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The Prevalence of Oppositional Defiant Disorder and its Impact on the Academic Performance of Secondary School Students: A Case of Selected Public Schools in Kibwezi Sub-County, Makueni County, Kenya
No full textThere is a rise in the cases of defiance among adolescents in secondary schools in Kenya. This has an impact on the child and the families since a lot of time and money are needed to take care of such a child. This study sought to find out the prevalence of oppositional defiant disorder and its impact on the academic performance among students in sampled secondary schools in Kibwezi Sub-County, Makueni County, Kenya. The study used a descriptive survey design. The study findings showed that the prevalence of ODD among secondary school students stood at 11.34%. Regarding the correlation between ODD and academic performance, this study found a positive and significant correlation between the level of ODD and academic performance. The study also revealed that the academic performance of students who met the criteria for ODD was low compared to those who did not meet the criteria for ODD. The study recommended that the Ministry of Education and other Stakeholders of education as well as religion need to promote counseling programme in the secondary schools within the region to curb the rising cases of psychological disorders among the secondary school students.
Keywords: Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Academic Performance, Secondary School Student
Factors that determine utilization of cervical cancer screening methods among women aged 21-50 years in Meru South, Tharaka Nithi, Kenya
No full textThe cervical cancer ranks as the first cause of female cancer and the first most common female cancer in women. It is also the first leading cause of cancer deaths in women aged 15 to 44 years in Kenya. Despite the introduction of cervical cancer screening and control programmes, the burden of cervical cancer remains high in Kenya. This study therefore sought to identify factors that determine utilization of cervical cancer screening methods among women aged 21-50 years in Meru South, Tharaka Nithi, Kenya. A cross-sectional descriptive study composing of 40 women aged between 20 and 50 years was carried out. An interview guide was used to collect data which was transcribed to Microsoft Excel 2017 software. The findings revealed that the respondents’ age significantly influenced uptake of cervical cancer screening. Besides, increasing age was associated with increased likelihood of screening. Only 12.5% of women aged 21-30 years had screened as compared to 50% of women in the age category 51-60. However, utilization of screening services was higher among women aged 31-40 years. Educational status was also significant in the uptake of screening services. However, tertiary education level had no much influence as many would expect. Majority of those who had tested for cervical cancer were of primary and secondary educational status. Knowledge level of respondents with regards to cervical cancer and screening also significantly influenced uptake of screening services. Knowledge and awareness of risk factors, cervical cancer test and availability of the test enhanced screening uptake. The study concluded that uptake of cervical cancer screening methods was influenced by age, educational status and knowledge level of respondents. Poor use of the screening services was majorly attributed to lack of precise information regarding cervical cancer & screening and disregard for screening services. It recommended that health care providers from all cadres should greatly be involved in the promotion of cervical cancer screening to women who seek health care in the health facilities and the community. I tend to believe that a woman devoid of information and impacts of cervical cancer will definitely test for cervical cancer when told of and asked to by the health care provider.
Keywords: Utilization, cervical cancer screening methods, women aged 21-50 year
Influence of Deforestation and Environmental Degradation on Agriculture in Mexico
No full textDeforestation and environmental degradation activities have negatively influenced the agriculture sector in many ways. To a great extent, deforestation is high accelerated by human activities and it has affected the natural ecosystems, biodiversity and the climate. Thus, the study sought to examine the influence of deforestation and environmental degradation on agriculture in Mexico. The research was a literature-based evaluation. The results of the study indicated that that deforestation has affected agriculture negatively. The loss of trees and other vegetation causes climate change, desertification, soil erosion, fewer crops, flooding, increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and a host of problems for indigenous people. The study noted that deforestation causes an increase in temperatures and changes in the amount and distribution of rainfall, generally creating a drier climate. These impacts affect soil moisture, reducing yields in some areas and increasing flooding in others. The study concluded that because deforestation and ecological degradation influenced the agriculture sector, and also immediate measures need to be implemented to suppress these activities which are affecting agriculture. The study noted that trees are being cut without any government regulation in Mexico, which consequently is creating huge hectares of land to be cleared leaving open land which cannot attract the rains like the trees. This clearing up of trees by loggers is bringing about loss of biodiversity, aridity and also loss of environment for the wild animals. Additionally, the research study concluded that the building and construction of infrastructure such as roads or dams, mining activities as well as urbanization are likewise contributing to deforestation and also ecological destruction because forests are being cleared to pave means for these projects to take place. Deforestation is contributing to the loss of the amount of water in the soil and also groundwater in addition to atmospheric moisture as well as global warming which is the major root cause of the pollution which consequently creates future impediments in the agricultural sector. The study recommended that the government ought to regulate the cutting of trees and also issue permits to loggers to make sure that forests are not damaged thus putting at risk the lives of several whom dependent on forests for many things which include rains and also residences to the wild animals. The forests in the water catchment areas should be shielded and also ensure trees are not cleared given that in those forests is where the majority of the rivers come from and also the water which moves down the stream is advantageous in doing agriculture through irrigation. The industries which are releasing toxic chemicals to the water resource ought to be closed or they treat the chemicals to become atmosphere friendly before allowing those chemicals to the environment. The study further recommended that urbanization ought to be controlled as quickly as possible because overcrowding in the cities is progressively creating pollution of the environment and also unhygienic living problems. Additionally, the study recommended that there is a need to embrace reforestation in the places which have been destroyed by the loggers as well as protect those recently grown trees. Individuals in Mexico ought to be sensitized concerning the importance of conserving as well as promoting environmental activities which are of value to present and also future generations.
Keywords: Deforestation, Environmental, Agriculture, Mexic
Public Procurement for Sustainable Development in East Africa
No full textThrough sustainable public procurement, governments can lead by example and deliver key policy objectives. Sustainable public procurement enables governments to meet environmental goals such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving energy and water efficiency and supporting recycling. The social benefits of sustainable public procurement may include poverty reduction, improved equity and respect for core labor standards. When governments face budget constraints, one way to combat the corrosive economic effects of such constraints is to use public procurement strategically to target growth and job creation. Sustainable development, requires governments and organisations to consider the social, economic and environmental aspects of their operations, with no single aspect dominating. This paper sought to assess public procurement for sustainable development in East Africa. The study used a desk study review methodology where relevant empirical literature was reviewed to identify main themes. A critical review of empirical literature was conducted to assess the public procurement for sustainable development in East Africa. The study posits that government procurement should also be used to bring development to deprived areas in the nation through margins of preference and other measures in the procurement process. A nation stands to benefit in the long-term if sustainable public procurement is implemented. Sustainable public procurement is one major way of seeking to achieve the UNDP’s good governance goal of realizing development that gives priority to the poor, advances women, sustains the environment and creates needed opportunities for employment and other livelihoods.
Keywords: Public Procurement, Sustainable Development & East Africa
The Effect of Material Handling Procedures on the Supply Chain Performance of Mount Kenya Dairies
No full textAchieving the best performance in distribution companies remain a key objective for management globally. To achieve the expected performance objectives, the management of firms has strong concerns to adjust the logistics in a company to achieve a higher service level internally and profitability. Materials handling management has been sought as a critical determinant of performance among many green logistics practices that contribute to improving a company’s performance. Milk products distribution companies such as Mount Kenya Dairies deploy material handling operations in the distribution of various products that include Pasteurized milk, yoghurt, Long life milk, butter, Mala and Ghee. The objective of this study was to find out the effects of material handling on the performance of Mount Kenya Dairies. The study used a descriptive survey research design. The target population was 572 employees. A sample of 58 employees who were selected randomly from various departments using a purposive sampling method. The collected data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation and regression statistical techniques. The results revealed that material handling had a significant influence on the performance of Mount Kenya Dairies as evidenced by r=0.641 (r>0.5) and p=0.000 (p< 0.05). The regression analysis results indicated that the predictor sustainable material handling had a significant and positive relationship with the organizational performance of Mount Kenya dairies as ?1= 0.699, P=0.000 and t=5.793. The study concluded that material handling has a significant positive impact on the performance of dairies distribution firms in Kenya. It was recommended that the management of Mount Kenya Dairies give more attention to material handling procedures and strategies to establish and maintain a desirable level of company performance.
Keywords: Mount Kenya Dairies, Material Handling, and Organisational Performance.
 
Effect of Credit Awareness on the Performance of Micro and Small Enterprises in Isiolo County
No full textThe limited access to informal and formal credit by entrepreneurs has been identified as a major constraint to growth of micro and small enterprises in Isiolo County. The County is also characterized by high level of unemployment, particularly among the youths, nomadic life and low educational levels and all these can be attributed to limited access to credit. The study sought to establish the influence of credit awareness on performance of micro and small enterprises in Isiolo North Sub-County. Descriptive survey research design was adopted. The unit of analysis was 120 micro and small enterprises within Isiolo Town. The unit of observation was owners or managers of the businesses. Data was collected through structured questionnaires. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed that credit awareness had a positive and significant effect on performance of micro and small enterprises. The study concluded credit awareness significantly contributed to the performance of micro and small enterprises. The study recommended the need for financial institutions to strengthen aspects related credit awareness. They should specifically enhance visit to business premises by credit officers, organize seminars and provide timely and accurate information about credit micro and small enterprises’ owners.
Keywords: Credit awareness, Performance, Micro and Small Enterprises, Isiolo Count
User Challenges and Performance of Mobile Banking: The Case of Selected Commercial Banks in Nairobi County, Kenya
No full textThe study examined user challenges and performance of mobile banking: case of selected commercial banks in Nairobi County. The study sought to establish” how technology improvement, user-security improvements, user risk prevention, and user sensitization enhances M-banking among commercial banks. A descriptive survey research design was adopted in collecting data from the respondents of all the eleven commercial banks. A representative sample of 4 staff members per bank were then picked and questionnaires administered. Pearson’s correlation of significance level of 0.05 “revealed a positive association (r = 0.158) between technology and performance. There “was a positive correlation (r = 0.361) between security and performance of mobile banking. The study found a positive correlation (r = 0.113) between risk prevention and performance of mobile banking. Pearson’s correlation indicated “a positive correlation (r = 0.255) between customer awareness and performance of mobile banking. The regression analysis also found that increase in all the variables led to increase in performance. The study recommends that, fraud checks should be aligned to the risk of specific actions by customers, and should necessarily” be subject to customer credentials and identity authentication, integrity and secrecy and to the equipment stored on the equipment. Further, banks should implement measures to make training staff more competitive, invest in research and technology development. Because the number of people with mobile phone handsets is on the rise, the study recommends that the banks should continue making use of mobile phones in providing and improving services.
Key Word: Technology Improvement, User-Security Improvements, User Risk Prevention, M-banking, and User Sensitization, Performance
A Critical Investigation of the Relationship between Real-Time Supply Chains and Balanced Ecosystems: Perspective from Scotland
No full textCustomers now do their research and buy products across multiple channels and increasingly demand product personalization. They expect not only transparency around order status and delivery, but near instant order fulfilment. And they’re increasingly concerned about product origin and quality, as well as product and supply chain sustainability. In most cases, these heightened expectations apply to customers in consumer-facing industries and B2B customers. Supply chains are also increasingly facing major disruptions such as changing and extreme weather conditions, global health crises and supply shortages. For example, many supply chains are being affected by the 2019–20 COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak either through unexpected increases or drop-offs in demand as well as supply shortages. Without high levels of visibility into suppliers and sub-suppliers, companies increase their exposure to supply chain risks and become less resilient. And while more than three-quarters of respondents recognize the importance of visibility into the sustainability practices of their organization and suppliers, few have full visibility into either. A new Bloomberg Business Week Research Services survey and report makes it clear that innovative supply chain tools are widely acknowledged to be crucial to meeting corporate goals now and in the future as supply chains grow more complex, customers become more demanding and globalization accelerates. Where there is a risk of disruption to supply chains, public bodies may wish to consider whether to require multiple sources for the same ‘at risk’ product and/or components involved in the supply of that product as a security-of-supply measure. This would then be reflected in the tender evaluation stage of the procurement where the body can award marks based on how bidders respond to this element of the requirement. The public body may want to reassure itself that the bidder will be able to ensure continuity of supply at all times during the contract even if scenarios such as those experienced in the early days of Covid-19 were to apply. The public sector in Scotland is well resourced with access to huge amounts of spend and contract data at a local, sectoral and national level. As well as forming the basis for decisions on how to optimize opportunities for collaboration by putting in place local, sector or national contracts and frameworks, this data can be used to identify opportunities for market development and to gain a sense of the influence the Scottish public sector has on the market. The national sustainable procurement tools provide a starting point for assessing supply chain vulnerabilities. Investing in real-time supply chain analytics can help businesses gain key inventory and forecasting metrics to combat the volatility of markets.
Keywords: Real, Time, Supply, Chain, Ecosystem, Balanced, Scotland
 
Analysis of the Moderating Effect of DT SACCO Size on the Relationship between Interest Rate Drivers and the Financial Performance of Deposit Taking SACCOs in Kenya
No full textDeposits taking SACCOs (DTS) play a key role in allocating loan products at comparatively lower interest rates to low-and middle-income class in the economy. They achieve their mandate by pooling members’ deposits and occasionally borrowing from external sources for investment in capital projects and to satisfy members’ loan demand. However, most deposit taking SACCOs face challenges in fulfilling their obligation due to variability in the interest rate drivers which negatively affect their financial performance. The influence of monetary policy, inflation, credit and liquidity risks on interest rates in the economy affect interest rate spread in DTS which in turn affect their financial performance. However, little is known regarding the extent to which the DT SACCOs size moderate the relationship between interest rate spread and financial performance. Arising from the fact that the major DTS have reported different financial performance over the recent past, this study purposed to investigate the role of the size of DTS on moderating the relationship between interest rate drivers and financial performance. The study used descriptive survey research. Secondary data ranging from 2013 to 2017 was collected. The data was obtained from 74 DTS which were sampled from 176 DTS using Krejcie and Morgan formula. The output before and after moderation revealed that DT SACCOs size moderated the relationship between interest rate drivers and the financial performance of DT SACCOs. The mean of regression coefficients before moderation was -0.105 which increased after moderation to 0.512. Thus, size of the DTS moderated the relationship between interest rate drivers and financial performancepositively. The study recommended that DT SACCOs should leverage on economies of scale that emanate from size to enhance financial performance of deposit taking SACCOs.
Keywords: Financial Performance, DT SACCO Size, Interest Rate Driver
Financial Technology and Credit Usage among Small and Medium Enterprises in Kisumu Central Business District, Kenya
No full textFinTech is one of the new technologies of financial innovations and solutions which are fueling financial accessibility especially in the businesses of developing countries. Therefore, this has led to growth in consumer demand for digital financial services as innovations in the financial sector continue to advance. However, the emergence of FinTech usage has been received both as an opportunity for businesses and as a threat to other lending institutions like banks and microfinance institutions among others. Digital credit consumers have been faced with many challenges including late repayment and loan defaulter due to lack of transparency in the repayment period and the high amount of interest charged. This study therefore, sought to address the issue of financial technology and credit usage among small and medium enterprises in Kisumu central business district in Kenya. The study used descriptive research design. It targeted all the 6,688 SMEs registered to operate in the CBD of Kisumu in the year 2020 from which sample size of 100 SMEs was picked. This study gathered primary data through use of a questionnaire. The collected data was then analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings indicated that amount of credit requested from digital lenders affected credit usage significantly. Moreover, number of branches/agents of FinTech available were also found to be a strong determinant of credit usage among the SMEs operating in Kisumu CBD. Conversely, the results showed that number of subscriptions and amount remitted do not have significant effect on credit usage. The SMEs are therefore, advised to adopt and use FinTech in order to enhance their credit usage in business operations.
Keywords: FinTech, Credit Usage, SMEs, Digital Lenders, Kisumu CB