A silent yet significant health concern is emerging in Kenya's Nyandarua and Laikipia Counties, as urologists in Nyahururu town raise urgent worries over a notably high prevalence of undescended testis among young male children. Doctors report a concerning trend: a significant number of young patients are being diagnosed with this condition during examinations, often to the complete unawareness of their parents. This revelation underscores a critical gap in early detection and parental health literacy in the region.
Leading urologists, Dr. Priscila Maina and Dr. Dismus Kazimoto, have both noted the unusually high incidence of these cases in Nyandarua and Laikipia compared to other regions across Kenya. Dr. Maina lucidly explains the condition: "This is when testes are not in the scrotum sack. It happens because the testes are initially formed in the abdomen. Then when the baby grows in their mother’s womb, they go down to the scrotum sack.” She added that in cases of undescended testis, the organ could be "stuck in the upper, middle or lower abdomen or urinal canal."
The doctors expressed particular concern over the increasing frequency of reported cases, stating that "rarely a week passes without it being reported in health facilities." This alarming trend prompted Dr. Maina to reiterate, “We had many cases of undescended testis in children. It is a concern to us because it has been noted that Nyandarua and Laikipia counties have the highest prevalence of undescended testis in Kenya.” Their observations were made during a free medical camp organized at Nyahururu’s Pearl Hospital, specifically catering to patients with Hernia and undescended testis, highlighting the direct impact on the local community.
While Dr. Kazimoto identified premature birth as a common cause for undescended testis, he acknowledged that other potential contributing factors are yet to be fully understood, underscoring the need for further research into the regional peculiarities. Dr. Maina echoed his sentiments, delivering a stark warning about the long-term health risks if the condition remains untreated. Undescended testis, she cautioned, poses a significant risk of developing cancer of the testis later in life, in addition to causing potential trauma to the child as they grow older.
Crucially, Dr. Maina emphasized the importance of early intervention, stating that a child should ideally be treated before reaching the age of two years. To facilitate this vital early detection, she urged mothers to consistently palpate the testicular area whenever bathing their child. This simple, yet critical, practice can help establish the exact position of the testes and prompt timely medical consultation if any abnormality is detected. The findings from Nyahururu's urologists serve as a clarion call for increased public health awareness and proactive screening to mitigate this concerning rise in undescended testis cases and safeguard the health of children in the affected regions.
