Master of Public Health

Association of Carcinogenic Heavy Metals in Foods, With Colorectal Cancer, In Nyambene, Meru County, Kenya,

2026-02-12T11:17:50Z

Association of Carcinogenic Heavy Metals in Foods, With Colorectal Cancer, In Nyambene, Meru County, Kenya, Onduso, Brian Moindi Colorectal cancer is a growing public health concern in Kenya, especially in the Kiegoi sub-location of Nyambene region where incidence rates are rising without clear etiology. This study aimed to quantify arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury and lead in staple foods from Kiegoi and explore their association with colorectal cancer incidence in the area. Cross sectional retrospective review of Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital oncology department records from 2018-2024 was conducted which limits the causal inference of heavy metals in colorectal cancer. Samples of beans, arrowroots, potatoes and maize were collected using simple randomized stratified sampling from each of the five agro- ecological zones in Kiegoi. The samples were then digested with nitric v acid, perchloric acid and hydrochloric acid and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The overall crude incidence of colorectal cancer in Kiegoi was 1211 per 100,000 of the population. The age specific standardized rate (WHO standard population) was599 per 100,000 of the population. Cadmium levels were significantly below regulatory thresholds (below FAO/WHO limits) in all foods. Mercury and chromium levels exceeded limits in 100 % of the samples; arsenic and lead exceeded levels in 50 %. Multivariate logistics regression identified lead (OR=17.7), mercury (OR=3.5) and arsenic (OR=2.5) as significant predictors for colorectal cancer. Cadmium showed a negative association while chromium’s effect was marginal. Widespread contamination by mercury chromium and lead in staple foods most likely contributes to Nyambene’s colorectal cancer burden. Policy measures should include routine environmental surveillance, soil remediation and targeted public health screening.

Factors Influencing the Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening Services Among Women Aged Between 25 And 49 Years in Thika Sub-County.

2026-02-12T10:55:00Z

Factors Influencing the Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening Services Among Women Aged Between 25 And 49 Years in Thika Sub-County. Kathurima, Fridah Nkatha Cervical Cancer (CC) is ranked as fourth most prevalent cancer affecting women globally. Its incidence in sub-Saharan Africa averages 31.7 per 100,000 women, with Eastern Africa reaching 42.7, and some countries exceeding 50 per 100,000. These trends show rising rates over the past two decades. In Kenya, the annual incidence of cervical cancer is 19.7 per 100,000. It is the second most common cancer among Kenyan women after breast cancer. Cervical cancer screening (CCS) is essential because, when detected early, cervical cancer is highly preventable. Screening enables timely identification of precancerous lesions, which can be effectively treated to prevent progression. In low-income countries, screening is a more accessible and cost-effective preventive strategy compared to HPV vaccination, making it a practical option for reducing cervical cancer burden. Kenya issued its first cervical cancer screening guidelines in 2012–2013, yet only 14% of eligible women have been screened. This is way below the world health organization’s (WHO)70% target for Cervical cancer elimination by 2030. Objectives of this study included assessing the influence of knowledge, socio-demographic factors and health system factors on the uptake of cervical cancer screening services (CCSS). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 285 women in Thika Sub-County, selected through stratified random sampling across five wards. Simple random sampling was applied within each stratum. Data was collected using structured questionnaires, analyzed using SPSS 25, with descriptive statistics and chi-square tests explored associations. Most respondents were aged 25–30 years (45.1%), predominantly Christian (78.5%), married (55.1%) and had either a bachelor’s degree (40.6%) or vocational training (34.3%). Daily income was mostly below Kes 2,000, with 38.6% earning under KES 1,000. Education level (χ² = 21.659, p < 0.01), religion (χ² = 23.841, p < 0.01), and employment (χ² = 7.099, p = 0.029) were significantly associated with cervical cancer screening uptake. This study found out that only 11% were screened in the past year and 25% had been screened in the past three years demonstrating poor adherence to the national guidelines. Key barriers included fear and anxiety (72.6%), lack of awareness (56%), high hospital charges (11.5%), distance to facilities (10.2%), long waiting times (6.4%), and unfriendly health workers (5.3%). Over 80% of respondents agreed that cervical cancer is deadly, and 82.9% indicated that fear of the disease would motivate them to participate in awareness campaigns. Perceived risk, especially belief in the dangers of multiple sexual partners (r = 0.337, χ² = 35.117, p < 0.01) and the fatal nature of CC (r = 0.218, χ² = 19.601, p < 0.01) was significantly linked to cervical cancer screening uptake. Less than one-fifth (18.2%) of respondents had received cervical cancer sensitization from the Ministry of Health, and 59.4% had never received verbal information from healthcare providers. While 61.4% indicated that access to screening facilities would encourage them to get screened, over half (53.3%) reported a lack of adequate screening services in their area. Availability of screening programs (χ² = 49.172, p < 0.01) and provider-led sensitization (χ² = 52.143, p < 0.01) were strongly associated with cervical cancer screening uptake. Cervical Cancer Screening uptake remains low in Thika Sub-County, driven by fear, low awareness, and limited health system support. Strengthening health education, expanding access, and scaling up community-based screening programs are critical to improving screening rates and reducing Cervical Cancer burden.

Design and Automation of the Food Exchange List for Meal Planning Among Nutritionists in Kenya.

2026-02-02T12:39:32Z

Design and Automation of the Food Exchange List for Meal Planning Among Nutritionists in Kenya. OMWOYO, CATHERINE AYIENDA The integration of information technology into nutrition care has emerged as a transformative approach to enhancing service quality, efficiency, and personalization, surpassing the limitations of traditional manual methods. Despite global progress in digitizing healthcare, Kenya’s Food Exchange List (KFEL) was unautomated, posing challenges to effective meal planning. This study aimed to automate the KFEL for application in meal planning among nutritionists in Kenya. It led to the development of a meal planning application known as Diet Wizard. Diet Wizard guided the nutritionists step-by-step to input personal data of the patient, calculate nutritional needs, and generate customizable meal plans using a standardized food exchange system. Specific objectives included determining the metric measures of selected foods missing in the KFEL, developing a prototype application, and assessing its feasibility for use in clinical nutrition settings and analyzing the demographic characteristics of the nutritionists in Kenya. A cross-sectional study design was employed, targeting a population of 48 selected Kenyan foods and 297 nutritionists. Purposive sampling was used for the selected foods and random sampling for the nutritionists. Data collection involved laboratory-based food measurements, followed by an online app development and app feasibility survey using a structured online questionnaire. Due to limited digital access, 103 dietitians participated, and data were analyzed using SPSS Version 20 and Excel. The study analyzed 48 commonly consumed food samples to add onto the KFEL by determining their actual nutrient composition using laboratory measurements and standard values from the Kenyan Food Composition Tables. This information was incorporated into the Diet Wizard application data bank. Feasibility results indicated that the application significantly improved both the efficiency and accuracy of meal planning among nutrition professionals, with 73% reporting improved accuracy and 76.47% reporting reduced planning time. Usability was rated positively by 95.1% of respondents, and 87.3% expressed willingness to adopt the tool in professional practice. These findings highlight a strong need for digital innovations in nutrition care. Adopting Diet Wizard will help improve service delivery, save time, and enhance patient outcomes through efficient and modern nutrition care.

Influence of Nutritional Counseling, Socio-Economic Status, And Social Policy On Diabetes Management in The Somali Community of Garissa County

2026-02-02T12:11:50Z

Influence of Nutritional Counseling, Socio-Economic Status, And Social Policy On Diabetes Management in The Somali Community of Garissa County AHMED, USUBA ABASS The twenty-first century has underscored the critical role of proper nutrition, emphasizing a healthy and balanced diet, in mitigating the prevalence of diabetes and related autoimmune conditions. This study focuses on Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM), which are increasingly recognized as significant health challenges. Conducted in Garissa County, the research examines the effectiveness of nutritional counseling provided by professional healthcare workers. The study assesses the influence of nutrition counseling, socio-economic status and policy on diabetes management in the Somali community of Garissa County. The study specifically sought to examine the relationship between socio-economic status (income, education, occupation) and diabetes management outcomes, to assess the role of self-care practices including dietary habits, physical activity, and stress management, in diabetes outcomes, to explore the role of policies and health programs in facilitating diabetes care and nutritional counselling and to identify barriers and facilitators to effective diabetes management related to socio-economic and policy contexts. The study was anchored on the Andersen- Expanded Behavioural Model and the Theory of Planned Behaviour. The study further employed a cross-sectional research design and targeted a population of 2400 individuals with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, employing a stratified random sampling technique to select 331 participants. A semi-structured questionnaire and key informant interviews were utilized to collect data. Statistical analysis, conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Studies Version 25, involved quantitative data analysis to evaluate the final field data. The results, presented through frequency tables, pie charts, and bar graphs, clearly illustrate the frequencies and percentages involved. The findings revealed that socio-economic factors significantly influenced outcomes, with 71.0% unemployment and 91.9% lacking health insurance linked to limited access to medications (significant association with management effectiveness, χ²=12.85, p=0.002); individual behavioral factors were pivotal, as high medication adherence (98.2% moderate to very high) correlated with strong overall plan adherence (χ²=14.67, p<0.001) and frequent physical activity (62.1%) boosted confidence (χ²=10.24, p=0.006); and social policies showed limited effectiveness, with only 7.4% awareness and 8.8% benefiting from programs, yielding no significant associations with adherence (χ²=1.23, p=0.267) or confidence (χ²=4.89, p=0.087). To address these challenges, targeted interventions such as community-based health literacy programs, expanded nutrition counselling, and subsidized medication initiatives, alongside comprehensive policy reforms, are essential to enhance diabetes care and improve health outcomes. Future research should investigate the facilitators of effective diabetes management strategies among healthcare providers and community leaders, as well as the barriers they face in delivering nutritional counselling and diabetes education, to strengthen service delivery and community health outcomes.

Factors Associated with Sarcopenia Status Among the Elderly in Mandera County, Kenya

2026-02-02T10:36:39Z

Factors Associated with Sarcopenia Status Among the Elderly in Mandera County, Kenya IBRAHIM, HAMDI MOHAMED Sarcopenia, is characterized by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass in human body, strength, and function, has emerged as a significant public health concern among aging populations globally, yet limited data exists in resource-constrained settings like Mandera County, Kenya. This study was conducted to assess the status of sarcopenia among the elderly in Mandera County and to establish its relationship with protein intake, physical activity levels, and socioeconomic determinants. The study was guided by four specific objectives: to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia among the elderly, to evaluate protein intake, to assess physical activity levels, and to identify socioeconomic determinants influencing sarcopenia within the population. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional research design The target population consisted of elderly individuals aged 65 years and above residing in Mandera County. A sample size of 186 participants was determined using the Fisher’s formula, and a multistage sampling approach was adopted to ensure representation across different sub-counties and villages within the County. Data collection involved the use of structured questionnaires, physical anthropometric measurements for muscle handgrip, leg calf, Gait speed, MUAC and BMI. and validated tools such as the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and SARC-F screening tool for sarcopenia assessment. The findings revealed that 60.7% of the elderly participants had confirmed or severe sarcopenia, highlighting it as a critical public health issue within this community. It was established that 40.7% of those with low protein intake were more likely to present with confirmed or severe sarcopenia, whereas only 5% of those with high protein intake fell within this category (p < 0.001). Physical activity levels were also significantly associated with sarcopenia; 61% of individuals with low physical activity levels had confirmed or severe sarcopenia compared to only 7% among those with high activity levels (p < 0.001). Socioeconomic factors were found to influence sarcopenia status, with 86% of participants without health insurance exhibiting confirmed or severe sarcopenia compared to 14% with insurance (p = 0.019). Education levels showed a strong inverse relationship with sarcopenia; participants with no formal education recorded 38% prevalence of confirmed sarcopenia compared to 4% among those with tertiary education. In conclusion, the study objectives established that there was high prevalence of sarcopenia among the elderly in Mandera County. Poor protein intake, low physical activity levels, and socioeconomic disadvantages as key contributing factors to severe Sarcopenia. The study underscored the need for targeted interventions focusing on improved nutrition, promotion of physical activity, improve protein intake and enhance access to healthcare services tailored to the elderly population. It is recommended that county health authorities integrate routine screening for sarcopenia into existing elderly healthcare programs, alongside community-based nutrition and physical activity initiatives. This study provides new evidence on sarcopenia in a resource-constrained context, emphasizing the need for integrated community-based interventions focused on dietary improvement, physical activity promotion, and socioeconomic support to reduce the burden of sarcopenia.

Assessment of Nutritional and Lifestyle Risk Factors Influencing Clinical Remission in Multiple Sclerosis Patients in Nairobi County

2026-01-29T13:21:54Z

Assessment of Nutritional and Lifestyle Risk Factors Influencing Clinical Remission in Multiple Sclerosis Patients in Nairobi County GIKUNGA, CYNTHIA WAMBUI Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a condition identified by acute inflammation in the cerebrospinal axis, that brings about demyelination and nerve dysfunction. This incapacitating condition presents diverse neurological symptoms, including fatigue, compromised mobility, sensory disturbances, and cognitive impairment. This investigation, conducted in Nairobi, aimed to explore the influence of dietary risk factors on disease activity and clinical remission in MS patients, utilizing a mixed-method approach. Nairobi faces distinctive healthcare challenges and comprehending how dietary factors interact with MS outcomes can lead to tailored interventions that enhance the well-being of patients in this environment. The study employed a cross-sectional study design encompassing qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. A total of 150 participants with multiple sclerosis (MS) were studied, with a mean age of 41 years; 58.67% were male and 41.33% female. Most had Relapsing-Remitting MS (80%) and were primarily managed by neurologists (88.67%). Mediterranean (39.33%), low-carb (27.33%), and vegetarian (26%) diets were the most common dietary patterns, with 84% of participants reporting supplement use and 67.33% consuming whole grains daily. A large proportion (88.67%) achieved clinical remission. Statistically significant associations were found between dietary compliance and remission (χ² = 15.495, p = 0.004), with 92% of those reporting “very close” adherence attaining remission. Dietary patterns such as gluten-free (100%), low-carb (95.12%), and vegetarian (92.31%) were significantly associated with higher remission rates (χ² = 8.3824, p = 0.039). Supplement use (OR = 36.05, p < 0.001), avoidance of sugary foods (OR = 209, p < 0.001), and occasional dairy intake (OR = 16.33, p = 0.006) were strongly linked to remission. Logistic regression showed that disease stage (OR = 0.099, p < 0.01) and disease progression markers (OR = 0.301, p < 0.05) negatively influenced remission. While most demographic factors showed no significant effect, poor dietary adherence significantly reduced the odds of remission. Non-dietary factors such as physical activity (χ² = 105.87, p < 0.001), sleep quality (χ² = 18.85, p = 0.001), psychological health (χ² = 19.69, p < 0.001), and environmental triggers (χ² = 15.04, p = 0.001) were significantly associated with clinical remission. High levels of daily physical activity (61.33%) and satisfactory sleep (88%) were common among participants who attained remission. Qualitative findings confirmed that stress, diet, exercise, sleep, and family support jointly influenced symptom control and compliance. Based on the findings, promoting adherence to anti-inflammatory dietary patterns, regular supplement use, and consistent physical activity is crucial for achieving clinical remission among MS patients. Integrating holistic lifestyle interventions including stress reduction, quality sleep, and psychological support can further enhance disease management and symptom control. The findings revealed that adequate dietary diversity, higher protein intake, and regular physical activity were positively associated with clinical remission, whereas sedentary lifestyle and poor dietary habits were significantly linked to relapse or prolonged symptom activity. Socioeconomic factors such as income level and educational status also influenced dietary compliance and overall disease management. The study concludes that nutritional quality and lifestyle practices play a vital role in modulating remission among MS patients. These findings contribute to understanding the behavioral and dietary determinants of remission and underscore the need for comprehensive dietary counseling and lifestyle interventions in MS care programs.

Evaluation of Factors Associated With Utilization of Postnatal Care Services at Kajiado County: NHIF Linda Mama Programme

2025-03-21T16:06:27Z

Evaluation of Factors Associated With Utilization of Postnatal Care Services at Kajiado County: NHIF Linda Mama Programme NYAGA, DAISY CATHERINE WAWIRA Post-natal care has been demonstrated as an integral component in the continuum of care, as it greatly helps in reducing maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. However, the uptake of the post-natal services has been low despite the fact that these services are offered for free by the government through the Linda Mama program. The general objective was to evaluate factors associated with the utilization of post-natal care services in Kajiado County. The study examined socio-demographic characteristics of mothers, perception of mothers on Linda Mama PNC, knowledge and attitudes, and the availability of healthcare facility infrastructure. This is because there was low PNC utilization which was linked to upsurge of post-maternal deaths in Kajiado county. The study adopted Anderson behavioral model for health services utilization. A cross-sectional study using both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. A target population of 6,322 mothers who had deliveries 1st April 2019 to 30th sept. 2019 in Kajiado County was considered. Additionally, there Key Interview Informants selected included a representation of the mothers receiving care at the facility, government official (local administration), a community elder, a sub county nursing officer, and a disease surveillance officer, were included in the study. The sample size of the mothers was determined using Heinisch formular to have 363 mothers that were selected using simple random method. The mothers answered questionnaires while the Key Informants were interviewed. The research instruments were pretested in nearby facilities in Machakos County as part of the Linda Mama program. Three types of validity such as content, criterion, and construct were examined and Cronbach Alpha was used in measuring reliability. Authority to carry out the research was sought from the KeMU university, NACOSTI and from the office of the county director of health sciences, Kajiado County. The findings on the perception of mothers were that, majority of them were not aware of the existence of free PNC services offered through the Linda mama program. The study findings further point out that only 12(4%) of the mothers knew that there were free PNC services offered under Linda mama program. It was also discovered that only 3(1%) of the mothers had actually utilized the PNC free services of the program. The study’s conclusion on socio-demographic characteristics of the mothers is that most mothers lacked money to buy nutritious food, so as to have more supply of breast milk and also pay for any emerging post-delivery complications related to the baby or their health. On the perception of mothers is that, majority of them were not aware of the existence of free PNC services offered through the Linda mama program. On knowledge and attitudes is that mothers made assumption that since they had prior experience in child bearing, they did not require the PNC services. On availability of infrastructure is that hospital did not have a proper documentation of the Linda mama PNC services. The study recommends that the hospital management should recruit added number of CHVs, nurses and nutritionists to offer mobile PNC services. Their services should involve offering vigorous sensitization trainings of Linda mama program services such as on the importance of PNC services. To ensure a smooth flow, the hospital management should empower work policies that allow frequent spot check audits of PNC service documentation.

Factors Influencing Utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services among Adolescents in Turkana South Sub County, Turkana County, Kenya.

2025-03-21T15:48:20Z

Factors Influencing Utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services among Adolescents in Turkana South Sub County, Turkana County, Kenya. LOBOLIA, WILLIAMS ABONG The study was on factors influencing utilization of sexual and reproductive health services among adolescents in Turkana South Sub-County, Turkana County, Kenya. Services for teenage reproductive health-affiliated aspects have become important than in previous years, taking center stage in national and international. The increase in the rate of these SRH problems among secondary school students is wanting and worse in marginalized counties like Turkana County. This suggests the social and health need for adequate attention towards adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health in Turkana County. Turkana County is considered to be one of the marginalized regions across Kenya due to various aspects that include poor access to water, social amenities, infrastructure, drought, poverty and illiteracy among members of the society therefore, adolescents living in Turkana County are vulnerable to poor utilization of health services such as reproductive medical services. Generally, the objective of the study is to explore factors influencing utilization of sexual and adolescent reproductive health services among adolescents in Turkana South Sub-County. Specific objectives were: 1) To ascertain the level of awareness regarding the utilization of sexual and reproductive health services among adolescents attending secondary school. 2) To estimate utilization of sexual reproductive health services among secondary school adolescents. 3) To examine the influence of social-economic factors on utilization of sexual reproductive health services among secondary school adolescents. 4) To determine the influence of health system factors on utilization of sexual reproductive health services among secondary school adolescents. The study utilized a sampling frame of Sub-county schools provided by the county education officer, categorized by type (girls-only, boys-only, and mixed). Proportional representation of each school type was calculated based on the total number of students in each category, ensuring a representative sample. Random sampling was employed to select schools from each category. the population of 337 adolescents were sampled and questionnaires were used as primary data collection method. For quantitative data, content analysis was used in SPSS version 21, and for qualitative data, content analysis was used. Findings reveal that age and sex do not significantly influence SRH service utilization among adolescents. Despite gender disparities in awareness, socio-cultural factors such as early marriage practices impact utilization. However, religious and cultural influences were not significant determinants. Economic status emerged as a crucial factor, with families' financial constraints hindering access to services despite attending boarding schools.The study underscores the importance of information availability in shaping service utilization, with limited awareness correlating with low uptake. Peer influence, age, sex, economic status, and health system challenges collectively shape adolescents' engagement with SRH services. Addressing these barriers requires comprehensive interventions, including awareness campaigns, interactive educational initiatives, improved access to services, targeted interventions for vulnerable groups, capacity building for healthcare providers, and collaboration between stakeholders.These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and educators to develop tailored interventions and strategies to enhance SRH service utilization among adolescents.

Determinants of Antibiotic Prescription Practices For Pneumonia Among Clinicians at Mbagathi Level 5 Hospital, Nairobi County- Kenya

2025-03-21T15:32:39Z

Determinants of Antibiotic Prescription Practices For Pneumonia Among Clinicians at Mbagathi Level 5 Hospital, Nairobi County- Kenya KASANDI, BRENDAH Antibiotic prescribing practices play a critical role in addressing the rising concern of antibiotic resistance and optimizing patient outcomes. While a majority demonstrated a good understanding of the importance of antibiotic stewardship, there were instances of inappropriate prescribing which have become highly persistent in low resource settings. Factors such as patient demand, lack of diagnostic resources, time constraints, and perceived pressure from peers influenced prescribing decisions. In local context, there is paucity of data regarding clinician-prescribing practices. Purpose of the study was to investigate determinants of antibiotic prescription practices for pneumonia among clinicians at Mbagathi level 5 hospital, Kenya. Through a cross-sectional study design, the study explored the level of compliance with pneumonia antibiotic prescription guidelines, socio-economic factors influencing prescription practices, health system-related determinants, and the knowledge and awareness of clinicians regarding pneumonia antibiotic prescription. A census approach was utilized where a total of 151 clinicians participated in the study. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential approaches were used for analyzing data. Categorical data was summarized using frequencies and percentages. Chi square test was used to investigate determinants of compliance. Level of significance was considered at 0.05. Stata version 17 was used for data analysis. Majority, 92(60.5%) of the respondents were male, 64(42.1%) were aged between 31 to 40 years and 59(38.8%) were aged between 41 to 50 years. The findings also showed that 66 (43.4%) were medical officers, 55(36.2%) were clinical officers while 31(20.4%) were consultants. The findings established that 68.4% of the clinicians had high compliance to antibiotic prescription practices for pneumonia while 31.6% had low compliance. Gender of clinician, designation, presence of medical insurance, perception on diagnostic tests availability, availability of drugs presence of staff and knowledge were significant determinants of compliance to antibiotic prescription practices for anemia. There is still gap in compliance to prescription practices which must be effectively addressed through enhancing education, improving resource availability, addressing socioeconomic barriers, promoting gender sensitivity, ensuring adequate staffing, and regular audits.

Factors influencing the Uptake of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine in Tana River County, Kenya

2025-03-21T15:18:48Z

Factors influencing the Uptake of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine in Tana River County, Kenya WAMAITHA, LAUREEN The global disease burden of cervical cancer is unevenly distributed worldwide. It is borne in sub-Saharan Africa where concerning trends in increasing cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates have been reported. Of the 117,316 new cervical cancer cases and 76,745 deaths recorded within the African region in 2022, 5845 cases and 3591 associated deaths were reported from Kenya. Despite the availability of HPV vaccines for primary prevention, the uptake remains low, hindering progress towards cervical cancer elimination. Our study sought to determine the factors that influence the uptake of the HPV vaccine in Tana River County, Kenya since its incorporation in the expanded immunization program in 2019. The aim was to contribute to evidence-based strategies to achieve the target of vaccinating 90% of adolescent girls with the HPV vaccine by age 15 by 2030. Using a community-based cross-sectional descriptive-analytical design, quantitative methods collected data from caregivers of girls aged 9 years to 14 years, with a sample size of 378 derived using the Fisher et al. (1995) formula and proportionate sampling from the three sub-counties. A pre-test study involved 38 community health volunteers with daughters aged 9 years to 14 years. Convenience sampling was employed, and structured questionnaires were used for data collection. The results recorded an uptake of 56.9%. It also revealed significant knowledge gaps: many respondents mistakenly viewed eating khat (61.6%), poor hygiene (73.4%), chronic UTIs (85.6%), and having an IUD (60.8%) as risk factors for cervical cancer. Only 47.9% knew smoking is a risk factor, 31.1% knew HPV affects both men and women, 36.4% correctly identified cervical cancer symptoms, and only 44.0% knew it is curable. Additionally, 47.9% were unaware that the HPV vaccine is most effective before sexual debut. Statistical analyses, employing chi-square tests, unveiled significant relationships between various knowledge indicators and vaccine uptake. Specifically, awareness of cervical cancer as a prevalent issue in Kenya (p = 0.009), understanding the preventive role of HPV vaccination (p < 0.001), and dispelling misconceptions, such as the vaccine causing infertility (p = 0.044), were all associated with higher uptake rates. Furthermore, knowledge of risk factors, such as smoking's link to cervical cancer, (p = 0.006), HPV being transmitted through sexual contact (p =0.042), Start of sexual activity early increases the risk of cervical cancer (p= 0.003), Having multiple partners increasing the risk of cervical cancer (p= 0.018) was also positively correlated with vaccine uptake. Moreover, cultural and religious factors emerged as significant predictors of vaccine uptake. Statistical analyses demonstrated a strong association between cultural beliefs (p = 0.006), religious affiliations (p = 0.016), and HPV vaccine uptake, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive vaccination campaigns. The findings underscore the necessity of comprehensive education campaigns to improve awareness and dispel myths surrounding cervical cancer and HPV vaccination, particularly in underserved communities like Tana River County. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the role of education, cultural sensitivity, and community engagement in enhancing HPV vaccine uptake. Recommendations include intensified health education efforts by the Ministry of Health to ensure widespread awareness and acceptance of HPV vaccination as a crucial strategy in cervical cancer prevention.