School of Medicine and Health Sciences
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Welcome to School of Medicine and Health Sciences collection.This collection contains Journal articles published by faculty affiliated to the school.
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Item Influence of Demographic Factors on Uptake of Diagnostic Imaging by Oncology Patients in South Rift Counties, Kenya(Journal of Medicine, Nursing and Public Health,, 2024-08) Muikamba, Lilian; Tenambergen, Wanja; Muiruri, LilianPurpose: To determine the influence of demographic factors on uptake of diagnostic imaging by oncology patients in South Rift Counties, Kenya. Methodology: A cross-sectional research design was adopted when collecting data from 5 public hospitals in South Rift Counties. The study issued questionnaires to oncology patients and interviewed the rest of the respondents. A pre-test study was done at Texas Cancer Center in Nairobi County. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis. Qualitative results data was analyzed through thematic method. Results: 74(25%) patients had 41-50 years and 65(22%) were 61-70 years. The least number of oncology patients who were 3(1%) and they were 18-20 years of age. Further, 264(89%) were married while 33(11%) were not married. Additionally, 182(61%) were male patients while 115(39%) were female patients. Additionally, 166(56%) had a tertiary level of education while 39(13%) had primary school qualifications. In addition, 203(68%) were Christians and 80(27%) were Muslims and only 5(2%) were not religious. Notably, 110(37%) of the patients had breast cancer while 77(26%) had colon cancer. The least group of patients who were 12(4%) had lung cancer. Additionally, most of healthcare workers who were 12(39%) had more than 50 years while 10(32%) had 41-50 years. However, 4(13%) had 18-30 years. Further, 18(58%) had a master’s degree while 5(16%) had a PhD. In addition, 17(55%) had more than 10 years of service while only 5(16%) had 5-7 years. The Chi-square result revealed that χ2 (1, N = 297) = 461.599, p < 0.05. That is the Pearson Chi-Square was 461.599 at a p-value of 0.027. Conclusion and Recommendations: Most patients that sought cancer diagnostic imaging were middle and old aged male people who were married. This meant that unmarried young female adults hardly sought imaging services. The most common cancer illnesses scanned were breast, colon, and cervical cancers. The study recommends that that the hospital management should provide more funding for sensitization programs to inform unmarried young people especially females to seek early diagnostic imaging services. This will enable them to ensure that no cancerous cells are growing to be discovered at a late stage for effective management.Item Enhancing Productivity in Laikipia County's Public Health Facilities: The Role of Motivational Strategies for Healthcare Workers(Academic Journal of Health Systems and Reform (AJHSR), 2024-06) Lekurtut, Christine; Oluoch, Musa; Muiruri, LilianThis study investigated the influence of motivational strategies on the productivity of health workers providing medical services in public health facilities within Laikipia County. With healthcare delivery being a critical aspect of societal well-being, understanding the factors that affect the performance of healthcare professionals is essential for optimizing service provision. Motivation plays a pivotal role in driving employee performance, and this research aims to explore the relationship between motivational strategies and the productivity of health workers. Using a mixed-methods approach, data was collected through surveys and interviews conducted among healthcare professionals working in various public health facilities across Laikipia County. The survey questionnaire assessed perceptions of motivational strategies implemented in the workplace, while semi- structured interviews provided insights into the experiences and perspectives of health workers regarding motivation and productivity. Preliminary findings suggest that motivational strategies such as recognition, career advancement opportunities, training and development, and supportive work environments significantly impact the productivity of health workers. Positive reinforcement and acknowledgment of achievements emerged as particularly effective motivational tools in enhancing job satisfaction and performance among healthcare professionals. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions aimed at fostering a conducive work environment and promoting employee motivation to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery in underserved regions.Item Organizational Factors Influencing the Adoption of the District Health Information System 2 in Uasin Gishu Sub County Hospitals, Kenya(World Journal of Medical Education and Research, 2020) Kuyo, R.O; Muiruri, Lilian; Njuguna, SusanSound and reliable information is the foundation of decision making across all health system building blocks that include: service delivery; health workforce; health information; medical products, vaccines and technology; financing; leadership and governance. This study is built on the health information system pillar. The aim of this study was to assess the use of District Health Information System data in decision making in Uasin Gishu Sub County Hospitals. The specific objectives were to determine the level of knowledge, organizational, technical and behavioral factors that influence the use of DHIS2 data in Uasin Gishu Sub County Hospitals. The study was conducted in Uasin Gishu Sub County Hospitals. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative approaches using cross-sectional research design. A questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from 283 health workers who were selected randomly while 10 key informants were selected purposefully from this sample for in-depth interviews. The quantitative data was coded and analyzed using R Software for descriptive, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data using Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) software. Bivariate association between the independent variables and the dependent variable was assessed using Pearson‘s Chi Square test and fishers exact test where chi square assumptions were violated. Multivariate analysis was done using logistic regression to assess for predictors. A P value of 0.05 was considered as significant. The results of the quantitative data were presented in the form of graphs, tables and charts, while the results for qualitative data were presented in the form of themes. Approval to conduct the study was obtained from the KeMU Scientific Ethics Research Committee (SERC) and from National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI). Consent was sought from participants for the study. The study found that 68.4% of the participants reported good, very good or excellent competence levels in data management using DHIS2 while use of information in DHIS2 to inform policy and operational decision making was reported as good, very good, and excellent by only 37.3%, 18.9%, and 8.0% respectively. A half of the participants (50.0%) acknowledged that there are adequate finances to run DHIS2, the main champions promoting use of DHIS2, information for decision making in the County were county health records and information officers (56.2%). Moreover, 61.7% of the participants agreed or strongly agreed that age influences the way health workers adopt and use DHIS2 in the hospitals while 65.4% of the participants were dissatisfied with the IT support received from the Ministry of Health. Although 80.9% of the participants had log in credentials, only 24.2% had difficulty with logging into the DHIS2. Furthermore, 79.5% had low or moderate level of training in DHIS2 but 15.0% had never trained and this could be the reason why only a third of the participants had some confidence in handling a task using DHIS2. The study concludes that the level of knowledge regarding the use of DHIS2 information is fair across the six Sub County Hospitals in Uasin Gishu County but utilization of DHIS2 information by county health managers for decision making is low. It also concludes that the main funder of the DHIS2 system is the County Government while support from National Government is minimal, while age influences the way health workers adopt and use DHIS2 data in Uasin Gishu Sub County Hospitals. Lastly, the level of training on DHIS2 is generally low while utilization of information on DHIS2 in facilitating evidence-based decision making in the Sub County Hospitals range from moderate to low. Consequently, the study recommends that the County scales up utilization of DHIS2 information and generates policy measures to ensure utilization of DHIS2 information to facilitate decision making at the County.Item Professional-Related Factors Influencing Inter-Professional Collaboration among Healthcare Workers in Primary Healthcare Facilities in Nakuru County, Kenya(IOSR Journal of Nursing and Health Science (IOSR-JNHS), 2020-06) Koech, Reuben Cherwon; Njoroge, Kezia; Muiruri, LilianInter-professional collaborative education and practice can prepare health workers to work on interprofessional teams by educating them about key concepts related to inter-professional collaboration. The study sought to determine professional-related factors influencing inter-professional collaboration among healthcare workers in primary healthcare facilities in Nakuru County, Kenya. The study employed a cross sectional survey research design and a questionnaire to collect data from 146 healthcare workers. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to sample the Sub-Counties to be included, health facilities and the respondents to be the selected in level 3 and level 4 facilities. Data was analyzed using SPSS and relationships between variables was tested using correlation analysis and multiple regression. Ethical clearance was sought from Kenya Methodist University ethical review board and National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation. The study established that Professional-Related Factorssignificantly affected inter-professional collaboration among healthcare workers in primary healthcare facilities in Nakuru County. The study, therefore, recommended that inter-professional collaboration among the healthcare workers in the area be strengthened through adequate sensitization of the medical professionals on the merits of collaboration and the need to maintain professionalism during group work.Item Influence of institutional reorganization on the access to primary care health services in a transition period: A case of IFO camp, Dadaab refugee complex, Kenya(European Journal of Public Health Studies, 2020) Jaji, Ann Reggie; Wanja, Tenambergen; Muiruri, LilianThe refugee population verification exercise in 2016 indicated the Dadaab Refugee Camp population to be on a declining trend. The declining trend was due to relocations, and voluntary repatriation of the refugees. Health service delivery has transmuted from difficult situations on previous years to serve Dadaab refugee, through soliciting sufficient funds to provide quality essential services like Primary care services for care and protection. With the call for repatriation, it was expected that health service delivery would be affected. Therefore, the study sought to assess the influence of institutional reorganization on the access to primary care services during the transition period in IFO Camp of Dadaab Refugee Complex, Garissa County. The study adopted cross-section descriptive study design that combined both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. A total of 384 respondents were included in this study. Random sampling was used to select the respondents. Data collection was face to face using structured questionnaires. In depth interviews were done with camp leaders and institutional managers. Study findings revealed the respondents were aware of the institutional reorganizations that had taken place in the primary care health sector of IFO Camp during the transition period, namely: management process (51.3%), resource re-adjustment (11.7%), structure re-organization (9.9%), and stakeholders’ role (5.5%). The chi-square analysis showed that there was positive correlation between structural adjustment (Χ2=204; P< 0.001), resource adjustment (Χ2 = 67.9, P< .001) and access to primary health care services. Hence it was concluded that there was an association between structural adjustments, resource adjustment, and access to primary health access among the refugees. The study recommends that; i) all stakeholders inside the refugee camp should be involved for effective resource re-adjustments in order to ensure continued access to primary care health services during the transition period and ii) the UNHCR should ensure that there is effective management during the reorganization period in order to ensure efficiency use of resources for better access to health services during the transition.Item Influence of organizational drivers on utilization of health information for decision making by operational level managers. A case of Imenti South Sub-County hospitals, Meru County, Kenya.(Global Journal of Health Sciences, 2020) Thuranira Francis Kimathi; Muiruri, LilianPurpose: This paper sought to determine the effect of organizational drivers on utilization of health information by operational level managers in Imenti South sub-county hospitals. Methodology: A cross sectional study design adopting quantitative and qualitative approaches was employed targeting all 64 operational level managers heading various units of the 39 Imenti South sub-county registered health facilities. Data was collected through questionnaires as well as using interview and observation techniques. The questionnaires were self-administered and consisted open and closed-ended questions. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Descriptive analysis was done through the use of means, frequencies and percentages while inferential analysis involved the use of regression models and correlation analysis. Content analysis was done for qualitative data. Results were presented in tables and pie charts. Findings: In the results and findings, it was observed by majority of the respondents that there was an increase in the establishment of data control systems in health facilities as opposed to a contrary finding earlier by the ministry of health. It was also observed that variables included in the regression model of environmental factors on utilization of health information revealed significant prediction for utilization of health information in health care decisions. It was evident that the evaluation of HMIS and information use was still very low and in some instances, it had not been adopted as supported by a large percentage of the respondents. This showed that health care workers and managers did not always put the data collected to best use. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Organizational drivers do influence utilization of health information for decision making by operational level managers of health facilities. The county government should reorient operational level managers on health information essentials for allocative efficiency and effective health care decisions.