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Prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome among women presenting with amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea at the kenyatta national hospital
No full textBackground: polycystic ovary syndome is the commonest endocrinological condition associated with anovulatory infertility in women of reproductive age. It is also associated with morbidities like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and endometrial carcinoma. Lowered quality of life from mood changes, low sexual satisfaction, increase in weight, acne on the skin and hair loss have also been reported. Majority of pcos patients have ovarian dysfunction, with 70%-80% of women with pcos presenting with menstrual irregularities (oligomenorrhea/amenorrhea) which forms the basis for this study.
Objectives: to determine the prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome among women presenting with amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea at the kenyatta national hospital.
Methodology: this was a descriptive cross sectional study. The study population comprised of 131 patients recruited at kenyatta national hospital gynecology department. Those enrolled, gave an informed consent, filled a questionnaire, had their anthropometric measurements taken, then underwent a pelvic ultrasound scan and a blood sample for serum free testosterone levels was taken. Pcos was determined using the rotterdam criteria, therefore the participants whose results reflected the presence of 2 out of the 3 criteria were considered to have pcos.
Results: a total of 49 (37.4%) was diagnosed with pcos using the rotterdam criteria in this study. Their mean age was 25.9+/-3.8, mean bmi of 25.9+/-5.6 and twenty one women (42.9%) of those with pcos had testosterone levels higher than the upper limit of normal.
Conclusion: prevalence of pcos in special populations like among women with amenorrhea and oligomenorrhea is higher than that of the general population.
Polycystic ovary syndrome should rank highly in the differential diagnosis when evaluating a woman with oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea as evidenced by the high prevalence.a
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, ; bDepartment of Mental Health, School of Medicine,
Moi University, Eldoret, Keny
The Sustainable Management of Resource Based Conflicts in Africa: a Case of Laikipia County in Kenya
No full textA journey of 1000 miles begins with one step, so has been the journey towards natural resource conflict management. The conflict has however never ended; it instead keeps recurring. Why despite all efforts to manage it? This research takes us on a journey to the beautiful County of Laikipia where the beauty of natural resources is a bestowment. Forests and wild animals, herders to smallholder farmers, land in volumes, and richness in cultures but blood fills the place when these resources are wanted. The researcher tries to identify why over the years conflicts over and about these resources has been occurring, identifying some of the solutions that have been in place in an effort to try and manage these conflicts, which have worked and which have failed in an effort to try and identify the sustainable means of managing the conflicts. The study looks into the relationship between the existence of natural resources and how this existence results into conflict, further looking at the policy frameworks in place input by the government and other legal frameworks, and also strategies that have been in place and the challenges faced in the efforts to implement these foreseen solutions to practice. The journey into the natural resources based conflicts in Laikipia aims at ensuring that the methods used in managing the conflicts are as up to date to the current and existing problems, focus on the people and aim at achieving the important sustainable development goals which through a focus to the attainment help to manage various keys within countries in an effort to promote social, economic and environmental development. The study hopes to show that the reoccurrence of natural resource-based conflicts is as a result of unsustainable means in the management and hopes to provide sustainable solutions of development that can be applied and adopted where applicable whilst improving already working mechanisms to reduce and slowly end the reoccurrence of resource-based conflicts
Investigating The Management Of Construction Wastes In Nairobi County:
No full textThis research project delved into the management of wastes within the construction sites specifically targeting Nairobi County in Kenya. The aim was to investigate sustainable waste management practices in construction sites within Nairobi Count. The objectives of the research project looked into the identification and sustainability of waste management techniques applied and the challenges faced in managing construction wastes within Nairobi. The study is an important drive towards a sustainable construction industry as wastes produced by the sector contributes to the waste stream and affects the environment. This research will eventually answer four research questions which are: What is the average amount of waste produced by construction sites in Nairobi County? What are the waste management techniques adopted by building contractors and stakeholders on these sites? What is the impact of waste management techniques on the environment? And finally, what challenges are experienced by contractors in effecting sustainable waste management techniques?
This research, gives an overview of the various facets of environmental risks caused by construction activities. It narrows down to waste management and details more on the wastes generated by the construction activities, how they are generated and how they are managed. This research goes on to focus on the legal framework put in place to manage waste management and the best practices for waste management, both globally and locally.
The research design applied was a case study research. The target population were NCA 1, NCA 2 and NCA 3 contractors’ sites with building projects within Nairobi County. Observation, oral interviews and three-part questionnaires were the instruments of data collection used in the study. A random selection of the registered NCA 1, NCA 2 and NCA 3 building contractors was done and 51 questionnaires were sent out to the contractors’ sites.
Data analysis was done using both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Findings indicated that the waste management is practiced in Kenya to a certain extent and is continuously improving. The
Nairobi City Council and environmental organizations such as NEMA have helped a lot in waste management in construction sites. The research findings also indicate that the contractors in Nairobi know the consequences of waste generation on the environment and that the activities they do affect need to be properly management for the purpose of having an environmental friendly environment.
The study recommends employment of proper waste management techniques on construction sites and adoption of best practices from other regions for a sustainable industr
A Review of the Efficacy of the Legal Framework for Water Hyacinth Management in Kenya’s Winam Gulf
No full textLake Victoria is a major source of livelihood to the communities living on the riparian land around
the Lake with the communities heavily depending on it for water, fishing, transport and tourism.
Over the years, the Lake has experienced high levels of pollution resulting to its degradation.
Resultantly, an aquatic invasive weed known as the water hyacinth found a place to thrive and
regenerate. The weed has been present in the Lake for decades now, wreaking havoc in its wake.
Some of the negative effects include, reducing water levels, frustrating navigation, destroying fish
gears, harboring snakes, providing a breeding ground for mosquitoes, causing the water to have a
foul smell, lowering the oxygen levels in the water, preventing accessibility of the fishermen to fish
and in some cases, death of children who drown while swimming around the weed. Despite all these
negative effects, Kenya has been unable to effectively control/manage the weed. Among the four
known methods of managing the weed, Kenya has tried biological control, mechanical control and
manual harvesting, making chemical control the only method which has not been tested in the
country. The legal framework on aquatic invasive weeds such as the water hyacinth is fragmented
and incomprehensive with the main legislation touching on noxious weeds, The Suppression of
Noxious Weeds Act (2012) being highly inadequate, scanty and irrelevant to Aquatic Invasive
Species (AIS). The legislation fails to outline the standard procedures on the deliberate introduction
of aquatic invasive species into natural habitats. Moreover, the Act gives provisions on land-based
weeds only leaving aquatic invasive species ungoverned. The Act has failed to address how to
manage, control and eradicate aquatic noxious weeds leaving authorities to experiment with
management tools without any legal reference. The study sought to investigate the challenges facing
effective implementation of the existing management techniques used to control hyacinth, the
improvements that can be made to the legal framework on hyacinth and to find out the most suitable
management tool that will curb the weed. The Winam Gulf, specifically Homabay County was the
study area. Mixed method research design was used whereby information was obtained from
fieldwork and review of past works of literature and legal instruments. The sample size derived was
137 which was divided among the main respondents; fishermen and fish traders. Key informants
were interviewed and two focus group discussions conducted. From the study, it appeared that 100%
of the respondents had no idea of any legal framework regarding the water hyacinth. Data that was
collected showed that most respondents decided on mechanical control and manual collection as the
most suitable method of controlling water hyacinth. The respondents believe that using machines
would produce fast results which is what is needed since the hyacinth is greatly affected by the
winds. On leaning towards manual collection, the respondents are of the idea that it would provide
employment to the jobless youth under the initiative, ‘Kazi Kwa Vijana.’ The Kenya National Bureau
of Statistics (KNBS) County Statistical Abstract 2015 of Homabay County places 47.9% of the
population to be living below poverty line. Some of the recommendations derived from the study
include formulating legislation on AIS such as water hyacinth so that its control be in tandem with
the law; need to clarify the specific ministry responsible for the management of AIS thereby knowing
the exact department or agency to be held accountable; creating programs to deal with aquatic
noxious weeds and allocating sufficient budget for such programs, encouraging coordination with
other agencies to achieve interagency cooperation which will ensure that maximum effort is being
put to realize positive results from joint initiatives, sanctioning individuals and industries
discharging effluents into the Lake and its tributaries and upscaling enforcement actions. The
overaching recommendation is for the optimum management option which is supported by the
Integrated Weed Management theory, in this case, integrating mechanical and manual control to be
supported by the law. From the comparative experience, it is clear that the countries discussed have
been successful in controlling water hyacinth due to the inclusion of what they regard to be their
optimum management option in their legislations and guidelines. Legal backing of the optimum
management option legitimizes its application and provides the guiding principles to be followed
Disruptive Behavior Disorders Among School-going Children Aged 6-12 Years in Nairobi County
No full textIntroduction: Disruptive Behavior Disorders (DBDs) are a common co-occurring condition of childhood onset and are of significant public health concern. Yet, the prevalence of these conditions among Kenyan Children is not known.
Study Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of DBDs among school-going children aged 6- 12 years in, Nairobi, county.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was adopted. A sample size of 384 respondents selected through stratified random sampling was used in this study. Disruptive Behavior Disorders Rating Scale and a socio-demographic questionnaire was used to collect data.
Data Analysis: Data was analyzed by use of SPSS version 23. Descriptive statistics such as measures of central tendency was used to analyse data. Association between variables will be determined using Pearsons chi square. Correlations was determined using Pearsons correlation test or Cramers V for categorical variables
Findings: The study found that 16.2% (61) of the respondents’ children had oppositional defiance disorder. It also established that 14.4% (54), had conduct disorder. As for respondents that indicated that their children exhibited ADHD symptoms and other non-specified Disruptive behaviors, they represented 9.0% (34) of the total sample population. Most of the respondents’ children did not have disruptive behavior disorder, they represented 60.4% (227) of the total sample population. Children's gender was significantly associated with DBDs
Conclusion: There is a high presence of behavioral challenges and ADHD symptoms among school going children, aged 6 to 12 years, in Nairobi. Given that the negative outcomes are associated with behavioral challenges as children transition to adolescence and adulthood, detecting these emerging behavioral challenges early is critical in developing appropriate interventionsa
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, ; bDepartment of Mental Health, School of Medicine,
Moi University, Eldoret, Keny
The Effects Of Conflicts On Food Security In Igad Region
No full textThis study looks at how conflicts have caused food insecurity in the IGAD region, a case of Laikipia County in Kenya. The study acknowledges that residents in Laikipia County have suffered poverty due to conflicts. Empirical evidence has been drawn from previous research, journalist articles and documentation from various parts of the IGAD region and more so the County government of Laikipia. The study answered the following questions: 1) What are the effects of conflicts on food security in the IGAD region? 2) What are the effects of conflicts on food security in Laikipia county of Kenya? and 3) Are the current strategies and policy measures adequate to address the challenge of food insecurity in Laikipia county and Kenya at large? The study set out two hypotheses:1) There is an inverse relationship between conflict and food insecurity and 2) Ineffective conflict management is directly proportional to food insecurity in Laikipia county in Kenya.
A case study was used for this study to show that the situation in Laikipia county of Kenya is similar to other areas that have had conflicts affecting food security in the IGAD region. Random sampling was employed in selecting 100 respondents in Laikipia county. There were other 10 key informants purposively selected which consisted of Journalists based, NGO workers and county government officials in Laikipia county. Five data collection enumerators were recruited through the chief´s offices in Laikipia West, east and North. They collected the data through administering questionnaires to the respondents. The data was then entered in Excel template, cleaned validated and exported to SPSS for analysis. The findings revealed that Laikipia County has suffered conflict which have impacted negatively on food security. Conflicts between different communities are attributed to fight over water and pasture, land rights and theft of livestock. Residents in Laikipia have been experiencing cattle rustling and banditry for over three decades now, where bandits strike with impunity to kill, injure and steal livestock. Hundreds have lost their lives and thousands of livestock stolen and crops destroyed rendering them to transition into poverty. Farmers have been the worst hit by the conflicts since they lose both their crops and livestock. Illegal grazers who are armed destroy electric fences to access and camp in private ranches/land to graze their livestock. They do this as they steal any livestock from the neighborhoods. Farmers have been displaced and flee away for their lives abandoning their crop fields. This has exposed them to food insecurity since they do not have other sources of livelihood. Currently, the government efforts have borne fruits in controlling and containing the illegal grazers even after recruiting and deploying the national police reservists.
The study has generated several recommendations: there is need for instantaneous actions to ensure sufficient food access for the hungry in Laikipia county and Kenya at large. The county government and NGOs need to develop initiatives for other sources of livelihood other than farming in the area already prone to conflicts based on natural resources as well as creation of civil society organizations and formation of suitable institutional policy atmosphere. There should be Policies in Laikipia County to deal with the conflict and food insecurity issues as well as supervisory framework favorable to private and local initiatives. The rural economies can also be diversified through value addition of agricultural products. It is also crucial to have an insurance plan for farmers to cushion them against natural and man-made disasters that make them loose their crops and livestock leaving them devastated economically
Challenges In The Uptake Of Pension Backed Home Loans For Public Sector Employees In Kenya
No full textHousing has become the defining issue in any government because it is at the heart of current world economic crisis. The provision of affordable housing characterizes economic and political ingenuity. It is of greater political consequences than most other areas of government policies. Kenya recognizes housing as one of its key component in social sector pillar under vision 2030. The Kenyan Constitution (2010) under bills of right provides for the right of every person to accessible and adequate housing. The aim of this study was to assess the challenges affecting the uptake of pension-backed home loans in Kenya with a view to developing a working pension scheme system that caters for the high uptake of home loans in Kenya. The study adopted a mixed approach (questionnaires and interviews); the choice of this approach was informed by the nature of data as the expected data was both numerical and descriptive that justified the choice of the research strategies. The findings of this study revealed that existing pension backed home loan has failed to meet the needs of the public sector employees. As a result, the uptake of the pension backed home loan is quite low (World Bank, 2011), even with allowing of the members to use 60 % for the accumulated benefits as the security, though, it is envisioned to increase with the systems approach provided in this study. Key components of the existing pension backed home loan as a system have been identified in both the literature review and the primary findings and include: housing inputs such as actors, innovative products, interest rates, RBA regulations, availability of land and provision of long-term funds; the process elements such as Construction, execution , planning, financing; external environment (Formal and informal institutions, economic (interest rates), social institutions (create awareness), enabling legal framework) and feedback (Customer expectations, policy interventions) (Ochieng, 2018; Table 4.6). The study has established that in order to address the challenges of low uptake of pension-backed home loan, it is important to create awareness, provide long term funds to meet housing demand, offer incentives to acquire land and improve socio-economic welfare of the members since lack of these came out as the most significant challenges in the low uptake of pension backed home loan study (Table 4.5).The study recommends that the state as the major stakeholder need to transform existing pension backed home loan system to a functional system. This would be in form of input, process elements, external environment, output, and the feedback control. Further reforms in existing statutes that relate to housing provision would be key to boost housing supply and demand. For instance, the regulations could be amended so as to allow the members to assign the 60 % of the savings as the security to buy land in either the rural or urban areas. This has not been explicitly addressed in the current regulations. Further, the review of the Central Bank Act would improve mortgage availability and enhance the capacity of the mortgage market
Effects Of Working Capital Management On The Profitability Of Firms Listed At The Nairobi Securities Exchange
No full textWorking capital management is a crucial element of corporate finance because it affects
the liquidity and profitability of a firm. Efficiency in Working Capital management is very
vital in management of all firms since it enables proper growth and expansion. A
descriptive research was done on the effect of working capital management on profitability
of institutions listed at NSE. Data entailing a five-year period (2014-2018) was collected
for 64 firms registered at NSE. The information was obtained from CMA, CBK, NSE and
firms under study websites. Multiple regression, correlation and descriptive analysis was
done. From the descriptive analysis, ROA displayed a mean annual average of 0.2267. The
mean cash conversion period is 118.3832 days, the average collection period mean is
184.7706 days, mean average payment period 245.891 days. On average, businesses are in
264.4687 days of inventory converting stocks to sales, the leverage level mean is 13.5025
and the growth mean is 10.376. R2 adjusted value was 0.616543, indicating that 61.6 per
cent of the changes in ROA are reflected by independent variable (CCC, ACP, APP,
Inventory turnover, Firm size, leverage and growth). Findings from Pearson's coefficient
of correlation represent a significant positive association amongst ROA and cash
conversion cycle (rho=0.773). A poor negative significant association between ROA and
ACP (rho=-0.463), the findings also showed that association between APP and return on
assets (rho=0.618) is strongly positive. The correlation amongst stock turnover and ROA
(rho=-0.652) was strongly positive. Therefore, there has been a noteworthy positive
association amongst firm size and ROA (rho=-0.216), there has been a significant positive
association amongst leverage and ROA (rho=-0.523). Eventually, there was a noteworthy
positive correlation amongst growth and return on assets (rho=0.013). The research
recommends an organization should increase their average collection period, inventory
turnover periods, leverage, size of the firm and cash conversion period so as to increase
their presentation
Non-state Actors and the Management of Refugee-host State Conflict- a Critical Examination of the Kenyan Experience
No full textThe refugee- host state conflict is one among many 21st century challenges that Governments and State have to grapple with. Finding the balance between a country’s national interests and the International community’s statutory obligations is a thin line nation states need to draw. Thus, this study sought to understand contribution made by non-state actors in resolving conflicts between refugees and host countries. The objectives of the study are: To understand the nature and extent of refugee and host country’s conflict in Africa. Establish a place for non-state actors to resolve conflicts between refugees and host countries in Africa. Critical examination of the performance of non-state actors in the management of refugees and host community conflicts in Kenya; Proffer recommendations on the management of refugees in the direction of avoiding conflictual settings in Kenya and Africa. Previous researches indicate how refugees have been managed in camps and integrated within communities. Documentation on state obligations to refugees are well known, but the role of non-state actors in managing conflicts between refugees and host countries is poorly documented. This study is based on the theory of conflict transformation. This study uses mixed study design with case study, qualitative and quantitative study designs. The study was carried out in Dadaab camp of Garissa County with an estimated 400,000 refugees and Kakuma in Turkana County with a capacity of 125,000 persons. There are 100 non-state actors working in the two camps earmarked for the study. Calculation using the Slovin’s equation yielded a sample size of 80 respondents. This study also used purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The study used both secondary and primary data to properly conduct a comprehensive study. Primary data were obtained from the interview schedule, and secondary data were collected from academic papers related to the planned research. Before conducting the data collection process itself, the validity and reliability of the interview schedule was confirmed. Data processing and analysis was performed according to the purpose of the study using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS V 21.0). Data presentation is presented using tables and frequency distributions, prose and verbatism, giving a clear overview of the findings is obtained. This study found that tensions and conflicts between locals and refugee communities have existed for many years and are exacerbated by a sense of environmental stress, scarce resources and economically blessed refugees (they receive support not available in the local community).The study also concludes that non-state actors are capable of managing refugee crises, in particular through various tools such as preventative diplomacy, devising early warning mechanisms and changing roles by promoting human dignity. It is worth noting that the non-state actors have forgotten the dignity of the host and promoted that of the refugees. This alone will cause major disputes between the parties. Peace dialogues and forums were created by non-state actors because of the financial benefits that accrue from the same. In fact, dialogue is a mechanism for managing conflicts. But without the role of transforming sustainable development, all other conflict mechanisms lead to a zero-sum game. Based on the findings, the study made the following recommendations: Before the NSA can begin dispute resolution activities, some conditions must be met; The NSA knows national and regional agencies involved in dispute resolution efforts; The NSA has local partners; NSA staff are familiar with dispute mediation skills; NSA field staff fully understand the personal risks it takes
The Impact of Chinese Influence Towards the Socio-economic Developments of African States; Case Study of Kenya. (2003 - 2018)
No full textIn the recent years, China has risen to become the largest economy by some measures besides being the most populous country on earth and this has come with both threats and opportunities for African continent. This study dissects this topic on socio-economic impacts of Sino-Africa relations case study of Kenya since 2003 to 2018, in order to debunk myths surrounding the nexus. According to the objectives, the study will examine Chinese interests in Africa including resources and vast market for finished goods. Secondly, the study will examine the role and impact of Chinese towards Africa‟s socio-economic development such as infrastructural development, employment and scholarships opportunities as well as the negative ones such as promoting corruption. The study also explores the challenges experienced in Kenya-China socio-economic development strategy. Case study research technique was used in the study while interviews and questionnaires were the tools mainly employed to collect primary data. Study Findings concluded that the Chinese has got major interest in the economy, diplomacy, security, and politics in Africa, precisely Kenya, significantly influenced socio-economic development. Apart from that, it was also found that the role that China assumed especially in infrastructural development and as a lender helped in spurring economic growth and development in Kenya. However, there were some challenges that revolved around the implementation of the Sino-Kenya relations strategy, and these include killing of the local infant industries, importation of counterfeit goods, and unemployment. The conclusion was that there was notable impact of the influence of Chinese towards socio-economic development in Kenya and African region as a whole. However, regulatory policies should be put in place to curb the importation of counterfeit goods and protect the infant industries. Apart from that, it was also recommended that priority should be given to the locals in the allocation of the available employment opportunities within the economy, with the Chinese being awarded to technical areas whose experts are rare to find in Kenya