforcement mechanisms, and restoration actions that include planting prioritized WEPs in home gardens and community spaces. Collaborative roles for communities, non-governmental organizations, researchers, and government actors were identified to provide training, resources, and technical support. This strategy also emphasizes the need for incentivization through food/cash-for-work programs and small business grants to promote alternative livelihoods. The strategies align with some of the most-utilized conservation frameworks and principles, and present new ideas such as integrating indigenous knowledge. Expert validation confirmed the feasibility of proposed actions, highlighting the importance of multi-stakeholder approaches. This study contributes to expanding our knowledge base on community-based conservation and provides insights for policymakers, emphasizing WEPs’ critical role in food security, cultural preservation, and ecological resilience. The findings could serve as a model for similar initiatives in other arid regions facing comparable challenges.

The prevalence of neurological impairment and disability in children ranges from 8 to 180 per 1,000 in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In Kenya, 2.2% of the population (0.9 million people) live with some form of disability. Neurodevelopmental delay, neurodisability, and malnutrition significantly contribute to the burden of disease globally and in Africa. This study aimed to assess mealtime problem behaviors, nutritional status, and gastrointestinal (GI) issues among children and adolescents with neurodevelopmental disorders (CAWND) in clinical care settings in Kenya. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Kenyatta National Hospital involving CAWND aged 3-17 from June 2021 to June 2023. The Daniel 1999 formula was used to determine the sample size. Data collection and coding were performed using the Open Data Kit. Data was analyzed using the R programming language (R Core Team, 2022). The Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI) tool assessed feeding problems. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize socio-demographic characteristics. Linear discriminant analysis was employed to assess differences in nutritional status indicators by neurodevelopmental diagnosis. Associations between feeding problems and GI issues in CAWND were tested, with significance set at p < 0.05. The study included 81 CAWND, comprising 40% with autism, 28% with epilepsy, 11% with cerebral palsy, and 21% with trauma. The median age was 12 years. Malnutrition was highest among children with cerebral palsy (56% stunting, 44% wasting, and 55% underweight). Regarding feeding problems, 100% of CAWND with cerebral palsy disliked sweet foods (p = 0.024). Conversely, 91% of CAWND with epilepsy were most willing to try new foods (p = 0.024), and 65% preferred crunchy foods (p = 0.011). Additionally, 75% of CAWND with autism disliked foods requiring extensive chewing (p = 0.000), and 100% of CAWND with trauma disliked foods prepared in a specificway (p = 0.039). The most common GI symptoms observed were constipation and diarrhea. CAWND experiences feeding problems and GI issues that adversely affect their nutritional status. Tailored strategies addressing the mealtime experiences, requirements, and preferences of CAWND are necessary. Interventions to improve nutritional status and manage GI problems are crucial for enhancing health and nutrition outcomes. Future research should explore the impact of feeding and GI problems on the health and nutrition of CAWND.

This article aims to assess the acceptability of Moringa oleifera seed supplementation among HIV-positive women in resource-limited settings. The management of HIV/AIDS in resource-constrained settings presents numerous challenges, highlighting the need for affordable supplements to complement standard anti-retroviral therapy (ART). Moringa oleifera, known for its nutritional and medicinal properties, has been noted for its immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral effects. A descriptive study utilising a Likert-scale survey evaluated participants' familiarity with Moringa oleifera, perceived health benefits, potential risks, ease of dietary integration, and taste acceptability. The findings revealed a generally positive acceptance of Moringa oleifera supplementation, with a mean acceptability score of 2.5750. Notably, 58.2 per cent of participants found the taste palatable, and 72.2 per cent reported ease of incorporation into their daily diet. A significant 90 per cent expressed willingness to use Moringa oleifera if proven effective in suppressing HIV viral load. The study also highlighted the influence of healthcare provider recommendations, with 77.7 per cent of participants more likely to use Moringa oleifera based on professional advice. In conclusion, Moringa oleifera seed supplementation is generally acceptable among People Living with HIV, particularly when supported by healthcare providers. To enhance its use, the study recommends increasing awareness, engaging healthcare professionals, and conducting further research to maximise its potential health benefits for HIV-positive individuals.

Pearl millet is one of the crops that thrive well in the Arid and semi-Arid lands (ASALs). However, its utilization, market, and processing are limited. Honey bee brood similarly, is also producible in the ASALs. However, though the duo is readily consumed as food, little processing is evident especially in relation to ASALs. From the previous literature, untapped potential for food security exists provided enhanced production, processing and utilization of these products in ASALs. However, there is limited systemic reviews on characteristics of pearl millet and honey bee brood. This systemic literature review was aimed at determination of the biochemical, nutritional and sensory characteristics as well strengths and weaknesses for combination of the two to form a supplement for treatment of moderate wasting among children The study concluded that both pearl millet and honey bee brood are consumed worldwide as food. Twenty-six studies were included in this study. Pearl millet was presented to have high calorie, high protein, and balanced micronutrients. Honey bee brood was described as rich in amino acids and fats. Combining the two in conventional diet would provide adequate nutrients for humans when utilized for food. Due to the presence of high contents of balanced amino acids, especially leucine, histidine, high calorie nature in pearl millet and bee brood, the two can be formulated to a supplement which can cause weight gain and cure in moderate wasting. Keywords: Pearl Millet, Honey Bee Brood, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands, Moderate wasting, Supplementary Foods.

If left untreated, HIV has the potential to increase morbidity and mortality rates to 14 times higher than that of HIV and AIDS-free persons of the same sex and age group. Currently, treatment of HIV is by use of ART, which has proved to prolong the lives of people living with HIV (PLWHIV). In addition to ART, HIV patients opt to also use traditional medicines. Moringa oleifera is one of the traditional herbs that is used by HIV patients in developing countries. However, its use is only recommended by non-professionals due to a lack of consensus on the impact of moringa on the health of PLWHIV. Therefore, the goal of this review is to investigate the impact of moringa oleifera on health-related quality of life of PLWHIV. Three scientific databases were accessed from 1 July to 31 August 2022 using as key words "moringa oleifera", "health outcomes", herbal supplementation" and "traditional medicines". Articles published in peer-reviewed journals were selected. 20 articles were retrieved, and 11 articles were excluded since they either did not use a randomised control study design, or were a review. The articles reviewed indicated that moringa supplementation resulted to increases in CD4 cell count and body mass index, improvements in psychological well-being, in management of depression and anxiety and the function of vital body organs and control of cholesterol levels. In conclusion, use of moringa oleifera supplementation improves the health of PLWHIV. It is therefore recommended that health personnel should consider the use of moringa oleifera alongside ART to ensure optimal treatment outcomes.

About 25.4 million people worldwide are living as refugees of whom 1.36 million are in Uganda. The refugees in this study were from South Sudan. The objective of this study was to determine the nutrition status of the refugee children and elucidate the factors that contribute to poor nutrition status among the host. The study used comparative analytical cross-sectional design on 340 children aged 6–59 months. The overall prevalence of global acute malnutrition was 3.9%, underweight 14.1%, and stunting 24.7%. Five factors contributed to poor nutrition status; household size (OR^a 1.34, 1.92), illness in wasted, stunted and underweight (OR^a 1.47, 1.49, 1.97) children, being a host in relation to wasting and stunting (OR^a 1.81, 1.36) and deworming (OR^a 3.2, 2.13). Although the host had good nutrient intake, the refugee children had better nutrition status. Therefore, the Uganda government should formulate a policy that allows the host to benefit equally from food relief during emergencies.

Background: Animal and human brucelloses have been reported in Rwanda, human brucellosis being linked to drinking inadequately heat‐treated milk. However, information on Brucella detection and prevalence in milk produced in Rwanda is limited.Objectives: To determine the sero‐prevalence and risk factors of Brucella in farm bulk milk from zero and open grazing cattle production systems in Rwanda.Methods: A total of 330 farm bulk milk samples were collected from 198 zero grazing farms and 132 open grazing farms in a cross‐sectional study in Rwanda. Sero‐prevalence of Brucella in milk was analysed using indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. A questionnaire was administered to farmers to determine the risk factors of milk contamination with Brucella.Results: Anti‐Brucella antibodies were prevalent in 19.7% (95% confidence interval (CI), 15.5–24.4) of the 330 collected farm bulk milk. Sero‐prevalence was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in open grazing farms (37.9% [50/132]) than in zero grazing farms (7.6% [15/198]). Practising open grazing system (odds ratio, OR = 69.5; 95% CI = 1.6–3033.6), history of abortion (OR = 19.5; 95% CI = 8.1–46.8) and placenta retention (OR = 4.2; 95% CI = 1.7–10.3) were the significant risk factors for the presence of anti‐Brucella antibodies in milk.Conclusion: Notably, more than a third of farm bulk milk from open grazing farms in Rwanda contains Brucella antibodies. Considering the zoonotic nature of Brucella, there is a need to reinforce brucellosis control programs in the country.