Browsing by Author "Mitheu, Kilemi Henry"

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    Assessment of Institutional Support on Healthcare Workers in Safe Handling of Cytotoxic Agents and Related Waste at Kenyatta National Hospital
    (International Journal of Health Sciences and Research, 2019-09) Mitheu, Kilemi Henry; Mwaura, James; Bitok, Lucy W. Kivuti
    Background: Healthcare workers are exposed to cytotoxic agents and waste in their day to day practice as they handle them. These agents are known to be carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic. Institutions need to protect their workers from exposure to cytotoxic agents. Objective: To assess the institutional support of healthcare workers in safe handling of cytotoxic agents and related waste at Kenyatta National Hospital. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional using quantitative method. A questionnaire and an observation check list were used to collect data. The sample size was 162 respondents. Stratified simple random sampling was used to select the study participants. Data analysis was done using SPSS. Results: Majority (77.3%) of the respondents were females. The mean age of the respondents was 35.9±9.98 years. Only 12% of the healthcare workers had a specialized oncology training. Fifty four percent of the respondents had no training on handling of the cytotoxic drugs and wastes. Majority, 52% of the respondents were not aware of existence of any policy document. There was reported stock outs of PPEs especially the shoe covers eye and face shields and hair covering. There was lack of spill kits as reported by 82% of the respondents. Conclusion: There was lack of necessary support to healthcare workers in handling cytotoxics as shown by shortage and lack of appropriate personal protective equipment, lack of knowledge on the available policy at the operational level and most healthcare workers lacking specialized training in oncology
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    Determinants of Cervical Cancer Screening Utilization Among Women of Reproductive Age in Machakos County, Kenya
    (International Journal of Health Sciences and Research, 2022-07) Mitheu, Kilemi Henry; Mutuku, Rose Ndila
    Background: Cancer of the cervix is currently the second most occurring cancer in Kenya for women and it is also the first most occurring carcinoma in ladies of reproductive age, yet it can be recognized early and be stopped from advancing further. Objective: To determine client related factors affecting cervical cancer screening utilization among women of reproductive age in Machakos county, Kenya. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study using quantitative method. A questionnaire was used to collect data. The sample size was 202 respondents. Stratified simple random sampling was used to select the study participants. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 24. Results: Majority of the respondents, 53% (n=53) were between age 26-35 years with a mean age of 30 years. Single women are five times less likely to utilize cancer screening services compared to married women [ OR= 5.143, 95% CI: (2.249-11.763), P<0.001]. Women with university education were ten more times likely to utilize cancer screening services compared to women with informal education [OR=10.5, 95% CI: (1.161-94.925), P=0.036]. Women from the rural part of the county had a lower chance to utilize cancer screening services compared to women from urban area [OR=0.402, 95% CI: (0.22-0.734), P=0.003]. Women who are self-employed [OR=7.213, p<0.001] had seven times increased chance to utilize cancer screening services compared to casual laborers. Over half of the respondents, 56.4% (n=114) reported that cervical cancer screening services were affordable. Majority, 57.4% (n=116) of the respondents had not been screened for the cervical cancer. Conclusion: There is low utilization of cervical cancer screening services in Machakos County at 42%. Patients factors such age, marital status, education level and area of residence had an impact on the utilization of the cervical cancer screening services.
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    Quality of Life among Breast Cancer Patients at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya
    (Open Journal Systems, 2024) Kung’u, M; Barasa, R; Mitheu, Kilemi Henry; Karuga, J
    Background: Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer affecting women worldwide. In 2018, it was estimated that over 2 million cases occurred globally and approximately 627,000 deaths were reported which account for 15% of total cancer deaths among women. In Kenya, breast cancer accounts for 23.3% of all cases of female cancers. Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment has been noted to have both physical and emotional impact on the patients. Adjustment of the patients to the disease may results to them having poor quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the quality of life of breast cancer patients at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. Methodology: Cross-sectional descriptive hospital-based study design was used. The data was collected using the WHO-BREF QOL questionnaires. The sample frame targeted 161 breast cancer patients of 18 years and above. SPSS software version 25 was used to analyse the data. Mean, mode, median, standard deviation and proportions were used to describe socio demographic, clinical and psychological factors. Chi square test was used to measure association between clinical, psychological and socio-demographic factors and quality of life of breast cancer patients. Results: A total of 154 patients were studied (127 female and 27 male). The mean score of the overall quality of life was 65.5 with a standard deviation of 19.9. Being of a younger age, marriage, high average household income and high level of education were associated with a good quality of life. Later stages of breast cancer and patients on chemotherapy were found to have a poor quality of life. Patients who had feelings of anxiety, depression and blue mood were also found to have a poor quality of life. Conclusion: The overall QOL of the breast cancer patients was good. This may be contributed by early diagnosis of the patients as well as good social support. However, patients had poor scores in the psychological domain; hence the need for psychological assessments among the patients.