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An Assessment of the Monitoring and Evaluation Systems of the State Corporations: a Case Study of the Postal Corporation of Kenya
No full textThere has been urgent need for Postal Corporation of Kenya to revive its Monitoring and evaluation system and improve its services if it has to stay relevant in the competitive market today. The overall objective of the study was to determine whether the Postal Corporation of Kenya‟s Monitoring and Evaluation meets the established standards of a functional M&E system. The focus was on the eight components which are the resource and capacity building, documentation, data collection, data quality systems, data verification, data analysis and use, evaluation, alignment and leadership. The study aimed at determining how people, partnership and planning aid in the systems effectiveness and whether data collection, capturing and verification meet the set standards of an M&E system and lastly how data is disseminated and utilized in the PCK M&E system.
The study operationalized FHI 360 participatory system assessment tool that condenses twelve components to eight components. A sample size of 68 was used and purposive sampling selected for the study. Data was collected through administering of questionnaires, through face to face interviews and document review. The study employed descriptive statistics to analyze the data.
The overall score for the PCK M&E system was 56 percent, which was rated „fairly good‟. Data collection and management scored the highest at 60 percent while data analysis and use scored the lowest at 50 percent. The key strengths of the PCK M&E system were: presence of well outlined procedures, strong partnerships and standardized data collection tools. The key gaps were: minimal budget, inadequate staff lacking appropriate skill mix, documentation of M&E procedures, lack of data analysis and use and lastly no evidence that data analysis has led to improvements in program design or implementation.
The recommendations made were to have a fully functional M&E systems and program M&E managers should ensure that meet the M&E systems standards. Further, PCK management should perform evaluations so as to improve the program, disseminate the evaluation results to stakeholders and utilize the information obtained from branch offices for decision making
Prevalence and adverse obstetric outcomes of female genital mutilation among women in rural Northern Ghana.
No full textBACKGROUND:
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is commonly practiced in sub-Saharan Africa and results in adverse pregnancy outcomes among affected women. This paper assessed the prevalence and effects of FGM on pregnancy outcomes in a rural Ghanaian setting.
METHODS:
We analyzed 9306 delivery records between 2003 and 2013 from the Navrongo War Memorial Hospital. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine the effects of FGM on pregnancy outcomes such as stillbirth, birth weight, postpartum haemorrhage, caesarean and instrumental delivery. We also assessed differences in the duration of stay in the hospital by FGM status.
RESULTS:
A greater proportion of mothers with FGM (24.7%) were older than 35 years compared with those without FGM (7.6%). FGM declined progressively from 28.4% in 2003 to 0.6% in 2013. Mothers with FGM were nearly twice as likely to have caesarean delivery (adjusted odds ratios = 1.85 with 95%CI [1.72, 1.99]) and stillbirths (1.60 [1.21, 2.11]) compared with those without. Similarly, they had a 4-fold increased risk of post-partum haemorrhage (4.69 [3.74, 5.88]) and more than 2-fold risk lacerations/episiotomy (2.57 [1.86, 3.21]) during delivery. Average duration of stay in the hospital was higher for mothers with FGM from 2003 to 2007.
CONCLUSIONS:
Despite significant decline in prevalence of FGM, adverse obstetric outcomes are still high among affected women. Increased public health education of circumcised women on these outcomes would help improve institutional deliveries and heighten awareness and prompt clinical decisions among healthcare workers. Further scale-up of community level interventions are required to completely eliminate FGM
Integration of Iq-care With Afya-it to Increase Utilisation of Information Systems at Malindi Sub-county Hospital Through the Connected Health Approach
Get PDFThe aim of this implementation research project was to address the following objectives: To develop a mobile web software application that will lead to the integration of databases from two information systems namely the IQ-Care and AFYA-IT at MSCH; To create seamless flow of information and reporting between different existing Information System within MSCH and other health facilities in Kenya and the world; To count the number of Health Management team members who have been trained on the integrated systems and ensure consistent increase in the number yearly; To do an assessment of the people who have been trained on the system to gauge their level of understanding and confidence.
SCRUM, an agile methodology was adopted as the software methodology for development of the application.
After implementation of this project it is expected that there will be improvement in operational efficiency and standardization of data collection/reporting within different existing IS’s. This will aid in dispensing timely and up to date information for decision making.
A comprehensive investigation on integration of systems locally and around the world was performed. Data collection instruments such as interviews and observations were performed to collect information. This included both qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis. Results of data analysis aided in informing system requirements and design of the software application. System testing was performed to ensure usability, reliability, completeness and correctness of the developed application.
The project budget summed up to USD 3,500 and was undertaken over a period of 7 month
Maternal and neonatal outcomes after caesarean delivery in the African Surgical Outcomes Study: a 7-day prospective observational cohort study.
No full textBACKGROUND:
Maternal and neonatal mortality is high in Africa, but few large, prospective studies have been done to investigate the risk factors associated with these poor maternal and neonatal outcomes.
METHODS:
A 7-day, international, prospective, observational cohort study was done in patients having caesarean delivery in 183 hospitals across 22 countries in Africa. The inclusion criteria were all consecutive patients (aged ≥18 years) admitted to participating centres having elective and non-elective caesarean delivery during the 7-day study cohort period. To ensure a representative sample, each hospital had to provide data for 90% of the eligible patients during the recruitment week. The primary outcome was in-hospital maternal mortality and complications, which were assessed by local investigators. The study was registered on the South African National Health Research Database, number KZ_2015RP7_22, and on ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT03044899.
FINDINGS:
Between February, 2016, and May, 2016, 3792 patients were recruited from hospitals across Africa. 3685 were included in the postoperative complications analysis (107 missing data) and 3684 were included in the maternal mortality analysis (108 missing data). These hospitals had a combined number of specialist surgeons, obstetricians, and anaesthetists totalling 0·7 per 100 000 population (IQR 0·2-2·0). Maternal mortality was 20 (0·5%) of 3684 patients (95% CI 0·3-0·8). Complications occurred in 633 (17·4%) of 3636 mothers (16·2-18·6), which were predominantly severe intraoperative and postoperative bleeding (136 [3·8%] of 3612 mothers). Maternal mortality was independently associated with a preoperative presentation of placenta praevia, placental abruption, ruptured uterus, antepartum haemorrhage (odds ratio 4·47 [95% CI 1·46-13·65]), and perioperative severe obstetric haemorrhage (5·87 [1·99-17·34]) or anaesthesia complications (11·47 (1·20-109·20]). Neonatal mortality was 153 (4·4%) of 3506 infants (95% CI 3·7-5·0).
INTERPRETATION:
Maternal mortality after caesarean delivery in Africa is 50 times higher than that of high-income countries and is driven by peripartum haemorrhage and anaesthesia complications. Neonatal mortality is double the global average. Early identification and appropriate management of mothers at risk of peripartum haemorrhage might improve maternal and neonatal outcomes in Africa
Assessment of the Effectiveness of the Existing Legal,regulatory and Policy Framework in Ensuring Gender Diversity in the Boards of Public Listed Companies in Kenya.
Get PDFCharacterization of Sb2s3 Based Extremely Thin Absorber Solar Cells Employing Tio2- nb Compact Layer
No full textAn extremely thin absorber (ETA) solar cell of the type FTO/TiO2/Sb2S3/P3HT/Ag has been studied by theoretical method using software simulation as well as by experimental method with an inclusion of a porous layer of TiO2. The initial values for specific layer parameters in theoretical method were obtained from literature to mimic the best Sb2S3 ETA solar cell that has been reported. The results obtained from simulation showed that the performance of the solar cell can be enhanced by optimizing Sb2S3 thin film thickness, doping concentration (1.0×1017−3 for TiO2 and 3.0×1016−3 for Sb2S3), defect density of Sb2S3 absorber layer (1.0×1015−3) and also the electron affinity of the TiO2 layer (4.26 eV). The results of the final simulated Sb2S3 solar cell obtained using the attained optimum parameter values, were as follows: Voc of 750 mV, Jsc of 15.23 mA/cm2, FF of 73.55% and efficiency of 8.41%. These results show that Sb2S3 as an absorber layer can yield efficient solar cells. The TiO2:Nb electron transport layers were prepared by mixing 5 and 10 at% of Nb with TiO2 and deposited by spin coating. The doped thin films were found to have no structural change in reference to the undoped thin films as determined from the analysis of GIXRD spectra. SEM images show thin pin hole free layers of the cp-TiO2:Nb on FTO crystals that are agglomerates of particles. XPS survey scan spectra of the 50 nm thin films, as measured by Dektak profilometer, showed the presence of Niobium ions for the doped samples and their work function tends to increase with increase in dopant concentration which is attributed to change in the chemical composition. Analysis of the current density – voltage curves of the solar cells with the structure FTO/cp-TiO2:Nb/mp-TiO2/Sb2S3/P3HT/MoOx/Ag, showed increased short – circuit current, fill factor and efficiency of the solar cell from 1.3% to 1.7%. The enhancement in performance of this device is attributed to substitution of Ti ions with Nb ions in the TiO2 resulting in a change in the band alignment of the solar cells with Nb content caused by increased work function for Nb doped TiO2 thin films. This also results in increase in charge recombination resistance in the Sb2S3 layer as determined from the analysis of the impedance spectroscopy measurements. Capacitance – Voltage measurements showed a drop in the built-in voltage for solar cells with Niobium doped TiO2 compact layer as a result of decrease in barrier potential attributed to an interface that is poorly permeable to charge carriers between TiO2:Nb and Sb2S3 during chemical bath deposition of Sb2S
Assessment Of Dissolved Ions And Microbial Coliforms In Water From Selected Sites Of The Upper Athi River Subcatchment Area, Kenya.
Get PDFThe Upper Athi River sub-catchment area has experienced exponential growth of human
population since the turn of the century. This has led to establishment of satellite towns such as
Ngong, Kiserian, Ongata Rongai, Mlolongo, Kitengela and Ruai. These towns have either no or
inadequate supply of water from the local governments, that is, Kajiado, Machakos and Nairobi.
Communities in this area of study have therefore resorted to obtaining ground water through
drilling boreholes and digging shallow wells for their domestic needs. This is done without proper
information on whether the water meets quality standards set out by Kenya Bureau of Standards
(KEBS). This study therefore sought to assess the water quality in this area to determine whether
ground water meets these standards. It also compared these levels of dissolved ions and coliforms
to those of river water in the recharge area of the Upper Athi sub-catchment area.
Twenty one water samples comprising of eleven boreholes, five shallow wells and five river water
samples were collected from the Upper Athi sub-catchment area in the months of December 2011
which was a dry month and in May 2012 which was a wet month. The samples were analysed for
dissolved ions and microbial coliforms. The metal ions analysed included Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg,
Mn, Na, Pb and Zn while anions included Cl-, CO32-/HCO3-, F-, NO2-/NO3- and SO42- as well as
faecal coliforms. Physical parameters analysed included pH, electrical conductivity (EC) turbidity,
total dissolved solids and colour. The analysis of cations was carried out using atomic absorption
spectrophotometry while chlorides and total alkalinity were analysed using titrimetric method.
Levels of fluoride and nitrate were analysed using ion selective electrodes, sulphate using
gravimetric method and microbial coliforms using lactose broth methods. The results showed that
levels of dissolved ions in ground water were higher than in surface water while surface water had
higher number of faecal coliforms. The high levels of dissolved ions in ground water was attributed
to the geology of area while high levels of iron and faecal coliforms in river water samples was
attributed to anthropogenic activities
The results from the samples analyzed show that pH of boreholes and shallow wells (ground water)
water was higher than that of river water (surface water). pH levels ranged from 7.16±0.003 -
9.34±0.004 for ground water and 7.24±0.002-8.00±0.003 for surface water. Electrical conductivity
was also higher in ground water ranging from 669±0.002μS/cm-1568±0.004μS/cm while that of
surface water ranged from 382±0.003μS/cm-1202±0.002μS/cm at Magadi road. Turbidity was
vi
higher for surface water than that of ground water ranging from 74.3±0.004 NTU- 95.4±0.003
NTU and below detection limits (BDL) levels for ground water with the exception being borehole
at Athi Primary school which had turbidity of 18.6±0.03 NTU. Colour was high for surface water
ranging from 159±0.002 c.u to 343±.004 c.u while that of ground water ranged from 1.5±0.003
51.2±0.004 c.u in borehole 5 located at Athi Primary School. Total Dissolved Solids were higher
in ground water ranging from 231.68.00±0.003mg/l - 1003.52±0.004mg/l in shallow well located
at near Brookshine School, Kangundo road while that of surface water ranged from
244.48±0.002mg/l-769.28±0.003mg/l.
From the chemical parameters analysis, fluorides were significantly higher in ground water
ranging from 0.37±0.003 to 9.36±0.002 ppm at Mlolongo which exceeded the KEBS limits for
drinking water of 1.5ppm. Iron levels were higher in river water samples ranging from 2.11±0.002
to 18.401±0.003 ppm at Kangundo Road Bridge. Even though ground water had lower levels of
iron that river water, it ranged from <0.001ppm to 1.93ppm against the 0.3ppm recommended by
KEBS. Lead levels in ground water ranged from <0.001ppm to 2.64ppm at borehole BH4 located
at Brookshine School. This was way above the recommended levels of 0.03ppm by KEBS.
The levels of microbial coliforms were higher in river water ranging from 140-294 c.f.u/100ml
during the dry month of December 2011 and 156-309 c.f.u/100ml during the wet month of May
2012. Ground water recorded coliforms ranging from zero to 40 c.f.u/100ml. Within the ground
water system shallow wells had a higher count of coliforms than in boreholes.
The high levels of fluorides have led to increased cases of dental fluorosis especially among young
children in the area of study. Adults are at risk on increased bone fractures in their lifetime. High
levels of lead in some ground water could lead to mental retardation since lead is a very toxic metal
even at very low levels. There is therefore need to develop a long-term plan of providing safe
drinking water by the county governments. There is also the need to establish regulations that
require private water vendors and water companies to invest in water treatment plants that reduce
levels of dissolved ions in ground water before distributing the water to local communitie
Effectiveness of Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanism (Adr) in Case Backlog Management in Kenyan Judicial System: Focus on Milimani High Court Commercial Division.
Get PDFKenyan Judiciary continues to register high number of cases. This has resulted in huge backlog,
which has overstretched existing human resource and physical facilities. Despite introduction of
ADR mechanisms as measure to reduce case backlog, the effects of the ADR is yet to be realized.
This study has an objective of finding reason for continued rise in cases being filed in Court despite
the fact that there exists ADR mechanisms anchored in the Kenyan Constitution of 2010. This
study also considered theories on managing case backlog, reliability of ADR and reliability of
litigation to underpin effectiveness of ADR in this study. The study collected data through desk
research, interview and records from the Deputy Registrar commercial division and performance
management and Measurement directorate. Among the selected respondents to interview
questions were the Deputy registrar of Milimani High court of commercial Division, a member of
the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, lawyers, and a senior officer Kenya Revenue Authority. All
the institutions and persons targeted for the interview had crucial and reliable information that
builds on testing the hypotheses of the study. The perceptions of the selected audiences were also
critical in understanding credibility of the current ADR system
Strenthening HIV/AIDS Surveillance Through Design And Dessimination Of Routine Data Quality Assessment Tool (RDQA) For National And County Governments.
Get PDFEXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Effective systems for capturing health program data are vital to tracking progress on achievement of health indicators as stipulated which will be central to supporting data-informed decisions as part of the new Sustainable Development Goals. There were discrepancies in official reporting tools for National Aids Control Council-NACC.Low reporting rates among participating institutions existed. Most of the reports from the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were submitted with errors which made it difficult for data entry and analysis. There existed a gap on the formats used where some of the implementing agencies used outdated formats to report. Analysis of the DHIS2 showed that HIV and Aids Surveillance data quality was not of the required standards. Reporting rates went below 70% and some of the facilities not reporting at all, while others reporting with errors and accuracy questions. The RDQA tool was formulated and disseminated for use; if used, it shall be able to improve the organizations data quality in the dimensions of accuracy, timeliness, integrity, completeness and precision.The goal of this project was contribute to a Kenya free of HIV infections, stigma and AIDS related deaths and success of 95:95:95strategy. The purpose of the project was todesign, pilot and disseminate a Routine Data Quality Assessment Tool for HIV Surveillance data. The specific objectives were: to design aRoutine Data Quality Assessment Tool for HIV Surveillance data; to pilot the Routine Data Quality Assessment Tool for HIV Surveillance data in one of the Counties; to disseminate the Routine Data Quality Assessment Tool for HIV Surveillance data for use in the National and Counties and to develop a Routine Data Quality Assessment Tool project report by the end of project cycle. The expected results of the project were: aRoutine Data Quality Assessment Tool for HIV Surveillance data developed; a Routine Data Quality Assessment Tool for HIV Surveillance data piloted in one of the Counties; a Routine Data Quality Assessment Tool for HIV Surveillance data disseminated for use in the National and Counties; a project Routine Data Quality Assessment Tool report submitted to university of Nairobi and shared with stakeholders by December, 2018. The expected outcome of the project was improved data quality in HIV/Aids surveillance for programming and evidence based interventions and the project expected impact is Contribute to reduced HIV infections, stigma and AIDS related deaths and success of the 95:95:95 strategies. The project was monitored and evaluated using Programme of activities; weekly updates and monthly progress reports on the RDQA project based on the project deliverables. The project amortizedthe operating costs over four (12) months, based on this, an expenditure of Ksh.350,000in total was used. This covered cost for equipment, Travel and stationery.
Key words: RDQA, NACC, UNITID and HIV/Aids Surveillancea
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, ; bDepartment of Mental Health, School of Medicine,
Moi University, Eldoret, Keny
Influence of Performance Management Strategies on Service Delivery in the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government; Case of Gucha South Sub County, Kisii, Kenya
Get PDFEffectiveness of performance management systems in an organization is normally affected by many factors but three are most important. First, the system needs to be aligned with and is supported by the organizational direction and critical success factors. Then, well developed, efficiently administered tools and processes are needed to make the system user-friendly and well received by organizational members. Lastly, the managers and members must use the system in a manner that brings visible, value-added benefits in the area of performance planning, performance development, feedback and achievement of results. The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of performance management strategies on service delivery in the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government; a case of Gucha South Sub County, Kisii, Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives, namely to find out the influence of performance planning on service delivery in the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government in Gucha South Sub County, Kisii, Kenya; to examine the influence of staff appraisal on service delivery in the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government in Gucha South Sub County, Kisii, Kenya; to determine the influence of staff training on service delivery in the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government in Gucha South Sub County, Kisii, Kenya; to find out the influence of rewards and recognition on service delivery in the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government in Gucha South Sub County, Kisii, Kenya. The entire population was 229 civil servants in the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government in Gucha South Sub County. A sample of 172 respondents was selected from each of the department using the Krejcie and Morgan sampling table. Data was collected by use of a structured questionnaire that was pretested in Kisii South Sub County. Data analysis was done by use of SPSS version 22 computer package. Data was summarized into frequencies and percentages. Hypothesis testing was achieved by use of Pearman’s product moment correlation analysis and indicated a significant relationship at 87.7% between performance planning, performance appraisal at 84.9%, staff training and employee rewards at 75.3% and staff are likely to be given promotions after training at 78.1%. Data presentation was done by use of tables. Study findings indicated that performance planning was being conducted in the ministry, trainings were being conducted, performance appraisal was being done and methods for recognizing and rewarding staff that excelled in service delivery were in place. The study recommended that the reward system, staff training and staff appraisal be redesigned so that the strategies can motivate staff to improve service delivery