Prostate Cancer

Definition: Cancer of the male reproductive system that affects the prostate (an exocrine gland, under the bladder and in front of the rectum). Prostate apart from producing fluid that forms part of semen, is involved in urine control (continence).

PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)

It is produced by the epithelial cells in the prostate gland. PSA helps keep the semen in liquid state. If a man’s PSA levels are high, it might be an indicator of either a prostate cancer or some kind of prostate condition.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

When symptoms do exist, they are usually one or more of the following:

·         The patient urinates more often

·         He may find it hard to start urinating

·         There may be blood in urine

·         Urination might be painful

·         Achieving or maintaining an erection may be difficult (less common)

Advanced Prostate Cancer

·         Bone pain, often in the spine

·         Leg weakness (if spinal cord has been compressed)

·         Urinary incontinence

·         Fecal incontinence

What are the causes of prostate Cancer?

Related but not limited to:-

·         Age, genetics, Diet, Obesity, STDs

Possible complications

·         Metastasis

·         Incontinence

·         Erectile dysfunction

Substance abuse among students in Public Universities in Kenya

Objective: To investigate the association between HIV/STI and substance abuse among students in Public Universities in Kenya.

 Males 69% and females 31%.

 Only 30.5% had ever used tobacco while 17.1% were current users. Males accounted for 75% of current users compared to 25% amongst females.

 Of the current users, 84% believed that tobacco was not harmful to health. Two important sources of introduction to tobacco use were friends that accounted for 81% and relatives 18%.

Use of tobacco amongst significant others were: friends 24%, fathers 11.0%, relatives 6.2% and mothers 0.2%. The most common sources of supply were nearby shop outlets 51.1% and friends 14.4%.

Gender multivariate analysis of associations with daily smoking (adjusted for age, University, leisure activities and gender, respectively), parental monitoring exhibited a consistently protective, dose response effect.

Attending a place of worship and going to the movies were protective for females as was watching sports, whereas playing team sport was protective for males and attending a movie was a risk factor for females.  

Median age at initiation of smoking was 17 years which did not vary according to Universities.

Research by:      Magu D, Mutugi MW, Ndahi LW, Wanzala P

parallelism

Parallelism- a style encompassed in poetry and narration describing simultaneous situations that are similar in certain aspects but occur under very different circumstances. The concept is derived from the word parallel. Remember those geometrical lines that ran in the same direction but were never to meet ahead? Well, such is the paradox of life and death.

News headlines all over the country have been a tribute to the late Hon. Mutula KIlonzo since his demise on Saturday morning. The different stations competing (as usual) and attempting to unravel the brilliant and gifted man he was. Up till now, no one knows what exactly caused his untimely death. Speculations and hearsay are all Kenyans are getting from the media. It is said that the honourable went to bed and was never seen alive thereafter. He was all alone in his room through the night.

Now if you’ve ever lost someone close to you, you understand how painful it is. That feeling of being chocked by the throat and when you try speaking all that comes out is tears. They flow aimlessly down as if to block all your visions of life thereafter. The sight of so many people when the one you want to see lies motionless in some box. Grieve is what you can only do.

On another tiny hospital bed this evening, a little princess sleeps warm beside her mother. Her father has probably stepped out of the room to escort all their friends who have been visiting with their congratulatory messages since her Grande arrival on planet earth.

To be honest though, the birth process wasn’t all bliss and Elysium at first for me-an observer. In fact, when I saw that tiny head struggling to come out to the world I was scared and unsure of the outcome. I have read widely on scenarios of congenital anomalies such as a bad heart, a blue baby, too many toes, no toes, a big head, and no head…hell! Anything could go wrong!

 It could but it didn’t. Not in the very least today. She came out with ten perfect and tiny toes and fingers. She let out a soft cry and opened her eyes and when I held her in my arms I understood how mighty God is. The feeling was amazing!! Surely no amount of writing can sum up the pride and sheer joy that encircles your entire being when you come face to face with a new-born baby.

And so the circle of life continues. As it has been and as it shall continue to be. That while others jump in joy and jubilation, others wail and weep in despondency. I would like to join my countrymen to mourn the loss of a mighty giant and look up as well to the proud parents and congratulate them on their daughter’s arrival. Mean as it seems, that is life and it must go on.

Beaded Rape

He threw her on the wall and inched in closer as if to grab her by the neck. His burly build created an intimidating shadow over her existence. His calloused hands reached out to her cotton dress and left pieces of what stood between her and nudity. He threw her on the cold hard floor and followed atop. Her tears and cries grew distant with each thrust that came. She grew weary looking on to the door that was heavily latched. The pain she felt seared through the core of her being. Endless tears would not express the emptiness she harboured within. She took one last look at him. His eyes were closed. He let out an eerie groan and smirked. It was over.

Such a story is known all too well by the girls of the Loikop people commonly known as the Samburu in the Kenyan plains. Some of them view this as culturally correct and even go ahead to fight for the way of the community. Beading is a practice that has been there from time immemorial and even to-date a young Samburu girl can only be married off after going through it. A moran is at liberty to pick a teenager in whom he delights. He places a necklace on her as a sign of booking. The entire community respects his choice and allows him to decide when to have the rendezvous. At no point can the girl interject or give an opinion.
This wayward practice has caught the eye of both local and international press. Not so much because of the practice itself but because of the effects it has caused and what has been done about it. The issue came up last year after watching a local TV station air the work of Josephine Kulea then an energetic 28 year old fighting tooth and nail against the way she was brought up. It was an eye-opener to me. It made me realize how shielded I was from pertinent issues in my own homeland. I am saddened however, to note that I am not the only one who saw this for the very first time.
Josephine found out that the girls not only face the risk of contracting venereal diseases but could also get pregnant. Most of them actually do but even then, culture doesn't go easy on them. The girls aren't allowed to cater for their infants. This makes them so desperate that they go to lengths to get rid of the whole mess by aborting the fetuses. The ones that live to be married after the ordeal then face the risk of being unable to give birth and if they do give birth, they have to deal daily with the trauma and scars brought about by the abortive measures.
Rape is a brutal act that causes so much damage be it physical, mental and/or emotional. It is sad to note that until last month, 8 rape victims of the 2007/8 post-election violence were still suing the government a lump sum of about £20M over its alleged failure to protect them or investigate the crimes committed against them. The question as to whether this is the first time the Kenyan government has been blamed for failing to do one thing or another with regard to this issue is sternly answered by a violent no. The L.A Times has articles from as early as 1992 when the tourism department had two of its game rangers facing possible death row over the death of a British tourist Julie Ward in 1988. A year later Somali women refugees complained of "an appalling lack of concern for their plight".
Away from the government and some 29 boys aged between 14 and 19 in 1991 were charged with manslaughter for the murder of 19 and the rape of 71 other girls who were their schoolmates at St. Kizito. FIDA, the federation of women lawyers, record on their blog police statistics that reveal the fact that 5 children wake up defiled, 3 people end up dead and 2 women are raped every dawn. This is very alarming. Among these people could be your mother, your sister, daughter, wife or friend.
You could be among the millions of women living in slums and facing the fear of an impending attack on your way to the toilet. You could be a mother unaware of what your daughter has gone through in the dark or the sister who saw it all. You could be the friend who was confided in or the lawyer who was entrusted with the task of obtaining justice. Or you could simply be the reader who is yet to figure out what I am trying to pass across.

Only one in 20 of the raped victims report the offense. It could be due to lost faith in the Kenya Police or the authorities. It could also be due to the fact that in most cases the offense is done by people we know. Whatever the reason, we should at least improve the number of those that seek medical help from a worrying one in every 6 of the cases.
Today, on world International Women's' day, let us make a choice to stand up for and with these women, men and even children that have been victims of rape. We may not be able to reverse time and change their fates or change where we live because it is beyond us. We can however be more sensitive to this issue and support those like Josephine who are marching on the front-line. We can educate teenagers on the importance of walking in groups to and from school. We can discourage little girls from accepting gifts from strangers and train them to be alert at all times. We can show teens how to discern an ulterior motive. We can and should be careful when we are out partying with friends in order to avert date rape and being "Chipo-d". Truth be told, there's a lot that we can all do yet the most important place we can choose to be is at the side of the victims renewing their hope and helping them rise back on their feet, mending the torn pieces of cloth and wiping their tears. We could form support groups for them to run to depending on our different capacities. After all, it could happen to anyone of us.

E-Pill (Emergency Contraceptive Pill)

The so called "e-pill", which is being advertised in popular magazines with a free bookmark, is now the buzz-word in town among young sexually active women. I don't have any problem with adverts but my question is: what are the implications of the pill? Many young people are now using the e-pill routinely, some even buying the pills in advance. I don't know if this is part of 'disaster management'
It was the other day on Valentine's Day that many people visited Chemists and bought all the e-pills, just as they do over the weekends. Data shows that rampant use of e-pills is on the hike. What does that tell us? It is not what most people go for that is good for consumption. Reason with me about these pills.
First,

this pill is meant to be an 'Emergency' contraceptive and one should not have emergency every month or 3-4 times in a month

. Inadequate knowledge, easy availability in the chemist Shop without prescription and lack of supervision by medical personnel can result in complications. Since it is known as an emergency contraceptive pill, I believe then it should be used under such conditions. It has been the scape-goat of the young sexually active ladies who do not want to face the responsibilities that may come with an active sexual life. Remember it is not as effective as regular contraceptive methods like condoms, Birth Control Pills or IUCD-Copper T. It contains hormones Estrogen and Progesterone and will alter Hormone Balance and periods can be delayed. Frequent use may make periods to be irregular. Besides this are other side effects like Nausea and Vomiting, Venous Thrombosis, heavy bleeding, cramps etc. Take note of this message: regular use of the emergency contraception may cause infertility and in some instances increase the risk of cancer.
"The youth are getting the message that it is OK to go out and have fun because they don't have to get pregnant,"
says Dominic Karanja, chair of the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya. E-pill does not protect from sexually Transmitted Diseases like Candida and other infections, Herpes and fatal HIV and Hepatitis B & C. This is more dangerous than pregnancy!
"No research has ever proved that any reproductive health product has increased promiscuity."
PSI's Daun Fest
I disagree with the above statement. One doesn't have to do any research to know the implications of something even if it has been evidenced over time. Even so, the choice to continue with the use of the same, bearing in mind the consequences, lies with you.

 
                                                                                                            
PSI is an organization that not only funds the advertisement of e-pills but also supports the government in funding some of its health programs.

Letter to my Diary

Dear diary,

It’s been almost half a year since I last talked to you. I have been really through a lot and I come to you today a completely different person from the Jane you knew.

The confidence I used to have is gone. The beauty is gone, the happy smiling and bubbly person is gone. What is there now is a gloomy girl with a low self-esteem who needs a lot of re-assurance that I am worth living. I have no one to talk to. Everyone is busy. Am sure no one even notices me anymore. You are the only refuge for the pent-up guilt and regret that is killing me. All which started when I lost my innocence way back during the December holiday.

The last time I talked to you, I really praised Pete. I can still recall the exact words I used to describe him to you; a gentleman who knows how to treat a lady, charming, funny and interesting guy who makes me long to see him always and never to part with whenever we are together.

I was to meet with him at his place on the eve of Christmas then later go back home in the evening. I had heard so much talk about sex and the curiosity in me had really grown. I felt that I finally needed to get a first hand experience. I wouldn't be able to say no in the heat of the moment because I was feeling particularly vulnerable during that time of the month. He had no condoms in his place but needless to say, I lost my virginity and didn't go back home until the next morning. He promised to be there for me if anything went wrong. If only I had known about Emergency pills!

I went back to school on January and even bragged to my best friend Grace how I was no longer a virgin…silly me! The first term was kind of busy but I still exchanged letters with Nick on a regular basis. However they suddenly stopped coming when I mentioned to him on February that I had missed my periods. That’s when I needed him most…he never wrote back and so I assumed the mailing had some delays or maybe he wasn't getting my letters. The morning sickness worsened till I had to forego taking breakfast altogether.

I got a letter from him finally. I in jubilation until I encountered its contents. I remember the starting sentence," I am a university student who cant be a father now. However i'd advise you to find the person who made you pregnant...everybody knows how you've been sleeping around with whoever that's interested in you.."

I tried crying myself to sleep that night but I just couldn't. I blamed and cursed myself for being stupid but hated him for taking advantage of my naivety and being a coward!

I later on found comfort in two of my classmates who were also knocked up. Surprisingly they had already decided the fate of their state. Both would procure abortions once the term ended. Liz was lucky to have a guy who wanted her to keep the child. Millie and I were in the same state due to our apologies of boyfriends! What we all feared however was the reaction our teachers, parents, siblings and the society would have if they got wind of our paged states. Personally, my family and the church had a lot of expectations mounted on me. I couldn't disappoint them.

Schools closed for the April holidays and by this time, a keen observer would notice a change in my anatomical features. The changes were apparent and rapid for my friends (in crime) as well. I kept avoiding my mother because I knew she would realize what was up the moment she noticed a change. I resorted to wearing baggy clothing which covered by entire body save for the head, hands and feet. 

The coward wired me ksh. 4000 for the abortion when I threatened to burn his house. Having armed ourselves with the cash needed, Liz's big sister took us to a dingy house in the Kiagathi slums. The smell of pee, shit and blood greeted us when we entered the house. Once my eyes were accustomed to the little light, I could see three beds one on which lay two women who appeared to be in so much pain. The bed-sheets were bloody and numerous flies relished the sight. There were metals which I figured were the tools of trade.

The ugly,mean looking lady quickly asked us for the cash before pointing to the beds. She stuffed the money into her bra and proceeded to start with me while other two attendants went for Liz and Millie. All I remember is feeling a sharp pain...seeing a look of panic on her face and later waking up in a hospital bed.

Mum was there...her eyes red and saggy obviously from too much crying. "Oh my child is alive...thank God!"

I later learnt that I had lost my uterus. Millie had a successful abortion but Liz bled to death before the ambulance had arrived. 

I wish I had talked to my parents about it before going ahead with it. I wish I had protected sex. I wish I knew. But it's all wishes now. I have hope however that somebody out there will read this and take control of her deecisions.

Your's Jane.

I 

Reproductive health awareness in Kenya

Reproductive health in Kenya

Factors that impair rural education.

The W.H.O defines health as a state of complete physical, mental well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Reproductive health is derived from this citing responsible, satisfying and safer sex lives with the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide the time, method and frequency of the practice. Safety implies information and this is without a doubt achieved through education.

Lack of adequate information in rural Kenya is caused mainly by inequalities be it education, socio-economic status, gender, ethnicity, religion, age and resources available in their environment. These factors are related and more or less affect the same people.

• Education

  . A Wikipedia study of Kenya reveals an 85% literacy level which is relatively high considering that the entire world's stands at 83.7%. It is somewhat interesting to note that 2 thirds of the illiterates are women. Access to education doesn't necessarily mean reproductive health education as our curriculum dwells more on academics and fails to bridge the social gap. Health education is keyed in to some aspects of science in primary school and some biology in high schools. The kind of information needed is majorly passed on through talks and peer education programmes in school, media at home and no emphasis is paid on actual grasping of these concepts. Over the last few years however due to increased HIV/AIDS awareness, more people are moving out of ignorance toward learning all about their reproductive health.
  

• Socio-economic status.

  
  Our homeland is one of the poorest 50 nations in the world. Our GDP was on a rise until 2007 when it stalled following the post-election violence. Following this, some Kenyans are unable to even buy food and live in abject poverty. They rely on the government and N.G.O's for their daily needs. Majority of the population survives on hand-to-mouth means and a select few are able to cater for their needs as well as a few others.
  

  Poverty causes little or no education followed by limited access to medical facilities. This is a major setback in providing reproductive health information to Kenyans. Vision 2030, millennium development goals (M.D.G) and such like programmes have improved the current state of affairs; the size of the middle-class has increased which translates to less people living below the poverty-line.
  

• Gender

  . The fairer sex in Kenya has been lagging behind in almost every aspect of day to day life. From time in memorial certain traditional cultural practices and ethnic beliefs have left women at home with no education and a high fertility rate of about 4.49 children per woman in 2012. The illiterate trend began changing about two decades ago even to the point of having political figures and activists such as the late Nobel peace prize laureate PROF. Wangari Maathai. The affirmative action programmes and aids such as ZAWADI Africa have greatly promoted the education of the girl-child. Female genital mutilation (F.G.M) programmes and early marriages are being fought by the larger educated populous. This will hopefully reduce the high rate of maternal mortality.
  

• Culture and tradition

  . Kenya is distinctly diverse in this regard. From the Agikuyu in the central highlands to the Maasai on the plains to the Swahili at the coast and the Luhyia in western Kenya, we all have our beliefs and ways of life. It is however sad to note that some cultural practices still stand in the way of fighting ignorance. Some of these are the Nilotic F.G.M, wife inheritance and the recently uncovered Samburu Moran exploitation of little girls. While more people are outgrowing these barbaric customs, some stubborn elders refuse to comply with the demands of the fast-changing world. They insist on paying homage to the tribal practices that have been proven to be sources of failing reproductive health in recent times.
  

• Religion

  . A nation of 83% Christian, 11% Muslim, 2% irreligious and another 2% indigenous is generally a land with a high value for life. Out of the 83% only 47.7% Protestants have accepted the use of modern contraceptives. The Catholic Church is opposed to artificial contraception and orgasmic acts outside the marital union. Abstinence is the only form of birth control that is allowed. Other western Catholics oppose this stand while some protestant movements actually side with the Catholics. There is no ban on contraception in Hinduism. Islam encourages procreation and coitus interruptus is supposedly not prohibited.
  

• Age

  . The official adult age in Kenya is 18. Below this age, a minor is entitled to education, freedom from labour and provision of daily needs, namely food shelter and clothing. At this age, a girl still faces risks of complication during birth but sadly by 14 some of them are already married traditionally and have borne several children if they survive the ordeal. A majority never does. The government, N.G.O's, UNICEF and many organisations are up in arms combating this nightmare through encouraging education and providing temporary shelters for runaway girls.
  
• 
  

  Available resources.

  Our Kenya is a growing nation. We face challenges of few medical personnel and health centres, inadequate funds for the medicine, tropical epidemics, malnutrition, high infant mortality, poor governance, corruption and the HIV/AIDS scenario amongst other problems. Foreign aid and support has done a great deal in fighting some of these issues and it is reassuring to note that HIV/AIDS prevalence in young people (ages 15-24) and pregnant women has dropped.
  

 

Resources.

Further information about the Catholic view on Contraception is found in Pope Paul VI in his Humanae
Vitae (1968) that condemns the practice and the 1997 Vademecum for confessors from Vatican.

All information on this article is obtained from Wikipedia pages on Kenya, religious views on birth control and reproductive health.

The Samburu practice is in public domain either via individual blogs or on Citizen T.V Kenya's blog.