A Profile of Webuye Health and Demographic Surveillance System in Western Kenya

Chrispinus J. Simiyu, Moi University
Andrew Obala, Moi University
Wendy O'Meara, Duke University
Paul Ayuo, Moi University
Violet Naanyu, Moi University
Dinah Chelagat, Moi University
David Odhiambo, Kenya Red Cross Society
Ann Mwangi, Moi University
Edwin Were, Moi University
Diana Menya, Moi University
Raymond Downing, Moi University
Patrick Chege, Moi University
Marc Twagirumukiza, Ghent University
Davy Vanden Broeck, Ghent University
Jan De Maeseneer, Ghent University
Barasa Otsyula, Moi University

Webuye Health and Demographic Surveillance System was established in 2007 as one of the activities of Moi University VLIR-UOS Health Sciences Project. The site is a natural progression of the University’s Community Based Education and Service (COBES) programme in which the students learn in the community while providing service. The site provides a sampling frame for population-based studies and interventions for teaching and research to students, faculty and collaborators of the University. It is located in Webuye Division, approximately 420Km west of Nairobi, near the Kenya-Uganda border. The area covers approximately 120Km2 and includes both rural and semi-urban areas. The area has a population of 73,000 individuals in approximately 13,000 households in 6 sub-locations. It provides general demographic and health information (such as population age structure and density, fertility rates, birth and death rates, migration patterns, health seeking and utilization patterns) as well as disease- or intervention-specific information.