Objectives:To estimate the effect of improved stoves on the prevalence of ARI and conjunctivitis among children aged below five years and women aged between 15 and 60 years. Method: A field trial or intervention study design, in which cluster and random sampling were used to recruit households with improved stoves. Nearest households with traditional three-stone stoves were recruited as controls. Prevalence of ARI and conjunctivitis among the study subjects was estimated by clinical evaluation and physical observation, and by history (including clinical and socioeconomic information), and compared between the two study groups. Results: The prevalence of ARI among children aged below five years and among women aged between 15 and 60 years were significantly higher in households with the traditional three-stone stoves than in those with the improved stove χ2 =31.45 ρ = 0.00000, relative risk = 2.6, C.l. 1.86,3.63, and χ2 = 30. 13, ρ = 0.00000, Relative Risk = 2.8, C.l. 1.93, 4.06, respectively). Similarly the prevalence of conjunctivitis among children aged below five years and among women aged between 15 and 60 years were significantly higher in households with traditional three-stone stoves than in those with the improved stoves (c2 = 24.18, p = 0.00000, Relative Risk = 3.3, C.l. 2.05,5.32, and χ2 = 7.6, ρ = 0.0057, Relative Risk = 3, C.I. 1.38, 6.54. respectively). Conclusion: Prevalence of ARI and conjunctivitis among children aged below five years and also among women aged between 15 and 60 years in households with the traditional three-stone stoves was significantly higher than that in households with improved stoves.

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Objectives:To determine the relative frequency of acute radiation morbidity and their perceived effect on quality of life among head and neck cancer patients treated with radical radiotherapy. Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi. Subjects: Thirty eight patients comprising 28 males and 10 females with ages ranging between 21 and 69 years were evaluated. Results: Most of the tumours occurred in the nasopharynx (38.6%). The rest of the tumours were equally divided between the oral cavity and larynx (31.6%). All tumours except two were carcinomas. The two exceptions were a glomus tumour and a malignant melanoma. The patients had received doses of radiotherapy ranging between 58.5 Grey and 75.5 Grey. Of the 38 patients, 22 (53%) completed their treatment in the prescribed time while 16 (47%) had treatment interruption on account of radiation morbidity. The cumulative radiation done at the time of interruption ranged between 20 and 46 Grey. The most frequent symptom was dryness of the mouth while the most troublesome symptom was difficulty in tasting foods. The quality of life (QOL) did not vary by age, gender or tumour site. Patients who had treatment interruption had a better QOL than those who did not. Conclusion:This study provides information that should aid in communicating with the head and neck cancer patients scheduled for radiotherapy and in the design of preventive and interventional strategies aimed at enhancing patient support and rehabilitation.

Objectives: To evaluate the frequency and severity of occurrence of vincristine-associated neurotoxicity. Design: A retrospective case series study Setting: Burlingham Oncology Clinic, Nairobi. Subjects: Thirty-eight patients treated for various neoplasms with vincristine containing chemotherapeutic regimens. Main outcome measures:The frequency and degree of neurotoxicity when vincristine was given at the standard dose of 1.4 mg/m 2 •

Objectives: To evaluate the frequency and severity of occurrence of vincristine-associated neurotoxicity. Design: A retrospective case series study Setting: Burlingham Oncology Clinic, Nairobi. Subjects: Thirty-eight patients treated for various neoplasms with vincristine containing chemotherapeutic regimens. Main outcome measures:The frequency and degree of neurotoxicity when vincristine was given at the standard dose of 1.4 mg/m 2 •