https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/139 Fri, 15 May 2026 12:33:31 GMT 2026-05-15T12:33:31Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6356 Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal health care services utilization and pregnancy outcomes at a tertiary hospital in western Kenya Kubuta, P.O; Wameyo, C; Odero, W The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic occasioned significant disruptions in the delivery of healthcare services globally. There is limited knowledge on the effect of the pandemic on the utilization of maternal healthcare services and its effects on pregnancy outcomes in the Western Kenya region. The article can be accessed in full via:https://www.ajol.info/index.php/eamj/article/view/283187 Mon, 25 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6356 2024-11-25T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6355 Participatory development and initial pilot run of the Shauriana program to integrate sexual health and mental health support for young gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men in Kenya Laura Jadwin-Cakmak, Gary W Harper, Elijah Ochieng, K Rivet Amico, Teddy Aloo, Felix Okutah, Edwin Gumbe, Kennedy Olango, Duncan O Okall, Fredrick O Otieno, Wilson Odero, Susan M Graham Gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) are at elevated risk for HIV, especially in rights-constrained settings such as Kenya, where stigma and discrimination have impeded access to HIV prevention. This article describes the development and pilot run of a theory-based and culturally relevant peer-led program called Shauriana (“we counsel each other”), which combines health education and integrated Next Step Counseling (iNSC) to promote sexual and mental health and well-being. Shauriana was developed using participatory methods in collaboration with GBMSM community members using the ADAPT-ITT framework and tested through an initial pilot run with 10 participants to refine and finalize program materials and procedures. The team monitored attendance and obtained participant feedback through quantitative evaluation and in-depth exit interviews that were thematically analyzed. The majority of participants (90%) attended all 4 core sessions and completed study visits on time. All participants completed an exit interview, providing feedback on program content and format, challenges/barriers, recommendations, impact, and recommending Shauriana to others. We identified key elements for positive engagement with the program, including being peer-led, maintaining privacy and confidentiality, using iNSC to provide guidance while maintaining autonomy, and taking a holistic approach by focusing on mental health and issues affecting GBMSM’s lives. We share modifications made in response to feedback and an overview of the final program sessions and structure. Pilot participants reported positive experiences engaging in Shauriana and shared that the program was highly relevant to their lives. Refined intervention procedures and materials are being tested in a subsequent randomized controlled trial. Lessons learned throughout the participatory development process and confirmed in exit interviews center on the importance of community engagement, local GBMSM leadership, and holistic, autonomy-supporting programming for young GBMSM in Kenya. Thu, 06 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6355 2025-03-06T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6354 ‘It kills the freedom or the spirit of people being who they are’: impact of sexuality-based stigma and discrimination on the lives of gay and bisexual men in Kenya Juan C Jauregui, Katherine A Lewis, Darius M Moore, Adedotun Ogunbajo, Wilson W Odero, Jeffrey Wambaya, Daniel P Onyango, Laura Jadwin-Cakmak, Gary W Harper Gay and bisexual men (GBM) in Kenya are subjected to frequent experiences of sexuality-based stigma and discrimination, yet how GBM navigate these experiences and their impact on mental health has remained understudied. The aim of this study was to understand how GBM in Kenya respond to everyday experiences of sexuality-based stressors. We conducted 60 individual in-depth interviews with GBM between the ages of 20-46 residing in Kisumu and Nairobi. The following four key themes regarding how GBM in Kenya respond to sexuality-based stressors emerged: enacting identity protection strategies, using alcohol and other substances, avoiding healthcare providers and services, and being hypervigilant to avoid violence. These findings highlight the urgent need for interventions that reduce sexuality-based stigma and improve access to safer social and healthcare spaces for GBM in Kisumu and Nairobi. https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2025.2489713 Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6354 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6302 Proximal and distal minority stressors and mental health among young gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) in Kisumu, Kenya Gary W Harper, Chenglin Hong, Juan C Jauregui, Elijah Ochieng Odhiambo, Laura Jadwin‐Cakmak, Kennedy Olango, K Rivet Amico, Heather M Tucker, Myla Lyons, Wilson Odero, Susan M Graham Young gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) inKenya experience pervasive intersectional stigma and discrimination, contribut-ing to elevated levels of negative mental health symptoms. Grounded in theMinority Stress Model, this paper explores associations of proximal and distalminority stressors with three types of negative mental health outcomes amongyoung HIV‐negative GBMSM (n = 63) between the ages of 19–34 who partici-pated in a pilot trial of a sexual health intervention. Using the PHQ‐9, GAD‐7,and PC‐PTSD‐5 screening measures, levels of clinically significant symptoms werereported as follows: 15.8% depressive symptoms, 12.7% anxiety symptoms, 31.7%posttraumatic stress symptoms. Results from stepwise linear regression analysessuggest that GBMSM‐related stigma (distal stressor) was the strongest correlatefor all three mental health outcomes, and concealment motivation (proximalstressor) was an additional significant correlate only in the depressive symptomsmodel. These findings should be viewed with caution and seen as initial obser-vations given the small sample which limits our interpretations of the findings.Structural‐level interventions are needed to decrease GBMSM's exposure tointersectional stigma and discrimination, such as decriminalization of same‐sexsexual activity, as well as individual and group‐level interventions that assistGBMSM with improving their adaptive coping strategies. https://wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/ajcp Wed, 04 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6302 2024-12-04T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6226 Community education training to optimize the use of artemisinin-based combination therapy in Kamuli District, Uganda Bawate, Charles; Callender-Carter, T. Sylvia; Guyah, Bernard; Ouma, Collins Community health education improves members health-seeking and utilization behaviours. To enhance the community knowledge and optimize the use of Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), we carried out a community training in Kamuli District, Uganda. Wed, 31 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6226 2024-07-31T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6214 Can “the expanded free maternity services” enable Kenya to achieve universal health coverage by 2030: qualitative study on experiences of mothers and healthcare providers Ombere, Stephen Okumu Universal health coverage is a global agenda within the sustainable development goals. While nations are attempting to pursue this agenda, the pathways to its realization vary across countries in relation to service, quality, financial accessibility, and equity. Kenya is no exception and has embarked on an initiative, including universal coverage of maternal health services to mitigate maternal morbidity and mortality rates. The implementation of expanded free maternity services, known as the Linda Mama (Taking Care of the Mother) targets pregnant women, newborns, and infants by providing cost-free maternal healthcare services. However, the efficacy of the Linda Mama (LM) initiative remains uncertain. This article therefore explores whether LM could enable Kenya to achieve UHC. Tue, 10 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6214 2024-09-10T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6213 Birthing Choices Made by Pregnant Women on Mageta Island, Western Kenya Ombere, Stephen Okumu Birthing choices play significant roles in maternal outcomes. This article describes the birthing choices made by some women on Mageta Island (hereafter called simply “the Island”) of Western Kenya in relation to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and free maternity services (FMS) policy ideals. Kenya has officially rolled out UHC and has also initiated universal coverage of maternal healthcare services to reduce maternal morbidities and mortalities. In 2016, the government of Kenya expanded FMS, called the Linda Mama (Taking Care of the Mother) initiative, which targets all pregnant women, newborns, and infants by offering free maternal healthcare services. Despite the existence of UHC and FMS in Kenya, women living on the Island have no access to such services. They therefore devise mechanisms for accessing maternal healthcare services. Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6213 2024-09-26T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6206 Uptake of Colorectal Cancer Screening amongst Residents of Mt. Elgon Sub County, Kenya Ngwawe, O.Chrispin; Othero, Doreen; Benard, Guya A cross-sectional study using both quantitative and qualitative approaches to data management. A total of 440 participated and were recruited randomly. Quantitative data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires while qualitative data collected through KIIs and FGDs. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 19 at 95% confidence level while qualitative data analyzed using the NVivo application and presented as narratives. Chi-square test was conducted to establish the association between dependent and independent variables. Approval to carry out this study was sought and obtained from the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI). Voluntary and informed consent of the respondents was sought Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6206 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6205 Awareness of Colorectal Cancer Screening amongst Residents of Mt. Elgon Sub County, Bungoma County, Kenya Ngwawe, O. Chrispin; Othero, Doreen; Benard, Guya Globally, Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of mortality with preponderance to low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Awareness of CRC screening remains suboptimal in LMICs. There is lack of empirical studies in Kenya, particularly in Mt Elgon Sub County that have documented the awareness of CRC screening. This study therefore assessed the awareness of CRC screening among residents of Mt Elgon Sub County, Kenya. The cross-sectional study utilized both quantitative and qualitative approaches to assess the awareness of CRC screening.†From a population of 22,372 adults aged 45-75 years eligible for CRC screening in line with the Kenya Ministry of Health (MoH) CRC screening guidelines, 440 participants were sampled using Taro Yamane’s Equation a statistical formula used to determine sample size when the target population is known. Quantitative data was collected using a pretested researcher administered questionnaire while qualitative data was collected through Key Informants Interviews and Focus Group Discussions. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 25, while qualitative data was thematically summarized and analyzed using the NVivo application. Out of the 440 sampled participants, some 402 participated in the study depicting a response rate of 91.4%. The study found that only 19 participants (4.7%) were aware of CRC screening, indicating a significant gap in public health knowledge of CRC screening. Chi-square analysis reported that there was no statistically significant association between socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors and CRC screening awareness. Th respondents in the qualitative survey similarly reported that awareness of CRC screening was low among the residents of Mt Elgon Sub County. These findings therefore underscore the need for targeted public health interventions to enhance CRC screening awareness at the global, national, and county levels. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6205 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6204 The role of co-infections on cervical intraepithelial neoplasia prevalence in western Kenya Onyango, Calleb George; Ogonda, Lilian; Guyah, Bernard Screening for co-infections with HIV, HSV-2 and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) among high-risk human papilloma virus (hr-HPV) positive women remains essential in alleviating high morbidity of cervical cancer (CC). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) among women referred for CC screening at a referral hospital in Kisumu County, Kenya; and to establish the role of co-infection on CIN. Tue, 15 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6204 2024-10-15T00:00:00Z