Biomass Fuel (BMF) refers to burned plant or animal material; wood, charcoal, dung and crop residues which account for more than half of domestic energy in most developing countries and for as much as 95% in low income countries. It is estimated that about 3 billion people in the world rely on biomass fuel for cooking, heating and lighting. The biomass fuel chain includes gathering, transportation, processing and combustion. These processes are predominantly managed by women where they work as gatherers, processors, carriers or transporters and also as end-users or cooks. Thus, they suffer health hazards at all stages of the biomass fuel chain. The main objective was to assess health effects related to the use of Biomass fuel and indoor air pollution in Kapkokwon Sub-location, Kericho County, Kenya from March to May, 2013. The study area was Kapkokwon sub location, Bomet County, Kenya. The study population was 202 households. Primary females of the household were the target group as they managed the biomass chain. A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted to assess the health effects associated to the use of biomass fuel and indoor air pollution. The research revealed that women suffer different type of physical ailments due to the biomass fuel chain. Physical exhaustion (86%), neck aches (78%), headaches (34%), knee aches (30%) and back aches (16%) were reported as the principal health effects associated with the third stage of the biomass fuel chain. Irritation of the mucus membrane of the eyes, nose and throat (100%), coughing (100%), burns (42%), shortness of breath (38%) and exacerbation of asthma (2%) were identified as principal health effects associated with the fourth stage of the biomass fuel chain (cooking). As a result of the detrimental impact of indoor air pollution (IAP) on health and mortality, many governments, non-governmental organization and international organizations should develop strategies aimed at reducing indoor air pollution. The strategies to include subsidization of cleaner fuel technologies, development, promotion and subsidization of improved cooking stoves, use of solar thermal cookers T. Ndwiga et al. 62and solar hot water heaters, processing biomass fuel to make them cleaner, modifying user behavior and improved household design.

Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Kenya, with close to 70 percent (24 million) of the population at risk of infection. It affects people of all age groups: children under five years of age and pregnant women living in malaria endemic regions who are vulnerable. The main objective was to assess the utilization of the insecticide treated bed nets among the mothers attending MCH/FP in Webuye District Hospital, Bungoma County, Kenya. This research was based at the Webuye District Hospital, Bungoma County, Kenya from February to May, 2013. Sample size included 40 adult mothers attending MCH/FP aged 18 years and above during the study period. The design of the study was cross-sectional where sampling technique employed was non-probabilistic, purposive sampling. Data was collected by interviews using structured questionnaire which was administered by the researchers. SPSS version 16 was employed in Data analysis. The association between the overall knowledge about ITN use and malaria attack and level of education was tested and correlation between knowledge about malaria and ITNs utilization was calculated. Nearly all mothers attending MCH/FP had knowledge about ITNs nets and used it, with majority, 82.5% of the respondents used it for protection and 75% knew the importance of ITNs which were for malaria prevention. A majority of mothers attending MCH/FP were aware of ITNs and used it. Malaria morbidity was influenced by various factors including frequency of ITN use and most respondents interviewed had contracted malaria once before. The difference was found to be highly statistically significant between the overall knowledge about ITN use and malaria attack and level of education (χ 2 = 58.7, p = 0.000). There was a significantly moderate positive correlation between total knowledge and ITN utilization (r = 0.449 & p = 0.000). The same was for the frequency of use but it was found to be in a weak magnitude, (r = 0.223 & p = 0.000). There was a strong positive correlation between knowledge about risk which is exposed to the case of non-utilization and the overall knowledge (r = 0.853 & p = 0.000). Based on the above results, it's recommended that the Ministry T. Ndwiga et al. 471 of Health increase knowledge of effective malaria prevention and treatment methods in communities where misconceptions and use of unproven prevention and treatment methods are common.

Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) is important in controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS especially among the Youths. The aim of the study was to determine the extent, to assess the level of awareness and to describe the Youths' attitude towards VCT Service Utilization in Kapsabet Division, Nandi Central District from 1 st February to 30 th April 2013. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among male and female Youths aged 18-34 years who were selected by convenience sampling, using Quantitative and Qualitative methods of data collection with mean age of 26 years. The study found that 52% of Youths had visited VCT and the majority was aware about VCT through print media, TV/radio and IEC materials. Forth-six percent (46%) said Post-Counseling was poor. Seventy seven (77%) highlighted various challenges i.e. most VCT centers were openly located within the hospital and user fee Ksh. 20 was charged. The study also found that there was high level of awareness but slightly low utilization of VCT Services with only 52% having tested. Posters in VCT rooms were stigmatizing and this could have influenced their low utilization of VCT Services. Therefore there is need for dialogue with policy-makers, Youths and Stakeholders in regards to changing strategy for future efforts to increase the uptake of services among the Youths.

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Background: Cervical cancer continues to kill approximately 274,883 women globally every year, despite robust programs for the prevention and control of the disease. Kenya has an uptake of cervical cancer screening (3.2%) compared to the National Cervical Cancer Prevention program target of 70%. The purpose of this study was to determine the sociodemographic characteristics influencing uptake of cervical cancer screening in Imenti North Sub-County. Methods: This was institution-based descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among 422 randomly selected women aged 18-49 years attending general outpatient clinics in health facilities of Imenti North Sub-County, Kenya. Health Facilities were stratified based on functional levels to include county referral, health centers and dispensaries. Data was collected using interviewer administered questionnaire Characteristics influencing uptake of cervical cancer screening were analyzed using chi-square test and logistic regression to determine predictors for cervical cancer screening. Results: The study found out that the level of uptake for cervical cancer screening by the respondents was 15.2%. However, the level of the uptake was lowest among women aged 18-25 (4.4%) and women with primary level of education (11.6%). In addition, the study found significant association between uptake and age (p-value<0.001). Other significant socio-demographic characteristics include marital status and level of education. Women in age category 42-49 years were 6 times more likely to be screened compared to women aged 18-25 years (p-value=0.022). Conclusion and recommendations: The level of uptake for cervical cancer screening by the respondents was 15.2%. The main determinants of uptake of screening were age, marital status, occupation, and high level of education. It was recommended that Health Managers should conduct refresher seminars for health workers, increase facilities offering screening services and intensify community health education in order to increase uptake of cervical cancer screening.