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Effects of debt risk management on sustainability of selected mission hospitals in Kenya
No full textThe operations of mission hospitals in Kenya and the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa are all alike. The drivers of debt risk management and sustainability have been worrying in that rnany are closing down every day. Measures to save them are taken different1y every day by major stakeholders. The church particularly is really concerned about the performance of their own institutions. The objective of this study was to find out the factors influencing debt risk management and sustainability of selected mission hospitals in Kenya. 48 mission hospitals were targeted for this study all in Kenya. The total population studied by the virtue that they all bad similar attributes. The descriptive study collected data from 48 selected hospitals coupled with other collection methods to provide a thorough examination of the research objectives Questionnaires were used to collect information required as the data collection tools. Data was be processed and tabulated in form of tables and graphs. The major findings of the study are that the major determinants of debt risk and sustainability of selected mission hospitals are top management oversight, cost of capital, level of diversification and clientele. A total of 42 hospitals out of 48 were studied. Person coefficient indicated a positive correlation of top management oversight, cost of capital, diversification and clientele. Which were all found to positively influence drivers of debt risk on sustainability of mission hospitals in• Kenya. The four are really recommended to be thoroughly investigated to see how best mission hospitals can e managed sustainably in Kenya and beyond. The heads of these institutions need to have more tangible options when managing the hospitals as wen as the boards of governors. Finally the lobby that can be done by the church can be highly recommended for growth of these mission hospitals. Mission hospitals all have similar directions which either follow structures which they have laid forward or at the same time others fail to. The matters discussed in this investigation showed how the structures can be strategically laid out to create some competitive advantage. In the very past, it was not the business of mission hospitals worrying about whether they breakeven or fail to. Much of the earnings have been going to pay off debts. This has created a situation nowadays which is worrying in their operational plans since all expenses me met out of the revenues collected. No more donor funds have been forthcoming to aid the running of mission hospitals
An evaluation of yeild response of four sweet potato varieties(Ipomea Batatas) at different Phosphorus application rate in Galole division of Tana River County
Get PDFS 647 .M87 2016Sweet potato (Ipomea batatas (L.) Lam) belongs to the family convolvulaceae (morning¬glory) order Polemoniales. Worldwide, sweet potato is the sixth most important food crop after rice, wheat, potatoes, maize, and cassava while in the developing nations sweet potato is the fifth most important food crop. Sweet potato is a food security crop for both human and livestock. Sweet potato is a food security crop for both human and livestock. Farmers in Galole Division of Tana River County mainly plant local sweet potato varieties and a few improved varieties promoted by the local research centre KALRO Mtwapa. Whereas a lot of emphasis has been put on the appropriate sweet potato varieties for tubers, the information on vines as fodder is scanty. This study was done to determine the yield response of sweet potato at different phosphorus application rates in Galole Sub-County of Tana River County. The experiment was set up using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with the plot sizes of 5x3m. There were three replications per site. Each replicate included 16(4*4) treatments which represented all possible combinations. The experiment was repeated by space. The general objective of the study was to determine correlation between yield of sweet potato tubers and vines and phosphorus application rates in Galo le Division of Tana River District.The study showed that there were statistical significance difference between the treatment (P < 0.05) means for internode length, length of the vines, number of branches per plant and tuber root length. There were however, significant differences between treatment means (P < 0.05) on fresh weight of harvested vines, weight of fresh vines, root diameter and tuber yield
Factors contributing to marital conflicts in christian marriage today: A case study of Archer's Post Community
No full textABSTRACT.
TITLE: FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO MARITAL CONFLICTS IN CHRISTIAN MARRIAGES TODAY: A CASE STUDY OF ARCHERS’S POST COMMUNITY
AUTHOR: PETER NJUKUNYE LESEKETETI
In our contemporary society, marital conflicts are escalating at a very high rate; it is taking a steadily increasing rate within Archer's Post Christian community, Samburu County. There is a robust growing rate of dysfunctional and divorced marriages within the community of Archer's Post. The purpose of this study was to investigate the main factors that contribute to the marital conflicts in Archer's Post today. The research established that marital conflicts are escalating at a very high rate, with an average of 33% of the affected families. The research found that very few marriages are fairly progressing well without serious marital conflicts. Many marriages are experiencing rapid disintegration and therefore end up affecting the family unit. The objective of this study was to investigate the factors that contribute to the conflicts facing marital life today in Archer's Post Christian community. Second; was to explore the nature of conflicts affecting marriage life in Archer's Post. Thirdly, to seek some possible solutions to manage and stabilize the conflicts affecting the families. The research was guided by several research questions given to different respondents. The findings of the research vividly revealed the factors that lead to marital a conflict, that's financial mismanagement, infidelity, alcoholism, disrespect, and peer influence, children, In-laws and sex. The research was well informed by Casuistry theory which dates back to Aristotle and Cicero and later propounded by Blaise Pascal and others, which states a specific method of doing ethics that relies on the analysis of individual cases, exploring them in relation to paradigm cases and broad principles. The researcher used the casuistry theory on the situation of Archer's Post community which is barred by pervasive marital conflicts due to financial constraints in the family. The research further indicates that many couples in their marriage life no longer embrace the Christian values of marriage and severely lacks financial managerial skills. Love which is the foundation of marriage is quickly diminishing away, and being replaced by material needs and personal whims. The target population of this study comprised of 300 marriages of which 100 were affected with marital conflicts which constitute 33% of the affected families. The research was sampled through stratified sampling and questionnaires which were distributed to several respondents including; the D.O, Ward administrator, Area Chief, Religious leaders, Police Office and members of the affected marriages. The research had captured literature review with consultation from major authorities in the field of marriage. The research implored the following research methods to collect data; Questionnaires, interviews, historical, observation, survey, correlation and case study. The Mata was analyzed quantitatively using a 5-point Likert scale. The researcher recommends for further studies on financial and stress management skills, Family finance, and establishment of friendly centers for marriage counselling and encounter groups within religious organization
Effect of planting time on the growth and yield of three cowpea cultivars in Makindu ward of Makueni County, Kenya
Get PDFSB 450.97 .N48 2016The cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) crop is valued for its multiple uses as food, fodder, green manure, and as cover crop for conservation agriculture, weed and soil erosion control. It improves the soil fertility through nitrogen fixation and is drought tolerant and can be grown on a variety of soils and climatic conditions. The crop is of high nutritive value, but its yield in Makindu ward of Makueni County has remained low sometimes at 0.13 t/ha despite its potential yield of 1.5 t/ha. Inappropriate husbandry practices by the farmers such as untimely planting among many others partly contribute to this. An experimental study was carried out with view to investigate the effect of the timing of planting in relation to the onset of rains on the growth and yield of cowpea cultivars in the ward. The experiment was set up in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) during March-April- May, 2013 and replicated in a similar season in 2014. The treatments comprised planting at three time regimes viz. onset of rain, then one and two weeks after onset of rain. Three cowpea cultivars namely KVU 27-1, M66, and a local variety denoted as V1, V2, and V3, respectively were included in the study. Fifteen out of forty four plants in each plot was sampled out to act as representative of the total population. Data was collected weekly based on a number of growth and yield parameters, and was analyzed using SPSS version 20. The experiment revealed that the timing of planting in relation to onset of rains had significant (p<0.05) effects on the days to 50% flowering, days to physiological maturity, the height of the plants, the number of branches per plant, the number of pedicules per plant, the number of pods per plant, the number of grains per pod, the grain weight per plant, the weight of a hundred grains, the grain yield per hectare, and the above ground biomass weight. As regards the cultivars KVU 27-1 was early maturing, produced the highest number of pods per plant as well as the highest number of grains per pod. Its grain yield was 478 kgs/ha. On the other hand, although the local variety grew the shortest in height and was late maturing, it scored the best in terms of 100-seed weight, grain yield/ha (632 kgs), above ground biomass weight and even in the harvest index. Therefore, since the three varieties were subjected to similar conditions during their growth and development stages, the local is thus recommended for the farmers in Makindu ward of makueni County, Kenya
Factors influencing implementation of ICT systems in public secondary schools in Thika.
Get PDFThis thesis sought to investigate factors influencing implementation of ICT systems in Thika West public secondary schools. This would help to improve quality of education in terms of learning materials utilization in public secondary schools. Both qualitative and quantitative research designs were used. The study targeted a population of 840 teachers of public secondary schools with a sample size of 84 respondents. Questionnaires were used for collecting data. The data collected was then checked for errors, coded and then analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, specifically regression model as it enables to show the relationship between the independent variables (uses of ICT systems, implementation process, ICTs policies and ICT systems infrastructure) and dependent.variable (implementation of ICT systems) with the aid of Scientific Package for Social Studies. Also qualitative data were analyzed. Understanding the factors influencing teachers on effective use of ICT systems in teaching in secondary schools was important as it would provide the entire education cycle with information regarding the implementation and use of ICT systems in public secondary schools in Thika Region in Kiambu County. Based on the findings of the research it was clear that there were a number of factors influencing implementation of ICT systems in public secondary schools in Thika. The study concluded that efforts by the Ministry of Education to sustain ICT systems implementation in schools are very minimal especially in the rural area in Thika West. From the findings the researcher recommended that the government should put measures on how ICT systems are to being integrated and implemented in Thika West public secondary schools
Human resource management practices on performance of health workers in public hospitals: a case of Mbagathi hospital, Nairobi City County.
Get PDFSound human resources management practices are essential in strengthening the health systems. Human resource management practices like use of job descriptions, use of performance appraisal and use of supervision can transform health workers into a productive, motivated, and supported workforce capable of improving healthcare services and saving lives. Kenyan health system is designed such that human resource managers are based at county and national offices only and not hospital levels therefore the hospitals lack managers to champion human resource management practices at facility level. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the extent to which the practice of performance appraisal at Mbagathi Hospital (MH) influences the performance of health workers; To assess the level to which use of job descriptions at MH affect the performance of health workers; to examine the degree to which supervision practiced at MH contribute on performance of health workers; and to determine the challenges faced by health service managers on human resource management practices at MI-1. Mixed research design was applied in this study. The targeted populations were 22 health service managers and 275 technical staff. 11 health service managers were purposively selected to the study and stratified sampling was applied to sample 179 technical staff Research instruments were key informant interview guide for the health service managers and self-administered questionnaire for the technical staff. Data analysis from the self-administered questionnaires was done using SPSS 20 and results displayed on graphs, charts and tables. Analysis of the data from key informant interview guide was transcribed verbatim, coded and analyzed through content analysis. Results from quantitative data were triangulated with qualitative results. Responsiveness had a mean score of 56%, availability at 53.5%, productivity at 54.6%, and competency at 65.9%. The health workers performance was rated at a mean score of 57.6% with a standard deviation of 4.2%. The health service managers at the hospital were not aware of policies on human resource management practices. There were no trainings in the hospital on human resource management practices. Performance appraisal was minimally used (20.7%). Job description was moderately used (42.5%). Supervision was minimally used (36.4%). Health workers' performance was not significantly associated with use of perfonnance appraisal, existence of job description and use of supportive supervision. The MH management should embrace performance appraisal as a tool to motivate its health workers and improve its customer service rather than just using it to fulfil requirements by the parent ministry. Health service managers at MH require basic training on human resource management practices so as to be able to support heath workers in their daily activities and there is need to establish human resource management department to champion these practices
An analysis of factors determining water supply in Kenya.A case study of Nanyuki water and sewerage company
No full textWater supply is one of the most important thing in human life and all the living creatures. It is for this reason that this research sought to analyze factors determining water supply encountered by communities living in and around Nanyuki as a result of water disconnections by water providers. This study sought to analysis factors determining water supply in Laikipia County, Kenya with focus of NA WASCO. The study was guided by the following specific objectives; lifestyle, location of water offices, consumer income and consumer decisions roles as regard to water service provider in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design and target population will comprise consumers whose accounts are active and include a total of 13764 domestic consumers, 804 commercial and 17 industrial consumers total of 14585 based in Nanyuki Town. Multi-stage sampling technique was used where the researcher first divided the target population into clusters and then a simple random sampling technique wasused. From this population, a sample size was drawn of 187 domestic consumers, 13 commercial and 2 industrial consumers totaling to 201 respondents who get water from NAWASCO in Nanyuki town. Quantitative data was analyzed using frequencies and percentages as while as qualitative data which was analyzed using content analysis. The findings were presented using frequency tables, graphs and pie charts. The finding of the study will be significant both to water consumers and water providers in many aspects, where the consumer will benefit from regular and reliable water supply services and water management institutions will also benefit from increased revenue collections from the consumers. The study concludes that consumer lifestyle, consumer location, consumer income and consumer decision have a huge implication on water supply. Multiple linear regression was run to predict the dependent variable; water supply from the independent variables consumer lifestyle, consumer location, and consumer income and consumer decision. The findings indicated that consumer lifestyle, consumer location, consumer income and consumer decision were significantly different from zero. Thus the four variables statistically significantly added to the prediction of water supply in water and sewerage companies. The study recommends that there is need to set up the right institutional framework, development of a consumer based orientation for example through better data coverage more details on consumer behavior and its effects on water supply and there is need for water and sewerage companies to educate the people on reducing the wasteful results of water consumption
Effect of spacing and fertilization regime on Gadam Sorghum(Sorghum bicolor) growth and yeild in Mbeere South
Get PDFSD 397 .M93 2016An experiment was carried out in two sites namely: Machang’a Secondary School Farm, and in a nearby former KARI site about a kilometer apart, all in Kiritiri division - Mbeere South Sub-County, 10 and 11km southeast of Kiritiri town respectively. They lie in the Agro ecological zone LM4 (marginal cotton zone) that ranges between 1000-1280 m above sea level, whereas the sites altitude is about 1080 m above sea level. The purpose was to evaluate the appropriate spacing and fertilization regime for Gadam sorghum. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used in the experimental sites conducted concurrently in the 2014 short rains so as to fast track the process, as well as, to guide against the possibility event of failed 2015 long rains due to their erratic nature, which would have ultimately led to lack of results data. Three different spacing treatments were subjected to four different fertilization levels/regimes. Primary data collected was compared and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS ver. 22). The results showed that there were significant relationships in the interactions between the spacing treatments and fertilization regimes. The application of fertilizer significantly affected grain weight, leaf length and the above ground biomass at the 100 kg/ha fertilizer level and 75x30 cm intra-row spacing an indication of healthy crop growth and yield. High number of leaves lengths per plant at fertilizer application 100 kg/ha may have provided more surfaces for photosynthesis and assimilates production adequate for growth and yield and thus optimum grain weight. Considering the main effect and interaction, spacing at 75x30 cm showed to favour the growth and yield of the Gadam sorghum, under the Mbeere South Sub-county. From this study therefore, and for economic reasons, the 100 kg/ha fertilizer level, and 75x30 cm intra-row spacing, can be recommended for sorghum production in this Sub-County
Factors influencing provision of nutrition education and counselling to pregnant women by nurses during antenatal care in Nairobi County.
Get PDFGood maternal nutrition is essential for health, development and reproductive performance of the pregnant woman, and for the growth, survival and general health of the child. One strategy for ensuring pregnant women get information on the importance of adequate nutrition is through nutrition education and counselling. However many barriers hinder effective provision of nutrition education and counselling; one may be inadequate nutrition knowledge by nurses among other factors. The objective was to determine the factors that influence provision of nutrition education and counselling to pregnant women who attend antenatal care by nurses in Nairobi County. A cross-sectional descriptive study was used. The sample comprised of 150 nurses working in the antenatal clinics from 30 health centres in Nairobi County. A semi-structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data, and seven key informant interviews with clinic in-charges for qualitative data. Data was analysed using SPSS version 21. Descriptive statistics was done on all variables. The chi-square tests was used to determine relations between key study variables. Nurses who had a clear understanding of nutrition education and counselling were 36%. The nurses who had knowledge on the importance of nutrition to birth outcomes were more likely to provide NEC (P=0.002). Nurses self -perceived knowledge and skills for provision of nutrition education was 34%. 66% reported that they were not adequately trained. Inadequate knowledge on was similar to all levels of nursing training, whether trained in private or public institutions. Majority (73%) reported they provided nutrition education in group sessions. However the content and quality provided is likely to be affected by inadequate knowledge and skills of nurses and lack of structure. 47% reported they had guidelines at the health facilities. In conclusion, this study has found that nurses' self—perceived knowledge and skills for provision of nutrition education and counselling was inadequate. Secondly. lack of structure lead to inconsistency in the content and quality provided. Thirdly, unavailability of guidelines and irregular use affected delivery of services. It is recommended that basic nursing training should provide trainees with adequate competences. Nurses should have continuing education on nutrition to enhance their knowledge and skills. There should be a structure to guide and ensure uniformity of NEC service provision and guidelines should be provided to all health facilities and used as reference materials
Household food security and coping strategies among pastoralists in Mandera County
Get PDFHD 1010 .M64 2016This study focuses on causes of household food insecurity and coping strategies among households in Mandera County which has the highest percentage of food insecure households in Kenya. The study looks at the causes of food insecurity and analyzes government policy interventions carried out to address the problem. The study employed descriptive survey design. Both primary and secondary data were employed in this study. The population in this study consisted of all 128,125 households in Mandera County. From this population a sample of only three hundred and ninety eight (398) households were surveyed. Stratified and systematic sampling was used to get the sample. Questionnaires and interview schedules were the main instruments used in data collection. Pilot test was done in Wajir County. The enumerators together with the researcher moved from a household to another in data collection. The County Agricultural Extension Officers together with other front line extension staff acted as key informants for the study. Besides the primary data which was collected from the households, general information about food security was assessed in the intensive focus group discussions. Data from the completed instruments was coded and entered into the computer using SPSS software for analysis. The findings of this study show that various and interrelated factors are responsible for the problem of chronic household food insecurity in Mandera County. The study concluded that the households use various ways to cope with food insecurity especially the time of drought. They have various ways of coping with pasture shortages which include; strategic movements in search of fodder and water, various herd management strategies such as herd splitting, herd diversification and herd maximization to ensure that they spread the risk of livestock loss from droughts, diseases and theft. Opportunities for utilization of non-livestock rangeland resources which are used by the households included: medicinal plants, sand harvesting and cultivating fodder. Other types of coping strategies included social networks, reciprocity, neighborhood associations, stock associates, bond friendships and pooling resources together. Few households in Mandera County also mix their species to mitigate the effects of draught. The study also found that there are various socio-economical factors affecting food security in Mandera. These included education level of the household head, off farm income, dependants in a household, membership in the existing groups, extension services and infrastructure. The study also found out that there are various socio-cultural factors affecting food security in Mandera County which included traditions, reasons for keeping animals, relative values, responsibility and social obligations and traditional ceremonies. Based on the study’s results the following interventions are recommended: Rangeland resource utilization and development, water source development and management, extension and institutional capacity building, capacity building for livestock producers and marketing associations, improvement of animal health/veterinary services, interventions for improving infrastructure for livestock disease control and marketing, adopting to climate change and enhancing early warning systems and exploitation and development of non-livestock resources