Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder and associated predictors among mothers of preterm infants in Western Kenya: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: mothers of preterm infants are exposed to stress leading to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Preterm births have increased lately with World Health Organization (WHO) reporting an estimated prevalence of up to 5-18% and Kenya reporting a prevalence of 18.3%. The current study sought to determine the prevalence of PTSD and its associated predictors among mothers with preterm infants. Methods: this was a hospital-based cross-sectional study among 182 mothers with preterm babies admitted in neonatal care units (NCUs) of two referral hospitals. A simple random sampling technique was used to select participants and data was collected using a semi-structured pretested questionnaire and an Impact of events scale-revised (IES-R). Analysis was done using STATA 15 and a significance level set at P≤ 0.05 and 95% confidence interval. Results: the majority of the respondents 67 (36.8%) were aged between 18-22 years and only 34 (18.7%) were above 34 years. Most of the respondents had attained secondary and tertiary level education at 86 (47.3%) and 51 (28.0%) respectively. Prevalence of PTSD was 78.6% at a confidence interval of 95% CI: 0.72-0.84. Mothers who had a previous preterm birth were 0.09 less likely to develop PTSD {AOR=0.09, 95% CI: 0.01-0.80, p=0.023} while those who underwent cesarean section were 11.1 times more likely to develop PTSD {AOR=11.1, 95% CI:1.1-114.8, p=0.043}. Conclusion: the prevalence of PTSD was 78.6%. Although mothers of preterm infants experience stress, the associated predictors included; cesarean section birth, having had a preterm birth before and staying in fair housing conditions.

Knowledge of emergency preparedness among nurses in Machakos level five Hospital in Machakos County, Kenya

BACKGROUND An emergency is an unexpected event that disrupts normal operations within a health facility and requires immediate interventions to address it. Knowledge of emergency preparedness is an important role of clinical nursing to enhance patient outcomes. This study aimed to determine the types of emergencies received at Machakos Level 5 Hospital (ML5H) and to assess the nurses' level of knowledge on emergency preparedness. MATERIALS AND METHOD This was a descriptive cross-sectional research design. The study was conducted at Machakos Level 5 Hospital, Machakos County, Kenya. The sample included 132 nurses working at ML5H, who were randomly selected and consented to participate in the study. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire and an observation checklist. Data were coded and entered into SPSS version 25 software and the analysis included descriptive statistical tests. RESULTS A little more than a half (56%) of the nurses were found to have adequate knowledge of emergency preparedness; 65% had attended training on emergency preparedness and 63% indicated that training had enhanced their competence. CONCLUSION A higher proportion of nurses reported not participating in emergency drills that could be used to improve their knowledge and skills in emergency preparedness. The results of the study indicate that there is a need to enhance the knowledge of nurses' on emergency preparedness.

Factors influencing adherence to asthma control measures among patients in Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, Nairobi Kenya

BACKGROUND :Asthma is an obstructive respiratory disease characterized by wheezing, chest tightness, cough and shortness of breath that is evidenced by expiratory airflow limitation. Patient awareness of asthma control measures is key in ensuring compliance with asthmatic drugs. The main aim of the study was to assess determinants of adherence to asthma control measures among adult asthmatic clients attending chest clinics in Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital. MATERIALS AND METHOD We employed a descriptive cross-sectional study design involving asthmatic patients interviewed at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. The study participants had to have been diagnosed with asthma for at least three months preceding the study, attend the chest clinic and consent to participate in the study. We pretested the study tools at Mbagathi county hospital on 11 asthmatic patients. A systematic random sampling method was used to select 110 study participants and data was collected using a modified questionnaire and lung function test between March to June 2018. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS 22.0. The Chi-square test was used to establish the association between independent variables and asthma adherence control measures at a 95% confidence interval. RESULTS Our findings report a response rate of 89% (98). The majority (58.2%) of participants were females. On average 57.1% had good adherence to asthma control measures. Control of asthma was poor, with well-controlled being 27.5%, moderately controlled at 53.1% and poorly controlled at 19.4%, respectively P (0.003). Respondents with adequate knowledge were 56.1% and positive attitude with 71.2%. There was a significant association between adherence to asthma control measures and participants' attitude (P-value=0.000), knowledge (P-value=0.000), level of education (P-value=0.000), level of asthma control (P-value=0.003). Environmental factors were cleaning carpets/curtains (P-value=0.001), type of fuel (P-value=0.003), and use of carpet (Pvalue=0.014). CONCLUSION Adherence to asthma control measures was suboptimal resulting in a generally poor asthma control. Adequate knowledge was associated with a positive attitude. Adherence was strongly associated with attitude, knowledge, education and asthma control.