Search

Purpose: The aim of the study is to examine the role of women in the agricultural sector growth. Methodology: This study adopted a desktop methodology. This study used secondary data from which include review of existing literature from already published studies and reports that was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study revealed that women's participation in agricultural cooperatives that, entrepreneurship, access to land rights, and extension services positively influenced agricultural productivity and income generation. Cooperative membership and entrepreneurship provided women with access to resources, markets, and knowledge, leading to increased agricultural productivity and economic gains. Secure land rights empowered women, enabling them to invest in agriculture and adopt improved farming practices. Access to extension services facilitated the dissemination of information, technical training, and market opportunities, contributing to agricultural sector growth. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study was anchored on Agricultural innovation systems theory which was propounded by Dr. Norman Clark and gender and development theory which was propounded by Maxine Molyneux. The study recommended that policymakers should prioritize promoting women's access to resources, education, training, and credit facilities. It also recommended that strengthening women's participation in decision-making processes, fostering cooperative networks, and ensuring secure land tenure rights are crucial steps toward empowering women in agriculture.

Kenya’s education sector has faced many bottlenecks one being school dropouts. In 2018, the Kenyan government came up with 100% transition rate from primary school to secondary school to increase access to secondary school education which was hoped to result in increased completion rates. This study aimed at investigating Student’s Characteristics Leading to Students’ Dropout from Mixed-Day Secondary Schools in Bomet East Sub-County, Kenya for the period between the year 2019 and 2022. This study investigated individual student’s reasons as to why students drop out of school and suggested recommendations on what can be done about it. This study was guided by the objective: to investigate the student’s-related factors leading to school dropout. The researcher based the study on The Classical Theory of Equal Opportunities and Social Darwinism which reiterates that each person is born with some ability that cannot be altered but can be nurtured and is unique to that particular individual. To collect data from Principals, teachers and students of the sampled Mixed Day Secondary schools, the researcher employed Descriptive Survey. Before embarking on actual research, Piloting was carried out. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect data while Percentages and Frequencies were used to analyze the data. Analysis was done by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study revealed that the following student’s characteristics lead to students’ dropout; financial problems, peer influence, pregnancy, drug abuse, operating motorcycle business, over age, community/ family, family child labour, negative attitude to schooling, migration and health issues. The study suggests six recommendations to curb school dropouts. The researcher hopes that the findings will benefit the teachers, school principals and other school managers and the Ministry of Education to put necessary measures in place to deal with the dropout problem. The findings will add .......

Background: Worldwide healthcare workforce represents 12%, in Uganda, out of the 39000 healthcare workers (HCW), 500 have been deployed at Mbale regional referral hospital (MRRH). The deficient quality service delivery is attributed to adverse occupational health risk that are not addressed and acknowledged posing a great risk to patient safety. Study aims to investigate the unsafe acts and unsafe working conditions of health care workers at (MRRH).Methods: A quantitative observational study with a cross-section design was used using and a semi structured observation checklist for data collection among 120 health care workers of MRRH.Result: 45(37.5%) of the HCW never wore the necessary PPEs versus 75(62.5%) who wore, almost half 55(45.3%) worked over time and 65(54.6%) did not, as well the same figures represent those who over worked and those who did not over work respectively. 70% of the working places had defective working conditions for example no lighting, slippery floors and no danger signs. 75% of the wards had improper waste segregation measures.Conclusion : HCW and institutions should intervene to mitigate the hazards, strengthening occupational health, patient safety, hazard prevention and control

The Education Sector in Kenya has faced many challenges particularly school dropouts, which is an indicator of low internal efficiency during the past two decades. The Kenyan government came up with 100% transition rate from primary school to secondary school in 2018 to increase access to secondary school education which will in turn result in increased completion rates. This study sought to investigatee School Characteristics Leading to Students’ Dropout from Mixed-Day Secondary Schools in Bomet East Sub-County, Kenya for the period between the year 2019 and 2022. This study examined why students drop out of school and suggested recommendations on what can be done about it. This study was guided by the objective: to investigate the school-related factors leading to school dropout. The study was based on The Classical Theory of Equal Opportunities and Social Darwinism which assert that each person is born with a given amount of capacity, which, to a large extent, is inherited and cannot be substantially changed. Descriptive Survey Research Design was used to collect data from Principals, teachers and students of the sampled Mixed Day Secondary schools. Piloting was carried out. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect data. Percentages and Frequencies were used to analyze the data. Analysis was done by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). It was found out that the following school characteristics lead to students dropout; poor performance, expulsion, school dislike, long distance to school, gender violence, inadequate learning resources, harsh punishment and hatred towards a teacher. The study suggests three recommendations to curb school dropouts. The findings are hoped to benefit the teachers, school principals and other school managers as well as the Ministry of Education to put necessary measures in place to curb the dropout problem. The findings will also add new knowledge to the existing one.

This paper examines the relationship between human resource management practices and employee performance in Trans Nzoia County government. Despite receiving considerable funds from the National Treasury and other local revenue, underperformance as a problem among employees characterizes most of the county governments in the country; underperformance in the county is depicted by failure to meet set targets, late coming, unjustified absenteeism, and unsatisfactory revenue collection. The paper specifically focused on the influence of compensation and career management practices on employee performance. The paper is an output of a study that was carried out on “human resource management practices and employee performance” in Trans Nzoia County. The study was guided by Human Capital Theory advanced by Theodore Schultz. It employed a correlational survey design. The target population comprised all the102 employees attached to the Department of Public Service Management in Trans Nzoia County. A questionnaire was used to collect primary data. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the collected data. The regression analysis results indicated that both compensation and career management practices (β1= 0.462, P value=0.000

There is limited information on adequate application rates of nutrient stock solutions in hydroponic seed potato production systems in Kenya. This has led to low yields of apical rooted cuttings (ARC) potato varieties due to either nutrient deficiencies or toxicities. This study evaluated the effects of varied nutrient stock solution concentrations (NSSC) on the growth and yield of potato apical rooted cuttings varieties. Two greenhouse experiments were conducted at the Climate and Water Smart Agriculture Centre of Egerton University, Kenya. The experiments were laid out in a split-plot of a randomized complete block design, where the main plot comprised three nutrient concentrations, i.e., 75% (N75), 100% (N100) and 125% (N125) of the ADC-Molo’ nutrient formulation. The subplots were allocated the four potato varieties (Shangi, Wanjiku, Nyota and Unica). The results revealed significant (p ≤ 0.05) effects of NSSC application rates on the growth and yield attributes of ARCs. The N125 gave the tallest plants, highest normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), plant survival rate and fresh and dry matter (DM %) yields of aboveground biomass (AGB) in both experiments. Nyota produced taller plants, and gave higher NDVI values, higher fresh and DM weight of AGB. The highest numbers of minitubers/plant (8.67 to 9.93) as well as yields (9.97-13.08t/ha) were observed under 125% NSSC in both experiments. Nyota variety gave the highest minitubers/plant while Unica gave the highest yield. Therefore, to achieve high growth and yields of ARCs under a hydroponic system, seed potato producers should use 125% of the ADC Molo nutrient formulation.

Objectives: Fluid bolus resuscitation in African children is harmful. Little research has evaluated physiologic effects of maintenance-only fluid strategy. Design: We describe the efficacy of fluid-conservative resuscitation of septic shock using case-fatality, hemodynamic, and myocardial function endpoints. Setting: Pediatric wards of Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, Uganda, and Kilifi County Hospital, Kenya, conducted between October 2013 and July 2015. Data were analysed from August 2016 to July 2019. Patients: Children (≥ 60 d to ≤ 12 yr) with severe febrile illness and clinical signs of impaired perfusion. Interventions: IV maintenance fluid (4 mL/kg/hr) unless children had World Health Organization (WHO) defined shock (≥ 3 signs) where they received two fluid boluses (20 mL/kg) and transfusion if shock persisted. Clinical, electrocardiographic, echocardiographic, and laboratory data were collected at presentation, during resuscitation and on day 28. Outcome measures were 48-hour mortality, normalization of hemodynamics, and cardiac biomarkers. Measurement and Main Results: Thirty children (70% males) were recruited, six had WHO shock, all of whom died (6/6) versus three of 24 deaths in the non-WHO shock. Median fluid volume received by survivors and nonsurvivors were similar (13 [interquartile range (IQR), 9–32] vs 30 mL/kg [28–61 mL/kg], z = 1.62, p = 0.23). By 24 hours, we observed increases in median (IQR) stroke volume index (39 mL/m2 [32–42 mL/m2] to 47 mL/m2 [41–49 mL/m2]) and a measure of systolic function: fractional shortening from 30 (27–33) to 34 (31–38) from baseline including children managed with no-bolus. Children with WHO shock had a higher mean level of cardiac troponin (t = 3.58; 95% CI, 1.24–1.43; p = 0.02) and alpha-atrial natriuretic peptide (t = 16.5; 95% CI, 2.80–67.5; p < 0.01) at admission compared with non-WHO shock. Elevated troponin (> 0.1 μg/mL) and hyperlactatemia (> 4 mmol/L) were putative makers predicting outcome. Conclusions: Maintenance-only fluid therapy normalized clinical and myocardial perturbations in shock without compromising cardiac or hemodynamic function whereas fluid-bolus management of WHO shock resulted in high fatality. Troponin and lactate biomarkers of cardiac dysfunction could be promising outcome predictors in pediatric septic shock in resource-limited settings.

Background Infections are one of the leading causes of death in the neonatal period. This trial aims to evaluate if the provision of alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) to pregnant women for postnatal household use prevents severe infections (including sepsis, diarrhoea, pneumonia, or death) among infants during the first three postnatal months. Methods Through a cluster-randomised trial in eastern Uganda, 72 clusters are randomised in a 2-arm design with rural villages as units of randomisation. We estimate to include a total of 5932 pregnant women at 34 weeks of gestation. All women and infants in the study are receiving standard antenatal and postnatal care. Women in the intervention group additionally receive six litres of ABHR and training on its use. Research midwives conduct follow-up visits at participants’ homes on days 1, 7, 28, 42, and 90 after birth and telephone calls on days 14, 48, and 60 to assess the mother and infant for study outcomes. Primary analyses will be by intention to treat. Discussion This study will provide evidence on the effectiveness of a locally available and low-cost intervention in preventing neonatal sepsis and early infant infections. If ABHR is found effective, it could be implemented by adding it to birthing kits. Trial registration Pan African Clinical Trial Registry, PACTR202004705649428. Registered 1 April 2020, https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increasing in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Overweight/obesity and tobacco use are modifiable CVD risk factors, however literature about the spatiotemporal dynamics of these risk factors in the region at subnational or local scales is lacking. We describe the spatiotemporal trends of overweight/obesity and tobacco use at subnational and subpopulation levels over a 13-year period (2003 to 2016) in five East African nations. Methods: Cross-sectional, nationally representative Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) were used to explore the subnational spatiotemporal patterns of tobacco use and overweight/obesity in Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, five East African Community (EAC) nations with unique cultural landscapes influencing CVD risk factors. Adaptive kernel density estimation and logistic regression were used to determine the spatial distribution and change over time of CVD risk factors on a subnational and subpopulation (rural/urban) scale. Results: Subnational and subpopulation analysis shows that regional and national level analysis masks important trends in CVD risk factor prevalence. Overweight/obesity and tobacco use trends were not similar: overweight/obesity prevalence increased across most nations included in the study and the inverse was true for tobacco use prevalence. Urban populations in each nation were more likely to be overweight/obese than rural populations, although the magnitude of difference varied widely between nations. Although the prevalence of overweight/obesity increased over time in both urban and rural populations, spatial analysis revealed that the rate of change was not equal across all urban and rural areas. Rural populations were more likely to use tobacco than urban populations, though the likelihood of use varied substantially between nations. Additionally, spatial analysis showed that tobacco use was not distributed evenly over space: tobacco use increased in and around major cities and urban centers but declined in rural areas. Conclusions: We highlight the importance of de-homogenizing research about CVD risk factors in SSA. Studies of national prevalence trends for CVD risk factors mask important information about subpopulation and place-specific behavior and drivers of risk factor prevalence. Spatially explicit studies are vital to understand local drivers of risk factor trends which can in turn inform policy and public health intervention.

Background: Male partner involvement in ANC is essential for the mother's health and the growth of the fetus because it connects the mother and her child to the healthcare system, potentially increasing the likelihood that antenatal care services will be optimized. This study aimed to determine the effects of socio-demographics on male partner involvement in Antenatal Care. Methods: A descriptive survey research design was used. The study population included male partners in Kaptimbor Village Baringo Central Sub-County, Kabarnet ward. A sample of 167 respondents was recruited for the study. A stratified random sampling approach was used to select the study participants. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire, analyzed using SPSS computer package version 26 and thereafter presented using descriptive methods. Findings: The majority of the respondents (69.0%) were aged between 28 and 49 years, 63.2% had secondary or higher-level education, 39.4%, were self-employed, (58.7%) lived a distance of more than one kilometer from the nearest health facility and (54.8%) were of Tugen and Pokot ethnic backgrounds. The majority of the respondents indicated that traditionally, ANC has only been a place for women and that men had certain roles to play during pregnancy. Younger men were more supportive, older men were opposed to the idea of men engaging in ANC. Men with low-income levels chose to stay at home rather than accompany their partners to prenatal clinics. A significant percentage of men correctly identified convulsions, loss of consciousness, fast/difficult breathing and severe headache with blurred vision as danger signs in pregnancy. Conclusions: Different aspects of ANC indicated varying degrees of involvement. In spite of the fact that the vast majority of men indicated a high level of involvement in ANC services, there were gaps in their understanding, perceptions, and involvement. Article visualizations

Additional file 1: Appendix 1. Poster shown and given in the antenatal period to supplement alcohol based hand rub training in the BabyGel trial.

Additional file 2: Appendix 2. Poster shown and given in the postnatal period to supplement alcohol based hand rub training in the BabyGel trial.

Additional file 6: Picture 1. Components of a Maama birth kit given to pregnant women in the BabyGel Trial. Picture 2. Alcohol Based Handrub Package given to pregnant women in the intervention arm of the BabyGel Trial.

Additional file 4.

Additional file 3: Appendix 3. Alcohol based hand rub training guide used in the BabyGel trial.

Additional file 5.

BackgroundLow uptake and high discontinuation rates remain major obstacles to realizing the potential of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) in changing the trajectory of the HIV epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Evidence on how PrEP could be successfully delivered has thus far mainly focused on key target groups rather than the general adult population. Set in the HIV-hyperendemic country of Lesotho, which is currently rolling out PrEP for the general adult population, this study aimed to determine stakeholders’ views on which are the most important barriers and most promising interventions to achieving high PrEP uptake and continuation.Methods and findingsWe conducted a card sorting and ranking exercise with 155 local stakeholders to identify key barriers and interventions. Stakeholders were a purposive sample of PrEP policy makers and implementing partners (n=7), healthcare providers (n=51), and end-users (n=97). End-users included adults who were currently using PrEP (n=55), formerly using PrEP (n=36), and were offered PrEP by a healthcare provider but declined (n=6). Participants sorted pre-selected interventions and barriers to PrEP coverage into three piles – most, somewhat, and least important. After sorting, participants ranked interventions and barriers in the “most important” piles in ascending order of significance. Ranked preferences were analyzed as voting data to identify the smallest set of candidates for which each candidate in the set would win a two-candidate election against any candidate outside the set. Participants viewed a lack of PrEP awareness as the most important barrier to PrEP uptake for women, and a fear of HIV testing for men. Community-based HIV testing was ranked as the most promising intervention to improve PrEP uptake for both men and women. Perceived or experienced stigma was seen as an important barrier for PrEP continuation for both men and women, with an additional important barrier for men being daily activities that compete with the time or mental bandwidth needed to take a daily pill. Adherence counseling and multi-month PrEP prescriptions were seen as the most promising interventions to improve PrEP continuation.ConclusionsOur findings suggest community-based activities that generate PrEP demand (community-based HIV testing and mass media campaigns), reinforced with facility-based follow-up (counseling and multi-month prescription) could be promising interventions to improve PrEP uptake and continuation in PrEP programs that are aimed at the general adult population. The views of the wide range of stakeholders that participated in this study could provide a useful starting point for design and implementation choices of PrEP delivery programs for the general adult population.

There is a global emphasis on the importance of providing quality early childhood education and care to all children. The issue of provision of quality early childhood education for arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya has received less attention as it contributes to the status of literacy of the whole population. This paper looks at the provision of quality education in public early childhood education centres also known as pre-primary schools in West Pokot County, Kenya. The study methodology incorporated qualitative and quantitative methods of research. This study took pragmatism as its philosophical paradigm. The study used a descriptive survey research design. The target population for the research involved 365 headteachers and 682 teachers. The sample size for the study was arrived at by taking 10-30% of the target population to act as the sample size that is 10% for headteachers and 30% for ECDE teachers. The research instruments used were; questionnaires and interview guides. The data collected was analysed using qualitative and quantitative methods. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviation. Statistical Package for Social Science (Version 20.0) helped in coding, entry and analysis. Qualitative data was analysed using content analysis method. The study found out that provision of quality education was at average level (M=2.87, SD=1.13) in public pre-primary schools in West Pokot County. This means that half of the pupils in public pre-primary schools in the county are not receiving quality education and hence affecting their development in schools. Therefore, the paper recommends that adequate measures need to be put in place by the County Government of West Pokot County to ensure that public ECDE centres provide quality education through building more ECDE classrooms, employment of teachers on permanent and pensionable terms, provision of adequate instructional materials and meals programmes for remote schools to increase learners retention

The study sought to explore clinicians’ perspective on factors affecting pain management on terminally ill patients admitted at Longisa County Referral Hospital in southern part of Rift Valley region in Kenya. Factors that facilitates pain management are: use of WHO guidelines, education of clinicians on pain management and incorporating pain assessment as the fifth vital sign. Conversely, barriers leading to under treatment of pain include: lack of knowledge on pain management, lack of pain assessment tools/guidelines, misconceptions of narcotics among clinicians, lack of essential medicines, understaffing, patients and family beliefs of pain, inconsistent supply of opioids and restrictive regulation of opioids. This was an exploratory qualitative study in which in-depth interviews were conducted with clinicians who were purposively sampled to include those who worked in areas with palliative care patients until thematic saturation was achieved. Data was analyzed through thematic content analysis and presented in form of narrative. The study revealed that clinician do not treat pain adequately. Additionally, significant knowledge deficiencies exist regarding current principles of pain management practices and presence of beliefs that interfere with optimal care. Significant knowledge deficiencies are evident regarding currently accepted principles of pain management practices, as well as beliefs and lack of essential drugs including opioids which hinders pain management therefore clinicians must be educated continuously especially with ongoing educational sessions with a focus on knowledge of current pain management principles.

The purpose of this study was to examine Morbidity, health and nutrition status of infants born to young mothers in Transmara west Narok County, Kenya. Five health facilities were purposively selected in Transmara West Sub County, Narok County by use of analytical cross-sectional study design. A sample size of 246 infants and 246 adolescent mothers were recruited from the health facilities. Quantitative data was analysed using SPPS for windows version 24.0 and ENA for SMART survey 2011. The relationship between nutritional status and other variables was established by use of chi-square test at a significance level of less than 0.05. Most of the mothers were between 16 to 17 years with the youngest mother being 14 years old. Malnutrition levels were 17.1 per cent 22.0% and 22.0 per cent for wasting, stunting and underweight respectively. Meal frequency, exclusive breastfeeding and infant illness two weeks before the study were significant (p

The purpose of this study was to determine influence of social economic status on the nutrition status of born to young mothers in Transmara west Narok County, Kenya. Five health facilities were purposively selected in Transmara West Sub County, Narok County by use of analytical cross-sectional study design. A sample size of 246 infants and 246 adolescent mothers were recruited from the health facilities. Quantitative data was analysed using SPPS for windows version 24.0 and ENA for SMART survey 2011. The relationship between nutritional status and other variables was established by use of chi-square test at a significance level of less than 0.05. Most of the mothers were between 16 to 17 years with the youngest mother being 14 years old. The study concluded that the young teenage mothers depended on their families as the main sustenance and others did casual jobs to fend for themselves and their infants.The majority of the adolescent mothers could be classified as of low socio-economic backgrounds. The study recommends that children of young mothers are more vulnerable to malnutrition hence should be given more priority by the government and other stakeholders.

IntroductionDiseases addressed by surgical, obstetrics, trauma, and anesthesia (SOTA) care are rising globally due to an anticipated rise in the burden of non-communicable diseases and road traffic accidents. Low and middle-income countries (LMICs) disproportionately bear the brunt. Evidence-based policies and political commitment are required to reverse this trend. The Lancet Commission of Global Surgery proposed National Surgical and Obstetrics Plans (NSOAP) to alleviate the respective SOTA burdens in LMICs. NSOAP plans success leverages comprehensive stakeholder engagement and appropriate health policy analyses and recommendations. As Uganda embarks on its NSOAP development, policy prioritization in Uganda remains unexplored. We, therefore, seek to determine the priority given to Surgery, Obstetrics, Anesthesia, and Trauma care in Uganda’s health care policy and systems-relevant documents.Methods and analysisWe will conduct a scoping review of SOTA health policy and system-relevant documents produced between 2000 and 2022 using the Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework and additional guidance from the Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewer’s manual. These documents will be sought from the websites of SOTA stakeholders by hand searching. We shall also search from Google scholar and Pubmed using well-defined search strategies. The Knowledge Management Portal for the Ugandan Ministry of Health, which was created to provide evidence-based decision-making data, is the primary source. The rest of the sources will include; other repositories like websites of relevant government institutions, international and national non-governmental organizations, professional associations and councils, and religious and medical bureaus. Data retrieved from the eligible policy and decision-making documents will include the year of publication, the global surgery specialty mentioned, the NSOAP surgical system domain, the national priority area involved, and funding. The data will be collected in a preformed extraction sheet. Two independent reviewers will screen the collected data, and results will be presented as counts and their respective proportions. The findings will be reported narratively using the PRISMA guidelines for scoping reviews.Ethics and disseminationThis study will generate evidence-based information on the state of SOTA care in Uganda’s health policy, which will inform NSOAP development in this nation. The review’s findings will be presented to the Ministry of Health planning task force. The study will also be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication, oral and poster presentations at local, regional, national, and international conferences, and over social media.Strengths and Limitations of the studyThis will be the first scoping review to examine the prioritization of SOTA care in Uganda’s health care policy documents. The search strategy includes several electronic databases, including governmental and non-governmental organizations, professional associations and councils, and religious and medical bureaus. The scoping review will conform to the rigorous methodology manual by the Joanna Briggs Institute.However, this scoping review may not capture some documents that aren’t available online.

Growing high-yielding varieties is crucial for successful crop production and maximizing farmers’ net returns. One such example is IR05N221, locally referred to as Komboka rice variety, which was released in Kenya in 2013. On the one hand, Komboka can bridge the gap in rice imports since yields of existing rice varieties do not meet the increasing rice consumption levels of the Kenyan population. On the other hand, it has taken about seven years for Komboka to be appreciated by farmers, necessitating the need to understand farmer preferences when it comes to adopting a new improved variety. We used a mixed-method study approach by combining quantitative and qualitative data collected regionally and locally in both rainfed and irrigated ecologies. When compared to most of the other rice varieties under evaluation, Komboka was high-yielding, early-maturing, and had moderate tolerance to diseases in both rainfed and irrigated ecologies. However, farmers at the regional level ranked Komboka either at the same or lower rank in terms of sensory attributes. At the local level, farmers predominantly grew older and more aromatic Basmati 370 rice variety for sale, as it fetched them more money, with preferences for both men and women rice farmers being the same. Despite Komboka being a high-yielding variety, Mwea rice farmers’ perceptions and preferences for this improved variety were low. While Komboka was equally aromatic, the lack of a ready market dissuaded these farmers from widely preferring the new Komboka variety. We provide prerequisite information that can support the commercialization and promotion of the Komboka variety. We also show that widespread favourable perception of new varieties hinges on matching preferences between breeders’ efforts for improved rice productivity with farmers’ needs for market competitiveness in these new varieties.

The effect of Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungi on growth, nutrient uptake and root infectivity was determined in Rough Lemon (Citrus jambhiri) seedlings raised under four phosphorus regimes in sand culture and also in sand/nitrosol sterile and unsterile conditions. Inoculation with AM fungi increased the plant height, leaf number and stem girth in relation to un-inoculated seedlings grown under equivalent P concentrations. An increase in plant height, leaf number and stem girth also occurred in both inoculated sterile and un-sterile sand/nitrosol media in relation to un-inoculated sterile and unsterile media. Arbuscular mycorrhiza also increased the leaf area and the root, leaf and stem fresh and dry weights and also caused an increase in the uptake of phosphorus and potassium in the leaf tissues. It also favoured mycorrhizal infectivity of roots and increased the root absorptive surface area. This study indicates that AM fungi improves the capacity of tropical fruit to absorb and utilize plant nutrients possibly by increasing the effective root surface area from which available form of nutrients are absorbed and also by increasing access of roots by bridging the depletion zones. Inoculating seedlings with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi helps to alleviate the adverse effects of global warming and climate change. As a low cost technology, arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation is recommended as part of the regular practise for incorporating into nursery media used for tropical fruit seedling propagation.

In this study, an azo dye Amido Black 10B was decolourised and degraded by using bacterium Bacillus sp. strain AK1. The strain decolourised 96% of the dye in 30 h at 100 mg L−1 dye concentration. D...

Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) viremia is common in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and is associated with worse long-term outcomes. To date, no studies have assessed CMV viremia in children diagnosed with HIV in hospital. Methods We studied CMV viremia and clinical outcomes in 163 Kenyan children aged 2 months to 12 years, diagnosed with HIV in hospital. CMV DNA levels in plasma were measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Regression models were used to assess associations between CMV viremia ≥1000 IU/mL and the risk of continued hospitalization or death at 15 days, duration of hospitalization, and 6-month mortality. Results At enrollment, 62/114 (54%) children had CMV viremia, and 20 (32%) were ≥1000 IU/mL. Eleven CMV reactivations were observed after admission. The prevalence and level of CMV viremia were highest in children −2 (P = .02). Adjusting for age and log10 HIV RNA, the relative risk of death or continued hospitalization at 15 days was 1.74 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.04, 2.90), and the hazard ratio of 6-month mortality was 1.97 (95% CI = .57, 5.07) for children with CMV DNA ≥1000 IU/mL compared to lower-level or undetectable CMV DNA. Children with CMV DNA ≥1000 IU/mL were hospitalized a median ~5 days longer than children with lower-level or undetectable CMV DNA (P = .002). Conclusions In this nested observational study, CMV viremia was common in hospitalized children with HIV, and levels ≥1000 IU/mL were associated with increased risk of mortality and longer hospitalization.

When the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, public health measures were implemented globally. Early on, concerns grew that lockdowns and travel restrictions could have severe consequences, especially for marginalized communities in the Global South. In Sub-Saharan Africa, wood charcoal is not only an important cooking fuel, but provides income for many rural households. Despite its economic value, the charcoal sector is, however, largely unregulated and viewed exclusively as an environmentally damaging industry by policy makers and the public who make it responsible for large-scale deforestation. The present study employs a sustainable livelihood framework to assess the ability of charcoal producers in northwestern Kenya, to cope with a short-term shock such as the COVID-19 pandemic and preventive measures. It furthermore compares their access to health information to that of non-producers. A street survey of 139 respondents allowed to gain rapid insights into the realities of a group not accessible via online or telephone surveys. The results show that 87 % of charcoal producers face severe decline of this economic practice because of limited market access. These losses cause them food insecurities, while non-charcoal producers are more worried about social consequences of the restrictions. Though charcoal producers and non-producers feel equally well informed about the pandemic, producers are less likely to access reliable information channels than non-producers, resulting in an uneven distribution of health information across the community. By investigating the response of producers to an external shock and limited market access this study adds to the understanding of local vulnerabilities and the sustainability of rural livelihood strategies. This research argues for inclusive policy response to ensure consideration of the informal sector in crisis response as well as to provide adequate and low-threshold access to health information.

The consumption of alcoholic drinks have highly risen recently to a situation whereby there is a deficit in the stores, this is due to the higher demand compared to supply. Due to the high prices of most of the industrialized brews, consumers have opted for locally brewed drinks. Although locally manufactured brews are not recognized and certified by law, most are of good quality and with low cost of production. The use of Tithonia diversifolia can be employed to aid in improvement of the rate of production of local and industrialized brews. The main aim of this project was to improve the rate of fermentation of alcoholic beverage using both Tithonia diversifolia leaves extracts and iron II nanoparticles derived from it. It was observed that the plant catalyst reduced the time taken to produce alcohol. Alcohol fermentation rate in presence of yeast and with a tithonia extract as catalyst was measured, Rates of alcohol production was measured by UV VIS at intervals of one hour and deduced from a calibration curve. From the data, the alcohol content was higher in the sample catalyzed by the complexed extract and the one containing extracts as the catalyst as compared to the one without a catalyst. The percentage ethanol was able to be detected by finding absorbances (beer lambert law A = e l c.).

BACKGROUND: Few oral health studies have been conducted in HIV-exposed uninfected children, who, like their HIV-infected peers, have altered immunity and perinatal drug exposures. AIM: To compare caregivers’ self-report of oral diseases, hygiene practices and utilization of routine dental care, between HIV-infected (HIV), HIV-exposed uninfected (HEU), and HIV-unexposed uninfected (HUU) children in Kenya. DESIGN: This nested cross-sectional study was conducted at the Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya. Caregivers of 196 children (104 HIV-infected, 55 HEU, and 37 HUU) participated in this study. Using a validated questionnaire from the WHO and photographs of HIV-related oral lesions, we collected data on oral diseases and oral health practices. RESULTS: Caregivers of HIV-infected children reported at least one oral disease in their children (42%; HEU [27%]; HUU [17%; P = .008]). Oral candidiasis was the most common disease reported (HIV-infected [24%], HEU [5.5%], and HUU [2.8%; P < .05]). Baseline CD4% was associated with oral candidiasis (OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.88–0.98). Only 16% of children had ever visited a dentist, and most initiated brushing after 3 years of age (83%). Nearly all (98%) caregivers desired a follow-up oral examination. CONCLUSIONS: HIV infection/exposure and low CD4% were associated with increased odds of oral diseases. Most caregivers desired a follow-up oral examination for their children.

Studies on knowledge and attitudes about HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) have mostly focused on key populations in North America and Europe. To inform Lesotho’s national rollout of PrEP to the general population, this study aimed to characterize knowledge and attitudes about PrEP among policy makers, implementing partners, healthcare providers, and PrEP end-users in Lesotho. Respondents were purposively selected to participate based on personal experience in the development and implementation of Lesotho’s PrEP program, or the personal use of PrEP. We conducted 106 in-depth interviews with policy makers (n = 5), implementing partners (n = 4), and end-users (current PrEP users = 55; former PrEP users = 36; and PrEP “decliners” = 6). In addition, we held 11 focus group discussions (FGDs) with a total of 105 healthcare providers. Interview and FGD transcripts were analyzed following the tenets of Grounded Theory. Respondents expressed positive attitudes toward PrEP, owing to experienced and perceived personal, familial, and societal benefits. PrEP was viewed as i) an opportunity for serodiscordant couples to remain together, ii) a means of conceiving children with minimized risk of HIV infection, iii) providing a sense of agency and control, and iv) an avenue for addressing the HIV epidemic in Lesotho. Respondents demonstrated understanding of PrEP’s intended use, eligibility requirements, and modality of use. However, respondents also reported that several important misconceptions of PrEP were common among adults in Lesotho, including a belief that PrEP protects against sexually transmitted infections other than HIV, promotes promiscuity, prevents pregnancy, causes seroconversion, and provides lifelong protection from taking the pill just once. In addition to building on the perceived advantages of PrEP to shape a positive message, Lesotho’s national rollout of PrEP will likely benefit from a communication strategy that specifically addresses the common misconceptions of PrEP identified in this study.

The effect of Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungi on growth, nutrient uptake and root infectivity was determined in Rough Lemon (Citrus jambhiri) seedlings raised under four phosphorus regimes in sand culture and also in sand/nitrosol sterile and unsterile conditions. Inoculation with AM fungi increased the plant height, leaf number and stem girth in relation to un-inoculated seedlings grown under equivalent P concentrations. An increase in plant height, leaf number and stem girth also occurred in both inoculated sterile and un-sterile sand/nitrosol media in relation to un-inoculated sterile and unsterile media. Arbuscular mycorrhiza also increased the leaf area and the root, leaf and stem fresh and dry weights and also caused an increase in the uptake of phosphorus and potassium in the leaf tissues. It also favoured mycorrhizal infectivity of roots and increased the root absorptive surface area. This study indicates that AM fungi improves the capacity of tropical fruit to absorb and utilize plant nutrients possibly by increasing the effective root surface area from which available form of nutrients are absorbed and also by increasing access of roots by bridging the depletion zones. Inoculating seedlings with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi helps to alleviate the adverse effects of global warming and climate change. As a low cost technology, arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation is recommended as part of the regular practise for incorporating into nursery media used for tropical fruit seedling propagation.

Mtalaa ni mpangilio ambao huweka malengo katika ufunzaji wa wanafunzi. Unatumika kama mwongozo kwa walimu ambao huweka viwango vya matokeo ya mwanafunzi sawia na uwajibikaji wa mwalimu. Nchi ya Kenya imeshuhudia mabadiliko ya mitalaa mbalimbali tangu ilipojinyakulia uhuru. Nafasi ya mtalaa wa uhuru wa 7.4.2.3 ilichukuliwa na 8.4.4 mwaka wa 1985 ambao nafasi yake kwa sasa inachukuliwa na mtalaa mpya wa umilisi wa 2.6.6.3 ambao ulianzishwa mwaka wa 2017. Mitalaa hii imefafanua vipengele mbalimbali kwa kutumia mbinu mbalimbali za ufundishaji na ufunzaji. Kwa hivyo, lengo la nakala hii ni kutathmini kiulinganishi ufundishaji wa fonimu za Kiswahili katika kiwango cha chekechea katika mtalaa wa 8.4.4 unaoondolewa, na katika mtalaa mpya wa umilisi wa 2.6.6.3. Mtalaa wa 7.4.2.3 na wa 8.4.4 iliegemea sana uwezo wa mwalimu, yeye ndiye aliyechukua jukumu kubwa katika mchakato wa ufundishaji kuliko wanafunzi. Tofauti na mitalaa hiyo miwili, mtalaa wa 2.6.6.3 unampa mwanafunzi jukumu kubwa katika mchakato wa ujifunzaji kuliko mwalimu. Makala haya pia yamechunguza kiulinganishi ubora na udhaifu wa mbinu mbalimbali za ufundishaji wa fonimu za Kiswahili katika kiwango cha chekechea katika mitalaa ya 8.4.4 na mpya wa 2.6.6.3. Nadharia ya Piaget ya Utambuzi imeongoza makala haya. Makala haya yanaripoti baadhi ya matokeo ya utafiti uliofanywa kwa minajili ya shahada ya uzamili katika Elimu ya Kiswahili.

Several plants worldwide have exhibited potentiality in human pathogen eradication. The aim of this work was to characterize the compounds and determine antibacterial efficiency of Tithonia diversifolia essential oils and its iron II nanoparticles. The experimental test was done against gram positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus) and gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Characterization of the compounds was done using UV-VIS and FTIR to determine the functional groups that are present. Antibacterial activity was done using disc diffusion method by Beer Lambert. The results obtained indicated that the crude extract at 0.1% v/v concentration was effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus only, while the complexed sample was significantly effective against all microbes under test at the corresponding concentration. The outcome showed comparable results to the positive controls used and therefore, the plant extract was effective against human disease causing microbes and is recommendable for use against them.

The establishment and existence of the Fluorspar Mining Company created direct and indirect employment opportunities for the local population. However, the closure of mining activities within the mining area may have led to social and economic challenges for the local communities. These were widespread unemployment, poor nutrition, high crime rates and increased dependency. The study objective was to analyze the livelihood strategies among households in Keiyo South Sub-county Elgeyo Marakwet County Kenya. The study was informed by the theory of Redefinition of situation. Survey research design guided the study. The target population was all the households’ heads in the study area. The sample size was 254 respondents. A multistage sampling technique was used. Data collection methods included questionnaires, interviews, and observation and focus group discussions as the main data collection tools. Quantitative data collected was analyzed in form of frequencies and percentages and presented in form of matrix tables, charts and graphs. On the other hand, qualitative data was analyzed thematically based on the specific research objectives. The results of the study show that mining is a major propellant of economic activities in most mining areas by creating wealth, providing jobs and stimulating business ventures for community members. Further, closure of the company acted as a major economic setback to the community as a whole. The study findings also show that majority 91 (44.4%) of respondents earned an income of 4001-8000ksh while minority 7 (3.4%) earned an income of between 0-500kshs. The average income per month after closure was too low since their main source of income was lost leaving them in despair. Communities and mineworkers should be involved in planning for company closure and all other matters that affect their livelihoods. How to cite this article: Bargoria FK, Barasa F, Chebet PS. Adaptive Livelihood Strategies Among Households After the Closure of Fluorspar Mining Company in Keiyo South Sub-County, Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. J Adv Res Humani Social Sci 2020; 7(2): 1-8.

Background: Obesity-related cancers disproportionately affect the Black community. We assessed the relationship between diet quality, physical activity, and their combined effect on obesity-related cancer risk and mortality in Black women enrolled in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI). Methods: Data from postmenopausal (50–79 years of age) Black women enrolled in WHI clinical trials or observational studies were analyzed. Exposure variables included baseline physical activity [metabolic equivalent of tasks (MET)-hours/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA)] and diet quality [Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015]. Outcomes included adjudicated obesity-related cancer incidence and mortality. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the association between MVPA and HEI-2015 and obesity-related cancer risk and mortality. Results: The analytical sample included 9,886 Black women, with a baseline mean body mass index (BMI) of 31.1 kg/m2 (SD = 6.8); mean HEI-2015 score of 63.2 (SD = 11.0, possible range 0 to 100); and mean MVPA of 5.0 (SD = 9.4) MET-hours/week. Over an average of 13 years of follow-up, 950 (9.6%) obesity-related cancer cases were observed, with 313 (32.9%) resulting in death. Physical activity [HR, 1.05; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.86–1.30], diet quality (HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.92–1.08), and their combination (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.85–1.29) were not associated with risk for any or site-specific obesity-related cancers. Similarly, these health behaviors had no association with mortality. Conclusions: Diet quality, physical activity and their combined effect, as measured, were not associated with obesity-related cancer risk and mortality in Black women enrolled in WHI. Impact: Other social, behavioral, and biological factors may contribute to racial disparities observed in obesity-related cancer rates.

In Kenya, the key abiotic stress affecting rice production is drought stress which is experienced mainly during reproductive phase of the crop. This study evaluated the performance of Kenyan rice populations including 19 generation of crosses, 6 parental and 5 checks under well-watered and drought stressed environment with the aim of identifying the phenotypic traits that confer drought tolerance in rice. The 19 generation of crosses were in F3 when they were evaluated in the short rains season and later advanced to F4 in the long rains season. Nineteen generation of crosses rice (Oryza sativa L.) lines, six parental and five check lines were evaluated for response to drought under drought stressed and well-watered environment. The study was conducted over two seasons in the year 2016/2017 at Kenya Agricultural Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) -Mwea Centre. The experiment was set up in an alpha lattice design with three replications. Drought stress was imposed at panicle initiation by withholding irrigation till physiological maturity meanwhile the well-watered environment continued to enjoy the recommended irrigation regime from planting to physiological maturity. Yield data were scored for drought tolerance. AMMI analysis of variance for grain yield showed that genotypes from crosses of crosses of SARO5XNERICA11, NERICA2XSARO5 and NERICA15XSARO5 expressed high grain yield. AMMI stability Variance (ASV) showed genotypes NERICA15, Duorado Precoce and progenies from crosses of NERICA11XNERICA2, SARO5XKomboka and NERICA2XNERICA11 expressed high stability in both well-watered and drought-stressed environment. GGE analysis showed that Principal Components (PC1) and PC2 accounted for 96.46% and 3.54%, respectively. GGE biplots showed that genotypes from crosses SARO5XNERICA11 and NERICA15XSARO5 were the most stable and high yielding. GGE biplots ranked the rice lines as follows: those above average in performance, the stable ones, unstable and those below average in performance. SARO5XNERICA11 is worth of selection due to its high mean yield value and is stable across the mega-environments.