Daystar University Publications

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Browsing Daystar University Publications by Author "Abubakar, Amina"

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    Behavioral Problems in Children with Epilepsy in Rural Kenya.
    (Elsevier, 2012) Kariuki, Symon M.; Abubakar, Amina; Holding, Penny A.; Mung'ala-Odera, Victor; Chengo, Eddie; Kihara, Michael; Neville, Brian G.; Newton, C. R.
    The aims of this study were to record behavioral problems in children with epilepsy (CWE), compare the prevalence with that reported among healthy children without epilepsy, and investigate the risk factors. A child behavioral questionnaire for parents comprising 15 items was administered to the main caregiver of 108 CWEand108controls matchedfor age inKilifi, Kenya. CWE had a higher mean score for reported behavioral problems than controls (6.9 vs 4.9, t=4.7, Pb0.001). CWE with active epilepsy also recorded more behavioral problems than those with inactive epilepsy (8.2 vs 6.2, t=−2.9, P=0.005). A significantly greater proportion of CWE (49% vs 26% of controls) were reported to have behavioral problems. Active epilepsy, cognitive impairment, and focal seizures were the most significant independent covariates of behavioral problems. Behavioral problems in African CWE are common and need to be taken into consideration in planning comprehensive clinical services in this region
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    Impairment of Executive Function in Kenyan Children Exposed to Severe Falciparum Malaria with Neurological Involvement.
    (Malaria Journal, 2014) Kihara, Michael; Newton, C. R.; Abubakar, Amina; Kariuki,Symon M.
    Background: Persistent neurocognitive impairments occur in a fifth of children hospitalized with severe falciparum malaria. There is little data on the association between different neurological phenotypes of severe malaria (seizures, impaired consciousness and prostration) and impairments in executive function. Methods: Executive functioning of children exposed to severe malaria with different neurological phenotypes (N =58) and in those unexposed (N=56) was examined using neuropsychological tests such as vigilance test, test for everyday attention test for children (TEA-Ch), contingency naming test (CNT) and self-ordered pointing test (SOPT). Linear regression was used to determine the association between neurological phenotypes of severe malaria and executive function performance scores, accounting for potential confounders. Results: Children with complex seizures in severe malaria performed more poorly than unexposed controls in the vigilance (median efficiency scores (interquartile range) = 4.84 (1.28-5.68) vs. 5.84 (4.71-6.42), P = 0.030) and SOPT (mean errors (standard deviation) = 29.50 (8.82) vs. 24.80 (6.50), P = 0.029) tests, but no differences were observed in TEA-Ch and CNT tests. Performance scores for other neurological phenotypes of severe malaria were similar with those of unexposed controls. After accounting for potential confounders, such as child’s age, sex, schooling; maternal age, schooling and economic activity; perinatal factors and history of seizures, complex seizures remained associated with efficiency scores in the vigilance test (beta coefficient (β) (95% confidence interval (CI)) = −0.40 (−0.67, −0.13), P = 0.006) and everyday attention scores of the TEA-Ch test (β (95% CI) = −0.57 (−1.04, −0.10), P = 0.019); the association with SOPT error scores was weak (β (95% CI)=4.57 (−0.73-9.89), P = 0.089). Combined neurological phenotypes were not significantly associated with executive function performance scores. Conclusion: Executive function impairment in children with severe malaria is associated with specific neurological phenotypes, particularly complex seizures. Effective prophylaxis and management of malaria-associated acute seizures may improve executive functioning performance scores of children.
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    Reorienting Nurturing Care for Early Childhood Development during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kenya: A Review
    (International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020) Ndirangu, Wambui Eunice; Shumba, Constance; Maina, Rose; Mbuthia, Gladys; Kimani, Rachel; Mbugua, Stella; Shah, Sweta; Abubakar, Amina; Luchters, Stanley; Shaibu, Sheila
    In Kenya, millions of children have limited access to nurturing care. With the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, it is anticipated that vulnerable children will bear the biggest brunt of the direct and indirect impacts of the pandemic. This review aimed to deepen understanding of the e ects of COVID-19 on nurturing care from conception to four years of age, a period where the care of children is often delivered through caregivers or other informal platforms. The review has drawn upon the empirical evidence from previous pandemics and epidemics, and anecdotal and emerging evidence from the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Multifactorial impacts fall into five key domains: direct health; health and nutrition systems; economic protection; social and child protection; and child development and early learning. The review proposes program and policy strategies to guide the reorientation of nurturing care, prevent the detrimental e ects associated with deteriorating nurturing care environments, and support the optimal development of the youngest and most vulnerable children. These include the provision of cash transfers and essential supplies for vulnerable households and strengthening of community-based platforms for nurturing care. Further research on COVID-19 and the ability of children’s ecology to provide nurturing care is needed, as is further testing of new ideas.