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KNOWLEDGE AND UPTAKE OF CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING AMONG WOMEN IN KIAMBU SUB-COUNTY, KIAMBU, KENYA

Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

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

Fatalism and its Influence on Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening among Women Aged 15-54 years in Kiambu Sub-County, Kiambu County, Kenya

Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Fatalism and its Influence on Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening among Women Aged 15-54 years in Kiambu Sub-County, Kiambu County, Kenya Mugure, Ann Wambui While cervical cancer screening is key for early diagnosis and treatment, its uptake is often sub-optimal and may be adversely affected by fatalism. The study aimed to establish the factors associated with fatalism and its influence on cervical cancer screening among women aged 15-54 years in Kiambu sub-county. This was because the sub-county is more representative of the larger Kiambu County in terms study population characteristics. A cross-sectional study design, involving a sample size of 400 obtained through simple random sampling was employed. A standard in-person administered structured questionnaire was initially pre-tested (Cronbach’s alpha 0.7) among 10 women and later used for data collection from among selected households across Kiambu sub-county. Before the actual data collection, consent was taken from eligible participants. Data collected involved socio-demographic and socio-economic factors, knowledge, fatalism and cervical cancer screening practices. After data collection, the questionnaires were checked for completeness, and respective data entered into a standard excel data sheet. This was followed by data cleaning, and coding for analysis. Descriptive statistics generated cervical cancer screening, knowledge, and fatalism levels. Binary logistic regression was used for all bivariable, and multivariable analyses to identify factors associated with fatalism, knowledge on cervical cancer and cervical cancer uptake. To establish the influence of fatalism on cervical cancer screening, a univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was done adjusting for fatalism. A slightly above a third 134 (34.5%) of the study participants were aged between 25-34 years, with almost half being married 179(45.8%). A majority 267(70.1%) of the participants had no substantial income, with slightly above half 203(52.2%) of them being protestants. The prevalence of cervical cancer screening was 25.8%, whereas that of fatalism was 14.3%. Only age of 35-44 years (AOR 2.1; 95% CI; 1.1-3.9; P=0.02) and being a Muslim (AOR 9.9; 95% CI 1.6-61.7; P=0.02) were significantly associated with fatalism. A majority (80.6%) of the study participants had good knowledge on cervical cancer and screening. Only the age of 45-54 years, (AOR 1.6; 95% CI 0.8-3.3; p=0.02), having attained a tertiary level of education (AOR 0.45; 95% CI 0.3-0.8; p=0.01), and being a Muslim (AOR 0.13; 95% 0.02-0.8; p=0.03) were significantly associated with knowledge of cervical cancer and screening. On adjusting for fatalism, there were no factors that significantly influenced fatalism among the study participants. Conclusively, 25.8% uptake of cervical cancer screening is low at 25.8%. A majority (80.6%) of women aged 15-54 years have good knowledge of cervical cancer and screening in Kiambu Sub-County. While the level of fatalism was low at 14.3%, more public health awareness campaigns should be focused to women aged 35-44 years and the Muslims who constitute the factors significantly associated with fatalism. While fatalism had no significant influence on cervical cancer and screening, there is still the need to dispel any existing related fatalistic beliefs among women aged 15-54 years in Kiambu Sub-County. The study recommends more public health sensitization, and awareness campaigns to reach as many women aged 15-54 years of age as possible with cervical cancer screening and linkage of those infected in care and follow-up. MSc in Public Health

Effect of Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal Inclusion in Layer Feeds on the Quality of the Eggs

Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Effect of Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal Inclusion in Layer Feeds on the Quality of the Eggs Mwangi, James Kamothoi The high cost of fish meal (FM), a conventional protein source in poultry feeds, presents a major challenge especially for the small-scale farmers. Black soldier fly larvae meal (BSFLM) is a promising nutrient rich alternative, but its effect on egg quality requires comprehensive evaluation. The current study aimed to provide the first comprehensive evidence of the nutrient quality of eggs harvested from layers fed diets containing black soldier fly larval meal (BSFLM) as a substitute for the fish meal (FM). This study utilized seventy-five Isa Brown layers (n-75) fed on BSF-based diet types that were nutritionally balanced consisting of 0% BSFLM+100% FM - (control); 25% BSFLM+75% FM; 50% BSFLM+50% FM; 75% BSFLM+25% FM and100% BSFLM+0% FM). The research employed a completely randomized design (CRD) model, with the design assigning five (5) birds per replicate for each treatment throughout the entire egg laying phases in which each treatment was replicated three (3) times. This study revealed that increased inclusion levels of BSFLM in layers diets led to a significant increase in egg weight (F4, 20 = 15.241, P < 0.001) and yolk weight (F4, 20 = 8.068, P < 0.001). BSFLM inclusion in the layers diet did not significantly alter the n-6 (omega-6) and n-3 (omega-3) ratio (F4, 20 = 1.438, P =0.258). The monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) content significantly increased with increasing levels of BSFLM (F4, 20 = 41.054, P =< 0.001). Inclusion of BSFLM in the layers diet contributed to a significant increase in MUFA content and the egg weight, Haugh unit and shell thickness collectively improving the quality of the eggs. MSc in Food Science and Technology

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN KENYA

Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT AND PERFORMANCE OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE MANUFACTURING FIRMS IN KENYA Mbugua, Annevelyn Njoki Despite the importance of the food manufacturing industry in Kenya, it has been experiencing a lot of turbulence in the recent past including a drop in the GDP, an increasing imbalance of trade, and the exiting of large multinationals. The main focus of this study was to assess the effect of operations management on the performance of food and beverage manufacturing firms in Kenya. The research design that was appropriate for this study was a descriptive cross-sectional design. 246 food and beverage manufacturing firms formed the source from which the respondents will be sourced. The population frame was thus the procurement managers of the 246 food and beverages firms. These firms are registered under the Kenya Association of Manufacturers. The study used a Stratified random sampling technique. The study further used simple random sampling within the different strata of 152 food and beverage manufacturing firms. The heads of departments concerned with procurement formed the unit of observation. The questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Quantitative and qualitative data were generated from the closed ended and open-ended questions, respectively. Descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution, mean (measure of dispersion), standard deviation, and percentages were used. Inferential data analysis was conducted by use of univariate regression analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis. The inferential statistic is used to make judgments about the probability that an observation is dependable or one that happened by chance in the study. The study results were presented through the use of tables and figures. The study found that operations management is statistically significant in explaining performance of food manufacturing firms in Kenya. The influence was found to be positive, indicating that an increase in operations management would lead to an increase in performance of food manufacturing firms. Therefore, the study concluded that operations management has a positive and significant relationship with performance of food manufacturing firms in Kenya. The study therefore recommends that manufacturing firms should reduce excess inventory by implementing just-in-time (JIT) inventory systems. This minimizes carrying costs, reduces the risk of waste due to product expiration, and optimizes working capital. In addition, the firms should develop standardized work procedures and ensure that all employees follow these procedures rigorously. This will lead to consistent product quality and efficient production processes PhD Research Publication