Survival of cervical cancer patients at Moi teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret in western Kenya.

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is a major health burden and the second most common cancer after breast cancer among women in Kenya. Worldwide cervical cancer constitutes 3.1% of all cancer cases. Mortality rates are greatest among the low-income countries because of lack of awareness, screening and early-detection programs and adequate treatment facilities. The main aim was to estimate survival and determine survival predictors of women with cervical cancer and limited resources in western Kenya. METHODS: Retrospective charts review of women diagnosed with cervical cancer and follow-up for two years from the date of the histologic diagnosis. The outcome of interest was death or survival at two years. Kaplan Meier estimates of survival, log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression were used in the survival analysis. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-two (162) participants were included in the review. The median duration was 0.8 (interquartile range (IQR) 0.3, 1.6) years. The mean age at diagnosis was 50.6 years (SD12.5). The mean parity was 5.9 (SD 2.6). Fifty percent (50%) did not have health insurance. Twenty six percent (26%) used hormonal contraceptives, 25.9% were HIV positive and 70% of them were on anti-retroviral treatment. The participants were followed up for 152.6 person years. Of the 162 women in the study, 70 (43.2%) died giving an overall incidence rate (IR) of 45.9 deaths per 100 person years of follow up. The hazard ratios were better for the patients who survived (0.44 vs 0.88, p-value < 0.001), those who had medical insurance (0.70 vs 0.48, p-value = 0.007) and those with early stage at diagnosis (0.88 vs 0.39, p-value < 0.001). Participants who were diagnosed at late stage of the disease according to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics staging for cervical cancer (FIGO stage 2B-4B) had more than eight times increased hazard of death compared to those who were diagnosed at early stage (1-2A): Hazard Ratio: 8.01 (95% CI 3.65, 17.57). Similarly, those who underwent surgical management had 84% reduced hazard of mortality compared to those who were referred for other modes of care: HR: 0.16 (95% CI: 0.07, 0.38). CONCLUSION: Majority of the participants were diagnosed late after presenting with symptoms. The 1 and 2-year survival probability after diagnosis of cervical cancer was 57% AND 45% respectively. It is imperative that women present early since surgery gives better prognosis or better still screening of all women prioritized.

Refining a questionnaire to assess breast cancer knowledge and barriers to screening in Kenya: Psychometric assessment of the BCAM.

BACKGROUND: Our study objective was to determine the validity and reliability of the breast module of a cancer awareness measure (BCAM) among adult women in western Kenya. METHODS: The study was conducted between October and November 2012, following three breast cancer screening events. Purposive and systematic random sampling methods were used to identity 48 women for cognitive focus group discussions, and 1061 (594 who attended vs. 467 who did not attend screening events) for surveys, respectively. Face and psychometric validity of the BCAM survey was assessed using cognitive testing, factor analysis of survey data, and correlations. Internal reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. RESULTS: Among survey participants, the overall median age was 34 (IQR: 26-44) years. Compared to those women who did not attend the screening events, women attendees were older (median: 35 vs. 32 years, p = 0.001) more often married (79% vs. 72%, p = 0.006), more educated (52% vs. 46% with more than an elementary level of education, p = 0.001), more unemployed (59% vs. 11%, p = 0.001), more likely to report doing breast self-examination (56% vs. 40%, p = 0.001) and more likely to report having felt a breast lump (16% vs. 7%, p = 0.001). For domain 1 on knowledge of breast cancer symptoms, one factor (three items) with Eigen value of 1.76 emerged for the group that did not attend screening, and 1.50 for the group that attended screening. For both groups two factors (factor 1 "internal influences" and factor 2 "external influences") emerged among domain 4 on barriers to screening, with varied item loadings and Eigen values. There were no statistically significant differences in the factor scores between attendees and non-attendees. There were significant associations between factor scores and other attributes of the surveyed population, including associations with occupation, transportation type, and training for and practice of breast self-examination. Cronbach's alpha showed an acceptable internal consistency. CONCLUSION: Certain subpopulations are less likely than others to attend breast screening in Kenya. A survey measure of breast cancer knowledge and perceived barriers to screening shows promise for use in Kenya for characterizing clinical and community population beliefs, but needs adaptation for setting, language and culture.

Impact of an educational intervention on breast cancer knowledge in western Kenya.

Our objective was to assess the effectiveness of educational sessions that accompanied breast cancer screening events in three communities in western Kenya between October and November 2013. Five hundred and thirty-two women were recruited to complete a test of breast cancer-relevant knowledge and randomly allocated to 'pre-test' or 'post-test' groups that immediately preceded or followed participation in the educational sessions. The education was organized as a presentation by health professionals and focused mainly on causes of breast cancer, early and late cancer presentation signs, high-risk groups, screening methods to find early-stage breast cancer, self-breast exam procedures and treatment options for this disease. Participants were invited to ask questions and practice finding nodules in silicone breast models. The median age was 35 years (interquartile range: 28-45), and 86% had not undergone breast cancer screening previously. Many individual items in our test of knowledge showed statistically significant shifts to better-informed responses. When all items in the assessment questionnaire were scored as a 'test', on average there was a 2.80 point (95% CI: 2.38, 3.22) significant improvement in knowledge about breast cancer after the educational session. Our study provides evidence for the effectiveness of an educational strategy carefully tailored for women in these communities in Kenya.

BARRIERS TO UPTAKE OF BREAST CANCER SCREENING IN KENYA.

OBJECTIVES: To conduct clinical breast cancer screening in three sites in Western Kenya and explore community barriers to screening uptake. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Western Kenya specifically, Mosoriot, Turbo, and Kapsokwony. SUBJECTS: Community members (18 years and older) who did not attend the screening events. OUTCOME MEASURE: The outcome measure was having heard about the breast cancer screening events. Both structured and open-ended questions were used for data collection. Item frequency, correlations, and content analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 733 community members were surveyed (63% women, median age 33 years, IQR = 26-43). More than half (55%) of respondents had heard about the screening but did not attend. The majority of those who had heard about this particular screening had knowledge of screening availability in general (45% vs. 25%, p < 0.001). Only 8.0% of those who heard and 6.0% of those who had not heard of the screening event had previously undergone clinical breast exam (p = 0.20). Reasons for not attending the screening event were personal factors, including busy schedule (41.0%), perceived low personal risk (12.7%), lack of transport (4.2%), as well as health facility factors such as poor publicity (14.4%) and long queues (8.7%). CONCLUSION: Barriers to breast cancer screening uptake were associated with inadequate publicity, perceived long waits at event and busy lives among community women.

Diabetes and pre-diabetes in tuberculosis patients in western Kenya using point-of-care glycated haemoglobin.

Setting: The tuberculosis (TB) clinics of five health facilities in western Kenya. Objective: To assess the prevalence and associated determinants of diabetes mellitus (DM) and pre-diabetes hyperglycaemia among adult TB patients using point-of-care DCA Vantage glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) devices. Design: This was a cross-sectional study. Results: Of 454 patients, 272 (60%) were males, the median age was 34 years, 175 (39%) were co-infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and the median duration of anti-tuberculosis treatment was 8 weeks; 180 (40%) patients reported at least one classical symptom suggestive of DM. The prevalence of DM (HbA1c ⩾6.5%) was 5.1% (95%CI 3.2-7.5), while that of pre-diabetes (HbA1c 5.7-6.4%) was 37.5% (95%CI 33.1-42.2). The number needed to screen (NNS) was 19.6 for DM and 2.7 for pre-diabetes. Combined, 42.6% (95%CI 38.0-47.3) of the patients had either pre-diabetes or DM (NNS 2.3). Seven of the 23 patients with DM knew their prior DM status. Higher rates of DM were associated with age ⩾40 years and a family history of DM, but not obesity, type of TB, HIV status or suggestive symptoms. Conclusions: High rates of pre-diabetes and DM were found in adult TB patients. This study supports the need for routine screening of all patients with TB for DM in Kenya.

Contexte: Centres tuberculose (TB) de cinq structures de santé dans l'Ouest du Kenya.Objectif: Evaluer la prévalence et les déterminants associés du diabète (DM) et de l'hyperglycémie pré-diabète chez des patients adultes atteints de TB grâce aux appareils DCA Vantage de dosage d'hémoglobine glyquée (HbA1c) utilisés sur place.Schéma: Une étude transversale.Résultats: Sur 454 patients, 272 (60%) ont été des hommes, leur âge médian a été de 34 ans et 175 (39%) ont été co-infectés par le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine (VIH) ; la durée médiane du traitement de la TB a été de 8 semaines et 180 (40%) patients ont fait état d'au moins un symptôme classique suggérant un DM. La prévalence du DM (HbA1c ⩾ 6,5%) a été de 5,1% (IC95% 3,2­7,5) tandis que celle du pré-diabète (HbA1c 5,7­6,4%) a été de 37,5% (IC95% 33,1­422). Le nombre de dépistages requis (NNS) a été de 19,6 pour diagnostiquer un DM et de 2,7 pour un pré-diabète. En combinant les deux, 42,6% (IC95% 38,0­47,3) des patients avaient soit un pré-diabète soit un DM (NNS 2,3). Sept des 23 patients atteints de DM étaient au courant de leur statut. Des taux de DM plus élevés ont été associés avec un âge ⩾ 40 ans et des antécédents de DM dans la famille, mais pas avec l'obésité, le type de TB, le statut du VIH ou des symptômes suggestifs du VIH.Conclusions: Des taux élevés de pré-diabète et de DM ont été découverts chez des patients TB adultes. Cette étude est en faveur du dépistage de routine du DM chez tous les patients atteints de TB au Kenya.

Marco de referencia: Los consultorios de atención de la tuberculosis (TB) en cinco establecimientos de salud en el occidente de Kenya.Objetivo: Evaluar la prevalencia de diabetes (DM) e hiperglucemia prediabética y los factores determinantes asociados en los pacientes adultos con diagnóstico de TB, mediante la utilización de dispositivos de diagnóstico (DCA Vantage) que determinan la glucohemoglobina (HbA1c) en el lugar de atención.Método: Un estudio transversal.Resultados: De los 454 pacientes, 272 fueron de sexo masculino (60%), la mediana de la edad fue 34 años, 175 (39%) sufrían coinfección por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH), la mediana de la duración del tratamiento antituberculoso fue 8 semanas y 180 pacientes notificaron por lo menos un síntoma patognomónico de DM (40%). La prevalencia de DM (HbA1c ⩾ 6,5%) fue 5,1% (IC 95% 3,2­7,5) y la prevalencia de pre-diabetes (HbA1c 5,7­6,4%) fue 37,5% (IC95% 33,1­42,2). El número de pacientes que es necesario cribar (NNC) para detectar un caso de DM fue 19,6 y 2,7 para un caso de prediabetes. Combinados, el 42,6% de los pacientes presentaba ya sea prediabetes o DM (NNC 2,3; IC95% 38,0­47,3). Siete de los 23 pacientes con DM conocían ya su diagnóstico. Las tasas más altas de DM se asociaron con una edad de 40 años o más y el antecedente familiar de DM, pero no con la obesidad, el tipo de TB, la situación frente al VIH ni la presencia de síntomas indicativos.Conclusión: Se encontraron altas tasas de prediabetes y DM en los pacientes adultos con diagnóstico de TB. El presente estudio respalda la práctica de la detección sistemática de la DM en los pacientes con TB en Kenya.

Thryroid hormones and hematological indices levels in thyroid disorders patients at moi teaching and referral hospital, Western kenya.

Problem Statement. Thyroid disorders are prevalent in western Kenya, but the effects of disorders on thyroid hormones and hematological indices levels have not been documented. Study Population. Patients treated for thyroid disorders at the MTRH between January 2008 and December 2011. Objectives. To determine the thyroid hormones and hematological indices levels in thyroid disorders patients at the MTRH, western Kenya. Methodology. A retrospective study in which patient data and stored samples of patients, who presented with thyroid pathologies, underwent thyroidectomy, and histological examinations are done. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3) blood levels, white blood cells (WBCs), red blood cells (RBCs), platelet counts, and hemoglobin (Hb) levels were analyzed. Results. Male : female ratio was 1 : 10.9 with female representing 368 (95%). The median age was 41 (IQR: 32-48) with a range of 14-89 years. HHormonal levels for immunological thyroid disease patients were higher (P = 0.0232; 0.040) for TSH and (T3) for those aged 30-39 years, respectively. The WBCs, RBCs, HGB, and platelets in immunological thyroid disease were not statistically significant with P values of 0.547, 0.205, 0.291, and 0.488 respectively. Conclusion. The presence of anaemia due to low RBCs in thyroid disease is not significantly associated with thyroid hormone with a P value of 0.512.

[So-called "wild silk" asthma--an ever current inhalation allergy to silk waste]. / Das sogenannte "Wildseiden'-Asthma--eine noch immer aktuelle Inhalationsallergie auf Seidenabfälle.

From the end of 1979 to June 1985 an inhalative allergy to silk wastes was diagnosed in the allergy station of the Dermatological Clinic of the University of Zurich in 118 patients, 54,2% of whom were women. Usually, bed quilts advertised as filled with "wild silk" were the cause of the sensitization. Occupational exposure to silk materials was found in only 4 cases. Average age at the time of first appearance of symptoms was 30.5 years, and sensitization time from first exposure to appearance of symptoms was 8.5 months. Monovalent sensitization was found in 44.1%. In most cases exposure prophylaxis sufficed to avoid symptoms. "Wild silk", unlike cultivated (mulberry Bombyx mori) silk, is the product of wild silk moths of the genus Antheraea feeding on oak leaves. Silk wastes are a byproduct of silk manufacturing, consisting of short silk threads (e.g. the end or the beginning of the cocoons), and make highly suitable filling material. During further silk processing the allergenic components, especially sericin, are eliminated by boiling off and degummed. For closer identification of the allergen(s), various kinds of raw and cleaned mulberry and wild silk were tested in sensitized patients by skin and RAST tests. The filling content of different bed quilts was investigated by the Swiss Textile Industry Test Institute. None consisted entirely or mainly of wild silk, and all contained a predominant portion of cultivated silk. The aggressive potency of the "wild silk" bed quilts is due to the insufficiently cleaned and degummed mulberry and wild silk wastes. Contamination of the silk wastes by an insect of the genus Anthrenus was also found.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)