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Development of a Web-based Informal Cadastre for an Informal Settlement in Nairobi A Case Study of Mukuru Sinai Settlement
No full textInformal Settlements are commonly found in urban areas in developing countries. They emerge due to inadequate housing that is affordable to the many migrants moving to the city in search of employment and business opportunities. The settlements face the challenge of security of tenure. The existing records which constitute their manual informal cadastre of the settlement are usually manual and incase of fire they easily get destroyed. Developments in the web and mapping technologies have created the drive towards building web based systems for information management and for visualization. The main objective of this project is to develop a web based informal cadastre for an informal settlement. It aligns the settlement into the continuum of rights with an anticipation of upgrading by the government in the near future. The study developed a Postgres/PostGIS database, used open geospatial technologies to create a web mapping application which was hosted online on a web page domain where the informal cadastre was accessed. Test results of the Web-based Informal Cadastre indicated that it was possible to search a structure in the settlement using a structure number, users were able to view and download data, and update of the attribute data of a structure online
The Invisible Power of Liberal Democracy and Its Paradoxes
No full textLiberal democracy ought to be a polycracy that safeguards the civil liberty of the people from
states’ mastery. In a free democratic, judgements of the majority imparts on predominant regions
of states’ assertive theme to the restrictions that the state's policies and decisions do not violate
freedoms and rights as set out in the constitution. As a result of the antagonism, to many theorists
and policy makers it appeared that liberal democracy as stipulated above is the best form of
governance. Theoreticians supported their positions in various ways. It is the presumption in this
study that it is indeed the best socio-political regime. Many developing countries including
Kenya opted for this socio-political regime however, it is not clear whether the essentials of the
regime have been established together with its paradoxes. There is moreover a challenge that the
paradoxes pose.
The research is library based and has greatly relied on texts, books and scholarly articles. In the
research we found out that paradoxes arises out of conditions that key antiauthoritarian pledges
are accomplished nonetheless, jeopardized by self-internal contradictions or by other social and
economic proclivities. Democracy as a political order has a number of its principles such as
liberty that are paradoxical.
In chapter one, the study centers on chronicles of liberal democracy within Kenya and particular
constitutional and institutional changes that have been done.
Chapter two of the research focuses on how some underlying democratic principles turn out to be
paradoxical. These paradoxes impact negatively on the quality of a democracy in any given state.
The research therefore acknowledges the insufficiency that lie within the democratic principles.
In chapter three, the focus is on three social factors of class, ethnicity and patronage and how
they are potential threats to the functionality of a true democracy without incorporation of the
human positive factors.
Chapter four outlines the human positive factors and how they impact on the human
development which then plays out at establishing the quality of a democracy in a country. This is
because, the research found out that for the success of a democracy, organizational and
institutional changes alone are not sufficient. Organizations and institutions comprises human
and material resources. The human resources of an agency is responsible for the transforming or
conversion of the material resources of an institution in complete or fusible outputs and it is the
human resources that can see the failure of an institution role so that it is not about the resources
available but the moral ability that uttermost defines the human character.
The research therefore recommends that a "true democracy” demands a modicum model of
existing, that in return demands a modicum degree of growth. This development that is required
is not only economic and social but human development as well.
Human development and growth forms the basic foundation on which all the four principles
rests. So that without proper human development, then the basic principles could not be essential
because it will be impossible to achieve any democratic state
Prevalence and Factors Associated With Immunization Delays Among Low Birth Weight Infants at Kenyatta National Hospital
No full textBackground
Globally, 15-20% of all births are low birth weight (LBW) majority in low and middle-income countries. The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2014 states that 8% of all births were LBW. LBW infants are at increased risk of vaccine preventable diseases, the biggest cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. WHO recommends that clinically stable premature and LBW infants be vaccinated according to chronological age with the same schedule as the term infants. However, studies have shown that, immunization in LBW infants continues to be delayed putting them at greater risk of preventable diseases. Determining the factors that delay immunization in this vulnerable population would guide in formulating solutions to improve immunization coverage, preventing common childhood diseases and ultimately reducing infant mortality.
Objectives
The primary objective was to determine the proportion of LBW infants with delayed immunization. The secondary objectives were to describe the infants’ and maternal characteristics associated with immunization delays.
Study design and methods
This was a hospital based cross-sectional study done at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) Pediatric Emergency Unit (PEU), Neonatal Outpatient Clinic (NOPC), Maternal and Child Health (MCH) clinic and the four general pediatric wards. A sample size of 423 mothers with LBW infants (1-11 months) was recruited by consecutive sampling. Data were collected through an interviewer administered pretested structured questionnaire to the mothers of the LBW infants. Additional data on immunization were extracted from Mother & Child Handbook.
Data analysis
Data were analyzed by SPSS version 22.0. Continuous data were expressed using means, standard deviations, medians and interquartile ranges (IQR) and categorical data using proportions. Associations were calculated using Odds Ratio (OR) with the corresponding 95% confidence interval. Pearson-Chi square test was used to test for statistically significant associations.
Results
The prevalence of immunization delay among the LBW infants was 56.7% (95% CI 0.52-0.61). The most delayed vaccine was BCG at 54.6%. Very low birth weight (VLBW) and admission to the NBU were significantly associated with increased odds of immunization delay. Some infants were found to have received their immunization earlier than the recommended age.
Conclusion.
One in two LBW infants experience delay in their immunizations in our setup. BCG is the most delayed vaccine. There is need to adapt and disseminate guidelines for LBW infants’ immunization.a
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, ; bDepartment of Mental Health, School of Medicine,
Moi University, Eldoret, Keny
Institutional Capabilities Influencing Hotel Performance In Kitale Municipality Trans Nzoia County, Kenya
No full textMany large and successful hotels in Trans Nzoia County are drastically declining in performance and so are at the verge of closing down. The study aimed at investigating institutional capabilities influencing hotel performance in Trans Nzoia County Kenya. The study was anchored on four objectives namely: To determine the influence of human resources, technological capabilities, strategic marketing and shared values on hotel performance in Kitale Municipality Trans Nzoia County. The study was significant to private and public hotel institution in realigning their overall performance in various aspects. Literature was reviewed basing on the study objectives. The project adopted a descriptive survey design. Target population of 240 employees constituted the respondents. A sample of 150 respondents was selected using appropriate techniques to represent the study population in data collection. Instrument reliability was determined using test retest technique. The questionnaires and interview schedules were used as primary tools for data collection. At the end of research process, questionnaires were checked for inaccuracies and incompleteness and cleaned accordingly. Data analyzed was entered using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) where checks were conducted and inconsistent data was cleared. Descriptive tools of analysis such as frequency tables and percentages were used to show the result of the data. From the study findings, it was observed that human resource competency was low. The hotels do not have a staff training policy and that the hotels have employed competent staff though the ratio of incompetent staff is still high this was attributed to no low remuneration and job insecurity and high turnover. It came out very strongly that many hotels lacks teamwork across all departments. The study recommends that the hotels in Trans Nzoia develop a training policy framework which can guarantee capacity development leading to upward mobility in the service. It is also recommended that the hotels pay the workers competitively especially taking into account the labor laws on minimal wage pay for its workers
School Based Factors Influencing Head Teachers Supervision in Public Primary Schools in South Pokot Sub-county, Kenya
No full textThe purpose of the study was to establish school based factors influencing head teachers’ supervision in public primary school in South Pokot Sub-County Kenya. The objectives research aimed to establish the extent to which class size, headteacher’s workload, physical facilities and adequate staff on head teachers’ supervision in public primary school in South Pokot Sub-County Kenya. The study was guided by Theory X and Theory Y and it adopted descriptive survey research design. The target population of this study was from 62 public primary schools in South Pokot Sub-County. Stratified random sampling was applied to select the three QASOs and 19 schools where 19 head teachers were selected. Simple random sampling was used to sample 150 teachers to participate in the study. Questionnaires and Interviews guides were used to collect data from the teachers, head teachers and Quality Assurance and Standard Officers (QASO). Analysis of descriptive statistics and inferential statistics was conducted and the results were presented in form of frequency distribution tables. The study achieved 79.1 percent total response rate. From the study findings show that head teachers supervisory role in maintain pupils discipline had a significant role in the class size because they were able to handle the teacher-pupil ratio to offer proper instructional process. Results from these findings showed that a majority of the head teachers were able to balance their workload with supervision practices making them to manage their role as supervisors in public primary schools in South Pokot. The findings show that head teachers workload did not hinder their supervision practices in the schools. On the physical facilities, the teachers strongly disagreed that schools have enough toilets/latrines for all the school members. The study found that majority of schools in South Pokot Sub-County are understaffed. These show that a majority of the schools lacked adequate staff to cater for the instructional needs of the schools which influence head teachers’ supervisions. The researcher concludes that various institutional factors affect supervision of head teachers in South Pokot Sub-County. Supervision was rarely done and when it was carried out the head teachers did not check all aspects and concentrated on the aspects that took little time such as checking schemes of work and lesson plan. Activities such as siting in class to supervise teaching were rarely carried out. The researcher concludes that head teachers’ workload is by far the most significant factor affecting head teachers’ supervision. The researcher recommends that head teachers workload should be reduced to enable him/her focus on their administrative duties. This can be achieved by employing more teachers to take lessons. Support staff such as head teachers’ secretary and bursar would relieve the head teacher of some of the duties. The study suggested that future studies can look at private schools to compare the findings
Reform of the Public Private Partnerships Regulatory Framework in Kenya: the Case of Privately Initiated Investment Proposals
No full textA Framework for Adopting Green It in Telecommunication Companies- a Case Study of Major Telecommunication Companies in Kenya
No full textGreen IT adoption is the effort in an organization to tackle the current ecological challenges facing the universe. The goal of this paper is to propose a framework to assist organizations’ and practitioners in the adoption of green IT. Existing green IT literature were reviewed. Findings from this paper show the attributes and components that stand to be considered in adopting Green IT in IT Governance; consequently the framework can also be used as a guide for forthcoming research in this area.
The study used cross-sectional descriptive survey design which will be deemed fit to establish the framework for adoption of green IT in telecommunication companies in Kenya. This focused on examining out who, what, where, when and how much of an existing phenomenon under the study. This research sort to establish a framework for adoption green IT in telecommunication companies in Kenya.
The results revealed that telecommunication companies engages the service of professionals, operates existing IT systems in an efficient manner, undertook Auditing of the energy efficiency of current IT technologies existing IT technologies and that companies were giving weight to eco-friendly considerations in sourcing .Generally, the result of this study has several implications for the adoption of Green IT within Organizations in Kenya. First the result indicates all the six factors have significant impact on adoption of Green IT within Organizations in Kenya. Particularly, the factors as discussed should aggressively develop and pay more emphasis on such variables in the whole process of Green IT adoption.
This research contributes to the emergence of a cumulative tradition in Green IT research. By proposing a green IT adoption framework customized to telecommunication organizations in Kenya
Supporting the Management of Patients with Heart Failure within Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and African Countries: A Toolbox for Healthcare Providers.
No full textOBJECTIVES:
The management of heart failure (HF) is most effective when established treatment guidelines and recommendations are followed. We aimed to develop a "Toolbox" of resources to facilitate the care of patients with acute HF and chronic HF with reduced ejection fraction delivered by healthcare professionals across Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa (henceforth referred to as the "Region").
METHODS:
We convened a group of cardiologists from across the Region to develop a set of checklists, algorithms, and other practical resources. These resources are based on our experiences, current evidence, and international guidelines.
RESULTS:
The HF Toolbox comprises three simplified sets of resources for use in the Emergency Room (ER), hospital and outpatient settings. Resources include admission and discharge checklists, treatment algorithms, recommendations for forming a multidisciplinary team, patient education, and self-management materials, and key performance indicators to monitor whether standards of care are met or maintained, or should be improved.
CONCLUSIONS:
The HF Toolbox provides practical resources to simplify the management of patients with HF and to support the formation of HF programs in the Region. The Toolbox is aligned with current guideline recommendations and can support the management of patients from presentation in the ER, through hospital admission to outpatient car
Influence of Socio-cultural Factors on Student Transition and Retention in Schools in Msambweni Sub-county, Kwale County, Kenya
No full textPreoperative determination of breast weight to be removed aids plastic surgeons in counseling the patient, application for insurance coverage and ensures optimal postoperative breast symmetry. Various mathematical models have been developed to preoperatively predict resection weights. We validate and determine which model is most accurate.
A sample of 24 consecutive women undergoing reduction mammaplasty were involved; anthropometric measurements of each individual breast (48 samples) was collected and used to predict mass of breast excised within a 1 year period. Predicted weight deviations from the actual weight of breast tissue excised were compared between 4 models using repeated measures ANOVA at 95% confidence interval.
Mean age was 32.25±2.14 and 60.8% of the patients undergoing reduction mammaplasty were aged 35 years and below. Three-quarter of the respondents were obese (BMI ≥ 30kg/m2). While two models significantly under-estimated breast mass to be excised; the other two provided accurate predictions with model 1 predicting 78.1% (correlation = 0.884) of actual mass excised and model 2 predicting 77.1% (correlation = 0.879).
The model reported by Yavuz et al can be safely utilized in preoperative prediction of resection weight in reduction mammaplasty.a
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, ; bDepartment of Mental Health, School of Medicine,
Moi University, Eldoret, Keny
Incidence, Risk Factors And Management Of Neutropenia Among Cancer Patients With Solid Tumors Receiving Chemotherapy At Kenyatta National Hospital Cancer Treatment Centre
No full textBackground: Cancer accounts for approximately 7-10% of deaths in Kenya. It is managed through surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal therapy. Each of these interventions present benefits and risks.
Chemotherapeutics are known to cause a number of adverse effects. Chief among them is neutropenia. Neutropenia is considered the most serious hematologic toxicity. It is linked to serious infections, chemotherapy dose adjustments and delays that may compromise therapeutic outcomes. Few studies have been carried out to determine incidence of chemotherapy induced neutropenia (CIN) in Kenya.
Objectives: The main objective of the study was to determine the incidence and risk factors, and identify the interventional strategies and gaps in management of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.
Methods: This was a retrospective observational cohort study. Participants were recruited from among adult cancer patients who received chemotherapy at the cancer treatment centre at KNH from January to March 2016. Data were abstracted from participants’ files on their bio-data, type of cancer, co-morbidities, diagnosis for neutropenia and the strategy used to manage chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Selected files were reviewed for a period of one year. Abstracted data were recorded into a pre-tested case record form.
Descriptive analysis was carried out using STATA version 13 and findings presented in form of proportions, ratios, pie-charts, histograms and tables. Logistic regression analysis was carried out using STATA version 13 to identify the combinations of risk factors most likely to have caused neutropenia.
Results. Forty seven (27.17%) of the 173 participants developed neutropenia during the period under review. The most important risk factor was administration of cyclophosphamide. 45.7% of all participants treated using cyclophosphamide developed neutropenia. Neutropenic effects were found to be age dependent. Internally standardized risk ratio for participants aged 50 years and above was 4.71(2.27-9.77). In participants aged below 50 years, the neutropenic effect was minimal with a risk ratio of 0.92(0.41-2.04). Participants aged 50 years and above were almost five times at risk of developing neutropenia compared to participants aged 50 years and below.
xiv
Doxorubicin had a protective effect which confounded the association between cyclophosphamide and neutropenia. The odds ratio of developing neutropenia after administration of cyclophosphamide reduced from 9.23(2.6-32.80) to 2.02(0.16-25.73) after adjusting for the protective effects of doxorubicin. Although breast cancer had the highest incidence of neutropenia, this was attributed to its treatment with cyclophosphamide.
The main intervention for chemotherapy-induced neutropenia was administration of a granulocyte colony stimulating factor for 29(61.7%) of participants.
Conclusions and recommendations. The number of new cases of neutropenia was high at 27.2% of the participants. The risk of neutropenia varied with age. Patients aged 50 years and above may require close monitoring for neutropenic effects especially those treated using risky regimens.
Cyclophosphamide was found to present a significant risk of developing neutropenia. A protocol for determining risk profiles of patients on cyclophosphamide should be developed. Such a protocol should include strategies for managing neutropenia if, and once it develops.
Majority of participants developing neutropenia were managed using a granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF). The rest were treated with antibiotics or had their chemotherapy deferred.a
Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, ; bDepartment of Mental Health, School of Medicine,
Moi University, Eldoret, Keny