Background: In Kenya, the endangered East African Sandalwood, sourced mostly from limited natural stands, is widely used by local rural populations for multiple purposes including for nutraceutical and health benefits, but its potential for domestication and poverty alleviation are largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to identify current sources and uses of the plant, cultural values, taboos, and beliefs associated with its use and management, and how local knowledge of the plant is acquired and transmitted to younger generations, all with a view of contributing to its conservation and sustainable use.Methods: The data on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, local knowledge of plant utilization, cultural beliefs, values, and taboos associated with the plant, and transmission of inter-generational knowledge were collected from May 2018 to November 2018. Data were collected from seven traditional healers and 384 household heads with knowledge of the plant, residing in sixty Kamba villages and thirty Maasai villages on the Eastern and Western sides of Chyulu Hills Ecosystem, respectively, using structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and Focus Group Discussions.Results: Findings revealed that the plant was mainly sourced from the natural protected forests. The major uses were medicinal while knowledge on cultural values, taboos and beliefs related to East African Sandalwood were known by only 35% of participants. Plant knowledge was transmitted inter-generationally mainly by parents and grandparents (74%). Differences between ethnic group (p=0.000, X 2 =176.173), occupation (p=0.000; X 2 =122.615) and on-farm sources of income (p=0.000, X 2 =131.568) as well as ethnic group (p=0.000, X 2 =138.433), occupation (p=0.000, X 2 =113.999) and on-farm sources of income (p=0.008, X 2 =64.668) were statistically significant on current uses and the cultural values, taboos, and beliefs of the plant respectively Conclusions: The results should contribute to the on-going domestication, propagation, and sustainable conservation of the plant. Although the species is used for multiple purposes, its main value was found in medical applications and hence has a commercial potential in the alternative pharmaceutical sector.

Introduction: Recently rapid development of drug resistant TB, particularly MDR TB (Multi Drug Resistant TB) and XDRTB (Extensively Drug-Resistant TB) possess a major threat to control of tuberculosis globally. Information on the extent of MDR-TB from Kenya is largely limited due to several factors. Monitoring of development of resistance is a vital tool in providing critical information for effective planning for TB control and in management of patients infected with TB. Methods: Cross-sectional with cluster design. Results: A total of 2,171 participants recruited into the study from 50 selected clusters. Prevalence of rifampicin resistance for new cases was 1.3% [95% CI, 0.8-2.0] and INH resistance was 5.5% [95% CI, 4.5-6.7]. MDR TB was found in 0.67% of new cases and 2.1% amongst previously treated TB cases. Discussion: Resistance to isoniazid in Kenya has been on the decline due to introduction of rifampicin in combined therapy. There was increase of MDR TB among new cases by 24% and decline in previously treated cases due to lethal impact of HIV. Conclusions: Although drug resistance TB is a growing problem in Kenya, resistance to isoniazid and rifampicin MDR TB is less than previously estimated. The country should continue to monitor drug resistance and ensure effective use of anti TB medicines.

genotyping.Results: 190 HIV-1-infected patients participated in this study: 150 (78.9%) women and 40 (21.1%) men. The prevalence of HBV was 5.8% (95% CI, 2.6%-8.9%) and of HCV was 4.2% (95% CI, 1.6%-7.4%). However, no individual was co-infected with the three viruses. HCV was associated with ARV treatment (OR 0.2; 95% CI, 0.0-0.8; P = .036), while HBV showed a significant association with condom usage (OR 0.3; 95% CI, 0.1-0.9; P = .039) and median viral load. 5 out of 11 samples that were positive for HbsAg, turned positive for HBV PCR and they belonged to genotype A and E. However, none of the samples that were positive for anti-HCV tested positive for HCV-PCR. Conclusion:Although a high prevalence of HIV/HBV and HIV/HCV and several risk factors for co-infection were reported in this study, HIV-infected patients should be routinely screened for HBV and HCV infections and preventive and control measures should be put in place that include public education on HBV and HCV infections.