title: A Kenyan perspective on the use of animals in science education and scientific research in Africa and prospects for improvement.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Animal experimentation is common in Africa, a region that accords little priority on animal protection in comparison to economic and social development. The current study aimed at investigating the prevalence of animal experimentation in Kenya, and to review shortfalls in policy, legislation, implementation and enforcement that result in inadequate animal care in Kenya and other African nations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data was collected using questionnaires, administered at 39 highly ranked academic and research institutions aiming to identify those that used animals, their sources of animals, and application of the three Rs. Perceived challenges to the use of non-animal alternatives and common methods of euthanasia were also queried. Data was analyzed using Epidata, SPSS 16.0 and Microsoft Excel.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-eight (97.4%) of thirty-nine institutions reported using animals for education and/or research. Thirty (76.9%) institutions reported using analgesics or anesthetics on a regular basis. Thirteen (33.3%) institutions regularly used statistical methods to minimize the use of animals. Overall, sixteen (41.0%) institutions explored the use of alternatives to animals such as cell cultures and computer simulation techniques, with one (2.6%) academic institution having completely replaced animals with computer modeling, manikins and visual illustrations. The commonest form of euthanasia employed was chloroform administration, reportedly in fourteen (29.8%) of 47 total methods (some institutions used more than one method). Twenty-eight (71.8%) institutions had no designated ethics committee to review or monitor protocols using animals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Animals are commonly used in academic and research institutions in Kenya. The relative lack of ethical guidance and oversight regarding the use of animals in research and education presents significant concerns.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kimwele
authors.forename: Duncan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Matheka
authors.forename: Hope
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ferdowsian
mesh_terms: D000047:Academies and Institutes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000698:Analgesia / Q000662:veterinary; D035661:Animal Care Committees / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D032761:Animal Experimentation / Q000941:ethics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D023401:Animal Use Alternatives / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000827:Animal Welfare / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards; D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory; D002645:Chickens; D003625:Data Collection; D037901:Euthanasia, Animal; D005399:Fishes; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya; D008322:Mammals; D012106:Research / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D012574:Schools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012586:Science / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires