http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/505 2026-04-09T23:34:05Z 2026-04-09T23:34:05Z Imo Beatrice Edith Njoki Thairu Were Gertrude http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/506 2021-10-12T12:35:21Z 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

Recuperating the Lives of Breast Cancer Survivors Imo Beatrice; Edith Njoki Thairu; Were Gertrude Abstract: Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women, second only to lung cancer. Breast cancer treatment and management is done by mastectomy and lumpectomy. Sometimes, radiotherapy is performed after either of the two operations. Following either of the two operations, the breast cancer survivor experiences scars, changes in body shape and symmetry especially if one or two of the breasts were removed. This tends to reduce the survivor’s sense of appearance as the survivor feels that she does not fit into the societal notions of idealized female figures. The breast cancer survivor therefore lives in seclusion, confined to their abodes in fear of exposure to the world that would resent their image. This paper is premised on the findings of a study that sought to assess the best possible methods of helping breast cancer survivors live quality life by adjusting faster to their previous life schedule. The study objectives were to determine the physical challenges faced by breast cancer survivors, to assess the breast cancer survivors’ awareness needs and counselling strategies for the same, and to develop strategies for improving the lives of breast cancer survivors. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, and used purposive sampling to select four cancer treatment hospitals in Kenya - Kenyatta National Hospital, MP Shah Hospital, Nairobi Hospital and Aga Khan Hospital. The target population constituted breast cancer survivors discharged from the hospitals at least three months before the study. A total of 272 respondents were captured from their respective hospitals as they returned for check-up, and at the hospices where cancer survivors went for support. Questionnaire was the main data collection tool. Data of all categories was tabulated and descriptive statistics used to analyse quantitative data using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. The study found that one of the main methods of improving the lives of breast cancer survivors is to provide them with information on how they can improve their body shapes by the use of prosthesis. Their lives can also be improved through financial assistance to purchase new outfits that suit their changed shapes, and by provision of lymphedema sleeve to prevent swellings. This paper, therefore, recommends that cancer treatment hospitals should develop an information bank for providing cancer patients with information regarding the expectation of cancer patients after treatment. In addition, the survivors’ family members could provide financial aid which, in turn, will facilitate the recovery process by purchasing new outfits that fit the new body shape of the survivor. Keywords:Cancer, Survivor, Clothing, Comfort, Concealment, Mastectomy, Lumpectomy

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z Mulati, Noreen Wasike, Jotham http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/466 2021-10-12T13:07:31Z 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

Assessment of Hybrid Records Management Systems at Mount Kenya University, Kenya Mulati, Noreen; Wasike, Jotham Records are pillars of business activities. In their absence the organizational management is likely to sabotage decision making. This study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of hybrid records management system at the Mount Kenya University. The study was guided by the following objectives to establish whether MKU has an adequate records management policy that governs hybrid records management system, analyze the extent of staff training on records management and determine the security measures that have been put in place to manage records. The study adopted a case study which involved in-depth analysis of how records were being managed using a hybrid records management system at MKU. Target population consisted of 240 respondents drawn from University`s main campus. Stratified sampling technique was used to select respondents from administration, examinations, Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Library departments. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedules and documentary evidence. Quantitative data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science Software (SPSS) version 20. The study found out that Mount Kenya University (MKU) has embraced hybrid records management since most of its records were in paper and electronic formats, the university has policies governing management of records using a hybrid records management system which has led to effective management of records, staff training does not affect the use of hybrid record management system since most staff that have been employed are managing records especially the electronic records due to the technological changes most staff are computer literate, the university records have been secured and that personal records and vital records can only be accessed by authorised personnel. By embracing the hybrid records management system the universities records will be effectively managed and it will also enhance decision making by policy makers. The study is vital to researchers who will use it for benchmarking and for future reference.

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z Mburu, Samuel Mutuku, Irene http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/457 2021-10-12T13:02:41Z 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

HIV/AIDS Distigmatisation at Work Place: More Than Comprehensive Knowledge Required. Mburu, Samuel; Mutuku, Irene According to the National AIDS Control Council (NACC) of Kenya, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) prevention starts and ends with behavior change and anything else comes in between. Importantly, “although antiretroviral therapy (ART) was working, countries will not be able to treat their way out of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, as it is not sustainable in the long run”. This highlights the critical role of healthy behavioral change, HIV status awareness, distigmatisation, stopping of new infection, inclusion of key populations, support groups and psychosocial support of people living with HIV (PLWH) in HIV/AIDS management and prevention strategies. Significantly, high levels of HIV/AIDS knowledge do not always translate to a positive behavior change. The purpose of this descriptive survey was to investigate the levels of HIV/AIDS knowledge, awareness, perceptions and attitudes towards the virus and PLWH among members of staff a public university in Kenya. This was a descriptive survey in which all the members of staff (due to the small population of only 288) were targeted as participants, issued with self-administered questionnaire, structured according to the NACC guidelines for public sector. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics with IBM SPSS version 22 software. Significantly, HIV/AIDS knowledge levels were adequately high as indicated by the 83% female and 69% male employees who strongly agreed that the risk of HIV infection can be reduced by having one uninfected partner. Similarly, 60% females, 58% males strongly disagreed that mosquitoes could transmit HIV, while 57% males, 63% females strongly disagreed that one could get HIV by sharing food with an infected person. However, despite the high HIV/AIDS knowledge, awareness levels, HIV- associated stigma (18% males & 10% females), ignorance of effectiveness of condom in prevention (10% females & 7% males) still persisted. Essentially, if these drawbacks are not decisively dealt with, they will reverse the gains so far achieved in the HIV/AIDS response. These findings are important in informing stakeholders, policy makers such as work place HIV/AIDS policy makers in formulation, implementation, designing healthy behavioral change, HIV status awareness, stopping of new infections, distigmatisation and preventive strategies in workplaces. This will have a direct impact on HIV/AIDS management, prevention and thus help in attainment of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 3 on ensuring health for all, promoting well-being for all at all ages, 90-90-90 strategy and the Kenya’s vision 2030 of a HIV free country.

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z Konrad, Lutz Gronbach, Judith Horné, Fabian Mecha, Ezekiel Berkes, Eniko Frank, Matthias Gattenlöhner, Stefan Omwandho, Charles O A Oehmke, Frank Tinneberg, Hans-Rudolf http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/447 2021-10-13T07:21:55Z 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

Similar Characteristics of Endometrial and Endometriotic Epithelial Cells Konrad, Lutz; Gronbach, Judith; Horné, Fabian; Mecha, Ezekiel; Berkes, Eniko; Frank, Matthias; Gattenlöhner, Stefan; Omwandho, Charles O A; Oehmke, Frank; Tinneberg, Hans-Rudolf Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is characterized by the loss of epithelial and acquisition of mesenchymal cell characteristics. Our aim was to assess the epithelial phenotype in the pathogenesis of endometriosis with epithelial and mesenchymal markers. We used 2 structural (keratin-18, -19 [K18, K19]), 1 membrane-associated (mucin-1 [MUC1]), and 2 mesenchymal proteins (vimentin; zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1, [ZEB1]) to compare epithelial and mesenchymal characteristics in eutopic endometrium with the 3 endometriotic entities, peritoneal, ovarian, and deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). Quantitation showed no differences for K18, K19, and MUC1 between endometrium with and without endometriosis. Also, K18 was not different between endometrium and endometriotic lesions. In contrast, K19 and MUC1 were modestly but significantly decreased in the endometriotic lesions compared to endometrium. However, the maintained expression of epithelial markers in all investigated tissues, regardless of the pathological condition, clearly indicates no loss of the epithelial phenotype. This is further supported by the reduced presence of epithelial vimentin in endometriotic lesions which is in contrast to an increase in stromal vimentin in ectopic endometrium, especially in ovarian endometriosis. The ZEB1 increase in endometriotic lesions, especially in DIE, on the other hand suggests a role of partial EMT in the development of endometriotic lesions, possibly connected with the gain of invasive capabilities or stemness. Taken together, although we found some hints for at least a partial EMT, we did not observe a severe loss of the epithelial cell phenotype. Thus, we propose that EMT is not a main factor in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.

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