Background: Data on cervical cancer knowledge, perceptions, screening practices and other relevant health behaviours among women in rural Kenya is limited. Yet understanding this information is a key first step in developing evidence-based interventions aimed at addressing the low uptake of screening services and heavy cervical cancer disease burden within Kenya. Consequently, our study sought to assess cervical cancer knowledge, attitude, and practice amongst women of reproductive age within Kiambu County, known for a high cervical cancer disease burden. Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study undertaken in April 2022. Data was collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires from 472 females randomly selected from within the community. Data analysis included descriptive statistics (mean values, standard deviations, and frequencies) and logistic regression, using STATA version 13. Results: More than 80% of respondents were aware of cervical cancer though only 54% answered at least half of the knowledge questions correctly. Knowledge of HPV was particularly low, likely because 55% of the study sample stated they had never heard of HPV. Though 89% of study participants deemed cervical cancer preventable, more than 60% had an unfavourable attitude towards cervical cancer screening, deeming the process expensive, painful, and embarrassing. In line with the latter observation, only 20% of our sample had ever been screened for cervical cancer and less than half of this group had undergone regular screening. Notably, knowing a place where cervical cancer screening services are provided had the largest increase in odds of being screened (3.94; 95% CI: 1.08–14.37). Fear of tests and outcomes was also noted to be a prime concern amongst our study participants. Conclusion: A clear message from this study is the need to ensure community members are aware of where to access screening services and strategies are implemented to address prevalent fears and negative perceptions. Abbreviations: CHV: Community Health Volunteers; HPV: Human papillomavirus; HIV/AIDS: Human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; LEEP: Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure; LMICs: Low- and Middle-Income Countries; NCI: National Cancer Institute; NACOSTI: National Commission for Science, Technology, and Innovation; VIA: Visual inspection with acetic acid; VILLI: Visual inspection with Lugol’s iodine; WHO: World Health Organisation

Introduction: In the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Ministry of Health in Kenya putting in place stringent COVID-19 guidelines to curb the spread of this disease including lockdowns and restrictions to public gatherings disrupting the normal communications, activities and engagements that the young people usually had prior to the pandemic. The COVID-19 crisis also led to an economic downturn further negatively affecting young people. This purpose of this study was to therefore analyze the effect of COVID-19 crisis on mental health among young people between the ages of 18-35 years in Kenya. Methods: Cross-sectional research was carried out in Nairobi Kenya where youth aged 18 to 35 years responded to an online survey. A total of 272 participants completed the questionnaire which included a biodata section and a section aimed at measuring depression using the standardized self-reporting Depression Analysis Tool- PHQ9 and measure resilience using the standardized The Brief Resilience Scale (BRS) and Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS). Results: The findings from the study indicated that COVID-19 contributed to the rising mental health challenges in young people during the pandemic period. In terms of depression, the study found out that that up to 65.9% of the respondents reported having severe to mild depression with the male having more reported depression than their female counterparts. The study also showed that about 61.6% of participants had normal resilience but a significant 29.5% had low resilience in coping with the disrupted state caused by the COVID -19 crisis. The research also found out that just over half of the young people (55.3%) were able to cope with the existing challenges from the pandemic. Conclusions and recommendations: The study demonstrated a strong correlation between the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis and its effect on mental health of young people. Therefore, the study recommends the development, strengthening and implementation of a mental health preparedness and response strategy for future pandemics and crisis situations.

Indoor light quality is the intensity and amount of illumination of interior spaces. Technological developments have led to the utilisation of artificial natural light. Illumination is crucial in the visibility of tasks. Quality of light can influence the visual comfort and ocular health of the students. Although Kenya lacks lighting standards for schools, ISO and CIE provide international guidelines on optimal illumination for various facilities. This study was conducted on public boarding secondary schools in Nairobi City County to assess the visual comfort or discomfort of students in classrooms. The study utilised a cross-sectional descriptive study design. Four hundred twenty-three students were randomly sampled from 8 schools. Illumination levels were measured in 38 classrooms using a calibrated Benetech GM1010 light metre and compared to levels recommended by ISO and CIE. A self-administered semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on students’ visual comfort or discomfort. Data was analysed using SPSS version 23. Descriptive data were analysed using frequencies, while inferential data were analysed using chi-square. The study established that 15% of the respondents experience visual comfort during the day, 13.5% at night, and 12.7% both day and night. Fourteen classrooms achieved the recommended illumination level at 7:30, 20 at 13:00 hours, and 10 at 18:00 hours. Recorded levels ranged from 56.71 lux to 1289.93 lux. The study found a statistically significant association between visual comfort and factors such as existing eye problems, presence of blinds or curtains, number of windows, presence of whiteboards, classroom orientation and student sitting positions. The study recommends that public secondary schools need to ensure quality indoor illumination in their facilities to enhance the visual comfort of students in learning facilities.

Infections of the lower reproductive tract are a public-health concern. However, in Sub-Saharan Africa, the link between menstrual hygiene, water, sanitation and hygiene variables and lower reproductive tract infection has not been appropriately explored. This study sought to determine the menstrual hygiene management practices associated with occurrence of lower reproductive tract infections among adolescent girls in Informal Settlements in Nakuru County. The study used a community-based cross-sectional design targeting adolescent girls in informal settlements in Nakuru County. Multi-stage and simple random sampling methods were used to obtain a sample size of 385 adolescent girls. The findings showed that the proportion of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) among the participants was 59.71% Regarding the menstrual hygiene management practices, adolescents who changed absorbent material more than twice a day were 0.22 times less likely to report experiencing a LRTI compared to those who changed once a day, (p=0.005), those who dried their reusable absorbent material outside the house were 0.26 times less likely to be infected with LRTI compared to those who dried inside the house, (p=0.014), and those who reported bathing  3times during menstruation were 0.27 less likely to report occurrence of LRTI compared to those who bath once, (p=0.012). The study found significant association between type of absorbent material, frequency of changing absorbent material, frequency of bathing, presence of hand washing equipment and presence of anal cleansing material in toilets and lower reproductive tract infections. A study in this population that incorporate comprehensive microbiological and clinical assessments so as to get a better estimate of the prevalence of LRTI would be recommended, this will also support development of public health interventions. Keywords: Menstrual Hygiene Management, Lower Reproductive Tract Infections, Adolescent Girls