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Relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Substance Use Disorders: A Case of Patients at Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya.
No full textMasters in Clinical PsychologySubstance use disorders (SUDs) remain a pressing public health concern worldwide, with growing evidence linking adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to increased vulnerability to addiction. While global research has established ACE–SUD associations, limited studies in Kenya have examined how early-life trauma influences substance use onset, severity, and treatment outcomes within rehabilitation contexts. This study investigated the relationship between ACEs and SUDs among patients admitted to the Mathari National Teaching and Referral Hospital (MNTRH) Rehabilitation Center, Kenya’s The study sought to determine the prevalence and severity of ACEs among inpatients with SUDs, identify the types of substances most commonly used, and establish correlations between specific ACE categories and substance use patterns. The study was guided by theoretical framework that integrates Trauma Theory, Attachment Theory, and Social Learning Theory to comprehensively understand the complex relationship between childhood trauma and substance use. A quantitative cross-sectional correlational design was adopted, with a systematically selected sample of 83 inpatients Data was collected using a biodemographic questionnaire, the Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ), and the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ). Analysis was conducted using SPSS version 27 through descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation. The findings revealed that alcohol (41%), was the most reported substance of use, emotional neglect (62%) was the highest ACE and a significant positive association was established between ACEs and substance use. This study concludes that ACEs play a central role in shaping substance use behaviors among patients in Kenya and highly recommends integrating trauma-informed interventions into rehabilitation to reduce vulnerability and relapse rates.Daystar Universit
Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in The Treatment of Depression Among Caregivers of Cancer Patients in Nairobi County, Kenya
No full textDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHYin Clinical PsychologyCaregivers play a crucial role in assisting and supporting cancer patients. However, they often face a substantial burden across emotional, physical, and social domains, including experiencing depression that can negatively affect their well-being. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in treating depression among caregivers of cancer patients in Nairobi Cou ty, Kenya. The objectives were to determine the prevalence of depression among the caregivers, establish their sociodemographic characteristics, assess their quality of life (QoL), and examine the correlation between sociodemographic factors, QoL, and depression among the caregivers. The study was guided by three theoretical frameworks: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which underpins MBCT and emphasizes the role of cognitive restructuring in alleviating depressive symptoms; the transactional model of stress and coping theory (TMSC), which conceptualizes caregiving as a chronic stressor and highlights the importance of adaptive coping mechanisms; and self-efficacy theory, which posits that individuals’ belief in their ability to manage caregiving challenges influences psychological outcomes. These theories collectively informed the intervention design and interpretation of caregiver responses to MBCT. A quasi-experimental research design was adopted, utilizing a quantitative approach for data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Purposive sampling was used to select two cancer centres: Texas Cancer Centre, which served as the experimental site; and Coptic Hospital, which served as the control group receiving treatment as usual. From a total caregiver population of 90, the study effectively functioned as a census and minimized sampling bias. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire (SDQ), the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and the Caregiver QoL Index-Cancer (CQOLC). Analysis involved descriptive, inferential, and multivariate techniques using SPSS version 27. The findings revealed a high prevalence of depression among caregivers, estimated at 73.4%, and a significant reduction of depression in the experimental group at midline (M = 12.97) and endline (M = 10.58) due to MBCT, compared to the control group, which showed no significant change (p < .001). -Effect sizes were large (Cohen’s d = −1.713 at midline; −1.513 at endline), representing a >40% reduction in depression from baseline to endline. Furthermore, sociodemographic factors such as age, gender, and caregiving duration were significantly correlated with both depression levels and QoL scores. The study also found that caregivers with higher self-efficacy and adaptive coping strategies reported better psychological outcomes, aligning with the theoretical underpinnings of the research. Given the inherently demanding nature of caregiving, the study recommends that caregivers be consistently included in clinical evaluations and offered MBCT as an integral component of oncological care. Moreover, the findings underscore the importance of theory-driven, contextually adapted interventions to support caregiver mental health, particularly in resource-constrained settings.Daystar Universit
Opportunities and Innovations in Participatory Budgeting for Climate Change Adaptation in Makueni County
No full textConference PaperThe inclusion of citizens in decision-making and especially in management of public funds has increasingly become an integral component in governance and policy formulation. There are many public needs competing against limited resources and negative effects on livelihoods attributed to climate change. Makueni county has been lauded as a model county in implementing a public participation framework from the village level to the county level. This model provides an opportunity to implement innovative solutions driven by the citizens to address climate change. The objective of this paper, therefore, is to identify the opportunities in the participatory budgeting process in Makueni; and to build the adaptive capacity of the communities on climate change. The study will be anchored on Participatory Democracy Theory and will adopt mixed methods and collect data through analysis of secondary data from participatory budgeting and county participatory climate risk assessment and the county budgets. Qualitative data will be collected through expert interviews and focus group discussions. The study will use multi-stage sampling to identify participants across the 30 wards, the development committees who form the structures for public participation and ward climate change committees who will participate in the focus group discussion. Data analysis will be done through coding and thematic analysis for qualitative data and descriptive statistics for quantitative data to guide findings, discussions and recommendations.Daystar Universit
Psychosocial Effects of Gender Prejudice on The Mental Well-Being of Students in Selected Mixed Secondary Schools in SEME Sub-County, Kisumu County, Kenya
No full textMASTER OF ARTS in Counseling PsychologyGender prejudice in educational settings is a critical challenge affecting students' psychosocial adjustment and academic success. This study investigated the psychosocial effects of gender prejudice on students' mental well-being in mixed secondary schools in Seme Sub-County, Kisumu County, Kenya. Guided by Social Role and Stress and Coping Theories, the research employed a mixed-methods design. Data were collected from 329 students and 8 teachers across four schools using questionnaires, including the Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS), and semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed pervasive gender prejudice, with 78.1% of students reporting they were expected to conform to gender-based behavioral norms. Stereotyping was also prevalent, with 44.6% hearing remarks that one gender was naturally better at certain subjects. While classroom participation was relatively balanced, subtle biases persisted in disciplinary treatment, activity exclusion, and appearance-related comments. Sociodemographic factors, particularly age, school type, and parental education, significantly influenced these experiences. Critically, gender prejudice was correlated with diminished mental well-being, manifesting as increased sadness, anxiety, and hopelessness. Students with higher self-esteem demonstrated greater resilience. In response, students employed coping strategies such as seeking support from family and peers (41.9%), engaging in physical exercise (37.4%), and assertive confrontation (38.3%), though institutional counseling was underutilized. Qualitative data attributed these prejudices to entrenched cultural norms and socio-economic disparities. The study concludes that gender prejudice remains a significant barrier to equitable education and emotional well-being. It recommends implementing gender-sensitivity training for teachers, strengthening school counseling services, and enacting policy reforms to foster inclusive learning environments that support all students' mental health and academic potential.Daystar Universit
East Africa’s Health Systems Must Stay Vigilant as Excitement Builds around Chan
No full textnewspaper. As Chan football unites fans across borders, fragile disease surveillance systems face renewed Mpox and Ebola threats.
. East Africa’s celebrations mask rising risks, with Mpox deaths and porous borders fuelling transmission concerns
Who Gets Left Behind? A Mixed-Methods Study on Climate-Smart Agriculture Access for Farmers with Disabilities in Tharaka Nithi, Kenya
No full textConference PaperClimate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) enhances smallholder farmers' resilience; however, its accessibility for farmers with disability is neglected. Although socioeconomic and institutional barriers affect CSA adoption, the relationship between CSA and disability remains underexplored in climate resilience research. Ensuring access to CSA training and services for farmers with disability presents a challenge that undermines climate adaptation strategies' inclusivity. Without efforts to address physical, informational, and institutional barriers, CSA risks reinforcing inequalities in agricultural development. This study uses mixed methods to investigate CSA adoption and extension services access among smallholder farmers in Mukothima Ward, Tharaka Nithi, Kenya, focusing on farmers with disability. Quantitative data from a survey of 418 farmers (23 withdisabilities) is complemented by qualitative interviews, capturing barriers influencing CSA engagement across groups. The study found that farmers with disabilities had lower education levels and CSA adoption compared to non-disabled counterparts, highlighting disparities inaccesstoclimate-resilientpractices. Whiletheyreportedhigher participation in NGO-led CSA programs, they faced greater exclusion from government extension services and showed heightened vulnerability to climate shocks. This study contributes to inclusive climate resilience discourse by foregrounding disability as a critical yet overlooked axis in CSA research and policy. Findings underscore the need for interventions that address structural barriers and promote equitable access to CSA resources, supporting resilient rural livelihoods. These findings call for reimagining CSA through a disability-inclusive lens, where accessibility and tailored support are embedded within extension systems. Future research should prioritize farmers with disability to promote equitable climate adaptation in agriculture.Daystar Universit
Redefining Parental Involvement in Competency Based Curriculum Implementation in Kenya. A Critical Review
No full textjournal articleKenya has made significant strides in implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum. However, there have beenchallenges, which the s government has been trying to address. Parents have raised concerns about their involvement in their children’s academic work and their increased role in the implementation of the new curriculum. The purpose of this study wasto review literature on and redefine parental involvement inimplementation of Competency Based Curriculum.The study was guided by the Structural Functionalism Theory by Emile Durkheim guided the paper. Desktop critical review of various journal articles and other secondary sources was carried out. The studyestablished a great concern of parentsthat the new curriculum is resource expensive and demands ofthemto be involved in the implementation of thecurriculum. Parental involvement includes helping learners in the entire learning process and in doing assignments. The new curriculum does not only focus on academic work but also non-academic work and therefore, forcing parentsto assume roles in holistic development of their children. Since the focus of the curriculum is on the competencies, feedback from parents is very vital in complementing teachers’ role especially in guiding their children to choosethe right pathway in senior school. There is a need for constant communication between the teachers in the process. The expanded role of parents in implementation of the new curriculum should be explained well so as to overcome the teething problems that are being associated with the Competency Based Curriculu
Functional Strategies and the Organizational Performance of The National Retirement Planning Project: A Case of Sanlam Life Insurance Limited.
No full textMaster's ThesisThis study examined the effect of functional strategies on the organizational performance of retirement planning solutions within Kenya’s insurance sector, focusing on financial health, knowledge management, cost efficiency, employee development, and market share. The research sought to identify the strategies employed by Sanlam Life Insurance Limited and to assess their effectiveness in enhancing performance outcomes. Grounded in human capital, knowledge-based, and goal-setting theories, the study adopted a mixed-methods approach using an explanatory sequential design. A sample of 107 employees from different departments and ranks was selected through stratified random sampling to ensure diverse representation. Data were gathered through digital questionnaires, supported by a financial data sheet, and analysed using descriptive statistics and correlation techniques. The findings indicated that budgeting skills had a strong positive correlation with organizational performance (r = .600, mean = 3.65). Employees with clear knowledge of income and expenditure, regular budget monitoring, and saving practices contributed to cost control and financial stability. Strategic management knowledge showed an even stronger relationship (r = .680, mean = 3.67), emphasizing the importance of strategic thinking in guiding financial planning, risk assessment, and long-term decision-making. Debt management also displayed a significant correlation (r = .630, mean = 3.65), suggesting that employees who actively managed debt and prioritized repayments supported both liquidity and sustainability at organizational levels. Strategic decision-making emerged as the most influential factor (r = .720, mean = 3.66), reflecting the role of risk assessment, information gathering, and data-driven choices in enhancing efficiency and long-term outcomes. Employee development was also positively correlated with organizational performance (r = .650, mean = 3.62), showing that professional growth initiatives and training programs enhanced competencies, motivation, and alignment with strategic objectives. Finally, organizational culture exhibited a strong correlation with performance (r = .700, mean = 3.60), highlighting how transparency, collaboration, ethical practices, and innovation fostered engagement and a shared sense of purpose. Based on these insights, the study developed a framework to strengthen functional strategies in budgeting, financial literacy, decision-making, and debt management. By addressing these areas, insurance firms can improve resource allocation, enhance operational agility, and build financial resilience in retirement planning. The findings contribute to existing literature by offering context-specific evidence from Kenya’s insurance sector, where challenges such as financial literacy gaps and reliance on informal employment complicate the success of retirement initiatives. Ethical standards, including informed consent and data protection, were upheld throughout the study.Daystar Universit
Impediments to Effective Implementation of Sexual Reproductive Health Policies in Secondary Schools in Kenya: A Case of Kiambu County
No full textMASTER OF EDUCATION in Leadership and Policy StudiesThe purpose of this study was to examine the impediments to the effective implementation of Sexual Reproductive Health Policies in secondary schools in Kenya, with reference to schools in Kiambu County. The specific objectives of the study were to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of SRH policies in Kiambu County secondary schools; to examine the challenges encountered in the implementation of SRH policies in Kiambu County secondary schools; and to assess the contribution of major stakeholders to the success or failure of SRH policies in Kiambu County. The research was guided by the Top-Down Model of policy implementation and the Constructivist Epistemology theory. Moreover, the research adopted a descriptive and exploratory research design that applied mixed methods approaches, integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study was anchored on the top-down model theory and the constructivist epistemology theory. The study targeted 56 respondents comprising two Sub-County officers, school principals, 30 school staff members comprised of teachers, administrators, counselors, and nurses closely dealing with students on SRH issues, and 16 students from six selected secondary schools in Ruiru Sub-County. Data were collected using interviews and structured questionnaires with key informants and analyzed using both qualitative thematic analysis and descriptive statistical analysis for quantitative data. The study found that the implementation effectiveness score was below expectations because the SRH policy had not been translated into a comprehensive educational program necessary for meaningful adolescent health outcomes. The main challenges included resource constraints, inadequate funding, lack of instructional curriculum and materials, time constraints, policy dissemination challenges, lack of training for educators, and weak stakeholder engagement. The study concluded that the main impediments to effective implementation of SRH policies included the government’s top-down approach to policy formulation that ignored stakeholder buy-ins; lack of government’s commitment to provide clear structures, curriculum, guidelines and budgetary support necessary for SRH education; and the failure to recognize the influence of the sociocultural and religious environment within which the learners constructed new knowledge taught in SRH education. Recommendations included the need for a hybrid theory of policy formulation; stakeholder engagement; and the need to ensure that clear structures, guidelines, and support were in place to avoid unnecessary challenges to the process.Daystar Universit
The Influence of Parenting Styles on The Use of Digital Technology among Children: A Case of Pentecostal Assemblies of God (P.A.G) Bahati Church, Nairobi City County, Kenya.
No full textMASTER OF ARTS in Child DevelopmentThe rising integration of digital technology into everyday life has presented new challenges to family dynamics and parenting practices. This study investigated the influence of parenting styles on digital technology use among children in the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (P.A.G) Bahati Church, Nairobi City County, Kenya. Specifically, the study aimed to determine the prevalent parenting styles among parents, establish the form and use of digital technology among children, examine the relationship between parenting styles and digital technology use, and propose strategies to facilitate responsible technology use among children. The study was grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and Prensky’s Digital Natives vs. Digital Immigrants Theory. A quantitative descriptive correlational research design was adopted. The target population comprised parents of children aged 6–15 years, and a sample of 74 parents was selected using a mixed sampling method, combining random and purposive sampling techniques. Data were collected through questionnaires and analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) to generate descriptive and correlational statistics. Findings revealed that the authoritative parenting style was most commonly used, followed by the authoritarian style, while the permissive style was least used. The most common digital devices among children were televisions and smartphones, with most children using them for one to two hours daily and beginning regular use between ages six and ten. A significant positive relationship was found between authoritarian and permissive parenting styles and children’s digital technology use. Respondents proposed strategies such as fostering open communication, setting clear digital boundaries, modelling healthy digital habits, and encouraging educational and safe online engagement. The study recommends that parents should foster open communication, set clear digital boundaries, and encourage educational and safe online engagement. The study concludes that intentional and informed parental involvement is key to promoting responsible digital technology use among children.Daystar Universit