Dr. Tom H.A.M.

Olewe
Current Position

Lecturer,
Communicable and Non-
Communicable diseases Prevention, Control
and Health Promotion
Contact

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, COLLEGE OF

HEALTH SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
P.O BOX 19676 – 00202,
KNH, NAIROBI.

Phone (254) 20 2734639, 0733940215 Dr. Tom H.A.M Olewe

Fax
Email tolewe@uonbi.ac.ke;

OTHER POSITIONS

 Part-time Medical Officer, VIPS Health Services – registered medical

clinic, Kenya

 Associate, Luke Society International, Kenya chapter – a society of

Christian medical doctors and business persons supporting community
health and evangelism initiatives worldwide

 Honorary Secretary, Yes To Kids (Y2K) Health Services – A Kenya -

Based Non Governmental Organization

 Patron, Public Health Club, University of Nairobi

EDUCATION BACKGROUND

2010: Provisional Ph.D registration, School of Public Health, University of

Nairobi.

2008: University of Nairobi – Masters in Public Health

1997: University of Nairobi – Bachelors of Medicine and Surgery

INTERNSHIP

1997 – 98: Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya

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ELECTIVES

2007: Biostatistics and Epidemiology elective. Acquired basic skills in use of

SPSS and GIS softwares as tools for biostatistical and epidemiological
analysis at Tufts University, Department of Family Medicine and Public
Health, Boston, MA, USA.

2006: Teen Challenge International training for trainers in Alcohol & Drugs
Intervention. Attained certification as trainer during the Lisbon, Portugal
training.

1996: Elective Term, University of Toronto, School of Public Health,

Department of Behavioral Science. Conducted a baseline study on perceived
health needs of street children in Nairobi, Kenya and Toronto, Canada
(unpublished) under supervision of Department of Public Health Sciences,
University of Toronto in Canada.

COMMUNITY HEALTH INITIATIVES

2004: Founded AMUAA (A million united against HIV/AIDS) initiatives, which

later became a national youth friendly HIV/AIDS initiative. Services provided
include behavior change communication, advocacy, life skills training and HIV
testing

2002: Founded Yes to Kids Medical Outreach Missions to resource limited

settings in Kenya. Applies rights-based approach in provision of annual child
health screening, community health education and mobile curative services in
6 out of the 8 provinces of Kenya.

2000: Founded VIPS Health Services – low cost community - oriented

medical clinic based in Woodley Estate, near the Kibera slums, Nairobi,
Kenya.

1999: Founded Yes to Kids (Y2K) Health Services (previously Medical &
Sports Evangelism Ministries) – a Christian medical Non- Governmental
organization and funds raising agency for the charitable medical activities in
Kenya.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION

August 2007: Organized and facilitated training in HIV/AIDS stigma and

discrimination reduction for Nairobi University Deans of student at Kenya
Commercial Bank training centre, Nairobi.

October 2006: Participated as trainer in training workshop on HIV/AIDS and

voluntary counseling and testing, targeting teachers in Kwale, Coast Province,
organized by Population Council, Kenya.

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August 2006: Compiled a training manual and trained Blue Cross
International (Kenya and Germany chapters) advocates (youth) and
ambassadors (parents, teachers) against teenage abuse of Sex, Alcohol and
Drugs (SAD) in Kisumu and Mtito Andei.

2004 – 2006: Participated in UNICEF - Government of Kenya Annual work

plan forums as contributor on children health, youth sexuality and HIV/AIDS.

2004 – 2006: Developed and implemented youth friendly HIV/AIDS education

and interventions in Nairobi, Kwale and Garissa as principal coordinator and
trainer, funded by UNICEF – Kenya.

2004 – 2005: Organized and facilitated the various training of VCT counselors
in collaboration with NASCOP (National AIDS and STDs Control Program) in
Nairobi. I was one of the trainers on HIV/AIDS and reproductive health.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

 Use of emerging tools of epidemiologic analysis to understand

community health dynamics
 Evidence based community health interventions
 Teenage Sexuality and HIV/AIDS
 Environmental and Occupational Health
 Development and management of sustainable community health
initiatives

CONFERENCES ATTENDED

 8th International Conference on Urban Health, Kenyatta International

Conference Centre, Nairob, October 18th – 23rd 2009 – 2 poster
presentations

1. Olewe TM, Mwanthi AM, Wang’ombe JK and Griffiths JK, (2008).

Evaluation of a Portable Blood Lead Analyzer as an Alternative to Graphite
Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer.

2. Olewe TM, Mwanthi MA, Wang’ombe JK, Griffiths JK. (2009). Blood lead
levels and potential environmental exposures among children under five years
in Kibera slums, Nairobi.

 Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi. 2nd Scientific Conference, October

8th – 9th 2009 – 1 Oral presentation

1. Olewe TM, Mwanthi AM, Wang’ombe JK and Griffiths JK, (2008).

Evaluation of a Portable Blood Lead Analyzer as an Alternative to Graphite
Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer.

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  Golf Course Hotel, Kampala. Workshop – Brain degeneration and
emerging mental health challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa, February 1st
– 3rd 2012. – Oral presentation

1. Olewe TM (2012). Environmental Toxins as causes of Brain degeneration

in Sub-Saharan Africa.

PUBLICATIONS

Karimi KJ, Ayah R, Olewe T (2016). An assessment of adherence to

provisions of the Tobacco Control Act, 2007 and availability of workplace
policy on tobacco use in bars and restaurants in Nairobi, Kenya. BMJ Open
2016

Olewe TM (2015). Environmental toxins as causes of Brian degeneration in

SSA. Brain Degeneration and Dementia in Sub-Saharan Africa. Editors:
Musisi, Seggane, Jacobson, Stanley (Eds.). Springer science + Business
media, NY.Ch 6. Pg 65-74.

Olewe TM, Mwanthi MA, Wang’ombe JK, Griffiths JK. (2009). Blood lead
levels and potential environmental exposures among children under five years
in Kibera slums, Nairobi. East Afr J Public Health 2009 Apr; 6(1):6-10.

Olewe TM, Wanyungu JO and Muindi AM (2009). Clients’ perception of

HIV/AIDS voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services in Nairobi, Kenya.
Journal of Applied Biosciences 13: 707 - 713.

Olewe TM (2008). Determination of blood lead levels and characterization of

potential environmental exposures among children in Kibera, Nairobi; MPH
Thesis

Olewe TM, Mwanthi AM, Wang’ombe JK and Griffiths JK, (2008). Evaluation
of a Portable Blood Lead Analyzer as an Alternative to Graphite Furnace
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Journal of Applied Biosciences 10:
483 - 487.

Olewe TM, Wanyungu JO. and Muindi AM, 2008. Characteristics of clients
seeking voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) services in Nairobi, Kenya.
Journal of Applied Biosciences 12: 671 - 680.

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REFEREES

1. MUTUKU A. MWANTHI
Professor and Director, School of Health Sciences
College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi,
P.O. Box 19676-00202, Nairobi, Kenya.
Phone: +254-20-2724639; Mobile: 0722-714268
E-mail: mmwanthi@uonbi.ac.ke

2. JOSEPH K. WANGOMBE
Professor, School of Public Health,
College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi,
P.O Box 19676- 00202, Nairobi, Kenya
Phone: +254-20-2728719; Cell +254722770006
Email: jwangombe@uonbi.ac.ke

3. CATHERINE G. CHALIN.
Professor Emeritus, Department of Public Health Sciences,
Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Health Sciences Building,
155 College Street, Toronto, Ontario.
M5T 3M7, Canada.
Phone: (416) 978-7806
E-mail: c.chalin@utoronto.ca

4. JEFFREY K. GRIFFITHS.
Associate Professor,
Department of Public Health and Family Medicine,
Tufts University School of Medicine,
136 Harrison Avenue,
Boston, MA 02111, USA.
Phone: (617) 636-6941
Email: jeffrey.griffiths@tufts.edu