https://sciencescholar.us/journal/index.php/ijhs <p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>IJHS</strong> is published in English and it is open to authors around the world regardless of the nationality. It is currently published three times a year, i.e. in <em>April</em>, <em>August</em>, and <em>December</em>.<br />e-ISSN: 2550-696X</p> Universidad Tecnica de Manabi en-US International journal of health sciences 2550-696X <p>Articles published in the <em>International Journal of Health Sciences</em> (<strong>IJHS</strong>)&nbsp;are available under Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives Licence (<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CC BY-NC-ND 4.0</a>). Authors retain copyright in their work and grant <strong>IJHS&nbsp;</strong>right of first publication under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Users have the right to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of articles in this journal, and to use them for any other lawful purpose.</p> <p>Articles published in <strong>IJHS&nbsp;</strong>can be copied, communicated and shared in their published form for non-commercial purposes provided full attribution is given to the author and the journal. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (<em>e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book</em>), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.</p> <p>This copyright notice applies to articles published in <strong>IJHS&nbsp;</strong>volumes 4 onwards. Please read about the copyright notices for previous volumes under&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sciencescholar.us/journal/index.php/ijhs/history">Journal History</a>.</p> https://sciencescholar.us/journal/index.php/ijhs/article/view/15858 <p>Globally, MHC affects 10 to 20% of youths. Onset for 50% being 14 years. In Kenya, 1 in 10 suffered from a known MHC. Most active media use age-group was 26-35yrs. The study assessed the burden of media accessibility and use-patterns on the occurrence of MHC among youths in NCC, Kenya. Study design was analytical cross-sectional with quantitative and qualitative methods. Data collection involved SSQs, KIIs and FGDs with 24-KIIs and 2-FGDs being conducted. 385-participants selected using simple random sampling method and data analysis conducted using Advanced Excel including descriptive statistics and regression analysis. Transcribing, coding, and classifying was employed. Results indicated statistically significant difference in self-esteem scores between the two groups, t(766) = -2.84, p = .0047. Specifically, youths engaged in informal occupations (M = 19.01, SD ≈ 17.91) reported higher self-esteem compared to those in formal occupations (M = 15.42, SD ≈ 17.14). Employment type may influence how youths perceive their self-worth. Regression analysis showed, media use-patterns were not a statistically significant predictor of self-esteem among youths in NCC, β = -0.08, t(382) = 1.03, p = .30. Media literacy had a positive and statistically significant effect on self-esteem, β = 0.21, t(382) = 2.23, p = .03.</p> Merab Stacy Akinyi John Paul Oyore Alloys Stevens Sigar Orago Copyright (c) 2026 International journal of health sciences http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 2026-01-09 2026-01-09 10 1 1 22 10.53730/ijhs.v10n1.15858