African Journal of Empirical Research
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Factors influencing maternal vaccine acceptance among pregnant women in Kericho East Sub-County, Kenya
Get PDFMaternal immunization is beneficial to both mothers and their newborns, providing protection against vaccine-preventable diseases. However, vaccination could be affected by vaccine hesitancy, which has been identified by the World Health Organization as one of the top ten threats to global health. Data from the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (2022) showed that Kericho County had the fifth-highest percentage of women whose most recent births were protected at birth against tetanus. However, factors behind the acceptance of the tetanus vaccine remain largely unexplored, and they could inform the tailoring of information for new vaccines. The specific objectives of this study included determining the level of maternal vaccine acceptance and exploring individual and health system factors that influence maternal vaccine acceptance. The study was guided by the 5-P Model for Vaccine Decision-Making in Pregnancy, and a descriptive cross-sectional design was employed. The target population consisted of pregnant women, with a sample size of 180 respondents determined using Cochran’s (1977) formula. Five locations in Kericho East Sub-County were selected through systematic sampling, and random sampling was employed to select the respondents. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 was used to analyze the data using descriptive and inferential statistics, including odds ratios and binary logistic regression at a significance level of 0.05. The findings were presented in tables. The study revealed high acceptance of maternal vaccines: tetanus toxoid (TT) at 96%, influenza at 91.4%, RSV at 90.2%, and GBS at 88.4%, if recommended for use during pregnancy. Facilitators of maternal vaccine acceptance included having a postgraduate education (OR = 4.67, p < 0.01), as well as knowledge of the RSV vaccine (OR = 3.18, p = 0.01) and the GBS vaccine (OR = 3.42, p < 0.01). Barriers to maternal vaccine acceptance included living more than 20 km from the nearest health facility (OR=0.11, p < 0.01) and not being comfortable discussing maternal vaccines with a healthcare provider (OR=0.32, p = 0.01). Maternal vaccine acceptance in Kericho East Sub-County is facilitated by factors like higher education levels, whereas barriers may include living more than 20 kilometers from a health facility. Therefore, to maintain and increase the acceptance of maternal vaccines, public health agencies could leverage the facilitators and address the barriers
Assessment of factors affecting mobile money transactions in Tanzania: A case of Yas agents in Dar es Salaam City Council, Dar es Salaam region
Get PDFTanzania’s financial ecosystem has undergone significant transformation over the past two decades, driven by the rapid growth of digital financial services and financial technology. The innovation of mobile money services has played a crucial role in bringing financial services to previously underserved populations, especially in rural areas where large populations were unable to access formal financial services. Despite these efforts, there exist challenges that hinder the participation of the majority of people in mobile money transactions, hence contributing to the underutilization of the full potential of digital financial services and financial technology. This study aimed at assessing the factors affecting mobile money transactions in the country with a focus on Yas agents in Dar es Salaam City Council. It specifically investigated demographic characteristics that may influence participation in mobile money business and dwelled on the effects of inflation factors, financial factors, and multiple regulations on mobile money transactions. This research was guided by three theories: Friedman\u27s Monetary Theory, the Financing Constraint Theory, and Agency Theory. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used in this study. The target population is Yas mobile money agents in the study area. The methods of data collection were cross-sectional surveys using structured questionnaires administered to a sample of 89 mobile money agents. Analysis was done using MS Excel to produce graphs, means (x̅), and standard deviations (Std dev). The results revealed that to a large extent (mean 3.69, std. dev. 1.91), respondents perceived that inflation factors have a strong impact on mobile money transactions. Secondly, the financial factors that strongly affect mobile money transactions are affordability, risks, and financial inclusion (mean 4.05, std dev 2.11); while multiple regulations (mean 3.94, std dev 2.04) to a large extent also have negative effects on mobile money transactions. Interestingly, the study revealed that the majority of the agents (67%) have invested less than 500,000 TZS in this business, suggesting the concern of risks involved. The study concludes that challenges, including security concerns and issues with agent availability and liquidity, particularly in rural areas, need to be addressed. Furthermore, the study recommends that individual enterprises should have sufficient access to financial resources and that existing regulatory frameworks for electronic payments should be improved so that policies on mobile money focus on maintaining and enhancing confidence in the system. 
Perception of members of county assembly on participatory communication in the budget-making process: A case of Makueni County, Kenya
Get PDFThe research sought to understand the perceptions of Members of County Assembly (MCAs) on participatory communication in the budget-making process within the context of Makueni County, Kenya. This study is also based on the context of the 2010 Constitution that institutionalized public participation as a core principle of governance. While Makueni County’s reputation is picked as a pioneer in participatory governance, limited attention has been paid to MCAs’ perception of the effectiveness of communication methods that facilitate citizen involvement in budget decisions. The study was anchored on both public sphere and deliberative democracy theories, which posit that citizen engagement is driven by perceived influence, access to information, and accountability. The study adopted a pragmatic mixed-methods design combining surveys and interviews. A census of 47 MCAs was targeted, with an 85.1% response rate, supplemented by key informant interviews with county officials and civil society representatives. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. Findings of the study revealed that public barazas (community meetings) dominated as the primary communication method (52.5%), with broader combinations including stakeholder forums and social media platforms, as well as surveys employed to varying degrees. The regression analysis indicated that while stakeholder engagement was positively associated with effective budget outcomes (β=0.219, p<0.05), overreliance on existing participatory methods had a weak negative relationship with effectiveness (β=-0.257, p<0.01), signaling the need for diversification of approaches. The study noted that MCAs generally rated participatory methods as effective (90%), citing inclusivity of youth and marginalized groups, timely consultations, and regular updates through multiple channels; however, digital platforms were found to be significantly underutilized (75% agreed), civil society and private sector actors were minimally engaged, and feedback mechanisms, though present, required strengthening. The researchers concluded that while participatory communication has enhanced inclusivity, transparency, and dialogue in Makueni’s budget-making process, critical gaps persist in digital adoption, stakeholder diversity, and communication effectiveness. The study further recommends broadening stakeholder representation to include civil society and private sector actors, strengthening digital infrastructure and MCA training to expand citizen outreach, and improving feedback systems to ensure citizens’ inputs are acknowledged and acted upon, thus advancing inclusive and equitable as well as accountable budget governance
Assessment of the compliance levels with Section 126a of the Public Health Act among public food enterprises in Bungoma County, Kenya
Get PDFFood enterprises in Kenya and Bungoma County experience challenges in complying with the provisions of section 126A of the Public Health Act (CAP 242). The county government invested limited resources to enforce public health laws regardless of the money collected in court fines and summons issued to proprietors due to non-compliance. Consequently, the objective of the study was to establish the level of compliance with the provisions of section 126A of the Public Health Act (CAP 242) by public food enterprises in Bungoma County, Kenya. Analysis of literature indicated that since the year 2015, when the findings of this study were recorded, other studies that focus on the level of compliance with section 126A of the Public Health Act (CAP 242) in Bungoma County have remained either non-existent or inaccessible. The extent of awareness of CAP 242, level of training among proprietors of public food enterprises, and public food enterprises’ characteristics and practices are insightful variables in the compliance process. The study’s methodology entailed a cross-sectional survey, targeting public food enterprises in Bungoma County. A representative sample was obtained using the Fisher et al. approach. The total number of public food enterprises as per the records in the Bungoma County offices was 639. After sample size determination and applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 149 respondents were selected to participate. Data was collected using facility inspection checklists, structured questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions, while analysis was done using Stata software. A Likert scale with a score of five (5) was used to measure the extent of compliance with each provision of section 126A, recording an average compliance level of 2.53 in the county. The results recorded in the specific provisions of section 126A encompassed the certificate of fitness (3.1), wells and water appliances (2.9), cooking apparatus and its accessories (2.1), repair of facilities and emergency exits (2.2), and excavations and projections (2.3). In addition, the mean compliance with provisions of sewerage facility was 2.2, provisions of hourly refuse management 2.6, provisions pertaining to managing sanitary facilities 2.1, ventilation provisions 2.9, and lighting provisions 2.9. The study recommends the need to adapt co-regulation and improve training and awareness levels to enhance compliance with section 126A of the Public Health Act among public food enterprises
Remedial program management practices and transition rates in public day secondary schools in Bugesera district, Rwanda
Get PDFThis study aims to assess the influence of remedial program management practices on transition rates in public day secondary schools in Bugesera District, Rwanda. The study was guided by four specific objectives, which were to explore the influence of resource allocation on transition rates in public day secondary schools in Bugesera District, Rwanda; to assess the effect of technology integration on transition rates in public day secondary schools in Bugesera District; to examine the influence of stakeholders’ involvement on transition rates in public day secondary schools in Bugesera District; and to examine the influence of supervision of remedial programs on transition rates in public day secondary schools in Bugesera District. Educational Management Theory and Constructivist Learning Theory guided the study. A descriptive survey with a mixed-methods approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative methods, was adopted to gather perceptions from a total population of 2,144, including 46 head teachers, 46 deputy head teachers, 330 teachers, and 1,722 remedial students. A sample size of 337 respondents was calculated using Solvin’s formula. The sample size included 7 head teachers, 7 deputy head teachers in charge of studies, 52 teachers, and 271 remedial students selected from 46 public day secondary schools in Bugesera District. Schools were selected first through simple random sampling, then headteachers and deputy headteachers were selected through purposive sampling, while teachers and remedial students were selected through simple random sampling. The study collected data from teachers using questionnaires, while interview guides were used to collect data from head teachers and deputy head teachers in charge of studies, and focus group discussions were conducted with remedial students. A reliability index of at least 0.7 was used as the benchmark to determine the reliability of the questionnaire, and a validity test was conducted with an acceptable threshold of 0.6. To analyze the data, quantitative analysis was conducted using SPSS to calculate the mean, standard deviation, and frequency distribution, and a regression analysis was applied to test the hypothesis, while qualitative analysis was conducted through thematic coding. The study revealed that resource allocation (R² = 0.017, p = 0.357) did not have a statistically significant influence on transition rates, whereas technology integration (R² = 0.124, p = 0.010), stakeholder involvement (R² = 0.185, p = 0.001), and supervision of remedial programs (R² = 0.260, p = 0.000) all positively and significantly influenced transition rates in public day secondary schools in Bugesera District. The study concludes that supervision of remedial programs had the highest significant influence on transition rates. It recommends that the Ministry of Education should strengthen policies on structured supervision and capacity-building, urges school leaders to enhance monitoring, feedback, and early interventions, and suggests further research on long-term effects, leadership sustainability, early identification strategies, and teacher professional development in remedial programs
Tanzania’s land policy and women’s land tenure security: A case of Moshi District Council
Get PDFThis study examines the impact of Tanzania’s 1995 National Land Policy on women’s land tenure security in Moshi District, revealing persistent gender disparities despite progressive legal frameworks such as the Land Act No. 4 and Village Land Act No. 5 of 1999. Using a mixed-methods approach, the cross-sectional research design, and informed by feminist theory, data were collected from 266 women through surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. The results indicate that, although the legal framework promotes gender equity, its implementation is inadequate. Only 18.8% of women pointed out that they had Certificates of Customary Right of Occupancy (CCROs). Younger, less educated, and unmarried women were especially unaware of land policy. Customary norms, limited legal literacy, and inadequate institutional support emerged as major barriers. Binary probit regression analysis indicated that land title ownership, policy awareness, education, and community support positively influence tenure security, whereas customary acquisition and patriarchal traditions undermine it. The study concludes that legal frameworks alone are insufficient to secure women’s land rights. Strengthening enforcement, enhancing legal literacy, and advancing institutional reforms are critical policy implications for achieving the objectives of the National Land Policy and promoting gender equity in land tenure
Contrasting electoral outcomes: A comparative study of the 2024 elections in Mozambique and Botswana
Get PDFThe study examined the historical, political, and social contexts of Mozambique and Botswana\u27s electoral outcomes and political stability. The research seeks to fill a knowledge gap and inform Southern African democratic consolidation efforts by analysing these diverse experiences. Political Culture Theory and Electoral Systems Theory were used to examine how societal norms and electoral frameworks affect electoral dynamics, governance, and public participation, emphasising historical contexts and institutional arrangements. The research focusses on electoral systems, party dynamics, security forces, and political culture. To fully study electoral outcomes and public responses in both countries, a mixed-methods explanatory design was used. Interview and focus group participants were selected using purposeful sampling to ensure political, gender, and age diversity. Surveys across demographic segments used stratified random sampling to ensure comparability. Semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and electoral report and policy document analysis were used to collect citizens\u27 opinions. For a balanced interpretation, qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis and quantitative data were presented using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The study reveals significant contrasts in political culture and public perceptions of electoral outcomes, with Mozambique exhibiting widespread mistrust in electoral institutions. At the same time, Botswana demonstrates strong public confidence in its democratic processes. Regression analysis reveals a robust relationship between political culture and electoral outcomes, with an R² value of 0.968, indicating that political culture accounts for 96.8% of the variance in electoral outcomes. Key findings highlight Mozambique\u27s low mean scores on trust and fairness in elections, in contrast to Botswana\u27s high mean scores, underscoring the critical role of political culture in shaping public trust and perceptions of electoral integrity. The results emphasise the contrasting historical and political contexts that shape electoral systems. Mozambique\u27s proportional representation system perpetuates the dominance of the ruling Frelimo Partido Africano de Libertação de Moçambique (in Portuguese), translating to the Mozambique Liberation Front in English. (FRELIMO), while Botswana\u27s first-past-the-post system fosters direct accountability. The role of security forces also diverges, with Mozambique\u27s forces being viewed as oppressive, thereby undermining public trust, whereas Botswana\u27s security institutions are perceived as neutral, thereby enhancing democratic integrity. Overall, the findings illustrate how historical, cultural, and institutional factors significantly influence electoral processes in both countries. The study enhances understanding of the influence of political culture on electoral systems and public trust, offering valuable insights for future research and policy development in political science. Its implications also serve to motivate further investigation into electoral stability and democratic consolidation in the region. This comparative analysis deepens our understanding of how historical and cultural contexts shape electoral systems, underscoring the pivotal role of political culture in shaping public trust and perceptions of electoral integrity. It provides valuable insights for future research and policy in political science. It also inspires and motivates the audience with its implications for future work
School Effectiveness in Ghanaian Teacher Education Colleges: The Role of Internal Stakeholder Collaboration
Get PDFCollaboration in educational institutions has become a competent vehicle for accomplishing set objectives. Collaborations are therefore the styles educators use when they work with other people to achieve shared goals. Against this background, this study sought to explore internal stakeholders’ collaborations in the school effectiveness of two teacher education colleges in the Upper East Region of Ghana. The study employed the convergent parallel mixed-method design otherwise called concurrent mixed-method design. The population for the study comprised second and third-year students, tutors, and leadership of the colleges. A sample size of three hundred and eight (308) was used in this study. The simple random sampling technique was used to draw both second-year students and tutors, the cluster sampling technique was also used to cluster the population of the third-year students, and the simple random sampling technique was then subsequently used to draw students who were out in the field for their teaching practice. The intensity case sampling technique was also used in sampling the school leadership. The breakdown is two hundred and fifty-seven (257) students in all, forty-one (41) tutors, and ten (10) leaders of the colleges. Two instruments namely an in-depth interview guide and a questionnaire were used to elicit responses to address the two research questions that guided the study. The interview guide gathered responses from college leadership and the questionnaire was administered to both students and tutors. The study revealed that various types of collaborations exist among the internal publics in the colleges in the promotion of school effectiveness. Regardless, the colleges also face some challenges such as inadequate infrastructure and funding, inadequate relevant curricular materials as well as poor internet connectivity among others. The study thus recommends among others that college authorities should continue to engage students and staff in the governance and management of their respective colleges and also expand the frontiers of the existing collaborations among internal publics of the colleges to include that of their external stakeholders. Secondly, college authorities, lobby for funding from the government through the Ghana Education Trust Fund and some development partners to ease the financial burden of the colleges and to help them build more infrastructures for academic and residential purposes. Furthermore, the college management should liaise with the education ministry and the traditional public universities that these colleges are affiliated with for assistance regarding relevant textbooks and academic journals in the various disciplines. Again, authorities should engage with the telecommunication companies in the country through some memoranda of understanding for assistance to boost internet connectivity in the colleges
Predictors of Complicated Pediatric Malaria Among Children Under Five in the Vihiga Highlands, Western Kenya
Get PDFMalaria remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children under five years in sub-Saharan Africa. Complicated malaria poses a significant threat, necessitating early identification of predictors for timely intervention. This study aimed to identify clinical, hematological, and cytokine profile predictors of complicated malaria among children under five years in Vihiga Highlands, Western Kenya. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 309 children. The study participants were sampled purposively and grouped in the categories. Among the 309 participants analyzed clinical groups were categorized into uncomplicated (n=253) where actually (n=82) were healthy controls and (n= 71) uncomplicated malaria and complicated malaria (n=56). Demographic and clinical data were collected through interviews, medical records, and clinical examinations, while hematological and cytokine profiles were analyzed from blood samples using standard laboratory techniques and ELISA to assess disease severity. Statistical analysis included chi-square tests for categorical variables, independent t-tests for continuous variables, logistic regression modeling (LRM), and random forest modeling (RF) to determine significant predictors (P<0.05). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed to rank predictors, and cross-validation was used to assess model overfitting. Of the 309 children analyzed, 81.9% had uncomplicated malaria, while 18.1% had complicated malaria. Clinical features such as fever (P<0.001), jaundice (P<0.001), generalized pallor (P<0.001), poor feeding (P=0.003), and cough (P<0.001) were significantly associated with complicated malaria. Hematological markers, including hemoglobin (Hb) levels (P<0.05), hematocrit (P<0.05), RBC count (P<0.05), MCV (P<0.05), and platelet count (P<0.05), were also strongly linked to malaria severity. Additionally, elevated cytokine levels of IL-6 (P<0.05), IL-10 (P<0.05), IFN-γ (P<0.05), and MIP-1β (P<0.05) were observed in complicated cases, indicating their role in immune response dysregulation. PCA ranking identified the most influential predictors being RANTES (rank score: 0.263), IL-8 (0.255), hemoglobin (Hb) (0.251), IL-6 (0.251), and IFN-γ (0.249). Logistic regression and random forest models achieved high predictive performance. A correlation heatmap further illustrated significant associations among predictors. The malaria severity risk score (MSRS) was developed as a clinical decision rule to classify pediatric malaria cases based on clinical, hematological, and cytokine predictors. The integration of clinical, hematological, and cytokine predictors into a clinical decision rule provides a practical approach to malaria severity stratification. The proposed MSRS enhances early detection and treatment prioritization. Healthcare providers should integrate hematological and cytokine biomarkers with clinical assessments to enhance early detection and classification of complicated malaria, while predictive models like the MSRS should be optimized for clinical use. Future research should focus on external validation and optimization of predictive modeling to improve accuracy and clinical applicability
Gender-Based Violence and Associated Factors Among Adolescent Girls in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Turkana County, Kenya
Get PDFGender Based Violence (GBV) has been rampant in refugee camps as documented by the Independent International Commission of inquiry. Incidences were reported in 45% of Syrian refugees who resided in Lebanon refugee camps and 47 % of those who dwelt in Kurdistan region of Iraq. In Uganda 425 incidences were reported from 13 districts. 61% of women accessing GBV centers in Dadaab Refugee camp reported an increase in intimate partner violence. The broad objective of this study was to determine Gender based violence and associated factors among adolescent girls. The Ecological Model of Violence guided this research. The specific objectives were to determine the prevalence of gender-based violence. The study adopted analytical cross-sectional research design. The number of adolescents who reside in Kakuma Refugee camp is 16307 as per the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [UNHCR] records. This study was done in all the 4 regions of Kakuma Refugee camp (Kakuma 1, Kakuma 2, Kakuma 3 and Kakuma 4) which were purposely selected to ensure proper representation of all nationalities and diverse cultural backgrounds. Using simple random sampling researcher picked the first student on the admission list and every fifth student on that list for interview. However, the number of participants was proportionate to the population of adolescent girls in that region as follows: - Kakuma 1 had 132 respondents representing 34.38%, Kakuma 2 had 116 respondents representing 30.21%, Kakuma 386 respondents representing 22.4% while Kakuma 4 had 50 respondents representing 13.02%. This gave a sample size of 384 respondents as demonstrated by the Fischer’s formula. Quantitative data was collected in this study through questionnaires. Self-administered questionnaires were used for literate middle and late adolescents under the supervision of research assistants. Ethical consideration was approval from Kenyatta University Ethics and research committee, National Commission for Science Technology and Innovation, and the camp leadership, while informed consent and assent was signed by the respondents. Descriptive statistics were used to determine prevalence of gender based violence. The overall prevalence of adolescent GBV in Kakuma refugee camp was found out to be 60.4%. From composite analysis, the overall prevalence of sexual violence was 22.7%, physical violence 52.1% while emotional violence was at 48.7%. This study concluded that In Kakuma Refugee Camp, it was found out that the prevalence of physical violence was the highest form of adolescent GBV. To improve the overall welfare of teenage girls, this research recommended that initiatives reinforcing social support systems should be improved, boost the efficacy of governmental interventions, and execute targeted interventions that specifically tackle the underlying factors contributing to gender-based violence, such as poverty and cultural norms