Reviewed International Journal of Medicine, Nursing & Public Health

COMPARATIVE STUDY ON NUTRITIONAL STATUS FOR INSTITUTIONALISED AND HOME-DWELLING RESIDENTS AGED 70+ IN INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS OF NAIROBI CITY COUNTY, KENYA

IRIS LUVAI, JUDY MUGO, PhD, SAMUEL MWANGI, PhD — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 03:16:50 -0600

This was a comparative study on nutritional status for institutionalised and home-dwelling residents aged 70+ in informal settlements of Nairobi City County, Kenya. The study employed a cross-sectional analytical design. A mixed-methods approach was used which integrated both qualitative and quantitative data. Census sampling was done in the homes for the aged institutions due to the small number of registered older person’s who met the inclusion criteria. Primary data was sourced from consented anthropometric measurements of the older adults, observational ethnographical notes from the physical excursions, recorded structured questionnaire interviews, KIIs , FGDs and formal write-ups from the city and the care homes. The study concluded that many elders depended on well-wishers, aid and routine food baskets to eat a diverse diet. The study indicated that widowed older individuals had significant lower odds of good nutritional status compared to their married counterparts. There was positive correlation between people in Home for the aged who had a lower mean or median value for the MUAC, suggesting potential nutritional deficiencies. The study recommended that Nairobi County Social Development Department should collaborate with the private sector nursing homes/ aged care facilities to improve their in-house modelling of older persons’ nutrition to better the public homes situation.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SOCIO- DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS AND UTILIZATION OF CERVICAL CANCER SCREENING SERVICES AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE IN NAKURU WEST SUB COUNTY HEALTH FACILITIES

LEONIDA JEBICHII TOROITICH, FREDRICK KIMEMIA, LILLIAN MUIRURI — Mon, 11 May 2026 20:36:12 -0500

Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related illness and death among women, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In Kenya, cervical cancer is a major public health concern, with many women diagnosed at advanced stages despite the availability of screening services. This study examined the association between socio-demographic characteristics and utilization of cervical cancer screening services among women of reproductive age attending level two and three public health facilities in Nakuru West Sub-County. A cross-sectional descriptive design was used, and systematic random sampling was applied to select 167 eligible women. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 26.0. Descriptive statistics summarized respondents’ characteristics, while inferential statistics assessed associations between socio-demographic variables and screening utilization. The findings showed a statistically significant moderate association between socio-demographic characteristics and utilization of cervical cancer screening services (Phi = 0.278, p = 0.002). Age, number of children, and health insurance status were the most influential factors. The study recommends integrating cervical cancer screening into reproductive health services, strengthening health education, improving affordability through insurance coverage, ensuring essential screening supplies, and enhancing community outreach through community health promoters, religious leaders, and male partner involvement.

AVAILABILITY AND COMPETENCE OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS PROVIDING PEDIATRIC CRITICAL CARE IN PUBLIC HOSPITALS IN SIAYA COUNTY, KENYA

JOASH OKINYI, EMMANUEL ODERO KEYA, PEREZ A. OBONYO — Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Pediatric critical care depends on healthcare professionals who are available, trained and competent to provide timely assessment, monitoring and emergency support for children requiring advanced hospital care. This article evaluated the availability and competence of healthcare professionals providing pediatric critical care in public hospitals in Siaya County, Kenya. The study adopted a cross-sectional descriptive quantitative design. Data were collected using structured questionnaires administered to a target of 60 healthcare professionals and facility-level personnel drawn from eight public health facilities in the county. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize professional cadre, work experience, pediatric care experience, training status and perceived adequacy of staffing and training. The findings showed that nurses formed the largest proportion of respondents, but specialized pediatric critical care personnel were limited. Only a small proportion of staff were pediatric critical care nurses, while more than half of respondents reported that their facilities lacked staff specifically trained in pediatric critical care. Most respondents also disagreed that pediatric units were adequately staffed and that staff had sufficient pediatric critical care training. The study concludes that strengthening pediatric critical care in Siaya County requires targeted training, mentorship, supportive deployment and continuous professional development locally.

PREVALENCE OF SUICIDAL BEHAVIOUR AMONG YOUTH AGED BETWEEN 15-35 YEARS ATTENDING THE YOUTH CENTER AT TABAKA MISSION HOSPITAL, KENYA

JOSEPH KHIYANIRI, JOHN GACHOI, ELIZABETH MITAKI, REGINA ONYANGO — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 08:56:05 -0500

Suicidal behavior is a major public health problem. As it has for decades, suicide remains one of the leading causes of death in the western world. This study was done to determine the prevalence of suicidal behaviors among the youth aged between 15 years to 35 years attending the youth centre at Tabaka Mission hospital, Gucha south sub county of Kisii county, Kenya. The research stems from an ever-increasing concern with trends in terms of actual and attempted suicides locally, more particularly among school children and young couples. The study utilized both qualitative and quantitative study methods making use of semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. There were 121 study participants sampled through purposive sampling technique. Data was analyzed quantitatively using SPSS software version 26.0. Chi square tests, multivariate and bivariate logistic regression analyses were used. The results were presented in tables with p- values.

This study found a 34.7% prevalence of suicidal behavior among the youth who were attending the youth clinic at Tabaka Mission Hospital. Averagely the SBQ-R score of the 121 informers was 6.68 ± 5.23. There was significant association between gender and suicidal behavior with females being at greater risk (p = 0.05). Higher education levels was associated with a greater suicide risk (p = 0.034). A family history of abuse (p = 0.006) and psychiatric illness (p = 0.001) were noted to contribute to suicidal behavior. Other suicidal behaviour factors reported were; loneliness, depression, marital infidelity, family stresses, Substance use and being an orphan. Environmental factors like social media competition, bullying, domestic violence, and cyberbullying were also reported induce suicidal behaviour. The findings of this study can be utilized by both caregivers and clinicians in understanding patients at risk of suicide and how to support them. The results could also trigger advocacy against the vice with the aim of reducing the burden on affected individuals, caregivers and healthcare professionals to curb such high rates of suicidal behavior and suicide attempts in local settings.

THE EXPERIENCES OF RELATIVES OF COVID - 19 PATIENTS DURING HOSPITALIZATION IN THE ICU IN MACHAKOS COUNTY AND REFERRAL HOSPITAL, MACHAKOS COUNTY, KENYA

SCOLAR NASERIAN SHIROYA, GRACE GITHEMO, PhD, JACOB MASIKA, PhD — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 23:33:43 -0500

Background: COVID-19 disease had a significant influence on the wellbeing of the patients and their relatives. Diagnosis of Covid-19 during the pandemic was majorly associated with increased family stigma and increased emotional and psychological stress among patients as well as relatives. Patients who were admitted into intensive care unit left major stress and pressure on their relatives. However, there is limited focus on the needs and wellbeing of relatives of patients admitted into ICU due to Covid-19. Thus, this study sought to explore the experiences of relatives of patients diagnosed with Covid-19 admitted into intensive care unit in Machakos County and Referral Hospital.

Methods: The study’s research design was descriptive qualitative using a phenomenological approach. Purposive sampling technique was employed where Relatives of COVID - 19 Patients During Acute Hospitalization in in the intensive care unit in Machakos County and Referral Hospital were recruited. A total of 10 participants were included in the study. Data was collected from participants using an in-depth interview guide and participant observation. The interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim and common themes identified iteratively. Data analysis was done thematically.

Results: There were four major themes that were identified and eight sub-themes. The themes identified include reminiscence of ICU admission process, commitment and passion for care, isolation and restricted access as well as hope and resilience. The reaction to the news of ICU admission of loved ones was characterized by a feeling of helplessness, stress and shock. The healthcare providers at the facility were highly committed and willing to assist amid restricted environment. Individual based experience was characterized by emotional confusion and unmet need to participate in care. Coping measures that were effective included support from healthcare providers, family and friends as well as accepting the situation.

Conclusion and recommendations: There were major challenges in communication and unmet needs of participating in care process. The high emotional confusion, stress and shock that most of the relatives felt define the need to improve commitment to the needs and wellbeing of patients as well as their relatives. This can be done through encouraging relatives of patients admitted in ICU to express their emotions and provide resources for professional counselling or support groups.

PREVALENCE OF JIGGER INFESTATION AMONG DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHIC GROUPS IN NYAMIRA NORTH SUB-COUNTY, NYAMIRA COUNTY, KENYA

GEOFFREY NYAMBUTI, GEORGE MAKALIWA, PhD, SAMUEL MONG’ARE, PhD — Sat, 29 Aug 2026 21:46:32 -0500

Jigger infestation remains an important but neglected public health problem in endemic areas worldwide. This study was carried out in Nyamira North sub county, Nyamira County, Kenya. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the prevalence of jigger infestation in order to inform targeted control interventions. Data were collected from a sample of residents of totalling n = 384 for ascertaining prevalence achieved through multistage random sampling approach. Quantitative data was done by structured questionnaires and physical inspection for infestation; qualitative data were obtained through in-depth interviews that were tape-recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, correlation analysis, and binary logistic regression were used to explore associations and identify independent predictors. The study population was predominantly rural (98.1%), older (44.1% aged 41–60 years), married (69.1%), and of low socio-economic status: 45.9% had only primary education, 74.4% were unemployed, and 82.8% lived in mud-walled houses. The overall prevalence of jigger infestation was 7.19% (23/320). The highest prevalence was observed among respondents aged below 20 years (10/19, 52.63%), divorced respondents (2/9, 22.22%), single respondents (7/47, 14.89%), males (13/166, 7.83%), and those with primary education (14/177, 7.91%). Chi-square analysis revealed statistically significant associations between jigger infestation and age group (χ² = 66.03, p < 0.001), marital status (χ² = 11.72, p = 0.008), and housing type (χ² = 5.14, p = 0.023), whereas gender, education level, employment status, and place of residence were not significantly associated with infestation (p > 0.05) while age group and rural/urban residence were not significant. Jigger infestation is highly prevalent in Nyamira North Sub-county and disproportionately affects the less educated, males, and marginalized social groups. The study recommends scaling up integrated interventions targeting health education, affordability, stigma reduction, and improved access to mitigate jigger infestation and its socio-economic consequences in the sub-county hence reduce prevalence.