ABSTRACT
Background: The most efficient and cost-effective forms of birth control are long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC). In spite of their effectiveness, less than 15% of women globally who are of reproductive age use LARC while in Kenya, 18% of women of reproductive age are using LARC methods. The objective of the study was to determine the level of knowledge on LARC among Women of Reproductive Age (WRA) receiving care at the Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital. Methods: This study used analytical cross-sectional survey research design to collect data from ten key informants chosen through purposive sampling, and 170 women were chosen by systematic random sampling using a semi-structured questionnaire. Embu Teaching and Referral Hospital served as the pretesting site for the research tools. Chi-square tests were utilized to examine the relationship, at a 95% confidence interval, between the uptake of LARC and level of knowledge of LARC. The strength of association was tested using regression analysis. Results: The majority of the mothers (51.2%) were in the 20–29 age range, with a small percentage (n=5, 2.9%) being older than 40; the married women were more (n=106, 62.4%) and half of the mothers had secondary level of education (n=85, 50%) unlike that of the partner that was found to be mostly tertiary level of education (n=102, 60%). A larger proportion of the women had 1-2 living children (n=106, 62.4%). However, majority of the women were either house wives or students (n=63, 37.1% and n=60, 35.3%) respectively. A high percentage of the women were Christian (n=153, 90%) with a larger proportion residing on rental houses (n=122, 71.8%). The uptake rate for LARC among women who were of reproductive age was 11.2%. Good level of knowledge influenced LARC uptake at x2(N=170), 5.16, p=.018. Conclusion: The study concluded that LARC uptake among women of reproductive age was impacted by individual level of knowledge on LARC. The study recommends, the ministry of hea

ABSTRACT
Background: The most efficient and cost-effective forms of birth control are long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC). In spite of their effectiveness, less than 15% of women globally who are of reproductive age use LARC. In Kenya, just 18% of women who are of reproductive age are using LARC method. The frequency in Meru County (11.2%) is much lower than it is nationwide. The objective of the study was to establish health-facility factors influencing the uptake of LARC among Women of Reproductive age (WRA) receiving care at the Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional survey research design was used in the study. Women of Reproductive Age receiving family planning services at Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital in Meru County were the study's target population. Ten key informants were chosen through purposive sampling, and 170 women who were of reproductive age were chosen by systematic random sampling. In order to get quantitative data for this study, the researcher utilized a semi-structured questionnaire and a key informant guide was used to gather qualitative data. The Embu Teaching and Referral Hospital served as the pretesting site for the research tools. The presentation of qualitative data involved the thematic organization and narration. Chi-square tests were utilized to examine the relationship, at a 95% confidence interval, between the uptake of LARC and variables linked to social culture, health facility-related characteristics, and knowledge level. The strength and connection of the factors that were discovered to be significant were tested using regression analysis. Results: The majority of the mothers (51.2%) were in the 20–29 age range, with a small percentage (n=5, 2.9%) being older than 40; the married women were more (n=106, 62.4%) and half of the mothers had secondary level of education (n=85, 50%) unlike that of the partner that was found to be mostly tertiary level of education (n=102, 60%). A larger proporti

ABSTRACT
Background: Breastfeeding is essential for promoting infant health, particularly in the first six months of life. It serves as a critical public health strategy to improve the health of both children and mothers by reducing child morbidity and mortality while lowering societal healthcare costs. Despite its importance, teenage mothers often face distinct challenges in adhering to recommended breastfeeding practices. Targeted health messages offer a promising solution, providing personalized communication that enhances breastfeeding practices and ultimately improves infant health outcomes. Method: A randomized control trial was employed across baseline, intervention, and post-intervention phases. The study targeted teenage mothers with infants less than six months who were attending public hospitals in Tharaka Nithi County. Data collection tools used were structured questionnaires and focus group discussions (FGDs). Quantitative data was analyzed using the statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) version [29]. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used, ANOVA, Chi square and regression analysis. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically and the results presented in narratives, figures, and tables to ensure clarity and comprehensiveness. Results: The study revealed significant improvements in knowledge on breastfeeding practices among teenage mothers following the targeted messages intervention. Knowledge scores increased significantly (p < 0.05) across domains related to early initiation, frequency of breastfeeding and exclusive breastfeeding. On baseline knowledge levels had a one-way Anova of F=72.34 (high) and p=000002 (small) which affirmed that intervention led to a statistically significant difference in breastfeeding practices across test faces. The results were supported by regression results that showed pretest scores to be positive predictors of posttest scores. Conclusion: Targeted health messages significantly improved Knowledge, attitudes and

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INTRODUCTION: Based on the Guidelines for Surgical Recommendations, the WHO has developed a 19-item operating room safety checklist to support surgical teams, ensure quality and safety, and prevent mortality and postoperative complications The checklist includes three phases (Sign In, Time Out, Sign Out), 20 items with checks to be performed during the surgery, and the corresponding boxes to be checked after the checks have been completed. It is recommended to appoint a checklist coordinator among the team members who is responsible for reviewing the checks by each member of the operating team, and only after the checks have been established. I developed the questionnaire following the WHO guidelines, specifically the "Guidelines for Surgery" document, which was drafted by the association to present the operating room checklist for patient and staff safety. Objective: The purpose of this survey is purely informative, to obtain a state-of-the-art overview and to compare it with my own work environment. Methods: Taking into account the key points highlighted by the WHO, I developed a total of eight questions. The questions addressed the importance of implementing the checklist, the checklist phases in general, the checklist coordinator, the role of the checklist coordinator, adapting the checklist to one's work environment, the sign-in phase, the time-out phase, and the sign-out phase. Results: As confirmed by the literature, the introduction of checklists and the use of clinical protocols, if used responsibly and effectively, significantly reduce clinical risks and can become an important prevention tool. Conclusions: After analyzing the responses, it can be deduced that the checklist is completed correctly, carefully, and scrupulously in most contexts. The percentage of correct answers consistently exceeds the percentage of incorrect ones. I believe the importance of the checklist as a tool for patient and healthcare worker safety is well understood. These data are