African Population and Health Research Center - Health Challenges and Systems

Health Challenges and Systems

A critical threat to health and development in sub-Saharan Africa is HIV/AIDS, which claims some 2.4 million lives in the region each year. At the same time, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cancer are growing problems in Africa as a result of aging populations and changing lifestyles. In Kenya, for instance, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is now a leading cause of death among adults aged 30 and over, in part because of the increasing prevalence of obesity.

These emerging health threats pose new challenges to already-strained health systems. In many cases, technologies for addressing these problems are available, but not accessible, to marginalized groups, including the urban poor.

Our goal is to provide policymakers with a better understanding of the scope and consequences of ill-health and information on what kinds of policies and systems can best bring health knowledge, care, and treatment to those most in need but are currently underserved. Efforts under this theme investigate:

The effects of HIV and AIDS on household wellbeing;
How HIV services can be integrated with reproductive health services more effectively;
The sexual and reproductive health of young people;
Trends in and determinants of risk for non-communicable diseases;
The changing social context of aging;
Social determinants of health, including the roles of individuals, families and communities in promoting good health; and
How health systems can cope with rising levels of non-communicable illness while simultaneously managing high rates of infectious diseases.

Projects

CVD Project
UPHD I
Verbal Autopsy Project
World Diabetes Foundation Project
Health Promoting Schools Project
Rockefeller Strengthening Information Systems
Global Fund Impact Evaluation
WHO-Collaboration (Review of the Kenya Health Policy 1994-2010)

Team members

Papers under Review

Mgomella, G., Ekirapa, A., and Kyobutungi, C. “HIV/AIDS in the Slums of Nairobi: The Capacity of the Private Health Sector to Respond to the High Disease Burden.” - Submitted to the special issue Journal of Urban Health.
Abdhalah, KZ., Madise, N., Matilu, M., Kebaso, J., Okoth, V., Khamadi, S., and Ezeh, A. “The Effect of Non-response on the HIV Prevalence Estimates in a Population-based Survey in Two Informal Settlements in Nairobi City” - Submitted to BMC Public Health.
Kyobutungi, C., Egondi, T., and Ezeh, A. “The Health and Wellbeing of Older People in Nairobi’s Slums” - Submitted to the Journal of Global Health Action.
Langat, G., and Falkingham, J. “Socio-economic Differentials Between HIV Caregivers, Other Caregivers and Non-caregivers: Is There a Selection Effect?” - Submitted to Journal on Research on Ageing.
Abdhalah, KZ., Kyobutungi, C., and Zulu, E. “Fatal Injuries in the Slums of Nairobi and Their Risk Factors” - Submitted to special issue Journal of Urban Health.
Falkingham, J., Langat, G., Kyobutungi, C., and Ezeh, A. “Does Socio-economic Inequality in Health Persist Among Older People Living in Resource-poor Urban Slums?” - Submitted to special Issue Journal of Urban Health.
Kabiru, C., Luke, N., Izugbara, C., and Zulu, E. “The Correlates of HIV Testing and Impacts on Sexual Behavior: Evidence from a Life History Study of Young People in Kisumu, Kenya” - Submitted to AIDS and Behavior.
Ndugwa, RP, Kabiru, C., Cleland, J. Beguy, D., Egondi, T., Zulu, E., and Jessor, R. “Adolescent Problem Behaviour in Nairobi’s Informal Settlements: Applying Problem Behaviour Theory in sub-Saharan Africa.” Submitted to the Journal of Urban Health.
Beguy, D., Kabiru, C., Zulu, E., Ezeh, A. “Timing and Sequencing of Events Marking Transition to Adulthood in Nairobi’s Informal Settlements.” - Submitted to the Journal of Urban Health.
Kabiru, C., Beguy, D., Undie, C., Zulu, E., and Ezeh, A. “Transition into First Sex among Adolescents in Slum and Non-Slum Communities in Nairobi, Kenya.” - Submitted to the Journal of Youth Studies.
Essendi, H., Fotso, JC., and Mills, S.: “Barriers to the Utilization of Formal Emergency Obstetric Care Services: Accounts of Slum Dwellers in Nairobi, Kenya.” - Submitted to the Journal of Urban Health.
Kodzi, I., Gyimah, SO., Emina, J., and Ezeh, A. “Religious Involvement, Social Engagement and Subjective Health Status of Older Residents of Informal Neighborhoods of Nairobi.” - Submitted to the special issue Journal of Urban Health.
Beguy D., Bocquier, P., and Zulu, E. “Migration Patterns and Determinants in Nairobi’s Informal Settlements” - Submitted to Demographic Research.
Mberu, BU., and Pongou, R. “Nigeria Migration Dynamics: Shaped by Political Evolution, Conflicts and Divergent Regional Economies.” - Under Review by Migration Letters.
Mberu, BU., and Pongou, R. “Crossing Boundaries: Internal, Regional and International Migration in Cameroon.” - Under Review by International Migration.
Emina JBO., Ezeh, A., Fotso, JC., Mberu, BU., Ibisomi, L., and Zulu, E. “Fertility Patterns in Nairobi Urban Health and Demographic Surveillance System, Kenya.” - Submitted to the Indepth Fertility Monograph.
Undie, C., Crichton, J., Fotso, JC., Mberu, BU., and Ezeh, A. “Repositioning Family Planning for Population and Development: Program and Policy Priorities for sub-Saharan Africa.” - Under Review by Studies in Family Planning.
Ngware, MW., Onsomu, EN., and Manda, DK. “What is the Impact of Free Primary Education Inputs on School Outputs in Kenya? Empirical Evidence.” Under Review by Journal of Educational Administration and Policy Studies.