Oesophageal cancer (EC) is a common cause of cancer mortality. Evidence on the burden, risk factors and treatment outcomes is limited in low-income and middle-income countries. This study aimed to describe the features of EC cases and determine associated factors among patients attending surgical and oncology clinics in Garissa County Referral Hospital (GCRH).

We conducted a case–control study in which cases were patients with EC and positive histological confirmation and controls were patients admitted to GCRH for other diseases. Data on exposures were extracted from patient files. Data on tobacco and alcohol use were based on current or past use as documented in the records; hot tea intake referred to habitual consumption. Mixed-effect logistic regression model was used to determine EC-associated factors.

141 cases and 282 controls were recruited. Of the 141 cases, 59 (42%) had cancer in the lower third of the oesophagus, whereas 72 (51%) and 10 (7%) had cancers in the middle and upper thirds, respectively. EC was associated with tobacco use (adjusted OR (AOR), 21.02, 95% CI 5.41 to 81.69), consumption of hot tea (AOR 59.87, 95% CI 5.45 to 657.35), chewing khat (miraa, AOR 9.94, 95% CI 3.59 to 27.52), gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (AOR 54.12, 95% CI 24.48 to 119.62), gastritis (AOR 17.89, 95% CI 2.94 to 108.989) and peptic ulcer disease (PUD) (AOR 69.31, 95% CI 14.09 to 340.9). Among the case group, 95 (65%) had surgery or gastrostomy tube placement as treatments for EC.

The study findings highlight modifiable risk factors for EC, including tobacco use, hot tea consumption, chewing miraa, GERD, gastritis and PUD. Targeted screening of high-risk patients may improve early detection and outcomes.

To evaluate the associations between depressive symptoms, HIV vulnerability factors and oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use and adherence among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in Kenya.

Cross-sectional observational study.

Research site in Kisumu, Kenya.

300 AGYW aged 19–24 years (median age 21 years, IQR 20–22), attending follow-up visits in a randomised controlled trial of the efficacy of a single-dose HPV vaccine.

Participants responded to questionnaires assessing their depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), HIV vulnerability and PrEP use and adherence.

Moderate to severe depressive symptoms were reported by 14.3% (95% CI 10.5% to 18.8%). Factors associated with increased prevalence of depressive symptoms included medium HIV risk perception (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) 2.25; 95% CI 1.20 to 4.26) and engaging in transactional sex (aPR 2.51; 95% CI 1.15 to 5.48). The rate of oral PrEP use was 19.3% (n=58, 95% CI 15.0% to 24.0%), with 43.0% reporting adherence (≥5 doses in the past week). Depressive symptoms were not significantly associated with PrEP use (aPR 0.94; 95% CI 0.52 to 1.70).

The high prevalence of depressive symptoms among AGYW highlights the importance of integrating mental health screening into HIV prevention services, particularly for individuals with higher HIV risk perception and those engaging in transactional sex.