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Assessment of Resilience and Social Behavior among Adolescents Living with HIV/AIDs at Mater Comprehensive Care Clinic In Nairobi County, Kenya
No full textMASTERS in Clinical PsychologyAdolescents Living with HIV (ALWHIV) in Kenya face multidimensional challenges that compromise their psychological well-being and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). This study examined the relationship between resilience and social behavior among ALWHIV attending the Mater Comprehensive Care Clinic (MCCC) in Nairobi County. Employing a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, the research integrated quantitative data from 119 adolescents with qualitative insights from focus group discussions. Standardized instruments, including the Resilience Scale and the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8), were used to assess resilience, social behavior (stigma, self-perception, peer interaction), and medication adherence. Findings indicated that 68.1% of participants exhibited moderate resilience, while 16.8% demonstrated low resilience. Social behavior was characterized by high perceived stigma (M = 3.78), low self-perception (M = 2.94), and variable peer interactions. Medication adherence was suboptimal, with only 31.1% of adolescents reporting high adherence. A strong positive correlation was found between resilience and social behavior (r = 0.71, p < 0.001), suggesting that higher resilience enhances psychosocial functioning and buffers against stigma and emotional distress. These results highlight the importance of integrated psychosocial interventions, including resilience training, peer support systems, and caregiver engagement, to strengthen ART adherence and promote mental health among ALWHIV. The study contributes to the growing evidence base supporting adolescent-centered HIV care models in sub-Saharan Africa.Daystar Universit
Impact of EMDR on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms among Urban Refugees in Nairobi, Kenya
No full textjournal articleResearch has indicated that Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a useful technique for lowering Posttraumatic Stress Disorder symptoms in refugee populations around the world. The purpose of the study was to establish the impact of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing treatment on Posttraumatic Stress Disorder symptoms among a select group of urban refugees seeking services at an international non-governmental organization in Nairobi. A time series quasi-experimental design was used for the study. Participants were administered a sociodemographic survey, and the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. A total of sixty-nine participants who satisfied the clinical criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder according to the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, were randomized through simple random sampling. Treatment consisted of eight 90-minute Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing sessions with the experimental group. Both the experimental and control groups' Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition scores were obtained after 4 sessions (midline), and after 4 additional sessions (endline). Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 27. Findings of the study showed that the experimental group's Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition scores significantly decreased over time. A repeated measures contrast analysis to examine the pattern of change in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder scores across the three timepoints indicated that the decrease in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder scores was statistically significant (F(1, 62) = 59.93, p < .001, partial η² = .492). These results demonstrate the value of focused psychological therapies and validate the effectiveness of the treatment
Association of Climate Awareness with Urban Mobility and Consumption Behaviour in Accra: a Path Analysis
No full textJournal articleThis study evaluated the direct and indirect association of Climate Change Awareness (CCA) with urban mobility options (i.e., walking, biking, and driving a carbon-dependent car) through Green Purchase Intention (GPI) and Eco-Socially Conscious Consumer Behaviour (ECCB). The study adopted a cross-sectional design with sensitivity analyses, robustness tests, and common methods bias evaluation. The participants were 865 adults
in Accra, Ghana. The relationship was tested concurrently with a path analysis through structural equation modelling. CCA was positively associated with walking, biking, and driving. It had an indirect positive association with walking time through ECCB but an indirect negative association through GPI with walking time. CCA had an indirect positive association with biking and driving through GPI. ECCB can be an important determinant
of walking for transportation among city dwellers with higher CCA. This study was the first to assess the nexus between environmental knowledge, pro-environmental consumption indicators, and active and non-active travel, unfolding implications for city design in
a Sub-Saharan African context
Policy Making and Implementation: A Case of Competency Based Curriculum in Kenya
No full textMaster of Education in Leadership and Policy StudiesKenya underwent a major transformation in its education system through the implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which was introduced to address the limitations of the 8-4-4 system by promoting learner-centred pedagogy, skills development, and educational equity. Despite its ambitious design, CBC implementation faced challenges related to stakeholder participation, resource allocation, and equitable student outcomes. This study examined these issues with three specific objectives: (i) to evaluate the role of stakeholders in CBC policymaking and implementation, (ii) to assess the effect of resource allocation on CBC implementation in Kenyan schools, and (iii) to determine the impact of CBC on student learning outcomes and equity. The study targeted a population of 230 participants, comprising 215 teachers, 10 school administrators, and 5 Ministry of Education and KICD officials. A sample of 182 respondents participated in the study, with 170 teachers completing questionnaires (a 79% response rate), while 12 key informants (school administrators, Ministry, and KICD officers) were interviewed. A mixed-methods design was employed, drawing on top-down and bottom-up policy implementation theories, complemented by constructivist and critical theory perspectives. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages), while qualitative responses were examined thematically. Key findings revealed that 62% of participants agreed stakeholders had been consulted in policymaking; however, interviews indicated that grassroots voices were inadequately represented. Regarding resources, 58% of teachers reported inadequate teaching and learning materials, and only 42% agreed that government funding was sufficient, highlighting systemic gaps in infrastructure, teacher preparation, and resource distribution. Concerning learning outcomes, 65% of respondents observed that CBC promoted critical thinking and problem-solving, but only 48% believed it reduced disparities between urban and rural schools, pointing to persistent inequities. The study concluded that CBC had the potential to transform learning but remained constrained by limited resources, uneven stakeholder participation, and systemic inequities. It recommended strengthening inclusive stakeholder engagement, enhancing equitable resource allocation, and investing in continuous teacher capacity building. Future research was recommended to adopt longitudinal approaches to assess CBC’s long-term impact and to explore intersectional factors such as geography, socio-economic status, and disability in shaping educational outcomes.Daystar Universit
The Next Chapter: Reflections on the Essence of Vice chancellor Prof. Laban P. Ayiro’s Led Engagement with Postgraduate Students During the Annual Postgraduate Seminar, 2025
No full textResearch Methods with Practical Examples
No full textBookThis book describes in detail the various parts of a research project. It gives ideas on how to choose a topic and how to write a literature review. It describes the various forms of research gaps. The book describes the four major research designs as qualitative, quantitative, experimental, and doctrinal/normative. Forms of sampling and how to arrive at an appropriate sample size for the various study designs are presented. Methods of data collection and analysis in various types of research are explained. The book has a standalone chapter on descriptive and inferential statistics, clearly illustrating when and how to use each one. The structure of both a research proposal as well as completed research is given special treatment. This book is therefore ideal for students and researchers in the fields of law, education, engineering, medicine, and social sciences
Thermal-Chemical Conversion of Poultry Litter to Biochar for Long-Term Carbon Storage to mitigate Climate change
No full textConference PaperThis study investigated the use of biochar derived from used poultry litter as a sustainable method for carbon sequestration, soil improvement, and waste management. It was conducted at Daystar University farm, the research focused on transforming poultry litter a nutrient-rich agricultural waste into biochar through pyrolysis process. Biochar, characterized by a porous structure, enhances carbon retention in soil, improves soil structure, supports beneficial microbial activity, increases nutrient retention, buffers soil pH, and reduces erosion and reliance on chemical fertilizers. The study found that pyrolysis temperature and the litter's moisture content significantly affected biochar yield and quality. Lower pyrolysis temperatures (300–450°C) produced 15% more biochar than higher temperatures (500–700°C). Optimal moisture content was between 10–20%; moisture above 30% hindered the process due to energy loss in water evaporation, leading to incomplete pyrolysis, while moisture below 10% increased ash content, reducing biochar quality. On average, 100 kg of poultry litter yielded 32 kg of biochar. Converting litter into biochar helps trap carbon that would otherwise emit as CO◻ or methane, thereby mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, biochar production offers potential for generating carbon credits and accessing the carbon market, aligning environmental sustainability with economic benefits.Daystar Universit
Emotional Biases, Financial Literacy and Investment Decisions of Members of Imarisha Savings and Credit Cooperatives Society, Kenya
No full textMaster of Business Administration in FinanceThis study examined the effects of emotional biases on investment decisions among members of Imarisha SACCO in Kenya. The research was motivated by the rising cases of non-performing loans linked to irrational borrowing and investment behaviors by SACCO members. Anchored on Prospect Theory, Herding Theory, and Modern Portfolio Theory, the study adopted a positivist philosophy and employed an explanatory research design. A stratified random sample of 399 members was drawn from a target population of 151,000, and data was collected using a structured, pre-tested digital questionnaire. Reliability was confirmed through Cronbach’s alpha coefficients exceeding the 0.7 threshold. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, principal component analysis (PCA), correlation analysis, linear regression, and logistic regression through Gretl 2025b, R 4.5.1, and SPSS 26. The PCA results indicated that herd behavior bias was the most influential bias among SACCO members. Correlation analysis revealed positive relationships between emotional biases (overconfidence, loss aversion, and herd behavior), financial literacy, and investment decisions. Linear regression results showed that all dimensions of emotional biases and the mediating variable (financial literacy), significantly and positively influenced investment decisions. Furthermore, logistic regression indicated that these factors increase the likelihood of members making investment choices. The study recommends that Imarisha SACCO management develop policies and interventions to help members overcome emotional biases and enhance rational investment decision-making. It also advocates for the provision of professional advisory services to strengthen members’ financial literacy and investment capability. Future research should further explore herd behavior in different contexts to develop strategies that protect the public from exploitative investment schemes such as Ponzi and pyramid scams.Daystar Universit
The Impact of Emerging Media Technologies on Media Framing of Industrial Wastewater: Implications for Climate Change Communication.
No full textConference PaperAdvancing information and communication technologies are reshaping media effects research, particularly in framing studies, where effects are no longer unidirectional. This study investigates how emerging technologies influence media framing of industrial wastewater, a critical issue in climate change communication. Untreated or improperly treated wastewater contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, including methane and nitrous oxide, while climate change exacerbates pressures on wastewater systems, amplifying emissions globally. Using a mixed methods approach, the study examines public frames surrounding industrial wastewater, identifies primary news sources addressing the issue, and evaluates how media technologies shape public interaction with the topic. Data were gathered through interviews with communication experts from Nairobi-based universities- Multimedia, Moi, the University of Nairobi, and Aga Khan. Surveys were conducted in Nairobi sub-locations: Mukuru Kwa Njenga, Imara Daima, Makadara, and South B. Thematic coding of the data highlights the transformative role of communication technology in driving media effects and public discourse on climate change. The findings underscore the need for updated methodologies in climate change communication research, particularly to address the technological framing of industrial wastewater issues. The study recommends that institutions like Moi, Nairobi and Aga Khan Universities adapt curricula to ensure future media scholars are equipped to engage effectively with emerging technologies, climate change discourse, and sustainable communication strategiesDaystar Universit
Organizational Factors Influencing Data Quality in Humanitarian Responses: A Case of World Vision Refugee Response in Uganda
No full textMASTER OF ARTS in Monitoring and EvaluationThis study tackles ongoing challenges related to data quality in humanitarian responses, which is vital for effective service delivery and accountability despite significant investments in information systems. It examines how organizational factors, such as leadership, financial considerations, and staff skills, affect data quality, using World Vision Uganda's Refugee Response as a case study. The objectives were to evaluate managerial practices, analyze financial influences, and assess staff qualifications' roles in data quality. Guided by a pragmatic philosophy, the research used a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews, based on Data Governance and Information Theories. Covering responses from 155 staff and volunteers across 10 field offices in West Nile and Southwestern Uganda, plus 14 senior informants, the study explored how leadership, funding, and workforce capacity are interconnected. Results reveal that strong leadership and clear governance are most closely associated with improvements in data accuracy, completeness, reliability, and timeliness. Financial constraints were widespread but did not directly affect data quality; instead, they impacted outcomes through their influence on systems and adaptive practices. The importance of technical skills was also highlighted, with substantial improvements mainly when adequate leadership and systemic support were present. The study confirms that structured leadership, clear policies, and integrated data systems are essential for high data quality, aligning with current theoretical frameworks. Recommendations for policy and practice focus on continuous investment in leadership, targeted skill development, and organizational reform. These findings are especially relevant for humanitarian professionals, policymakers, M&E specialists, and scholars committed to evidence-based practices in crisis settings.Daystar Universit