Browsing by Author "Willy, R. M."

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Factors that determine utilization of cervical cancer screening methods among women aged 21-50 years in Meru South, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya
(Stratford Peer Reviewed Journals and Book Publishing, 2021-03) Willy, R. M.; Obuya, J.
The cervical cancer ranks as the first cause of female cancer and the first most common female cancer in women. It is also the first leading cause of cancer deaths in women aged 15 to 44 years in Kenya. Despite the introduction of cervical cancer screening and control programmes, the burden of cervical cancer remains high in Kenya. This study therefore sought to identify factors that determine utilization of cervical cancer screening methods among women aged 21-50 years in Meru South, Tharaka Nithi, Kenya. A cross-sectional descriptive study composing of 40 women aged between 20 and 50 years was carried out. An interview guide was used to collect data which was transcribed to Microsoft Excel 2017 software. The findings revealed that the respondents’ age significantly influenced uptake of cervical cancer screening. Besides, increasing age was associated with increased likelihood of screening. Only 12.5% of women aged 21-30 years had screened as compared to 50% of women in the age category 51-60. However, utilization of screening services was higher among women aged 31-40 years. Educational status was also significant in the uptake of screening services. However, tertiary education level had no much influence as many would expect. Majority of those who had tested for cervical cancer were of primary and secondary educational status. Knowledge level of respondents with regards to cervical cancer and screening also significantly influenced uptake of screening services. Knowledge and awareness of risk factors, cervical cancer test and availability of the test enhanced screening uptake. The study concluded that uptake of cervical cancer screening methods was influenced by age, educational status and knowledge level of respondents. Poor use of the screening services was majorly attributed to lack of precise information regarding cervical cancer & screening and disregard for screening services. It recommended that health care providers from all cadres should greatly be involved in the promotion of cervical cancer screening to women who seek health care in the health facilities and the community. I tend to believe that a woman devoid of information and impacts of cervical cancer will definitely test for cervical cancer when told of and asked to by the health care provider.
Knowledge Level of Cervical Cancer Screening and Screening Methods among Women Aged 21-50 Years in Meru South District, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya
(Stratford Peer Reviewed Journals and Book Publishing, 2020-11) Willy, R. M.; Obuya, J.
The cervical cancer ranks as the first cause of female cancer and the first most common female cancer in women. It is also the first leading cause of cancer deaths in women aged 15 to 44 years in Kenya. Despite the introduction of cervical cancer screening and control programmes in Kenya, the burden of cervical cancer is still high. This study therefore sought to determine the knowledge level of cervical cancer screening and screening methods among women aged 21-50 years in Meru South District, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. A crosssectional descriptive study composing of 40 women aged between 20 and 50 years was carried out. An interview guide was used to collect data which was transcribed to Microsoft Excel 2017 Software. The findings indicated that awareness of cervical cancer as a disease was overwhelmingly high at 90%. As well, 75% of the women knew that it is quite possible to prevent development of the debilitating cervical cancer. However, specific content knowledge of cervical cancer and screening, which is critical, was annoyingly low despite the tremendous efforts of cervical cancer awareness creation. To mention but a few, only 10 women (25%) were able to identify true risk factors of cervical cancer with only 5% (2) identifying two precise risk factors. Only 30% were able to highlight a Pap smear and HPV test as tests for cervical cancer. The cause of cervical cancer (human papilloma virus) was only identified by 17.5% (7) of the respondents. The study concluded that mere awareness of existence of cervical cancer did not translate to higher uptake rate. Many women in Tharaka Nithi County have no specific knowledge about cervical cancer. Therefore, a lot has to be done to counter the hindrances to utilization of screening services. There is need to enhance the health education with regards to cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening. More should be done on informing the public/general women population through social platforms, barazas, media, etc., about cervical cancer cause, mode of transmission, prevention, risk factors, treatment modalities and possible complications. This action will promote one’s decision to go for screening since she is fully informed.
THE RESPONSIVENESS OF SEXUAL REPRODUCTIVE SERVICES TO THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS OF CHUKA UNIVERSITY
(African Journal of Emerging Issues (AJOEI), 2020) Willy, R. M.; Murithi, W. N
Purpose: Reproductive health is essential component of public health and can considerably influence the quality of life. No previous studies had been carried out to establish status of access to these crucial services amongst the students in Kenyan universities. However, studies from other universities in other parts of the world and Africa highlighted numerous issues impending access to these crucial services. The study sought to determine whether available services were responsive to the needs of the student of Chuka University. Methodology: It adopted a descriptive cross-section research design. Findings: The results indicated that 51% (n=18) of the respondents visited the facility because they knew that the facility was offering a HIV test, 24% (n=8) visited the facility because it had convenient opening time, 14% (n=5) said that the facility had enough privacy, while 11% (n=4) had enough good service providers. Conclusions and Recommendation: The study concluded that the available services are not packaged in a way that is attractive to clients who are university students. The phenomenon leads to student seeking services in private clinics which are more appealing and responsive to their needs. Also from the findings, it was concluded that there exists a gap in sharing on issues regarding sex between parents, service providers and the students which is attributed to mystery surrounding reproductive health issues which have a bearing from religious teaching and our African culture. The study recommended that University health services should step up investment in reproductive health services targeting the student needs like, family planning, post abortion care, screening for reproductive health cancers and STI/HIV screening and treatment. These services to be offered at convenient hours and at cost which the student can afford in order to ensure access. Reproductive health component to be included among common units taught to undergraduate students, with the intention of creating awareness to the students on issues of reproductive health since most them are very naïve on these issues.