Search

The onset of COVID-19 made governments and other education actors prioritize distance learning, particularly through education technologies (EdTechs). Most sub-Saharan African countries adopted and adapted this approach. This paper examines the extent of EdTechs' deployment in Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic among marginalized and vulnerable populations. A cross-sectional study design was adopted for the study from which this paper drew its data, with both secondary and primary data utilized. The findings show that marginalized/vulnerable learner populations are still left out on EdTech supported learning. This article proposes salient recommendations that could help advance inclusive education discussion and related EdTechs' discourse.

The study aims to understand the foremost challenges in the transition to online teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study adopts the PRISMA approach to screening the selection of journal articles and review papers according to the research aims and the inclusion criteria. The journal articles and review papers were extracted and stored in Microsoft Excel and Google Scholar, Academic. Microsoft, Semantic Scholar, Elsevier, and Emerald Insight databases searched relevant documents using formulated keywords. A statistical technique was applied using the M.S. Excel analysis tool (PivotTable and an independent t-Test) to analyze data and determine the differences between teachers and students. The review revealed the evidence that the majority of the studies were primarily focused on the individual developing countries and results from other developing countries were not considered. In addition, the foremost challenges in the transition to online teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic were inadequate skills and training, inadequate Internet/Infrastructure, lack of supporting resources and lack of online student engagement and feedback. Finally, the independent t-test reveals there is no statistically significant difference in challenges in the transition to online teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both teachers and students encounter similar challenges. The systematic review raised concerns that higher learning needs to effectively implement long term strategies and support teachers and students in getting into online teaching and learning.

The 2017 general comment (GC21) to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) on children in street situations, provides a framework of legal guidance for governments developing policies aimed at protecting street-connected children and sets up the rationale for more awareness raising and public education to counter negative and deficit attitudes towards street-connectedness. Within this framework, the media has a role to play in either challenging conceptualisations of street-connected children as out-of-place within the public and predominantly adult domain described by urban streets, or in reinforcing ideological constructions of citizenship and normalised notions of childhood that result in negative stereotypes of these children. GC21 recommends that interventions targeted at street-connected children should be ethically responsible -- adopting child rights approaches aimed at using accurate data/evidence that upholds the dignity of children, their personal integrity, and their right to life. As such, these approaches should also extend to how organisations engage with and utilise the media to represent street-connected children. Focusing on media representations of street-connected children during the six pandemic-affected months of February to July 2020, this paper provides a review of the content of the sources to provide an insight into the structural barriers that face street-connected children because of how they are positioned in society, during the pandemic and in general, and the extent to which the media reinforces or counters the rescue or removal narratives that can lead to inappropriate intervention responses.

Amid a rise of misinformation worldwide, this paper examines digital misinformation literacy as it relates to COVID-19 news in East Africa. The study is grounded in inoculation theory and contributes to the body of scholarship examining misinformation literacy beyond the Western world. Data came from a comparative, cross-national survey in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda (N = 3,203), making this the largest known empirical investigation into digital misinformation literacy in the region within the context of a pandemic. Paper surveys were distributed throughout all three countries in 2021. The data revealed differences in actual and perceived misinformation literacy levels. Kenyans and Rwandans were better at detecting false COVID-19 statements in the media, whereas Ugandans were better at detecting true messages. Similarly, Kenyans' and Rwandans' perceived levels of digital misinformation literacy were higher than Ugandans'. Regarding perceived exposure to COVID-19 information, Kenyans felt they were exposed to fake COVID-19 news online more often than Ugandans, who felt more exposed than Rwandans. This research contributes to the growing literature on digital misinformation literacy, an area which isn't significantly studied in many world regions, especially in Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the onset of COVID-19, governments have launched technology-supported education interventions to ensure children learn. This paper offers a narrative synthesis of emerging evidence on technology-based education to understand the current experiences of learners, teachers and families. Studies find that few students in low- and middle-income countries have access to technology-supported learning with the most marginalised children appearing to have the least educational opportunities. As such, the education response to COVID-19 could widen existing inequalities.

Purpose: As Covid-19 became a pandemic, numerous people were forced to stay at home, leading to increased intimate partner violence (IPV) in many countries, particularly in developing and least-developed ones. This paper aims to highlight the IPV based on 15 different cases formed from the practical evidence of five developing countries. Design/methodology/approach: The authors interviewed 15 women from five countries who were the victims of IPV during the early periods of Covid-19 outbreak. Due to geographical remoteness, the authors conducted informal telephone interviews to collect the participants' personal experiences. The conversations were recorded with participants' permission; afterwards, the authors summarized participants' experiences into 15 different cases without revealing their original identities (instead, disguised names were used). Findings: It was revealed that the women were the primary victims of such violence, particularly from their intimate partners (husbands). In most cases, such IPV, as reported by the interviewees, originated or increased after the pandemic when they were forced to stay at home, losing their partners' jobs or income sources. Originality/value: The authors summarized the causes of IPV and put forward a few action recommendations based on the interviewees' practical experience and existing literature. This paper will open a new window for research investigations on IPV during emergencies such as Covid-19 outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public imagination and academic scholarship present queer migrants as being uprooted due to their embodiment of non-normative sexual identities. Drawing from ethnographic research with a male sex worker-led organisation (SLO) in Nairobi, including 41 in-depth interviews with members, this paper explores this perceived uprootedness by highlighting Kenyan queer migrants' multi-layered and multi-dimensional social experiences of home. Using the concept of 'homing', the paper explores the men's lifelong efforts to feel at home, and the embeddedness of queer identities in this process. The SLO generates feelings of safety, acceptance and recognition and provides a 'second home' in the city. In the process of creating ties with chosen families in the city, the men still maintain close ties with family back in their villages, while economic opportunities induce back-and-forth mobilities. The men's individual trajectories might fluctuate yet still fit within a more linear route in which they aspire to acquire land and properties in their ancestral homeland. The analysis of queer homing supports a reimagining of queer people's mobilities that stresses their embeddedness in society and illustrates how it relates to the 'queering' of queer in the African context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The post-COVID-19 era has witnessed intensive engagements on latest datasets on COVID-19 experiences and the need for robust data systems to understand emerging policy pathways. There have also been extensive deliberations on how public organisations can deliver beyond immediate concerns with economic recovery and improved livelihoods. This paper draws insights from the Afrobarometer round 9 dataset on how different African governments' economies have been recovering from COVID-19 and how this has affected citizens' well-being in Kenya. The results show that despite the good recovery progress, the government has yet to stabilise high food prices, inflation, debts, job creation, etc. While national policy priorities may explain how this situation plays out, these challenges remain complex and linked to external factors that African governments may have little control over. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper contributes to the scarce literature on factors affecting EdTech use in households. These factors were considered through exploratory mixed‐methods analyses of cross‐sectional data on Kenyan girls and caregivers, captured during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Quantitative analysis of the child dataset (n = 544) suggested the importance of both structural factors—such as technology hardware availability—and non‐structural factors—including caregiver permission. Findings were supported by a thematic analysis of interview data from girls' caregivers (n = 58), which emphasised the role they play in girls' use of EdTech. Interviews also highlighted numerous caregiver concerns with EdTech, related to the relevance and rigour of educational content, the possibility of children accessing age‐inappropriate material and child health (especially eyesight). Policy makers could alleviate these concerns by providing guidance on EdTech use and clearly signalling their approval of verified initiatives. Practitioner notesWhat is already known about this topicEdTech can benefit girls' education, yet there are various barriers to it being used.Existing research shows clearly that EdTech use can be impeded by structural factors (eg, hardware ownership).However, we find insufficient empirical evidence on the role of non‐structural or behavioural factors.What this paper addsThis paper addresses this gap, using a mixed‐methods approach to explore the influence of 33 different measures (including non‐structural factors) that could affect the number of hours girls spend using EdTech at home.Findings from a quantitative sample of girls (n = 544) and a qualitative sample of girls' caregivers (n = 58) highlighted the importance of non‐structural factors, especially caregiver permission.The variable most strongly associated with girls' EdTech usage in our selected quantitative model concerned whether this was sanctioned by their caregivers.Our qualitative data suggested why caregiver permission to use EdTech might be withheld: caregivers emphasised perceived concerns about the risks and rigour of EdTech.Implications for practice and/or policyOur findings suggest the viability of policy interventions that provide EdTech guidance to caregivers.Caregivers uncertain about EdTech could be reassured of the appropriateness of verified initiatives, while those already convinced might be aided in their attempts to support EdTech learning.Such guidance could provide a low‐cost means of further exploiting the benefits that household EdTech learning can provide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Urban Studies (Sage Publications, Ltd.) is the property of Sage Publications, Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper deals with COVID-19-hit Kenyan slums and the numerous interventions civil society organizations implemented during the first waves of the pandemic since it was initially detected in March 2020. As part of a comprehensive project using mixed methodology, including desk research and key informant interviews, community-based organizations and non-governmental organizations, together with other stakeholders of their collaborative networks, were investigated regarding the roles that they played, the projects they carried out, and the interventions they were involved in in the mitigation of the negative impacts of COVID-19. This paper investigates how COVID-19 actually hit Kenyan slums and how it affected civil society organizations during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper adopts Leiper's ([1990]. Tourist attraction systems. Annals of Tourism Research, 17(3), 367–384. https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-7383(90)90004-B) tourism system theory to examine the impact of COVID-19 on Kenya's tourism sector. The authors argue that tourism remains an important source of national revenue in Kenya and the severe negative effects of the pandemic as well as the resulting government measures to curb the spread of the disease threaten to undermine the gains made in recent years to revive the sector. The paper identifies that while much emphasis has been put on the impact of the disease on countries' national health systems and its epidemiology, few studies have been conducted to examine the relationship between COVID 19 and the tourism sector, especially in developing countries. The paper provides researchers and practitioners with an analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on the social and economic dimensions of tourism in Kenya and concludes with a set of recommendations that can shape Kenya's post-pandemic tourism sector recovery plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to deal with the impact of COVID-19 on the livelihoods of disadvantaged persons living in slums in Kenya. Months after the first case of COVID-19 was reported in Kenya in March 2020, most of the studies that have been carried out pertaining to its impact on slum dwellers have concentrated on narrowly defined concerns e.g. the impact of COVID-19 on youth, gender based violence and nutrition. It is thus difficult to get a clear global picture of the overall impact of COVID-19 on the livelihoods of slum dwellers in Kenya. This paper relies on information gathered during a comprehensive qualitative micro study covering numerous aspects of slum dwellers' livelihoods, as well as information that has been produced by the Ministry of Health, civil society organizations that work in specific slums, private research organizations as well as local and foreign media houses. The slums whose information is reported in this paper were selected to be indicative of the over 300 slums that are located in Nairobi and Mombasa, the two most important cities in Kenya. The analysis concludes that slum dwellers were potentially at a higher risk under the pressures of COVID-19 of deteriorating conditions with regard to the provision of health services, employment, gender-based violence, education and youth-related problems, and human rights violations, and offers several recommendations to the government. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The onset of COVID-19 made governments and other education actors prioritize distance learning, particularly through education technologies (EdTechs). Most sub-Saharan African countries adopted and adapted this approach. This paper examines the extent of EdTechs' deployment in Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic among marginalized and vulnerable populations. A cross-sectional study design was adopted for the study from which this paper drew its data, with both secondary and primary data utilized. The findings show that marginalized/vulnerable learner populations are still left out on EdTech supported learning. This article proposes salient recommendations that could help advance inclusive education discussion and related EdTechs' discourse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solicited diaries in audio, written and online forms are increasingly used in qualitative data collection. However, most studies using this approach are set in high-income, high-literacy country settings. This paper discusses the opportunities and challenges of this approach in a low-income, low-resource, low-literacy setting. We used solicited audio-recorded diaries to explore the financial lives of low-income women in Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic. We enrolled 24 women to submit diary entries every day for seven days. We found that the audio-recorded diaries worked well with low-income women in Kenya, which has high penetration of cell phone ownership. The diaries provided textured, detailed insights into participants' day-to-day challenges, fluctuations, and coping strategies while relying less on recall. Nevertheless, the approach required two pilots to perfect, which may be challenging when research resources and time are limited. This study provides timely evidence on the use of audio-recorded solicited diaries in low-income settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cahiers Agriculture is the property of EDP Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article analyses the intersection of response to Covid-19 and human rights in Nigeria and Kenya, as both countries illustrate two Covid-19 endemic and rapidly responding states to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, in Nigeria and Kenya, response to Covid-19 has to be understood in relation to their respective legal and policy frameworks and policy enforcement mechanisms. The paper notes that cases of police brutality, extortion and assault on civilians during Covid-19 pandemic raise the issue of insecurity and the whole question of human rights. The paper demonstrates that governments' emergency measures have serious implications for fundamental rights in Nigeria and Kenya, particularly those of perceived violators of the measures, the poor and vulnerable people, and women and girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID‐19 pandemic prompted social distancing, workplace closures, and restrictions on mobility and trade that had cascading effects on economic activity, food prices, and employment in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Using longitudinal data from Bangladesh, Kenya, and Nigeria covering a period from October 2020 to April 2021, the paper assesses whether knowledge of a person infected with COVID‐19 is associated with food insecurity, job loss and business closures, and coping strategies to smooth consumption. The likelihood of households to experience food insecurity at the extensive and intensive margins increased among those who knew an infected person in Bangladesh and Kenya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential Emergency and Critical Care (EECC) is a novel approach to the care of critically ill patients, focusing on first-tier, effective, low-cost, life-saving care and designed to be feasible even in low-resourced and low-staffed settings. This is distinct from advanced critical care, usually conducted in ICUs with specialised staff, facilities and technologies. This paper estimates the incremental cost of EECC and advanced critical care for the planning of care for critically ill patients in Tanzania and Kenya. The incremental costing took a health systems perspective. A normative approach based on the ingredients defined through the recently published global consensus on EECC was used. The setting was a district hospital in which the patient is provided with the definitive care typically provided at that level for their condition. Quantification of resource use was based on COVID-19 as a tracer condition using clinical expertise. Local prices were used where available, and all costs were converted to USD2020. The costs per patient day of EECC is estimated to be 1 USD, 11 USD and 33 USD in Tanzania and 2 USD, 14 USD and 37 USD in Kenya, for moderate, severe and critical COVID-19 patients respectively. The cost per patient day of advanced critical care is estimated to be 13 USD and 294 USD in Tanzania and USD 17 USD and 345 USD in Kenya for severe and critical COVID-19 patients, respectively. EECC is a novel approach for providing the essential care to all critically ill patients. The low costs and lower tech approach inherent in delivering EECC mean that EECC could be provided to many and suggests that prioritizing EECC over ACC may be a rational approach when resources are limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Informal settlements have been identified as locations both where the spread of COVID-19 has generally been slower than within the Global North and measures to restrain the pandemic have further intensified local peoples' marginality as income decreases without welfare or financial safety nets. In this paper, qualitative fieldwork is detailed which commenced in Korogocho, an informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya, immediately prior to national COVID-19 restrictions. This March 2020, pre-COVID phase of the fieldwork focused on a community-based project and the basis for resilience in transforming local lives. During the next 12 months of the pandemic fieldwork continued, exploring experiences and reactions to restraining policies. These findings reinforce concerns about the impact of COVID-19 related restrictions on marginalised peoples' income, food security, health, safety and gender-based violence. How the local people reacted to these effects highlights their creative resilience and adaptability. The paper concludes by examining the impact of, and responses to, the controlling measures on the social relationships and cohesion that underpins the community resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, public health measures like face masks, hand hygiene and maintaining social distancing have been implemented to delay and reduce local transmission of COVID-19. To date there is emerging evidence to provide effectiveness and compliance to intervention measures on COVID-19 due to rapid spread of the disease. We synthesized evidence of community interventions and innovative practices to mitigate COVID-19 as well as previous respiratory outbreak infections which may share some aspects of transmission dynamics with COVID-19. In the study, we systematically searched the literature on community interventions to mitigate COVID-19, SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), H1N1 Influenza and MERS (middle east respiratory syndrome) epidemics in PubMed, Google Scholar, World Health Organization (WHO), MEDRXIV and Google from their inception until May 30, 2020 for up-to-date published and grey resources. We screened records, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias in duplicates. We rated the certainty of evidence according to Cochrane methods and the GRADE approach. This study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020183064). Of 41,138 papers found, 17 studies met the inclusion criteria in various settings in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). One of the papers from LMICs originated from Africa (Madagascar) with the rest from Asia 9 (China 5, Bangladesh 2, Thailand 2); South America 5 (Mexico 3, Peru 2) and Europe 2 (Serbia and Romania). Following five studies on the use of face masks, the risk of contracting SARS and Influenza was reduced OR 0.78 and 95% CI = 0.36–1.67. Equally, six studies on hand hygiene practices reported a reduced risk of contracting SARS and Influenza OR 0.95 and 95% CI = 0.83–1.08. Further two studies that looked at combined use of face masks and hand hygiene interventions showed the effectiveness in controlling the transmission of influenza OR 0.94 and 95% CI = 0.58–1.54. Nine studies on social distancing intervention demonstrated the importance of physical distance through closure of learning institutions on the transmission dynamics of disease. The evidence confirms the use of face masks, good hand hygiene and social distancing as community interventions are effective to control the spread of SARS and influenza in LMICs. However, the effectiveness of community interventions in LMICs should be informed by adherence of the mitigation measures and contextual factors taking into account the best practices. The study has shown gaps in adherence/compliance of the interventions, hence a need for robust intervention studies to better inform the evidence on compliance of the interventions. Nevertheless, this rapid review of currently best available evidence might inform interim guidance on similar respiratory infectious diseases like Covid-19 in Kenya and similar LMIC context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of European Journal of Development Research is the property of Palgrave Macmillan Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The global spread of the coronavirus pandemic has particularly dramatic consequences for the lives of migrants and refugees living in already marginalised and restricted conditions, whose ongoing crisis is at risk of being overlooked. But refugees are not only extremely vulnerable and at risk of infection, as several reports show, quickly develop their own protection measures like the production of hygienic products, the publication of their situation and calls for action and help. Therefore, this paper aims to research the effects of the coronavirus crisis on refugees in camp settings with a special ethnographic focus on how refugees actively deal with this crisis and if they, through already developed resilience, are capable of adapting to the restrictions as well as inventing strategies to cope with the difficult situation. To account for the variety of refugee camps as well as the different living conditions due to their locality, history and national asylum politics, we will look at three different locations, namely refugee asylum homes in Germany, hotspots on the Greek islands as well as one refugee camp in Kenya. The main questions will be how, under structurally and institutionally framed conditions of power and victimisation in refugee camps, forms of agency are established, made possible or limited. The goal is to show which strategies refugees apply to cope with the enhanced restrictions and exclusion, how they act to protect themselves and others from the virus and how they present and reflect their situation during the coronavirus pandemic. Finally, this discussion offers a new perspective to consider refugees not only as vulnerable victims, but also as actively engaged individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 has unleashed a crisis in public health and rule of law in Africa. In Kenya, narratives of corruption associated with the crisis are rampant. The paper evaluates political factors that amplify the response attempts in the country. It argues that traditional responses have focused on public health and economic issues. However, to develop appropriate responses, the overarching presence of neo-patrimonialism must be considered. Despite attempted governance reforms, neo-patrimonial practices have exacerbated corruption. There is a need for a rethink of governance reform strategy by acknowledging and addressing this fundamental cause, failing which there will be serious adverse public health consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kenya, like most developing countries, has for a long time grappled with overcrowding in its penal institutions. Prison decongestion has hence been a key focus area of the penal reforms which were rolled out in 2002. The reforms have however been relegated to the back burner amidst competing priorities. When the country announced its first COVID-19 case on March 13, 2020, penal institutions were immediately identified as weak links in the containment of the pandemic. The Institutions were put on a total lockdown and de-congestion measures upscaled as a means of curbing the spread in prisons. So far, the exercise has resulted in the release of over 12,000 inmates. This paper discusses the implementation of the decongestion measures during COVID-19 amidst certain systemic challenges incidental to its implementation and how the gains from the COVID-19 period can be infused into long terms policies of prison decongestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most countries worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic adopted online learning as a means for mitigating the challenges facing face-to-face classroom education. The adoption of remote learning is largely informed by the decisions reached by individual country experts in pursuant to health guidelines of social distancing by the World Health Organization. Further, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) suggested recommendations to countries to implement to ensure that learning remains uninterrupted during the COVID-19 period. The paper analyzes critically the Kenyan situation in implementing and adhering to the UNESCO recommendations to enhance learning in all levels of education. Also, it evaluated the challenges faced and possible remedies in form of recommendations for future actions. The paper is largely based on library research to draw practical implications for both education research and policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of European Journal of Development Research is the property of Palgrave Macmillan Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Gender & Development is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

College students in Kenya have experienced many mental health issues, and there is little well-grounded research on this topic. Therefore, in this current study, we aimed to explore college students' biopsychosocial spiritual wellbeing and problems from an Ecological Systems Theory (EST) perspective. Due to lack of previous well-grounded mental health research and services, we collaborated with the college students from the beginning of the study and acted with them to shape the research. Based on all these, we called our theoretical framework for this current paper as exploring college students' biopsychosocial spiritual wellbeing and problems from the EST perspective. We examined college students' (N = 518) mental health experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic through six items to measure psychosomatic problems (sadness, anxiety, frustration, stress, loneliness, and withdrawal) and their coping mechanisms (talking to family/friends, physical exercise, social media, reading books, hobbies, spiritual activities, alcohol/drugs, COVID-19 information). Gender and age explained a trivial amount of variance, about 1%, in psychosomatic problems in model one. With the inclusion of the coping strategies and demographic factors (age and gender), the second model explained 24% of the variance in psychosomatic problems. In the second model, the highest effect size originated from talking to family/friends and use of social media. In addition, change in sleeping patterns, sadness, anxiety, and frustration were reported with one in three reporting "poor" or "fair" mental health. In light of the larger COVID-19 and college students' mental health literature, we discussed the present findings and provided recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community engagement is crucial for controlling disease outbreak and mitigating natural and industrial disasters. The COVID-19 pandemic has reconfirmed the need to elevate community engagement to build equity, trust and sustained action in future health promotion preparedness strategies. Using the health promotion strategy of strengthening community action enhances the opportunity for better outcomes. There is, therefore, a need to improve our understanding of community engagement practices during crises, scale-up good community engagement initiatives, and improve and sustain people-centered approaches to emergency responses. This paper presents five case studies from the United States, Singapore, Sierra Leone, Kenya and South Africa that demonstrate the potential strengths that can be nurtured to build resilience in local communities to help mitigate the impact of disasters and emergencies. The case studies highlight the importance of co-developing relevant education and communication strategies, amplifying the role of community leaders, empowering community members to achieve shared goals, assessing and adapting to changing contexts, pre-planning and readiness for future emergencies and acknowledgement of historic context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background This paper presents a descriptive analysis of the perceptions of Kenyan midwifery educators regarding the early impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the continuity of midwifery education. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 51 midwifery/clinical medicine educators from 35 diploma training colleges from all eight regions of Kenya. Educators' concerns and satisfaction regarding the delivery of training during the early phases of the pandemic were expressed as proportions on a three-point Likert scale. Results Of the educators, 76% were extremely concerned about face-to-face teaching during the pandemic; 96% of educators had started delivering virtual teaching (VT), with only 41% being extremely confident in facilitating VT; and 97% were unsatisfied with the measures in place in their institutions to continue face-to-face teaching. Conclusion To minimise the impact of COVID-19 on midwifery education in Kenya, capacity building for VT and mitigation measures for safe in-person training are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to examine the impact of COVID-19 and sustainable ecommerce in Hungary and Kenya. COVID-19 has devastated the global economy, resulting in financial and job losses. Routine changes in spending have moved the focus from non-essential to essential items, due to the impact of COVID-19, the associated economic meltdown, and the deterioration of people's physical and mental health. However, e-commerce can be a better option to stop the spread of COVID-19 due to its real benefits and usefulness in solving the challenges faced. The methodology used in this paper is the collection of primary data from an online survey questionnaire, and secondary data from several databases, e.g., the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Johns Hopkins Centre websites. The results show the negative impact of COVID-19 on society and the economy, as well as the positive and significant effects of the growth of e-commerce during COVID-19, where most of the goods being purchased are medical supplies: masks, medicines, and food. This has been made possibleby the rise of e-commerce platforms as a link in sustainable e-commerce after the significant disruption to the worldwide supply chain due to total lockdown. E-commerce has shown growth during the COVID-19 pandemic period as a sustainable platform. In conclusion, this study proposes policies that support e-commerce in developing countries during and after COVID-19. Furthermore, theoretical, and managerial implications are proposed in the study. It is high time to warn businesses to adopt information and communications technology (ICT) to flourish and thrive during times of financial and economic hardship, such as the use of e-commerce with the right policies enacted to support sustainable e-commerce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Informed by evidence from past studies and experiences with epidemics, an intervention combining quarantine, lockdowns, curfews, social distancing, and washing of hands has been adopted as "international best practice" in COVID-19 response. With massive total lockdowns complemented by electronic surveillance, China successfully controlled the pandemic in country within a few months. But would this work for Africa and other communalistic resource-poor settings where social togetherness translates to effective sharing of basic needs? What ethical and practical challenges would this pose? How would communalism be translated in special contexts to be useful in contributing to the ultimate common good? This paper uses examples from the current situation of COVID-19 in Kenya to address these questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate-induced migration is an increasingly pressing issue in many African regions, as rising temperatures and extreme weather events have caused the displacement of vulnerable populations. This is especially so in Eastern Africa and the Horn of Africa, particularly Kenya and Ethiopia, where extreme weather events have led to rangeland degradation, crop failures, water shortages, and food insecurity. Hence, there is a perceived need to understand these processes better. Against this background, this paper reports on a study investigating the processes associated with climate-induced migration in Kenya and Ethiopia. The research method used consisted of an expert-driven assessment approach, which assesses the causes of climate-induced migration in Kenya and Ethiopia and its human and social implications on local communities. Data were collected from 110 experts residing and working on climate and migration-related issues in Ethiopia and Kenya via e-mail, whose knowledge of the current situation has enabled the identification of some important trends. The results show that climate change is a primary trigger of migration both internally and externally. The high number of migrants, many of whom living within levels of poverty in their home areas is straining resources and services in the receiving regions. Their presence is also leading to increased competition for jobs and resources. Additionally, it has increased urban poverty, as many migrants have little access to living space and health care. This paper provides a welcome addition to the literature in that it lists the causes and implications of climate-induced migration and, by doing so, fosters a better understanding of the current crisis and its implications. The implications of this paper to the overall knowledge of climate change and migration are twofold. First, it highlights the need for governments, international organisations, and other stakeholders better to understand the complex linkages between climate change and migration. Secondly, it shows the usefulness of better recognising how climate change can drive migration and the other factors shaping the decision to migrate. The paper concludes by stating the urgent need for policies and programmes that support climate change-induced migrants. Also, it draws attention to the usefulness of promoting sustainable development in their origin countries and destinations, so that migration is not necessarily perceived as the only response to climate change. A further conclusion is that there is a perceived need for providing access to resources such as education, health care, and livelihood opportunities and establishing mechanisms to ensure a safe and dignified return for those who choose to do so. • Climate change is a significant driver for migration in Kenya and Ethiopia. • Droughts, conflicts, and crop failures are among the key drivers of migration. • Male migration is more prominent than a female one. • Limited access to productive resources leads to outmigration from rural areas. • Lockdowns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic did not cause any major migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: over one third of total Disability-Adjusted-Life-Years lost in Kenya are due to noncommunicable diseases (NCD). In response, the Government declared significant commitment towards improving NCD care. The COVID-19 pandemic increased the burden on the already overstretched health systems in Kenya. The aims of this study are to assess whether health care providers perceived NCD care to be optimal during the pandemic and explore how to improve responses to future emergencies. Methods: this cross-sectional online survey included healthcare personnel with non-clinical roles (public health workers and policy-makers) and those delivering health care (doctors and nurses). Respondents were recruited between May and September 2021 by random sampling, completed by snowball sampling. Results: among 236 participants (42% in clinical, 58% in non-clinical roles) there was an overall consensus between respondents on NCD care being disrupted and compromised during the pandemic in Kenya. Detracted supplies, funding, and technical resources affected the continuity of NCDs' response, despite government efforts. Respondents agreed that the enhanced personnel capacity and competencies to manage COVID-19 patients were positive, but noted a lack of guidance for redirecting care for chronic diseases, and advocated for digital innovation as a solution. Conclusion: this paper explores the perceptions of key stakeholders involved in the management of NCDs in Kenya to improve planning for future emergency responses. Gaps were identified in health system response and preparedness capacity during the pandemic including the perceived need to strengthen NCD services, with solutions offered to guide resilience efforts to protect the health system from disruption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pandemics are associated with exponential mortality rates, creating heavy burdens on communities. The high death rates affect how societies traditionally conduct funerary practices as governments impose regulations on the preparation of bodies and the conduct of the funerals to stem the transmission of the virus. In societies associated with deeply entrenched customary funerary practices, such limitative measures attract defiance. The tensions between public health objectives and funerary traditions have played out in a number of societies resulting in litigation. At the core of the disputes is whether the right to manifest religion or belief can be upheld, and relatedly, whether the dead have rights to dignified burials irrespective of pandemics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, some courts had to grapple with these difficult questions. In this paper, I take a jurisprudential excursion on some disputes in Kenya, India and Sri Lanka to assess the adjudication of conflicts which arose from COVID-19 pandemic deaths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 remains an income shock of significant economic consequence to many households across the world. The situation among refugees can be pathetic due to their inherent economic deprivations and vulnerability to income shocks. This paper analyzed the dynamics of poverty among refugees in Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic and determined their correlates. The data were the first to fifth waves of the COVID-19 Rapid Response Phone Surveys that were conducted among refugees. The data were analysed with heteroscedasticity consistent Ordered Probit model. The results showed that with only 8.14% of the refugees never entering poverty within the survey periods, majority of the refugees were transiently (46.27%) and chronically (45.59%) poor. The error variance differed across household sizes, and heteroscedasticity was properly corrected. Movement from never being poor to chronic poverty was significantly promoted by urban residence, household size, educational levels, and camp of residence (Kakuma, Dadaab and Kalobeyei), while asset disposal income, amount of credit, remittance, and other gifts reduced it. It was concluded that efforts to reduce poverty vulnerability among refugees should among others address maternal fertility and promotion of policies to allow formally educated refugees to be gainfully engaged in the Kenyan labour markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, cases of gender-based violence (GBV) dramatically increased. While the Kenyan governmental bodies are held responsible for their inadequate response to this "national disaster of GBV", the role of the Kenyan churches is hardly criticized. The churches neither spoke out against this prevalent injustice, nor did they openly support the victims of GBV. Furthermore, it could be argued that churches, through their patriarchal structures and cultural and doctrinal teachings, have contributed to this disaster. This article is written from a woman's perspective and focused on the notion of vumilia, or perseverance, an important notion in the lived faith of women. Vumilia is the Kiswahili word for "persevere" or "endure." It appears that a gendered vumilia theology applied to gender relations, prevents churches from adequately addressing gender-based violence. Unless and until this vumilia theology is deconstructed and balanced with a liberation theology, the church's response to gender-based violence will be superficial and insufficient. In this article, the narrative method is used to bring about the ideas and experiences of women in two Kenyan churches, the Reformed Church of East Africa (RCEA) and the African Israel Nineveh Church (AINC), related to vumilia and its cultural and theological underpinnings. The article discusses the teachings of vumilia theology in these churches and their effects on women who suffer from gender-based violence. The paper also traces the resistance of church women, indicating the contours of a woman-affirming Christ-centered theology and spirituality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: COVID-19 has become a public health concern globally with increased numbers of cases of the disease and deaths reported daily. The key strategy for the prevention of COVID-19 disease is to enhance mass COVID-19 vaccination. However, mass vaccination faces challenges of hesitation to acceptance of the vaccine in the community. The youth may not be among the vulnerable population to severe COVID-19 disease but are highly susceptible to contracting the virus and spreading it. The aim of the study was to assess COVID-19 vaccine youth behavior intentions and their determinants in Kenya. Methods: The study used a mixed method design, employing a cross-sectional survey and focused group discussions across 47 counties in Urban, Peri-Urban and Rural settings of Kenya. The interviewees were youths aged 18–35, registered in online platforms/peer groups that included Shujaaz, Brck Moja, Aiffluence, Y Act and Heroes for Change. Quantitative data was collected using Google forms. A total of 665 interviews were conducted. Quantitative data was analysed using STATA version 16. In this paper we report quantitative study findings. Results: The findings of the study indicated that only 42% of the youth were ready to be vaccinated, with 52% adopting a wait and see approach to what happens to those who had received the vaccine and 6% totally unwilling to be vaccinated. The determinants of these behavior intentions included: the perceived adverse effects of the vaccine on health, inadequate information about the COVID-19 vaccine, conflicting information about COVID-19 vaccine from the social media, religious implications of the vaccine, impact of education level on understanding of the vaccine, perceived risk of contracting the COVID-19 disease, efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine, COVID-19 affecting women than men and trust in the ministry of health to lead COVID-19 interventions. Significantly it was found that hesitancy is higher among females, protestants and those with post-secondary education. Lack of information and concerns around vaccine safety and effectiveness were main cause of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Social media was the major source of information contributing to hesitancy. Other contributors to hesitancy included low trust in the MoH and belief that mass vaccination is not helpful. Conclusion: Vaccine hesitancy remains high among the youth but the causes of it are modifiable and health systems need to have evidence based engagements with the youth to reduce vaccine hesitancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prognosis of DKA has improved over time with the availability of evidence-based protocols and resources. However, in Kenya, there are limited resources for the appropriate diagnosis and management of DKA, mostly limited to tertiary-level referral facilities. This study aimed to review the clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of adult patients admitted with DKA and assess differences in these parameters before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This was a retrospective study of DKA admissions from January 2017 to December 2021. Patient data were retrieved from the medical records department using ICD-10 codes, and individual details were abstracted on clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of DKA. Comparisons were made between pre-COVID-19 and during COVID-19 durations. Results: 150 patients admitted with DKA were included (n = 48 pre- COVID-19, n = 102 during COVID-19 (n = 23 COVID-19 positive, n = 79 COVID-19 negative)). Median age was 47 years (IQR 33.0, 59.0), median HbA1C was 12.4% [IQR 10.8, 14.6]), and most patients had severe DKA (46%). Most common DKA precipitants were infections (40.7%), newly diagnosed diabetes (33.3%) and missed medication (25.3%). There was a significant difference in pulmonary infections as a DKA precipitant, between the pre- COVID and during COVID-19 pandemic (21.6% during COVID-19 versus 6.3% pre- COVID-19; p = 0.012). Median total insulin dose used was 110.0 units [IQR 76.0, 173.0], and a 100% of patients received basal insulin. Median length of hospital stay was 4.0 days [IQR 3.0, 6.0] and time to DKA resolution was 30.0 h [IQR 24.0, 48.0]. There were 2 deaths (1.3%), none directly attributable to DKA. Severity of DKA significantly differed between pre- COVID-19, COVID-19 positive and COVID-19 negative DKA (52.2% of COVID-19 positive had moderate DKA compared to 26.6% of COVID-19 negative and 22.9% of Pre-COVID-19 (p = 0.006)). Conclusion: Even in developing regions, good outcomes can be achieved with the appropriate facilities for DKA management. Clinician and patient education is necessary to ensure early detection and prompt referral to avoid patients presenting with severe DKA. Exploratory studies are needed to assess reasons for prolonged time to DKA resolution found in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The first case of COVID-19 in Kenya was reported on March 13, 2020, prompting the collection of baseline data during the initial spread of the disease. Subsequently, the Kenyan government implemented non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) on April 9, 2020, to mitigate disease transmission over a two-month period. These measures were later gradually relaxed starting from June 9, 2020. Methods: We applied a deterministic mathematical model to simulate the dynamics of COVID-19 transmission in Kenya. Using baseline data, we estimated transmission and recovery rates and proposed a mathematical model of how NPIs affect disease transmission rates. The model extends to interventions that yield an increase in disease transmission, unlike previous models that were limited to a decrease in transmission. We computed the mitigation and relaxation fractions and hence deduced the impact of the interventions. Results: The mitigation measures imposed from April 9, 2020, reduced the disease transmission by 43.7% from the baseline level, while the relaxation from June 9, 2020, increased the transmission by 32% over the mitigation level. Without intervention, the model predicts that infections would have peaked at 30% by late May 2020. However, due to the combined effect of mitigation and relaxation, the epidemic peaked at 13% infection in mid-July 2020. Discussion: The model's projections closely align with observed data, providing valuable insights for planning. Ongoing research aims to refine the model to capture sub-waves and spikes, as well as simulate multiple waves of infection. These efforts will enhance our understanding of COVID-19 dynamics and inform effective public health strategies. The estimated basic reproduction number = 2.76, consistent with previous findings, underscores the validity of our model and its relevance in predicting disease transmission dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In 2020, healthcare providers were expected to provide care to individuals with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), putting them at risk of acquiring COVID-19. The possibility of acquiring poorly understood infectious diseases while providing care may have an impact on the mental health of providers. We conducted a study to explore the effects of COVID-19 on the mental health of healthcare providers. Methods: Between April and August 2021, we conducted in-depth interviews with 60 healthcare providers in the infectious disease unit (IDU) and other units of the hospital (non-IDU). The healthcare providers completed an online self-administered survey form with demographic data (age, sex, average income, and known contact with a COVID-19 patient). We used semi-structured interview guides to understand the healthcare providers' lived experiences of stress, anxiety, depression, and their associated factors. We transcribed the interviews verbatim and coded and analyzed the transcripts to derive thematic concepts related to mental health experiences. Results: The healthcare providers had a median age of 37 years [IQR 20.0–58.0], and 56.7% were female, 30.0% nurses, 18.3% medical doctors, and 11.7% laboratory technologists. The healthcare providers reported increased stress during the pandemic, attributed to the high demand for patient care, changes in social life, and fear of COVID-19 infection. They also reported experiences of anxiety and depression as a result of limited knowledge at the beginning of the pandemic and the perception that "COVID-19 resulted in death". Testing positive for COVID-19, high exposure to COVID-19 risks, and the death of patients and colleagues reportedly affected the healthcare providers' mental health. Additionally, the healthcare providers reported mental health support through debriefing meetings, peer-to-peer support, and psychological counseling, with privacy and confidentiality concerns. Conclusions: Healthcare providers faced mental health issues such as stress and anxiety while taking care of COVID-19 patients. An effective mental health response requires institutional practices that address context-specific challenges such as privacy and confidentiality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of African Journal of Reproductive Health is the property of Women's Health & Action Research Centre and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper investigates the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on financial institutions and on consumers' adoption of Financial Technology (FinTech) for payments. This paper documents the following findings in Kenya. (1) The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption and increased the payment concentration of FinTech. We document an approximately 54% increase in mobile banking transactions, a 19.56% increase in mobile banking agents, and a 14.56% increase in the number of mobile banking accounts. (2) The use of all types of electronic payment cards declined significantly during the pandemic. (3) The pandemic magnified interbank contagion and liquidity risks and reduced both domestic and international electronic fund transfers via both the Real-Gross Settlement System and the Automated Clearing House. Overall, our results indicate that FinTech not only partially alleviated the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during Q1 of 2021 but also accelerated consumers' adoption of FinTech and digital onboarding, especially in Q3 and Q4 of 2022. • The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of FinTech. • The use of mobile banking has significantly increased during the pandemic. • The use of electronic payment cards has significantly declined during the pandemic. • The pandemic has reduced domestic and international electronic funds transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Following the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, vaccination became the main strategy against disease severity and even death. Healthcare workers were considered high-risk for infection and, thus, were prioritised for vaccination. Methods: A follow-up to a SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence study among clinical and non-clinical HCWs at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, we assessed how vaccination influenced SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike IgG antibody responses and kinetics. Blood samples were drawn at two points spanning 6 to 18 months post-vaccination, and SARS-CoV-2 spike antibody levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Almost all participants, 98% (961/981), received a second vaccine dose, and only 8.5% (83/981) received a third dose. SARS-CoV-2 spike IgG antibodies were detected in 100% (961/961) and 92.7% (707/762) of participants who received two vaccine doses, with the first and second post-vaccine test, respectively, and in 100% (83/83) and 91.4% (64/70) of those who received three vaccine doses at the first and second post-vaccine test, respectively. Seventy-six participants developed mild infections, not requiring hospitalisation even after receiving primary vaccination. Receiving three vaccine doses influenced the anti-spike S/Co at both the first (p<0.001) and second post-vaccination testing (p<0.001). Of those who tested SARS-CoV-2 positive, the anti-spike S/Co ratio was significantly higher than those who were seronegative at the first post-vaccine test (p = 0.001). Side effects were reported by almost half of those who received the first dose, 47.3% (464/981), 28.9% (278/961) and 25.3% (21/83) of those who received the second and third vaccine doses, respectively. Discussion and conclusion: Following the second dose of primary vaccination, all participants had detectable anti-spike antibodies. The observed mild breakthrough infections may have been due to emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Findings suggest that although protective antibodies are induced, vaccination protected against COVID-19 disease severity and not necessarily infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To report on the mental health status of adolescents and youth in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic in Nairobi County, Kenya. Methodology: This was a mixed-methods study with cross-sectional quantitative and qualitative components conducted in Nairobi County, Kenya from August to September 2020. The quantitative survey involved phone interviews of n = 1,217 adolescents and youth. Qualitative components included virtual focus group discussions (FGDs) with adolescents and youth (n = 64 unmarried youths aged 16-25 years, across 8 FGDs) and youth-serving stakeholders (n = 34, across 4 FGDs), key informant interviews (n = 12 higher-level stakeholders from Ministries of Health, Gender, and Education), and in-depth interviews with youth (n = 20) so as to examine the COVID-19 impact on mental health. Results: Among the participants, 26.6% of young men and 30.0% of young women reported probable depressive symptoms, of whom 37.7% of young men and 38.9% of young women reported little interest or pleasure in doing various activities. Hopelessness and feeling down nearly every day was additionally reported by 10.7% of young women and 6.3% of young men. Further, about 8.8% of young men and 7.6% of young women reported they could not get the emotional help and support they may need from people in their life. Multivariable regression results showed an association between depressive symptoms and reduced working hours due to COVID-19 and increased intimate partner violence. Additionally, the results show that respondents with higher emotional help and support were less likely to report depressive symptoms. Qualitative results confirm the quantitative findings and exemplify the negative behavior arising from the impact of adherence to COVID-19 prevention measures. Conclusion: Mental health issues were common among adolescents and youth and may have been augmented by isolation and economic hardships brought about by COVID-19 restrictions. There is a need for concerted efforts to support adolescents and young people to meet their mental health needs, while considering the unique variations by gender. There is need to urgently strengthen the mental health system in Kenya, including via integrating psychosocial support services in communities, schools, and healthcare services, to ensure adolescents and young persons are not left behind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 led to widespread disruption of services that promote family well-being. Families impacted most were those already experiencing disparities due to structural and systemic barriers. Existing support systems faded into the background as families became more isolated. New approaches were needed to deliver evidence-based, low-cost interventions to reach families within communities. We adapted a family strengthening intervention developed in Kenya ("Tuko Pamoja") for the United States. We tested a three-phase participatory adaptation process. In phase 1, we conducted community focus groups including 11 organizations to identify needs and a community partner. In phase 2, the academic-community partner team collaboratively adapted the intervention. We held a development workshop and trained community health workers to deliver the program using an accelerated process combining training, feedback, and iterative revisions. In phase 3, we piloted Coping Together with 18 families, collecting feedback through session-specific surveys and participant focus groups. Community focus groups confirmed that concepts from Tuko Pamoja were relevant, and adaptation resulted in a contextualized intervention—"Coping Together"—an 8-session virtual program for multiple families. As in Tuko Pamoja, communication skills are central and applied for developing family values, visions, and goals. Problem-solving and coping skills then equip families to reach goals, while positive emotion-focused activities promote openness to change. Sessions are interactive, emphasizing skills practice. Participants reported high acceptability and appropriateness, and focus groups suggested that most content was understood and applied in ways consistent with the theory of change. The accelerated reciprocal adaptation process and intervention could apply across resource-constrained settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Street artists around the world have been prominent in depicting issues concerning COVID-19, but the role of street art in public-making during the pandemic is unexplored. Despite burgeoning street art scenes in many African countries since the early 2000s, African street art is relatively neglected in critical street art scholarship. In response, this paper examines street art created during the pandemic in East African countries, principally Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania, and explores the ways in which it is engaged in highly distinctive forms of public-making. Drawing primarily on qualitative online interviews with East African artists creating street art, and image analysis using online search tools, the paper argues that street art in urban areas is attempting to create knowledgeable publics through countering disinformation about the pandemic, to responsiblize publics through public health messaging and, through community activism, to build resilient publics. The paper concludes that street art is potentially an important tool in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic in East African countries due to the proximity, and mutual constitution of, creative practices and publics, which emerge from the embedding of street art within the social spaces of cities and everyday experiences of the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces a methodology to explore pedestrian accessibility in informal settlements. This methodology is applied to pandemic intervention sites in Nairobi's Kibera area for 3.5 months (14 April to 31 July 2020) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Freely available transportation network data and open-source GIS software are utilised. Isochrones, areas of equal travel time, are calculated to assess pedestrian accessibility (walk times) from 30,231 Kibera structures to 138 COVID-19 stationary intervention sites. These sites aid in virus control, resource distribution, and COVID-related medical support. Travel times are determined considering different terrain slopes. Unequal access to intervention sites is observed due to indirect routes. Shortest walks (up to 21.5 min) are to handwashing and food distribution points, while longer walks (up to 61.5 min) are to interventions with fewer sites or localised clustering, such as baby product distribution. This simple accessibility analysis helps identify service gaps during crises, aiding planning authorities and communities. Our methodology offers insight into travel patterns in slums and has wider applicability to assess the relationships between transport infrastructure provision and resilience in informal settlements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food price shocks exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic have the potential to threaten food security, especially among low-income households. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of COVID-19 on food prices and the coping strategies of households in Malava and Lurambi Sub-Counties of Kakamega County, Kenya. The researchers adopted a descriptive survey design for this study. A semistructured questionnaire was developed using KoBo Collect and synchronized to the Open Data Kit (ODK) server and used to collect data from a sample size of 200 households. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 26 to generate descriptive statistics. Results reveal that food prices significantly affected households as they depended on the market for food supply, with nutritious food items such as meat, vegetables, milk, and fruits exposed to significant food price shocks arising from COVID-19. Coping strategies included a reduced number of meals per day, reduced dietary diversity, and lower expenditure on health and education, calling for State and County Government interventions to provide food relief and transfer payments for vulnerable households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]