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Short-term dynamics of soil organic matter fractions and microbial activity in smallholder potato-legume intercropping systems
No full textContinuous cultivation of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) in monoculture systems represents the greatest factor deteriorating soil organic matter (SOM) in smallholder farms. With an aim to breaking this norm, a 2-year field trial intercropping potato with two legumes: lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) and dolichos (Lablab purpureus), was conducted in the upper-midland (1552 meters above sea level (masl.)), lower-highland (1854 masl.) and upper-highland (2552 masl.) agro-ecologies of Kenya. Residues from each cropping system were quantified at the end of each season and incorporated back into the soil at start of the subsequent season. A combined physical and density fractionation was used to separate the soil in macro-aggregates (>250 μm), micro-aggregates (250–50 μm) and silt plus clay fractions (<50 μm), while SOM was partitioned into labile (density of 1.65 to 1.85 g cm−3) and stable (2.60 g cm−3) fractions. Microbial biomass contents were determined by chloroform fumigation while enzymatic activities were assessed by hydrolyses of fluorescein diacetate and dehydrogenase. Compared to sole potato, intercropping increased the contents of light fraction organic matter by 12–28%, dissolved organic matter by 7–21% and microbial biomass by 15–38%, thus stimulating enzyme activities. Trends in soil microbial respiration followed those of enzyme activity and were 20–34% higher in intercropping than in sole potato. Intercropping ensured high residue returns which got short-term residence within the macro-aggregates, thus ensuring steady supply of substrates to the soil microbes. These results affirm legume intercropping as a possible entry point to restoring the impoverished soil quality in smallholder potato farming systems
African Midwifery Students' Self-assessed Confidence in Antenatal Care: a Multi-country Study
No full textBackground: Evidence-based antenatal care is one cornerstone in Safe Motherhood and educated and confident midwives remain to be optimal caregivers in Africa. Confidence in antenatal midwifery skills is important and could differ depending on the provision of education among the training institutions across Africa.Objective: The aim of the study was to describe and compare midwifery students' confidence in basic antenatal skills, in relation to age, sex, program type and level of program.Methods: A survey in seven sub-Saharan African countries was conducted. Enrolled midwifery students from selected midwifery institutions in each country presented selfreported data on confidence to provide antenatal care. Data were collected using a selfadministered questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 22 antenatal skills based on the competency framework from the International Confederation of Midwives. The skills were grouped into three domains; Identify fetal and maternal risk factors and educate parents; Manage and document emergent complications and Physical assessment and nutrition.Results: In total, 1407 midwifery students from seven Sub-Saharan countries responded. Almost one third (25-32%) of the students reported high levels of confidence in all three domains. Direct entry programs were associated with higher levels of confidence in all three domains, compared to post-nursing and double degree programs. Students enrolled at education with diploma level presented with high levels of confidence in two out of three domains.Conclusions: A significant proportion of student midwives rated themselves low on confidence to provide ANC. Midwifery students enrolled in direct entry programs reported higher levels of confidence in all domains. It is important that local governments develop education standards, based on recommendations from the International Confederation of midwives. Further research is needed for the evaluation of actual competence
Information Security Management Practices And Risk Exposures Among Commercial Banks In Kenya
No full textThis research is about implemented information security management practices and information security risk exposures in Commercial Banks in Kenya. The research was motivated by the need to determine the extent of implementation of the information security management practices, the risk exposures as a result of not implementing the management practices and the relationship between the information security management practices and risk exposures. Commercial Banks in Kenya are facing stiff competition from FinTech companies in provision of financial services to customers and this competition has forced them to adopt technology to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of their operations, increase the customer touch points and provide services conveniently. With the huge adoption of technology to meet this needs, the organizations have in turn become more vulnerable to cyber security threats. This research therefore tries to establish to what extent commercial banks have implemented the security management practices to counter these threats. A descriptive survey targeting Information Security Managers, IT Risk Managers, IT Managers, and IT Auditors was carried out in all the 41 commercial banks in Kenya. Of the 41 respondents, 34 respondents returned fully completed survey questionnaire translating to a response rate of 82.92 percent. The survey was done using a questionnaire and descriptive statistics was used for data analysis. The study found that most organizations have implemented the information security management practices to a great extent and are exposed to information security risks to a little extent
Factors Associated With Continuum of Maternal Health Care in Kenya
No full textThis study focuses on uptake of maternal health care among pregnant women that is adequate antenatal care services use, health facility delivery and timely postnatal care of the mother. The aim of the study was to determine factors associated with the continuum of maternal health care in Kenya. It examined the predisposing, enabling and need factors related with the use of maternal health care services.
The study used data from Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2014 and focused on women in the reproductive age 15-49 years with a live birth in the five years preceding the survey. To determine factors associated with the use of adequate antenatal care (attending one ANC visit within the first three months of pregnancy and at least four ANC visits throughout the pregnancy), delivery in the health facility and timely postpartum care (not more than 48 hours after delivery) logistic regression model was used.
Education, household wealth, health insurance and parity were found to determine uptake of maternal health care in Kenya. Women with higher education, women in the rich wealth quintile, women covered by health insurance and women with low parity had significantly higher odds for adequate ANC. Women with above secondary education, married women, women who live in the urban areas, rich wealth quintile women, employed women, women with only one child and women who received adequate ANC were more common in health facility delivery. Receiving timely postnatal care services is significantly associated with women in the rich wealth quintile, women’s level of education, women with low parity, women who received ANC and women who delivered in a health facility.
From the study, we can see a link in the three outcomes, from the multivariate analysis, through a set of common factors. Women’s education is the common predisposing factor, enabling factor is wealth and residence and parity is the need factor.
Education intervention approaches and health promotion should be provided in regions with low literacy levels. It is also important for government to increase household wealth in order reduce poverty and also to achieve maternal health coverage. And finally, maternal mothers should be encouraged to effectively attend postnatal health care services.
Ethnographic and qualitative studies should be undertaken to help understand how cultural factors affects maternal health utilization
Demand For Nhif Cover Among Commercial Motorcylists In Kanduyi, Bungoma County
No full textMotorcycle transport has been increasing in popularity in Kenya because of its convenience and
speed. However, the commercial motorcyclists face many health risks and this mode of transport
records the highest accident fatalities annually. Therefore, commercial motorcyclists need health
insurance to cover their health costs and safeguard their daily income. Consequently, this study
focused on the factors that determine NHIF demand among commercial motorcyclists in Kanduyi,
Bungoma County (a county that records the highest motorcyclist fatalities in Kenya). The study
used cross-sectional data on various variables through a questionnaire. Subsequently, the study
applied the binary probit model to quantify the effect and sign that study variables had on NHIF
ownership. The results showed that age, household size, level of education, income, emergency
care visits, and access to NHIF information had a negative relationship with NHIF cover
ownership. Contrastingly, marital status, chronic illness, and SACCO membership positively
influenced the probability of owning NHIF cover. The government should collaborate with
SACCOs and microfinance institutions in promoting NHIF information and services because these
organizations are significant variables in determining NHIF ownership
Corporate Governance, Financial Characteristics, Macroeconomic Factors And Performance Of Firms Listed At The Nairobi Securities Exchange
No full textInfluences Of Husbands’ Fertility Preferences On Young Couples’ Reproductive Behavior In Kamukunji Sub-county, Nairobi County
No full textFertility preferences, in the Kenyan context, is an issue of great importance because of the high fertility rates in the country. Several studies have revealed that the preferences of fertility are essential in determining the society’s fertility levels because the fertility intentions of the future have a high likelihood of falling under the effect of currently observed fertility inclinations. The measurement of preferences fertility is often defined in terms of desire for additional children and the difference between the actual and ideal number of children. Understanding the fertility intentions and how they predict fertility behavior is key for population policy and implementation of family planning programmes. The objective of this cross-sectional study of the influences of husband’s fertility preferences on couples’ reproductive behavior in Kamukunji Sub-County in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The study specifically set out to: identify the socio-economic influences of husbands’ fertility preferences on couples’ reproductive behavior and establish the effects of husbands’ fertility preferences on couples’ reproductive behavior among young married couples in Kamukunji Sub-County. Qualitative approach was used in collecting and analyzing data while Social Exchange Theory and Social Learning Theory guided the inquiry. Respondents for the semi-structured interviews, 40 in number, were selected through purposive sampling. Focus group discussants were selected through convenience sampling while the key informants were purposively selected. Qualitative data collected were coded and analyzed thematically in line with the study objectives and verbatim quotes used to project the voices of the participants. The study findings indicate that fertility preferences among husbands’ is influenced by many socio-economic factors operating within urban set-up including education, occupation, religion, place of residence, number of living children and preference for a male child. The effect of husbands’ fertility preference on couples’ reproductive behavior whether negative or positive are borne by wives. For instance, preventing parity births, consensus on fertility intentions, and use of family planning. The study concludes that fertility preference of married men is largely influenced by socio-economic and socio-cultural factors. The study recommends that the government through its line ministries should pay close attention in promotion and inclusion of men in uptake and use of contraceptives. This should be focused on the various factors such as region of residence, age, education levels, among others in order to meet the needs of men in the various parts of the county and country. Additionally, policies that aim at integrating population into development should be designed in a manner that they foster socio-economic development in the counties and hence minimize the differences that exists in terms of fertility preferences Keywords: Fertility preferences, couples, influence, reproductive behavior
The Role Of Multinational Corporations In Socioeconomic Development Of Kenya: A Case Study Of Dominion Farms (K) Ltd (2003 -2017)
No full textIn this study, the author attempted to delve into the debate on the viability of Multinational
Corporations in host nations. Dominion Farms (K) Ltd was the model MNC through which
fundamental questions on its role on food production and Corporate Social Responsibility can
be answered, especially on their impact on socio-economic development in Siaya County.
The answers to these questions were aimed at establishing the possibility of a positive
relationship between Dominion’s food production and socio-economic development.
Another possibility that required confirmation was the positive relationship between the
company’s Corporate Social Responsibility and socio-economic development. A descriptive
survey design was adopted on a population of rural small-scale farmers who stay within a
distance of at least two kilometres from Dominion’s central operation Centre at Ratuoro.
Purposive sampling was used to select five villages, and stratified random sampling was
applied whereupon, the population was divided into groups or strata representing the five
villages. Each population unit represented households in the five villages. Purposive
sampling was also used to select former staff of Dominion.
The study found that Dominion had a major contribution in irrigation farming that produced
mainly rice, and indirectly improved the socio-economic development of Siaya County. In
Corporate Social Responsibility, the company’s policy had minimal influence on socioeconomic
development of the County. The study recommended that there should be more
incorporation of the community and other stakeholders in future MNC activities to avoid
conflicts. Future investors were expected to recognize the status of Yala swamp as an
important national resource capable of producing enough food for the Country. It was also
recommended that Siaya County Government should come up with policies that incorporate
close working relations with Multinational Corporations or any investor in the area
Economic valuation of grazing management practices: discrete choice modeling in pastoral systems of Kenya
No full textThis study estimates the economic contribution of grazing management practices in pastoral systems by specifically undertaking an economic analysis of pastoralists’ preferences for grazing management practices and the economic value pastoralists place on them. The study applied the discrete choice experiment technique using a D-optimal design, a multi-attribute preference elicitation method to evaluate the economic value of grazing management options practiced in pastoral areas of Kenya. The results show that pastoral communities derive positive utility in connected systems that enable reciprocal access to resources in both wet and dry seasons. Pastoralism adapts to spatial–temporal variability of pasture and water through herd mobility; hence the positive utility derived from practices that contribute to the availability of adequate water and pasture across the seasons. These findings provide empirical evidence on the social and economic net benefits of rangeland management practices that should be enhanced to promote sustainable management of rangeland resources
Muundo Na Uamilifu Wa Chagizo Katika Virai Na Vishazi Vya Kiswahili Sanifu
No full textMada yetu ya utafiti ilikuwa uamilifu wa chagizo katika virai na vishazi vya Kiswahili sanifu.Tulidhamiria kuchunguza viambajengo vya aina tofauti za chagizo katika virai na vishazi vya Kiswahili sanifu huku tukilenga kuonyesha miundo tofauti inayowakilishwa na aina hizi za chagizo. Tulikusudia kubaini iwapo chagizo zenye miundo fulani huwakilisha majukumu yale yale ya theta au tofauti iwapo nafasi ya chagizo husika itabadilishwa katika sentensi fulani. Utafiti wetu ulitumia nadharia ya X-baa na Theta. Nadharia ya X-baa ilitumika kubainisha miundo tofauti inayowakilishwa na chagizo katika virai na vishazi vya Kiswahili sanifu na ile ya Theta ilitumiwa kutambua majukumu tofauti ya theta yanayowakilishwa na chagizo hizi katika virai na vishazi vya Kiswahili sanifu.Data iliyotumika katika utafiti wetu ilidondolewa kutoka kwa vitabu vitatu tofauti ambavyo vilihusisha sentensi zilizokuwa na kipashio chagizo ambazo zilidondolewa na kuchanganuliwa kwa misingi ya nadharia tofauti. Matokeo yaliwasilishwa kwa njia ya maelezo na kupitia kwa vielelezo tungo.Ilibainika kuwa kipashio chagizo ambacho ni cha ziada katika virai na vishazi vya Kiswahili sanifu huwa na miundo tofauti iliyoundwa kwa viambajengo tofauti na kwamba chagizo hizi huwakilisha majukumu tofauti ya theta kutegemea kinafafanua kirai kipi katika sentensi. Vilevile ilikuwa wazi kuwa chagizo zilizo na muundo sawia zaweza kuwakilisha majukumu tofauti ya theta kulingana na kitenzi kinachotoa jukumu hili la theta kwacho