105064 research outputs found
Sort by
Factors Influencing Access To Renewable Energy By Rural Households In Kenya: A Case Of Simgas Biogas Project In Central Imenti, Meru County
No full textAdoption of renewable sources of energy has been low in rural areas due to varying factors like poverty levels, nature of human settlements and dispersed populations. In Central Imenti, Meru County, most of the rural population use kerosene for lighting and charcoal or firewood for cooking which are known to have caused many health problems due to the carbon emitted as well as burns caused by the open flames, the huge risks of house fires and suffocation from use of these traditional fuels. The study established the factors influencing access to renewable energy by rural households in Kenya, A case of Simgas Biogas Project in Central Imenti, Meru County. The study was guided by the following objectives: to establish influence of household income, availability of information, cost analysis and availability of alternative source of energy on access to renewable energy by rural households in Central Imenti, Meru County in Kenya. The study was grounded on resource dependence theory. For this study, a descriptive research design was undertaken to ascertain and be able to describe the characteristics of variables of interest. The target population was 512 that include; the Meru County Energy Department officials, Community leaders, Ministry of Energy, Project managers and SIMGAS Biogas Project officials. To obtain the desired sample size of 216 for the study with the population of 512, Nassiuma formula was used. Stratified random sampling was used. Primary data was obtained using self-administered questionnaires. After data cleaning, which entailed checking for errors in entry, descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, mean score, standard deviation and coefficient of variation was estimated for all the quantitative variables. The qualitative data from the open-ended questions was analyzed using conceptual content analysis. Multiple regression analysis was used to establish the relations between the independent and dependent variables. The information was presented in form of tables. The employment status of household heads, level of household income and the ability to pay influenced the access to renewable energy to a great extent. The availability of information proved to be of very great influence on the access to renewable energy. technical knowhow influenced access to renewable energy in rural households very greatly while the ease of access and installation cost influence access to renewable energy in rural households greatly. The types of alternative energy sources influence the access to renewable energy by rural households in Meru County very greatly while reliability, affordability and individual preferences influence the access to renewable energy by rural households in Meru County. The study concluded that availability of information had the greatest effect on the access to renewable energy by rural households in Central Imenti, followed by cost analysis, then household income while availability of alternative source of energy had the least effect to the access to renewable energy by rural households in Central Imenti. The study recommends that the government could arrange for a plan that allows households to pay an agreeable small amount of money per month in a bid to increase the use of renewable energy. The study further recommends that Ministry of Energy should provide training and education to increase the availability of information and awareness on the use of renewable energ
Awareness Of Chronic Kidney Disease, Its Predictors And Self Management Behaviours Among High Risk Patients In Kenyatta National Hospital.
No full textChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common and growing problem worldwide. Despite the high worldwide CKD prevalence and the discovery of effective measures to prevent or slow its progression this disease still remains a “silent” epidemic with worldwide limited knowledge on the CKD process and low levels of awareness of CKD in the general population (Coresh et al 2005). In Kenya, a high prevalence (43.3 percent) of late presentation of CKD patients to hospital was noted in 2008(Kilingo 2009).
Methods
This was a descriptive cross sectional study among a population at high risk of developing CKD attending the outpatient cardiac and diabetic clinics at the Kenyatta National Hospital. Data was collected using a questionnaire to assess awareness of CKD, and selected self-management behaviors among them. A total of 215 clients were selected using the Proportionate Stratified random sampling method. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Dependent variable was presented as a median and mode. Independent variables were presented in frequencies and percentages. Associations and differences between the dependent and independent variables were examined using Chi square test. Predictor variables that had significant association with the dependent variable were further subjected into logistic regression analysis to adjust for potential confounders. The level of significance was set at <= 0.05.
Results
Overall only 98 (45.6%) of the respondents were adequately aware of CKD. A high percentage 158(73.5%) had heard about kidney disease and most 151(70.2%) also reported to have undergone a kidney function test. However, there was limited knowledge noted on CKD. The function of the kidney was the only well-known fact about CKD. 140 (65.1%) of the respondents were aware of the function of the kidney. There was no statistical difference in level of awareness of CKD between those attending the diabetes clinic versus those who attended the cardiovascular clinic. There was a statistically significant relationship between level of education (p=0.009) and monthly income (p=0.044) with awareness of CKD.
xiii
Conclusion
Overall the findings indicate that the clients attending the Cardiac and Diabetic Outpatient Clinic at the Kenyatta National Hospital are inadequately informed on CKD and its complications. A higher level of education and higher income are significantly associated with adequate awareness of CKD. There was no statistically significant relationship between their selected self-management behaviors and the level of CKD awareness.
Recommendations
Medical practitioners should provide tailored CKD educational programs to clients at risk. The hospital administration should incorporation with the medical practitioners provide avenues of disseminating CKD information to the rest of the population at risk seeking healthcare services in other avenues such as inpatient care. An elaborate qualitative study is needed to explore the role of screening in CKD prevention.a
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, ; bDepartment of Mental Health, School of Medicine,
Moi University, Eldoret, Keny
Prevalence of bacteria in intraamniotic infections among women in spontaneous preterm labour with intact membranes at kenyatta national hospital: an exploratory cross-sectional study.
No full textBackground and objectives: preterm births are a major public health concern with global estimates at 10.6% of all births. It is estimated at 13.5% at the kenyatta national hospital, nairobi kenya. Asia and sub-saharan africa accounts for about 80% of all preterm births. It remains an obstetric dilemma. Intraamniotic bacterial invasion causes spontaneous preterm labour, most commonly from ascending infections. It's associated with increased maternal and neonatal morbidities, decreased preterm-labour onset to delivery time and poor response to tocolysis. There is paucity of information on identification and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the involved bacteria. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of subclinical intraamniotic bacterial infection in women in spontaneous preterm labour with intact membranes presenting at a tertiary teaching hospital located in subsahara africa, the identity of the bacterial isolates and their antimicrobial sensitivity.
Design: this was an exploratory cross-sectional study involving 22 gravid women consecutively recruited from the antenatal and labour wards of kenyatta national hospital, nairobi, kenya.
Methodology: 22 women with singleton pregnancies in spontaneous preterm labour with intact membranes were consecutively sampled and recruited in the study. Informed consent was obtained. Pretested questionnaires used to collect demographic and obstetric data. Continuous ultrasound guided amniocentesis was performed aseptically and samples cultured forr presence of bacteria and their antibacterial sensitivity. Descriptive analysis was applied and prevalence of subclinical intra-amniotic bacterial infection calculated. Bacterial isolates and their antimicrobial susceptibility were described in proportions.
Results: 22 gravid mothers in spontaneous preterm labour with intact membranes were recruited with a mean age of 26.7 years (sd 6.3). 36% and 41% had primary and secondary level of education respectively. 36% were primi-gravida. 68% presented at gestational ages
Of 32-36weeks. There was bacterial growth in amniotic fluid samples from 2 of the 22 participants. Enterococci feacalis and staphylococcus epidermidis were the identified bacteria with varied anti-microbial susceptibility.
Conclusion: the prevalence of subclinical bacterial intra-amniotic infection amongst women in spontaneous preterm labour with intact membranes was 9%. Spontaneous preterm labour with intact membranes is potentially associated with subclinical intraamniotic bacterial invasion and needs to be further evaluated to ascertain causative association and to guide its management.a
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, ; bDepartment of Mental Health, School of Medicine,
Moi University, Eldoret, Keny
Economic Analysis of Smallholder Farmers’ Participation in the Cassava Marketing Value Chain in Taita-taveta and Kilifi Counties, Kenya
No full textCassava is an important food crop with high production potential for different agroecological zones across the world. Therefore, cassava has a great potential as both a food security crop and other industrial purposes. However, the cassava industry and value chain in Kenya is still underdeveloped since there are many cassava marketing opportunities that are yet to be exploited. This study analyses the participation of smallholder farmers in the cassava marketing value chain in Taita-Taveta and Kilifi Counties in Kenya. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires from a sample of 250 smallholder cassava farmers and 105 cassava traders. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the socio-economic characteristics of respondents and to map both the cassava marketing channels and the marketing value chain. A binary Probit model was used to analyse the socio-economic factors that influence farmers participation in cassava marketing while an Ordered Probit model was used to analyse the cassava commercialization levels in the study area.
The results show that most cassava farmers participate in cassava marketing but at different commercialization levels and cassava trading is dominated by female traders. However, there was little value addition to cassava tubers since cassava is mostly consumed as food and 92 percent of farmers sell fresh roots while 78 percent of traders resale the fresh roots. The results of the binary Probit model show that, access to extension services, price of cassava product and quantity harvested had a positive and significant influence on market participation decision while years of schooling, household size and farm size had a negative and significant influence on the market participation decision. On the other hand, the Ordered Probit results show that, pest management, seed buying and access to extension services had positive and significant influence on commercialization level while household size and distances to the nearest market place had negative and significant influence on commercialization level. Therefore, based on the findings, the study recommended policy interventions targeting organization and
coordination of the cassava marketing system and provision of appropriate incentives to farmers and traders in the bid to develop the cassava marketing value chain.
Key Words: Cassava, Participation, Commercialization Level, Marketing, Farmers, Tradersa
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, ; bDepartment of Mental Health, School of Medicine,
Moi University, Eldoret, Keny
The Effect Of Entrepreneurship Education In Developing Entrepreneurial Intentions Among Selected University Students In Kenya
No full textEntrepreneurship in many countries play an important role. It is a huge contributor to the
economic growth of Kenya whereby many jobs have been created. Several factors affect
entrepreneurship and this include; politics, gender, technology, access to funds, personal factors,
poor entrepreneurial skills, education and much more. Education was seen as a tool to resolve
most of the mentioned issues and hence in 1988, Kenya’s education systems introduced
entrepreneurship in their education programs. This begun entrepreneurial education phenomenon.
Entrepreneurial Education combines essential skills already learned, studied and approved by
established entrepreneurs over the years. Studies have shown that entrepreneurial education is
critical to the growth and survival of enterprises. The study therefore was aimed at establishing
the influence of entrepreneurial education in developing entrepreneurial intentions among
university students in Kenya. Descriptive research design was used to study the research problem.
The target population of this study comprised 74 Universities teaching entrepreneurship in
Kenya. The study took a sample 3 Universities 27 students in total using stratified sampling.
Collecting of data was through use of questionnaires. The study used descriptive techniques to
analyze data. Results obtained show that the students had a clear understanding on the concept of
entrepreneurship. Findings indicated that respondents had highest expectations of improving their
networking skills, communication skills, creativity, and negotiation skills and even start a
business. Those with already existing businesses sought to improve the performance of their
business through financial management, business planning and much more. The findings of the
study indicated that most students had actually achieved this, some even before completion of the
course. Most of them indicated they had achieved their intended goal
Management Of Steel Reinforcement Works’ Impact On The Health Of Workers In Building Construction Sites: Case Study, Nairobi County, Kenya.
No full textSteel reinforcement work in building construction sites as a component of the larger construction industry is an important contributor to the overall social and economic development of the world. Due to the temporary nature and unpredictable workloads, Steel reinforcement work in building construction sites in Kenya are often executed under informal labour arrangements where workers’ safety and health compliance requirements are largely not strictly observed (Mitullah & Wachira, 2003). Steel reinforcement work therefore continues to impact negatively on the health of workers in building construction sites thus raising stakeholders concern. Reviewed literature revealed that not much research work had been done to address this concern. This study was therefore to investigate the management of steel reinforcement works’ impact on the health of workers in building construction sites. Objectives of the investigation were to: establish how management of steel reinforcement work procedures impacted on the health of workers in building construction sites; evaluate how management of occupational safety and health legislations and policies impacted on the health of steel reinforcement workers in building construction sites; evaluate how management of workplace ethics impacted on the health of steel reinforcement workers in building construction sites and establish how management of workplace challenges impacted on the health of steel reinforcement workers in building construction sites. The study was premised on the hypotheses that there was no statistically significant relationship between management of steel reinforcement work and the health of workers in building construction sites, that there was no statistically significant relationship between management of occupational safety and health legislations and policies and the health of steel reinforcement workers in building construction sites, that there was no statistically significant relationship
(xiii)
between management of workplace ethics and the health of steel reinforcement workers in building construction sites, and that there was no statistically significant relationship between management of workplace challenges and the health of steel reinforcement workers in building construction sites. Descriptive cross-sectional method was used for the inquiry and data collection was by interviews, questionnaires, observations, text books, manuals, journals, publications, past studies, libraries, internet and site records. Testing for reliability of data collection instruments was by Cronbach alpha -SPSS. Data analysis and hypothesis testing were by descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Data presentation was in frequencies, tables, charts, and graphs. The main results of the investigation were that management of workplace challenges had the highest impact on the health of steel reinforcement workers in building construction sites followed by occupational safety and health legislations and policies, workplace ethics and work procedures. This implied that the existing management system for protection and safeguarding the health of steel reinforcement workers in building construction sites in Nairobi county, Kenya was out of balance. Review of this system in response to emerging building and construction sector specific needs was therefore recommended
Trade Financing and Supply Chain Performance of Multinational Manufacturing Firms in Kenya
No full textThis study aimed to determine the trade finance modes adopted by manufacturing firms in Kenya that are multinational in facilitating international trade transactions and the relationship they had on performance of their supply chains. The study employed a descriptive research design. A self-administered questionnaire was used in collecting data from 37 respondents making a response rate of 88.1%. This was a sufficient and satisfactory representative of the target population. The study focused on variables such as post and pre shipment financing, letters of credit, loans and overdrafts, advance payments, documentary credit, factoring and forfeiting and open accounts as independent variables and customer satisfaction, product quality, cycle time, financial and cost measures, flexibility, global market share and profitability as dependent variables. According to the study findings, there are four major trade finance modes that have been adopted by these firms which include; Documentary Collection, Open Account, Advance Payments, and Letters of Credit. Other modes are Bank Guarantees, Loans and Overdrafts as pre-shipment and post-shipment financing and Bills Availization. The study results also showed that trade financing had significantly influenced the performance of the supply chains of multinational manufacturing firms as it led to increased export volumes and profits. It made the supply chain environment friendly, diversified suppliers and enhanced relationships, product quality, reduced leads time and enhanced customer satisfaction. The firms have been able to mitigate the risks associated with international trade transactions, reduced costs, achieved business growth, increased their profits, improved overall performance of the firms hence gained a competitive advantage. It was recommended that since the manufacturing sector is the engine of economy the government should extend support to multinational manufacturing firms in accessing trade finance. One major limitation was difficulty in getting information from government offices. Further study to be done on the challenges faced by these manufacturing firms in accessing trade finance and how to overcome them
The Impact Of Ethnic Conflict On International Trade: A Case Of Kenya-south Sudan, 2011-2017.
No full textTrade has been a source of wealth and power, and countries always seek to increase their exchanges with the outside world. Globally, many factors however affect trade relations between and among countries. One of the major factors that affect trade internationally is ethnic conflicts. South Sudan’s instability has prevented Kenyans from pursuit of their economic interest through Kenya’s renewed economic diplomacy and this has consequently caused economic insecurity for the Kenyans trading in goods and services. The objective of the study was to examine the impact of ethnic conflict on international trade using Kenya - South Sudan as the case study. The study was based on conflict and development theory. The design used in this study was qualitative. This research depended on both primary and secondary data. Secondary information was collected from journals, books, newspapers and online sources. Primary data was collected by use of semi-structured interview. The questions presented in the interview were mostly open-ended with the purpose of respondents to reply in which matter they chose. This research made estimation on the population from where representative samples was drawn. The study targeted 54 Kenyan exporters to South Sudan located in Nairobi County. Purposive sampling was used to obtain 40% of the total respondent. The manufacturers were issued with interview tool to respond to. In total, the research was conduct survey from a pool of 22 respondents. The gathered data was analysed using content analysis. This study reveals that ethnic conflict in South Sudan is the stumbling block to Kenya’s economic growth
Piers Model for the Prediction of Adverse Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes in Preclampsia at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
No full textIntroduction: Preeclampsia is a subset of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) and
contributes to the top 3 causes of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Because of the
enormous burden of adverse maternal outcomes among patients with preeclampsia, there is a
need to correctly identify women at high risk of developing adverse outcomes in time to avoid
their occurrence and aid decision making around the management of preeclampsia. The PIERS
model (Preeclampsia Integrated Estimate of Risk) was developed to predict adverse maternal
outcomes using easy to assess predictors collected within the first 48 hours of hospital admission
among patients with preeclampsia. In validation studies, the fullPIERS model had a sensitivity of
85.1% while the miniPIERS model had a sensitivity of 73.8% for adverse maternal outcomes
(Uber et al, 2009). The performance of PIERS model has not been evaluated in our Kenyan
setting.
Objective: To determine the performance of the PIERS model in predicting the risk of adverse
maternal and perinatal outcomes among patients with preeclampsia at Kenyatta National
Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya.
Methodology: This was a descriptive prospective cohort study. Patients admitted with
preeclampsia were recruited from the labour ward and antenatal wards. These patients were
interviewed using a questionnaire to determine the presence of the symptom based predictor
variables and their files were analysed to get the laboratory predictor values. Enrolled patients
were recruited and followed up to document development of any adverse maternal and perinatal
outcomes. We estimated the performance of the mini and fullPIERS model using receiver
operator curves, area under the curve.
x
Results: Of 197 women recruited within 48 hours of admission, 12.2 % experienced an adverse
maternal and 49.7% experienced adverse perinatal outcomes. The mean maternal age was 29.1
years while the mean gestational age was 34 weeks 6 days. 97 patients (49.2%) had
preeclampsia with severe features. The fullPIERS model predicted adverse maternal outcomes
with AUC ROC 0.647, 95% CI 0.539-0.755 while the miniPIERS model predicted adverse
maternal outcomes with AUC ROC 0.654, 95% CI 0.553-0.754 within 48 hours of inclusion.
The fullPIERS model predicted adverse perinatal outcomes with AUC ROC 0.62, 95% CI 0.54-
0.71 while the miniPIERS model predicted adverse neonatal outcomes with AUC ROC 0.59,
95% CI 0.5-0.69 within 48 hours after inclusion.
Conclusion: These results confirm the usability of the fullPIERS model for prediction of adverse
maternal and perinatal outcomes, and the usability of the miniPIERS for the prediction of
adverse maternal outcomes in women admitted with preeclampsia within the first 48 hours of
admission. Additional research should target stratification of patients into those presenting with
early onset preeclampsia (less than 34 weeks gestation) and those presenting with late onset
preeclampsia (34 weeks of gestation and above). In addition, further studies involving
multicenter sites in smaller, peripheral hospitals should be conducted to assess the performanceof
this model in non-teaching/referral hospitals.
KEY WORDS: Preeclampsia, predictors of adverse maternal outcome, PIERSa
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, ; bDepartment of Mental Health, School of Medicine,
Moi University, Eldoret, Keny
On Spectra and Almost Similarity of Operators in Hilbert Spaces
No full textThis project is on spectra and almost similarity of operators in Hilbert spaces.
In chapter one we discuss the meaning and the structure of a Hilbert space. Here the
linear structure, the norm, the inner product structure and convergence of sequences in a
set of vectors are discussed to yield the meaning of a Hilbert space.
In chapter two, transformation of elements in a Hilbert space is discussed. The nature of
transformations are also discussed in this chapter i.e. the preservation of linear structure,
boundedness and the norm. The Banach algebra of bounded linear operators is also
established. We use the linear operator to de ne invariant subspaces of a Hilbert space.
We also de ne the spectra of operators on Hilbert spaces. The structure and the subsets of
the spectrum are discussed in this chapter. We also discuss the spectrum of some classes
of operators.
The third chapter is on similarity and quasi-similarity of operators. We show that unitary
equivalence, similarity and quasi-similarity of operators are equivalence relations. Also
unitary equivalence implies similarity and similarity implies quasi-similarity. Unitary
equivalent and Similar operators have equal spectra in general. Quasi-similar operators on
a nite dimensional Hilbert space have equal spectra but on in nite dimensional Hilbert
spaces, quasi similar operators have equal spectra if the operators are hypo-normal.
The fourth chapter is on almost similarity of operators. We discuss the relationship of
cartesian and polar decomposition of operators with almost similarity of operators. We
show that almost similarity of operators is an equivalence relation. Almost similar
operators which are Hermitian or projections have equal spectra.This project is on spectra and almost similarity of operators in Hilbert spaces.
In chapter one we discuss the meaning and the structure of a Hilbert space. Here the
linear structure, the norm, the inner product structure and convergence of sequences in a
set of vectors are discussed to yield the meaning of a Hilbert space.
In chapter two, transformation of elements in a Hilbert space is discussed. The nature of
transformations are also discussed in this chapter i.e. the preservation of linear structure,
boundedness and the norm. The Banach algebra of bounded linear operators is also
established. We use the linear operator to de ne invariant subspaces of a Hilbert space.
We also de ne the spectra of operators on Hilbert spaces. The structure and the subsets of
the spectrum are discussed in this chapter. We also discuss the spectrum of some classes
of operators.
The third chapter is on similarity and quasi-similarity of operators. We show that unitary
equivalence, similarity and quasi-similarity of operators are equivalence relations. Also
unitary equivalence implies similarity and similarity implies quasi-similarity. Unitary
equivalent and Similar operators have equal spectra in general. Quasi-similar operators on
a nite dimensional Hilbert space have equal spectra but on in nite dimensional Hilbert
spaces, quasi similar operators have equal spectra if the operators are hypo-normal.
The fourth chapter is on almost similarity of operators. We discuss the relationship of
cartesian and polar decomposition of operators with almost similarity of operators. We
show that almost similarity of operators is an equivalence relation. Almost similar
operators which are Hermitian or projections have equal spectra