Cervical cancer is a critical public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa. Adolescents are key targets in primary prevention strategies. Following a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination initiative ( Gardasil ) in Eldoret, Kenya, the knowledge and source of information of cervical cancer and acceptance of prevention strategies among vaccinated and unvaccinated adolescents were evaluated. A cross-sectional comparative study enrolled 60 vaccinated and 120 unvaccinated adolescent women. Institutional ethical approval was obtained and signed consent was obtained from the parents. Data collection was performed using interviewer-administered questionnaires derived from factual statements based on information from print material used for community sensitization on cervical cancer. The median age of the participants was 14.0 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 13.0–15.0). Of 60 vaccinated adolescents, 56 (93.3%) had heard of the HPV vaccine compared with 6 (5%) of unvaccinated participants ( p < 0.001). Of 60 vaccinated participants, 58 (96.7%) had heard of cervical cancer compared with 61 (50.8%) unvaccinated participants ( p < 0.001). Both cohorts identified the school as the main source of information for cervical cancer. The two groups also showed similarity in their selection of cervical cancer prevention strategies acceptable to them such as delaying sexual debut, limiting number of sexual partners, and use of condoms for protection against sexually transmitted infections. Of 120 unvaccinated participants, 63.7% expressed willingness to be vaccinated. Exposure to the HPV vaccine was associated with a higher knowledge of cervical cancer. The adolescents predominantly rely on the school for health information. Both cohorts of adolescents showed remarkable acceptability for cervical cancer prevention strategies.

Objectives The main pediatric (0-18 years) gynecologic cancers include stromal carcinomas (juvenile granulose cell tumors and Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors), genital rhabdomyosarcomas and ovarian germ cell. Outcomes depend on time of diagnosis, stage, tumor type and treatment which can have long-term effects on the reproductive career of these patients. This study seeks to analyze the trends in clinical-pathologic presentation, treatment and outcomes in the cases seen at our facility. This is the first paper identifying these cancers published from sub-Saharan Africa. Methods Retrospective review of clinico-pathologic profiles and treatment outcomes of pediatric gynaecologic oncology patients managed at MTRH between 2010 and 2020. Data was abstracted from gynecologic oncology database and medical charts. Results Records of 40 patients were analyzed. Most, (92.5%, 37/40) of the patients were between 10 and 18 years. Ovarian germ cell tumors were the leading histological diagnosis in 72.5% (29/40) of the patients; with dysgerminomas being the commonest subtype seen in 12 of the 37 patients (32.4%). The patients received platinum-based chemotherapy in 70% of cases (28/40). There were 14 deaths among the 40 patients (35%) Conclusions Surgery remains the main stay of treatment and fertility-sparing surgery with or without adjuvant platinumbased chemotherapy are the standard of care with excellent prognosis following early detection and treatment initiation. LMICs face several challenges in access to quality care and that affects survival of these patients. Due to its commonality, ovarian germ cell cancers warrant a high index of suspicion amongst primary care providers attending to adnexal masses in this age group.

Background: Primary prevention of cervical cancer with the introduction of the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines is the next generation means to reduction of the disease burden in developing countries. Sexually active adolescents have the highest rates of prevalent and incident HPV infection rates with over 50%–80% having infections within 12 months of initiating intercourse. From May 2012 to March 2013, through the Gardasil Access Program, Eldoret received 9600 vaccine doses and vaccinated over 3000 girls aged 9-14. Despite this, there is little information on the knowledge of cervical cancer among adolescents and their amenability to accepting cervical cancer prevention strategies. Aim: To compare the knowledge of cervical cancer and acceptability of prevention strategies among vaccinated and nonvaccinated adolescents after an HPV vaccination initiative in Eldoret, Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study carried out in 6 public schools which were clustered into 2 groups of 2. 60 vaccinated and 120 nonvaccinated adolescents were randomly selected from each of the schools by proportionate allocation. IREC approval obtained and signed consent got from the parents. Data collection was then carried out using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Results: The median age of the participants was 14.0 (IQR: 13.0-15.0). Of 60 vaccinated adolescents, 56 (93.3%) had heard of the HPV vaccine compared with 6 (5%) of unvaccinated participants ( P < 0.001). Fifty-eight (96.7%) of vaccinated participants heard of cervical cancer compared with 61 (50.8%) unvaccinated participants ( P < 0.001). The participants were not different in their knowledge of risk factors for developing cervical cancer or its symptoms but overall, the vaccinated participants had a significantly higher knowledge score compared with the unvaccinated participants 14.4 (95% CI: 12.2-16.7). Both cohorts identified the school as the commonest source of information for health matters as compared with social media or hospitals. The 2 groups also showed similarity in their selection of cervical cancer prevention strategies acceptable to them like delaying sexual debut until after the teenage years and frequency of using barrier method for protection against sexually transmitted infections. Similar proportions of participants from both cohorts showed high acceptability of screening modalities for cervical cancer (85% vs 86.7%, P = 0.940). Of the unvaccinated participants, 63.7% expressed willingness to be vaccinated. Conclusion: Exposure to the HPV vaccine was associated with a higher knowledge of cervical cancer. The adolescents predominantly rely on the school for their information. They show remarkable acceptability for cervical cancer prevention strategies but are limited by the dearth of information they have.

Burkitt’s Lymphoma (BL) is one of the most common paediatric cancers in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is a high-grade lymphoma associated with Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and malaria infections as co-factors. It may occur as an abdominal tumour with ovarian involvement in a few cases. Previous incidences range between 0.5% to 1.5% of all ovarian neoplasm and are involved in 19% of all adnexal lymphomas. Its occurrence is often among those aged between 6-62 years but very rare among four-year-old girls. This study describes a case of ovarian BL in a four-year-old girl presenting with difficulty in breathing, abdominal pain and distension. The lymphoma had spread to several sites within a short duration. This case represents a great challenge in paediatric oncology management as to when medical or surgical treatment should be considered. Significant laboratory findings were elevated serum Cancer Antigen (CA) 125 and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH). Furthermore, flow cytometry, histopathology and immunohistochemistry were confirmed as BL. The child completed chemotherapy and is on remission. Despite its rarity in children, this tumour should be treated aggressively to improve long-term survival.

No abstract