http://localhost/xmlui/handle/123456789/5463 Journal Articles Authored by COHES Postgraduate Students 2026-05-24T23:45:01Z http://localhost/xmlui/handle/123456789/6997 KNOWLEDGE AND UPTAKE OF CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING AMONG WOMEN IN KIAMBU SUB-COUNTY, KIAMBU, KENYA Mugure, Ann Wambui Background: In Kenya, cervical cancer accounts for 12% of all cancer cases and is also the leading cause of cancer deaths. However, evidence on uptake and knowledge levels is limited. It is against this background that this study was carried out. Objective: The study sought to assess knowledge and uptake of cervical cancer screening among women aged 15-54 years in Kiambu sub-County. Design: Analytical cross-sectional study. Setting: Kiambu sub-County in Kiambu Kenya. Subjects: Women aged 15-54 years residing in Kiambu sub-County. Main outcome measures: Age, knowledge, uptake, screening and associated factors. Materials and Methods: An in-person administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was analyzed using STATA software to generate descriptive and inferential statistics. Binary logistic regression was used for all bivariable and multivariable analyses to identify factors associated with knowledge on cervical cancer and screening. Results: 391 women participated in the study. Uptake of cervical cancer screening was 101 (25.8%). The majority 315 (80.56%) of the study participants had good knowledge on cervical cancer and screening. Those who had a tertiary level of education (AOR 0.45; 95% CI 0.25-0.81; p=0.01), and being a Muslim (AOR 0.13; 95% 7598 EAST AFRICAN MEDICAL JOURNAL November 2024 0.02-0.84; p=0.03) were significantly associated with knowledge on cervical cancer and screening. Conclusion: Generally, uptake of cervical cancer screening among women in Kiambu sub-County was low. The knowledge levels on cervical cancer screening were generally good. The factors associated with knowledge on cervical cancer screening included tertiary level of education and being a Muslim. MSc Research Article 2026-05-20T00:00:00Z http://localhost/xmlui/handle/123456789/6976 The Prevalence and Associated Factors of Atopic Dermatitis in Children between Six Months and Twelve Years Attending the Pediatrics Dermatology Clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya Hassan, Zahara Haji typically beginning in early childhood and characterized by pruritus and dry, scaly lesions. It affects up to 20% of children globally, with varying prevalence across regions. In Africa, its prevalence ranges from 4.7% to 23%, but limited data exists for Kenya, particularly in pediatric populations. Purpose of study: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of AD and explore factors influencing its occurrence in pediatric patients aged 6 months to 12 years at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted, with 148 participants recruited consecutively. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire, covering demographics, family and personal histories of atopic conditions, and AD severity. The prevalence of AD was calculated, and binary logistic regression was used to investigate associated factors. Stata version 17 was used for analysis. Significance was assessed at 95%. Results: The study found a 25.7% prevalence of AD. Younger children (aged ≤5 years) had significantly higher odds of developing AD (OR = 16.99, 95% CI: 5.12, 56.37, p < 0.001), as did children aged 6-10 years (OR = 4.70, 95% CI: 1.42, 15.53, p = 0.011). Males were more likely to develop AD compared to females (OR = 2.83, 95% CI: 1.32, 6.03, p = 0.007). Family history of atopic conditions, including asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and AD, was strongly associated with higher odds of AD. Children with unemployed mothers also had a higher risk (OR = 2.39). AD severity varied, with 44.7% having minimal eczema, 34.2% mild, 13.1% moderate, and 7.4% severe. Conclusion and recommendations: One in four children attending a dermatology clinic was found to have atopic dermatitis. The study recommends early AD screening for children, particularly those with a family history of atopy, to improve early detection and management. Master of Medicine in Dermatology 2026-05-15T00:00:00Z http://localhost/xmlui/handle/123456789/6974 Maternal Outcomes among HIV Positive Pregnant Mothers and Birth Outcomes of HIV Exposed Newborns in Nyahururu County Referral Hospital, Kenya Lodeke, Silas BACKGROUND Approximately 37 million people were living with HIV by the end of 2015. This led to high morbidity and mortality among women of childbearing age, especially in Sub Saharan Africa which was the epicentre of this global pandemic. Strengthening and implementing prevention of mother-to-child (PMTCT) services could reduce the incidence of vertical transmission and improve quality of life. We aimed to determine maternal and birth outcomes among HIV-positive pregnant mothers and HIV-exposed newborns in Nyahururu county referral hospital, Laikipia, Kenya. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES Reduce maternal morbidity and mortality and other birth-related complications. In addition, this will also reduce infant mortality and morbidity among HIV-exposed infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a hospital-based descriptive prospective study conducted at the PMTCT department at the Nyahururu County referral hospital. A sample of 180 HIV-positive pregnant women enrolled at the PMTCT consented to participate in the study. We monitored them until delivery and labour complications were addressed. Babies were scored against the APGAR scale, weighed and spot dried blood samples taken before breastfeeding; and started on prophylactic antiretroviral therapy. RESULTS Out of 180 participants, only 17 did not complete the study. Our findings indicate that 97.5 % of the mothers delivered in the hospital, had labour lasting less than 12 hours, 92.6% had a normal delivery and 94.9% had no complications during the labour period. About 2.5 % of the women had misoprostol administration. The majority of exposed babies had an average weight of between 2.51 - 3.00kg. No neonatal asphyxia was evident among exposed babies. CONCLUSIONS The majority of the respondents delivered in the hospital; no neonatal asphyxia was evidenced and there was a significant correlation between APGAR scores and infant weight. There is a need for active follow-up and monitoring of HIV pregnant women and their unborn babies until delivery. Keywords: Maternal Outcome, Birth Outcomes, HIV Exposed Babies [Afr. J. Health Sci. 2022 35(3): 371 - 377] PhD Research Publication 2026-05-15T00:00:00Z http://localhost/xmlui/handle/123456789/6973 Antenatal Care Uptake and Observance of Prophylactic Antiretroviral Therapy among HIV-Positive Pregnant Mothers in Nyahururu County Referal Hospital, Kenya Lodeke, Silas BACKGROUND Prevention of Mother-To-Child Transmission (PMTCT) of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection has been a fundamental advancement in the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) response for the past decade. Although Kenya introduced the antiretroviral therapy programme as early as 2011, babies are still born with HIV. This study aimed at assessing the uptake of Antenatal Care Services (ACS) and the level of observance of prophylactic antiretroviral therapy among HIV positive pregnant mothers attending antenatal clinics in Nyahururu Referral County hospital, Laikipia County, Kenya. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted an institutional-based prospective cohort study in a hospital. Our participants were 180 pregnant HIV-positive women enrolled through systematic random sampling from the PMTCT department. We followed and monitored them prospectively for nine months. In addition, were commenced on prophylactic antiretroviral therapy. We used descriptive statistical methods, correlations, bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression analyses to make sense of the collected data. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS There was a significant response rate of 91%. Social support from partners accounted for 69.3%. In addition, 69.3% of the mothers had visited antenatal care more than four times. The majority of participants had undetectable viral load 97.5% and 89.0% had a cluster of differentiation above 250/ml). CONCLUSIONS Adequate follow-up, counselling, monitoring, social support and adherence to antiretroviral therapy can increase the chances of the HIV infected mothers delivering HIV-negative babies. It is also a prediction that majority of the infants will turn out HIV negative. Keywords: Uptake, Antenatal Care, Adherence, Prophylactic, Anti-Retroviral, HIV, Pregnant Mothers. [Afr. J. Health Sci. 2022 35(2): 241-250] PhD Research Publication 2026-05-15T00:00:00Z