All Articles

The Human Response to the Death of a Loved One

Abstract:

Everyone knows that death is a part of life, you live, then you die. But no one is ever truly prepared for the grief response that follows the death of a loved one whom you hold a deep, social, and intimate connection with. This paper explores the neurobiological activations and the multifaceted grief response to the loss of a loved one that is deeply connected to the brain’s collaborative abilities with the body. Throughout the paper, we will focus on the limbic brain and the key role it plays while mediating through the emotions, feelings, and decision-making processes as it responds to the external social environment and stimuli experienced, with the primary focus being on grief. The paper will also critically analyze Antonio Damasio’s theory on reason and emotion and how it pertains to the grief response to offer a thorough understanding of the human response to the death of a loved one and its implications for rational decision-making.

Dietary Intake and Cognitive Developmental Outcomes of Children Below Five Years Living with Special Needs in Kakamega County: A Baseline Survey

Abstract:

In early childhood, adequate dietary intake is essential for optimal growth, brain development, and the acquisition of cognitive skills. However, children with special needs often face increased nutritional vulnerability due to feeding difficulties, restricted diets, metabolic anomalies and limited access to health and care services. These challenges significantly compromise their access to optimal dietary intake that negatively impacts on their cognitive development and functioning. This baseline survey aimed at identifying the existing characteristics of dietary intake and cognitive developmental outcomes of children aged below five years with special needs in Kakamega County. We involved 90 mother/child caregiver-child pair, selected through stratified sampling from early childhood development centers in Kakamega County. Data was collected using 24-hour dietary recall, food frequency questionnaires, anthropometric and Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Develop...

A Framework for Achieving an Adequate and Effective Health Care System Through Primary Care in Grenada: A Systematic Review

Abstract:

With an emphasis on the implications for Grenada, this systematic study delves into the complexities of setting up a successful primary healthcare system in tiny island states. It is emphasized how crucial primary healthcare is as a community-based, preventative paradigm and how it improves general health outcomes. Many stories of success from similar small island nations show the value of proactive health education and community engagement. One important consideration is financial sustainability, which is demonstrated by the success of many funding schemes in maintaining basic healthcare. Key components identified include public-private partnerships, international collaborations, and novel funding structures. These provide Grenada with useful knowledge for the purpose of mobilizing resources strategically.

It has been determined that effective organization frameworks and proactive stakeholder involvement are essential to primary healthcare success....

Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus Presenting with Suspected Orbital Myositis Following Recent Recombinant Zoster Vaccination

Abstract:

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) is a manifestation of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation involving the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve, carrying significant risk of vision-threatening complications. Diplopia in HZO is often attributed to cranial nerve palsy, although orbital myositis remains a rare and underrecognized cause. We present a 79-year-old male who developed right-sided headache, binocular diplopia, and a V1 vesicular rash two weeks after receiving the recombinant zoster vaccine. Examination revealed restriction of extraocular movements without a localizing cranial nerve pattern, raising suspicion for orbital myositis. Neuroimaging was unremarkable, and VZV polymerase chain reaction confirmed the diagnosis of HZO. The patient received antiviral therapy and was discharged in stable condition after three days. This case highlights HZO presenting with suspected orbital myositis in temporal association with vaccination and underscores the...

Assessment of Syndemic Inter-relationships between Substance Use, Violence and HIV Risk Among Persons Seeking Emergency Care in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract:

Contemporaneous substance abuse, violence and HIV/AIDS risks (SAVA) result in synergistic negative impacts (syndemic effects). Presence of and risks for syndemic SAVA conditions are common among emergency department (ED) patients, however research on these inter-related processes is limited in sub-Saharan Africa. This study utilizes structural equation modeling to examine the relationships of syndemic SAVA conditions among persons seeking emergency injury care in Nairobi, Kenya.

Influence of Non-Contact-Based Spiritual Blessing Energy Treatment on Growth Metrics and Reproductive Productivity in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

Abstract:

This study investigated the influence of a non-contact based spiritual blessing energy treatment (SBET) on the growth dynamics and reproductive productivity of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.). Utilizing a Randomized Complete Block Design, okra seeds and farming land were divided into treated and untreated cohorts under identical environmental conditions. The treated cohort received spiritual thought-intention-based energetic blessings, while the control group received none (untreated). Both qualitative and quantitative analysis revealed significant enhancements in the treatment group across multiple agronomic indices. Phenological parameters such as plant height, stem collar diameter, number of branches per plant, number of leaves per plant, fruit weight, fruit length, and fruit diameter were significantly increased by 29.57% (p ≤ 0.001), 45.83% (p ≤ 0.001), 40.49% (p = 0.00...

Random Forest Classifier for Respiratory Mortality Analytics

Abstract:

Respiratory diseases remain a major contributor to hospital morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly among elderly patients and individuals with severe pulmonary compromise. Accurate prediction of respiratory mortality is clinically important for triage, resource allocation, ICU utilization, and early intervention. Traditional statistical models frequently demonstrate limited predictive sensitivity because respiratory mortality is influenced by complex interactions among demographic, diagnostic, physiologic, and severity-related variables. In this study, a machine learning framework was developed to predict in-hospital mortality among patients with respiratory disease using administrative and clinically derived variables, including age, sex, length of stay (LOS), diagnostic descriptions, risk of mortality and severity scores. A Random Forest classifier with balanced class weighting was developed and implemented to address nonlinear r...

Irrigation Farming Adoption and Livelihood Outcomes among Smallholder Farmers in Uganda. A Cross-sectional Analysis

Abstract:

Agriculture is the backbone of Uganda’s rural economy, with smallholder farmers forming the majority of the farming population. Despite irrigation farming being recognized as a pathway to improved productivity and livelihood resilience, empirical studies on its adoption and outcomes in Uganda remain scanty. This limited evidence informed this cross-sectional analysis to evaluate how irrigation farming adoption influences smallholder farmers’ livelihoods in Uganda.

Disseminated Mucormycosis Diagnosed by Urine Microscopy in a Patient with Relapsed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Case Report

Abstract:

Mucormycosis is a rapidly progressive invasive fungal infection associated with high mortality in patients with hematological malignancies such as Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia(ALL). Early diagnosis is challenging because clinical and radiological findings are often nonspecific, and tissue biopsy may be difficult in immunocompromised patients. Microbiological identification using rapid, low-cost techniques can therefore play a critical role in early detection.

Implementing Evidence-Based Occupational Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation: Exploring Knowledge on Barriers, Facilitators and Strategies

Abstract:

A persistent gap remains between evidence-based health care and its application in routine practice. This challenge is particularly prominent in allied health professions like occupational therapy (OT), where interventions are complex, individualized and centred on patients' daily functioning.