Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS)

A pilot study of alcohol and substance use, mental health symptoms and social vulnerabilities among youth in Nairobi’s informal settlements

2025-11-01T00:00:00Z

A pilot study of alcohol and substance use, mental health symptoms and social vulnerabilities among youth in Nairobi’s informal settlements Musyoka, C. M.; Byansi, W; Mutavi, T.; Mbwayo, A.; Kyalo, D. N.; Mulwa, A.; Mathai, M. Alcohol and Substance Use (ASU) and mental ill-health among youths is today a global public health concern especially among the urban poor. This pilot study examined the prevalence, patterns and mental health associations of ASU among youths in urban slums. Baseline cross-section data were collected from 94 participants aged 15–24 in two informal settlements in Nairobi. Descriptive statistics analyzed demographic, substance use and mental health variables. Bivariate analyses of associations between ASU scores, sociodemographic factors and mental health symptoms were done. Seventy-eight per cent of participants reported having used alcohol in the preceding 3 months, while 68% and 35% respectively reported cannabis and tobacco use. Concerning frequency of use, 43% used alcohol while 47% used cannabis frequently. Alcohol use was associated with age, depressive symptoms and socio-economic independence. Tobacco use was more common among participants with depression, anxiety and low education levels. Cannabis use was higher in participants living independently, with depression, anxiety and stress and in men. In conclusion the study found prevalent ASU associated with multiple sociodemographic and psychological vulnerabilities. These findings may reflect sample characteristics not generalizable to the population, but they provide preliminary evidence for the need of future studies of integrated preventive interventions.

Bio-sociocultural factors determining utilization of cervical cancer screening services among women aged 25-49 years

2026-02-24T00:00:00Z

Bio-sociocultural factors determining utilization of cervical cancer screening services among women aged 25-49 years Daniel, NS.; Kamau, M.; Matheka, E. Background: Cervical Cancer has been established as the fourth most common cancer among women all over the world, with an estimated 570,000 new cases in 2018. Kenya cervical cancer statistics have shown that the disease contributes 5,250 (12.9%) of the new cancer cases every year, consequently contributing to 3,286 (11.84%) of all the cancer deaths annually. Cultural beliefs significantly influence cervical cancer prevention, and WHO emphasizes screening for early detection of precancerous lesions as a key strategy toward eliminating the disease among women. Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional study at the Maternal Child Health clinic at Kitengela Sub-county Hospital. Women aged 25-49 years were assessed. Semi-structured researcher-administered questionnaires were used to assess the bio-sociocultural factors influencing the utilization of cervical cancer screening services. The study used Fisher’s formula to determine a sample of 194 participants selected through systematic random sampling, with data analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and logistic regression in SPSS version 24. Results: The study showed that the older the woman, the higher the chances of utilizing the service (B=0.731). Although most 82.5% (n=160) of them were married, only 1.5 % (n=3) found it comfortable discussing their reproductive health issues with their sexual partner. A significant number 36% (n= 54) of them, felt that it was shameful to expose their private parts. All respondents were Christians; however, a significant number, 20% (n=30) of them, reported that their religion does not allow them to be screened for cervical cancer. The analysis showed that the higher the number of children one has, the greater the likelihood of using the service (B = 0.253). Conclusion: Cervical cancer screening uptake remains low despite general awareness, largely due to inadequate knowledge about free services in public health facilities. Targeted health education and age-specific sensitization strategies are therefore necessary to improve utilization, especially among younger women.

Menstrual hygiene is not obvious among adolescent girls in low-resource settings: promoting it is a priority

2026-02-20T00:00:00Z

Menstrual hygiene is not obvious among adolescent girls in low-resource settings: promoting it is a priority Wafula, F.; Kamau, M. W.; Gitau, R.; Kaingu, P. Background: Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is a vital component of adolescent reproductive health, yet it remains inadequately practiced among girls in many low-resource settings. Cultural taboos, limited access to affordable sanitary materials, and poor water and sanitation infrastructure continue to undermine safe and dignified menstrual practices. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls in Lari Sub-County, Kiambu County, Kenya. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between 4th and 31st July 2023 among 365 secondary school girls aged 13–20 years, randomly selected from 10 schools in Lari Sub-County. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using STATA and SPSS. Results: The study included 365 girls aged 13–20 years (mean 16 years), with most attaining menarche at 14 years (29.6%). Most respondents (86%) had heard about menstrual hygiene and 72.3% received information before menarche, mainly from parents (47.5%) and teachers (45.5%). Overall, 59% were knowledgeable, with knowledge significantly varying by school (χ² = 18.047, p = 0.035). Attitudes were moderately positive (53%), though 29.6% felt embarrassed and 21.4% viewed menstruation as spiritually unclean. Regarding practices, 55.1% cleaned with water only, disposal was mainly via pit latrines (57.8%) and bins (38.1%), and 65.8% avoided places of worship during menstruation. Conclusion: Despite relatively high access to menstrual hygiene materials, knowledge levels remain moderate and several barriers persist, including inadequate water access, stigma, and unsafe disposal practices. Strengthening menstrual health education, improving WASH infrastructure, and enhancing community sensitization are essential interventions to promote safe menstrual hygiene management and improve the dignity, wellbeing, and school participation of adolescent girls.

Factors Associated With Teenage Pregnancy Among Sexually Active Girls in Malindi Subcounty: a Mixed-method Study

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Factors Associated With Teenage Pregnancy Among Sexually Active Girls in Malindi Subcounty: a Mixed-method Study Khuweillah, Foad R Background: Adolescence is a period characterized by experimentation. Teenagers get involved in high risk behavior such as unprotected sex which leads to unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions and STIs/HIV. It is estimated that 16 million teenage girls aged 15 - 19 years and 2 million under 15 years of age become pregnant annually, with 95% being from low and middle income countries. In Africa, this poses a major public health problem. Despite advancement in sexual and reproductive health service provision, the rate of teenage pregnancy in Kilifi County was as high as 28.9% as of 2020 since the understanding of the factors that place these adolescents at increased risk of teenage pregnancy is limited. Emergence of Covid 19 pandemic has resulted in increasing incidence of teenage pregnancy as reported by local authorities. Little is known about the factors leading to the high incidence of teenage pregnancies since there are no local studies that have explored into the causative factors. There is therefore need to look into the factors associated with teenage pregnancy in the county, particularly Malindi Subcounty, which is the largest region in the county to be able to develop interventions that would mitigate the situation. Objective: To determine the factors associated with teenage pregnancy among sexually active girls in Malindi Subcounty Methodology: This was a mixed methods study that used qualitative and quantitative approaches to investigate factors associated with teenage pregnancy in Malindi Subcounty. The quantitative arm through a case-control approach used a semi-structured questionnaire. All eligible participants assented and whose parents’ consented were included in the study and were given the questionnaires until the desired sample size was reached. The qualitative arm used a focus group discussion with sexually active teenage girls, key informants’ interviews from parents/guardians, chief and religious leaders. An in-depth interview was also conducted with a pregnant teenage girl. The tape recorded data was transcribed fully, cleaned and thematic analysis was done. Analysis: Quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21.0. Data that was categorical was analyzed and presented as frequencies and percentages. Summary of the continuous data was done and presented as means and standard deviations. Pearson Chi square test was utilized to compare the groups on the socio-demographic, economic, and reproductive health factors. Factors found to be of statistically significant were further subjected to a multivariate analysis with the use of logistic regression. Odds ratio as well as 95% confidence intervals were calculated and reported where it seemed fit. All statistical tests were considered significant where the p value < 0.05. Thematic analysis of qualitative data that resulted from the transcribed audio recordings of the focus group discussion and interviews was done. Relevance of the study: The information obtained from this study informed on the factors contributing to teenage pregnancy. This information will be relevant to promote reproductive health education and behavior towards safe sex practices among adolescents with an aim to reducing the incidence of teenage pregnancy, HIV, STIs and unsafe teenage abortions. Overall it would reduce morbidity and possibly mortality from complications of teenage sexual activity. Findings would also inform local policies and guidelines geared to addressing issues of teenage pregnancy.