African Journal of Empirical Research
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Pharmacovigilance Integrating Pharmacovigilance Training in Pre-Service Programs into Kenya Medical Training College
No full textPharmacovigilance is essential for ensuring drug safety by monitoring and preventing adverse drug reactions (ADRs), which pose significant healthcare risks. Despite its importance, pharmacovigilance education at Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) has not been fully integrated into the curriculum. Faculty training on pharmacovigilance is limited, awareness of safety guidelines remains low, and practical implementation within academic programs is minimal. This study examines the current state of pharmacovigilance education at KMTC, focusing on faculty involvement, curriculum coverage, and student exposure to hands-on training. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining faculty surveys with statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and Cramer\u27s V were applied to explore relationships between faculty educational background, teaching experience, and pharmacovigilance practices. The study found that KMTC faculty comprises 58.1% male and 41.9% female instructors, with most holding Bachelor\u27s degrees (61.9%), Master\u27s degrees (29.7%), or Higher Diplomas (8.4%). Faculty members were drawn from Clinical Medicine (47.1%), Nursing (28.4%), Pharmacy (14.8%), and Medical Laboratory Sciences (9.7%). Teaching experience varied, with 25.8% having 1–5 years and only 1.3% exceeding 30 years. Pharmacovigilance education remains inconsistently incorporated across programs. While 47.1% of faculty reported teaching pharmacovigilance, 52.9% did not. Full integration into coursework was reported in only 17.4% of cases, while 55.5% had partial integration, and 27.1% had no coverage. The extent of pharmacovigilance content varied: 1.3% of courses covered it extensively, 37.4% had minimal coverage, 29.7% covered it above minimal levels, and 24.5% offered moderate coverage. Faculty members indicated that the current pharmacovigilance education framework does not adequately prepare students for adverse event reporting, with 82.6% stating that the content is insufficient. Only 40.6% of programs included pharmacovigilance knowledge assessments, and just 47.7% of faculty reported incorporating practical training into their courses. However, 94.2% of faculty supported the need for hands-on experience. Awareness of Kenya Poisons and Pharmacy Board services among faculty was moderate (52.9%), but actual integration into teaching was low (20.0%). Only 12.3% of faculty had received pharmacovigilance training, although 64.5% acknowledged its importance, and 90.3% advocated for increased awareness and training programs. This study highlights the incomplete integration of pharmacovigilance into the KMTC curriculum, with gaps in both theoretical coverage and practical training. Strengthening pharmacovigilance education through structured curricula and hands-on experience is essential to equipping future healthcare professionals with the skills necessary for effective drug safety management. This investigation demonstrates two primary deficiencies in pharmacovigilance education at KMTC including uneven integration of curriculum content and insufficient hands-on training. Drug safety management by future healthcare professionals will need better training along with practical experience and enhanced curriculum in order to address the immediate educational gap in pharmacovigilance
Challenges encountered in the provision of chaplaincy programmes on student psychosocial adjustment and academic performance in public secondary schools in Kakamega County, Kenya
Get PDFMany learning institutions around the world have endeavoured to develop chaplaincy in the past decades. Literature reviewed however reveals that education systems in African countries and more specifically Kenya have been overburdened by rote learning which negates the real purpose of education that is to address secular, religious and ethical concerns coherent with world view. Despite the recognized benefits of chaplaincy programmes in promoting students’ psychosocial adjustment and academic performance, several challenges hinder their effective implementation in public secondary schools. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine challenges encountered in the provision of chaplaincy programmes on student psychosocial adjustment and academic performance in public secondary schools in Kakamega County. The study was based on Structural Functionalism and Social Disintegration theories developed by Emile Durkheim that gave insight to the contributing factors for delinquency among students. Descriptive survey design was used in making careful in-depth observations of a subject or phenomenon of interest.. Saturated sampling was used to select the two National secondary schools in Kakamega County, the County Quality Assurance and Standards Officer. Stratified random sampling was used to classify schools into Boys/ Girls, Boarding/ Day schools, mixed Day/ mixed boarding schools and mixed day schools. Purposive was used to select the samples with the required information. Proportionate sampling was employed to select a sample size within the samples that would reflect the numerical strength of the samples selected and finally simple random sampling technique was used to accord each member a chance of being selected and each choice would be independent of any other choice. The target population for the study was 2888 teachers and 425 students. The study used Yamane method to arrive at a sample size of 395 teachers and 365 students. Correspondingly, pilot study was carried out and feedback obtained was used to correct research instruments that were afterwards used to collect data in the field. Data was collected through two validated questionnaires for teachers and students. Descriptive and inferential analysis was utilized to analyze data both qualitatively and quantitatively. The findings revealed that pastoral care programmes develop sense of focus in life and set targets. The results further show that large proportion of the respondents 206 (57%) agreed that pastoral care programmes and mentorship build confidence, hope, faith and self-esteem in students. The findings of inferential statistics indicated that Challenges encountered in the provision of chaplaincy had a substantial impact on Psychosocial and Academic performance observed in public secondary schools in Kakamega County (t-statistic=17.250, p-value = 0.001< 0.05). Hence, there was no statistically significant effect of Challenges encountered in the provision of chaplaincy on student psychosocial adjustment and academic performance in public secondary schools in Kakamega County. The study recommends for increased government funding and support for chaplaincy programs to ensure their sustainability and effectiveness
Social support and performance among non-teaching employees in selected public universities in Kenya
Get PDFGlobally, non-teaching staff execute critical roles in the operations of universities, supporting mission, vision, research, and service to the community through performance. There is a notion that work obligations and personal and family duties flow over into one another, affecting employee performance. Kenyan public universities experience drops in productivity due to inadequate employee performance. Non-teaching employees’ support is to support access to quality education to contribute to positive social, economic, and environmental outcomes. Specifically, the study focused on establishing social support’s effects on performance using theories of spillover and social exchange with positivist research philosophy. The eight selected public universities were the unit of analysis. The study’s target population was 3538. Random stratified sampling techniques ascertained a sample size of 343 respondents. A descriptive andcross-sectionaln survey design was employed. The questionnaire and interview schedule were used as data instruments. A pilot test was done at the University of Eldoret. A Cronbach’s alpha tested the reliability of instruments. The validity of the interview schedule was tested with content analysis and expertjudgement.. Diagnostic tests were done before inferential statistics confirmed the variable violation. Data cleaning used SPSS27.0,0 and descriptive statistics were presented in frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviation, content, and expertjudgementt analysis. Inferential statistics were presented in tables and graphs. The findings results revealed a strong significant association between social support and performance with a linearity of (0.212 > 0.05). Findings contribute information to public universities, government, and human resource practitioners to develop strategies and policies that promote performance. The research concluded and recommendedther development of related studies in the future
Postgraduate students’ retention and survival rates between 2015 and 2024 in public Universities, Kenya
Get PDFRetention and survival rates of postgraduate students are critical parameters for measuring academic progress and the achievement of graduate-level completion. Postgraduate students in Kenyan universities continue to face the challenges of late completions and low graduation rates. The present study evaluates the retention and survival patterns of postgraduate students to predict completion rates in Kenyan public universities between 2015 and 2024. The study was guided by Tinto’s Student Integration Model. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted to thoroughly analyze the relationship between retention, survival, and completion rates. The target population comprised 23,319 postgraduate students enrolled in public universities in Kenya between 2015 and 2024. The study employed purposive sampling to select universities with established postgraduate programs and documented retention data over the ten-year period. Within these institutions, stratified random sampling was used to ensure representation of students from different levels of study (Master’s and PhD), academic disciplines, and gender categories. Data collection methods included interviews, questionnaires, and document analysis. Linear regression was used to analyze quantitative data, while thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data. Instrument reliability was assessed through the test-retest method and Cronbach’s alpha coefficients, which indicated strong internal consistency. The results showed a significant increase in the retention and survival rates of postgraduate students, from 75 percent in 2015 to 87 percent in 2024, representing a relative gain of 90 percent over ten years. This upward trend indicates incremental improvements in university support networks and targeted initiatives designed to enhance student endurance and achievement. Regression analysis demonstrated that both male (B = 29.23, t = 14.51, p < 0.001) and female retention rates (B = 23.14, t = 9.73, p < 0.001) are strong, statistically significant predictors of postgraduate student retention in Kenyan public universities. Male enrollment (B = 1.02, t = 13.18, p < 0.001) and female enrollment (B = 0.82, t = 15.66, p < 0.001) also significantly impact retention. The model explains 95% of the variance (R² = 0.95), highlighting its robustness. The report establishes that improved retention and survival systems have led to higher completion rates among postgraduate students. It suggests that implementing specific support strategies, particularly those that support female postgraduate students—such as mentorship programs and professional networking opportunities—should be a priority for public universities to address current gender discrepancies and further enhance completion rates
Social media marketing and financial performance of tour firms in the Kigezi sub-region of Uganda
Get PDFThe study sought to examine the effects of social media marketing on the financial performance of tour firms in the Kigezi sub-region of Uganda, focusing on three specific objectives, which included: examining the effect of community engagement on the financial performance of tour firms; establishing the effect of branding on the financial performance of tour firms; and assessing the effect of positioning on the financial performance of tour firms. The study was anchored on the Destination Competitiveness Theory, and the cross-sectional research design was employed, targeting 173 employees among the 140 registered tour firms in the Kigezi sub-region of Uganda. Using the Morgan table, the study sampled 120 respondents, which included the tour managers, marketing managers and finance managers, employing the stratified random sampling technique. Structured questionnaires designed on a 5-point Likert scale were used to collect the primary data. Data was then analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that community engagement, measured by information sharing, comments and feedback & user-generated content, significantly affected the financial performance of the tour firms (R² = 0.126, p = 0.001 < .005). Branding, which included visual identity and recognition, audience alignment and connection, had a positive and significant effect on the financial performance of the tour firms (R² = 0.251, p = 0.001 < 0.005). On the other hand, market positioning as measured by value proposition, target audience and content strategy was found to be the strongest predictor of financial performance among the tour firms (R² = 0.270, p < 0.001 < 0.005). The study concluded that social media marketing is a key driver of profitability, revenue growth and return on investment among the tour firms. The study recommended that tour firms leverage social media marketing as a strategic tool to improve financial performance
The effect of information technology governance on successful project management in public agencies: A case of Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA)
Get PDFThe study examined the effect of Information Technology (IT) governance on successful project management at Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA). This study was guided by the IT governance framework but also looked at the project management theory. The study was cross-sectional and was conducted at Tanzania Ports Authority. The population of the study was workers and leaders of the Tanzania Ports Authority. The sample size of the study was 95 respondents who were found randomly and purposively. Primary data were collected using questionnaires and interviews. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and thematic analysis. The findings showed that IT governance practices are aligned with strategic objectives; however, financial and human resources are not allocated to IT projects based on their strategic importance. The study also found that risk management mechanisms in IT projects at Tanzania Ports Authority are effective. It was also found that organizational silos, risk-averse culture, insufficient funding, and digital skills gaps are some of the challenges facing TPA in implementing IT governance frameworks. Therefore, it is recommended that TPA should adopt a structured approach to allocate financial and human resources based on the strategic value of IT projects. It is also recommended that a dedicated IT budgeting process should be established to ensure that high-priority IT projects receive adequate funding. It is recommended that TPA should strengthen its cybersecurity framework by implementing advanced security protocols, regular vulnerability assessments, and employee cybersecurity awareness programs to address emerging threats
Exploring the potential efficacy of communitarian-inspired approaches in addressing moral decline in secondary schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
Get PDFThis paper explores the effectiveness of communitarian-inspired Alternatives to Corporal Punishment (ATCPs) in curbing moral decline in secondary schools in Bungoma County, Kenya. Despite the 2001 ban on corporal punishment, moral decadence among students persists, revealing that existing ATCPs such as guidance and counselling are ineffective due to weak parental support, institutional disconnect, and lack of philosophical grounding. This study uses a phenomenological hermeneutic approach to capture the lived experiences of teachers. The study adopts the culturally-constitutive view of communitarianism, which fosters societal group accountability among families, schools, and neighborhoods. By combining African ethics with other types of dialogical models, such as Socratic and Platonic methods, the study suggests implementing moral dialogue, value-based education, and collaborative assessment instruments as an effective means of discipline and moral development. The results suggest that to be successful, the ATCPs must incorporate philosophical ethics and community participation to create moral communities in the Kenyan education system
A phenomenological approach to teaching moral topics in the Christian Religious Education (CRE) syllabus in public secondary schools in Kakamega Central, Kenya
Get PDFTeaching children morals is beneficial in helping them to become responsible and act ethically. In Kenya, Christian Religious Education (CRE) has traditionally been the primary subject for imparting moral values in secondary schools. However, there is increasing questioning about the effectiveness of CRE in addressing ethical issues among youth, such as school unrest, substance abuse, and corruption. This current article examines the methods employed to teach morals in CRE, with a focus on a phenomenological approach and Paulo Freire\u27s critical pedagogy. The study targeted public secondary schools in Kakamega Central, Kenya, with a sample of five teachers with over five years of experience in teaching CRE. Data were collected through unstructured interviews, which were then transcribed and analyzed using the thematic analysis approach. Key outcomes indicated that the predominant teaching methods are teacher-centered, heavily reliant on thinking skills, and focused on testing, leaving little room for students to engage, reflect, or internalize moral values. The study recommended combining dialogical, experiential, and culturally responsive teaching techniques, which can be supported by changes in policy and targeted professional development for teachers
Association between blood group, CD4, Viral load and opportunistic infections among patients attending Kericho county referral comprehensive care clinic, Kenya
Get PDFErythrocyte antigens bringing about blood groups are considered pathogen receptor sites, including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), affecting approximately 39.9 million people worldwide, with 3.31% and 3.3% prevalence in Kenya and Kericho County, respectively. Limited studies showing inconsistent results and unpublished perceptions suggest a possible role of blood groups in Human Immunodeficiency Virus disease surveilled by changes in CD4 counts, viral load and opportunistic infections among infected. This study determined the ABO-Rhesus blood group distribution and association with CD4 counts, viral load and opportunistic infections at the Kericho County Referral Hospital Comprehensive Care Clinic in the year 2020. This cross-sectional, retrospective study comprised randomly sampled adults (≥18 years) without bone marrow transplant or transfusion history, with the sample size (n=285) calculated using the Yamane Taro formula. ABO-Rhesus typing was done on venous ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid blood using commercial antisera. Viral load and CD4 counts, determined using Abbott m2000sp/rt and FacsCalibur, respectively, and opportunistic infection data were documented in the data extraction form. Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS® version 26 was used to analyse and summarise data as means, standard deviation and prevalence ratios. Z-test, analysis of variance, regression, and chi-square were used to contrast, compare means, assess outcomes among variables, and determine relationships, respectively. Ethical principles were observed during specimens’ and participants’ information handling. Females were the majority, 174 (61.1%), and the mean age was 42.8 (12.8) years. Blood group O was most prevalent at 138 (48.4%), followed by A at 78 (27.4%), B at 59 (20.7%), and the least was AB. The Analysis of Variance showed a statistically non-significant association between blood groups on both viral load (p=0.74) and CD4 counts (p=0.84). Predictors for viral load change on regression analysis found increased viral load improvement in blood group AB-positive compared to blood group A-positive (OR=6.77, 95% CI [1.82-14.33], p=0.01). Most of the participants did not develop opportunistic infections, n=209 (73.3%). Tuberculosis was more prevalent among blood groups on chi-square: A-positive (16.2%), B-positive (16.4%), O-positive (17.7%), O-negative (12.5%) and B-negative. Blood groups A-negative and AB-negative developed no opportunistic infections. The differences were, however, not significant at the 95% level of significance (p=0.91). The study showed a non-significant association between the ABO blood groups and HIV infection based on CD4 counts, viral load and opportunistic infections. However, group AB-positive and those with good adherence were associated with viral load improvement. Increased CD4 count and body mass index were associated with reduced opportunistic infections. Viral load increase was associated with likelihood of opportunistic infection. Further studies need to be conducted for comparison
Harnessing technology for strategic HR alignment: Lessons from selected Tanzanian ministries, independent departments and agencies
Get PDFThis study investigated technology\u27s role in advancing Strategic Human Resource Alignment in Tanzanian Ministries, Independent Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), focusing particularly on emergent Information Systems, Leadership Commitment, and Institutional Readiness. Guided by the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Contingency Theory, the study theorizes these constructs as critical organizational resources and contextual factors influencing the alignment of HR practices and institutional goals. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design, which was quantitative in nature. HR managers, line managers, and IT managers in selected MDAs constituted the study population. Through the application of purposive sampling, 111 respondents were targeted, and 104 usable responses were obtained, representing a response rate of 93.7%. Data was collected using structured questionnaires, and hypotheses were tested through the application of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The findings show that strategic human resource alignment is significantly facilitated by the use of emerging information systems, with leadership commitment and institutional readiness also exerting strong direct effects. The explanatory model demonstrated high variance in strategic human resource alignment and confirmed its predictive validity. These findings confirm RBV\u27s contention that human capital and technology are strategic resources, while contingency theory emphasizes organizational fit as a condition for alignment effectiveness. Theoretically, the study adds to digital HR transformation knowledge by illustrating how new information systems, leadership, and institutional readiness together enhance alignment in the public sector. Practically, it offers lessons for MDAs: technological investments must be followed up with leadership commitment and organizational preparedness so that HRIS implementation can contribute to strategic results and national development agendas. The results emphasize the need to adopt a synergistic strategy: technological implementation should be followed by aggressive leadership backing and good organizational preparedness. Managers and policymakers need to accord topmost priority to creating capacity, training leaders, and infrastructure so that HRIS could make a stronger strategic impact. On theoretical contributions, this study adds to theoretical understanding by resolving the conflict between the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Contingency Theory, demonstrating that new information systems as strategic assets appreciate only when supported by leadership and institutional readiness. In showing how alignment comes out of the interaction between resources within the organization and conditions within the context