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Socio-Cultural Dynamics and Their Implications on Gender-Based Violence: A Deep Dive into India's Diverse Contexts
No full textThis study aimed to explore the influence of socio-cultural factors on gender-based violence (GBV) within the multifaceted societal fabric of India. Recognizing the prevalence of GBV in various forms across the country, the research addressed the underlying social norms, practices, and cultural narratives that perpetuate this issue. Employing a mixed-method approach, the investigation included both qualitative and quantitative data, collecting insights through surveys, interviews, and case studies across different regions in India. The research problem revolved around understanding how deep-rooted cultural dynamics, such as caste systems, religious beliefs, and traditional gender roles, contribute to the persistence and acceptance of GBV. The methodology adopted was designed to offer a comprehensive overview of these complex interactions. Surveys measured the prevalence and attitudes towards GBV, while interviews with survivors, activists, and community leaders provided a deeper understanding of the lived experiences and societal pressures that influence GBV. Findings indicated that GBV in India is a multifaceted problem with roots in historical, cultural, and structural inequalities. There was a clear link between societal norms and the incidence of violence, with certain practices such as dowry and child marriage identified as significant contributors. Additionally, the study found that there is often a gap between existing laws and their implementation, further exacerbating the issue. The conclusion drawn emphasized that GBV in India cannot be viewed in isolation from its socio-cultural context. While legislation and policy efforts exist, they must be strengthened and coupled with societal change for effectiveness. Recommendations include the need for comprehensive educational programs to challenge and change harmful cultural norms, improved legal frameworks, and enforcement mechanisms, as well as increased support systems for survivors. The study advocates for a collaborative approach involving government, civil society, and local communities to address the root causes of GBV and promote gender equality.
Keywords: Socio-Cultural Dynamics, GBV, Human rights, Deep Dive, Challenges, Barriers, Policie
Nursing Interventions in Promoting Self-Management of Cancer Pain in Tenwek Hospital, Bomet County, Kenya
No full textApproximately 60% of cancer patients attending outpatients’ clinics experience severe unremitting pain hence self-management of cancer pain is critical. Nurses play an important role in treatment, pain management, and promotion of self-care of patients of cancer patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate nursing interventions in promoting self-management of cancer pain at Tenwek Hospital, Bomet County, Kenya. This was a qualitative study that utilized case study approach. Data was collected in a period of six months whereby interviewer administered semi-structured interview guide with predetermined themes. On the assistance offered by the nurses in self-management of pain, each participant reported to assist their patients differently. The main intervention nurses used in supporting cancer patients in self-management of cancer pain were a multidisciplinary approach involving all the health care providers, pharmacological counselling and patient education. The study also concludes that nurses’ interventions in self-management of cancer can help improve patient outcomes and their quality of life. The study recommends that nurses should incorporate support for self-management of cancer pain in their daily practice with cancer patients. The concept of self-management should be promulgated in such a way that it entails a holistic management of symptoms. Healthcare personnel should initiate self-management of cancer pain at the early trajectory of the disease, at the first contact with the patients.
Keywords: Nursing interventions, self-management of cancer pain, Bomet Count
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Postpartum Infections among Mothers Attending Immunization Service at Health Centers of Nyanza District, Rwanda
No full textPostpartum infections are life-threatening conditions leading to 10% of maternal deaths worldwide; in sub-Saharan Africa, the estimated prevalence of postpartum infections is 11.5%. In Rwanda maternal sepsis contribute up to 56% of all maternal complications, where 5% of them die and most cases come from rural areas. In line with the above-mentioned background, this research aimed to find out the prevalence and factors contributing to postpartum infections in Nyanza District/ Rwanda. This study employed a cross-sectional design, with participants being mothers attending immunization services at health centers in Nyanza district. A sample size of 384 was determined for all health centers, with systematic sampling used to select individual participants. Data collection involved a structured questionnaire and a review of medical records. A case of postpartum infection was identified if self-reported signs or symptoms were also documented in the participant's medical records. Data analysis was conducted using IBM® SPSS 21. Descriptive statistics were utilized, and a bivariate analysis was performed to identify independent variables associated with postpartum infections. Variables significantly associated with the outcome were further analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression model. As results, the prevalence of postpartum infection among mothers attending immunization service at health centers of Nyanza District was 9.6%; and the identified factors associated with postpartum infections were delivering by caesarean (aOR=6, 95%CI: 5.082-8.229, P<0.001); frequent vaginal examinations (≥5 times) during labor (aOR= 2.7, 95% CI: 1.331-5.843, P<0.001); prolonged labor (>24 hours) (aOR=2.0, 95% CI: 1.205-6.010, P<0.001); and Farming occupation (aOR=1.9, 95% CI: 1.120-4.966, P=0.048). Hence, the study recommends that healthcare professionals should aim to minimize C-section deliveries and the frequency of vaginal examinations when possible. Prophylactic antibiotics and aseptic techniques should be employed during delivery, especially for mothers with prolonged labor, frequent examinations, C-section deliveries, and farming occupations. Policymakers should develop guidelines to reduce cesarean sections, discourage frequent vaginal examinations, and promote prophylactic antibiotic use for high-risk mothers. Healthcare workers should prioritize infection prevention practices for mothers undergoing C-sections. Additionally, efforts should focus on reducing labor duration and ensuring timely interventions to prevent complications leading to postpartum infections. High-risk groups should be targeted for health education programs promoting hygiene practices and preventing exposure to microbial reservoirs. Further research is needed countrywide to determine the real burden of postpartum infections and identify measures to mitigate these life-threatening infections.
Keywords: Postpartum infections, mothers, immunization service, Health Centers, Nyanza District, Rwand
Nutritional Status and Associated Factors among Children under Five years in Ruhango Health Center Catchment Area, Rwanda
No full textUndernutrition among children under five years is one of the major public health issues worldwide in developing countries and occurs prominently. In Rwanda, according to Demographic Health Survey in 2019-2020, the prevalence of stunting was 33.0% while 8.0% were underweight. The aim of the study was conducted to determine nutritional status and associated factors in order to plan and alleviate child malnutrition among children under five years at Ruhango Health Center and its catchment area. A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted. All children (200) were included with their caregivers who visited to the health center from August to September 2022. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics using counts and proportions were computed to describe the basic characteristics of respondents. Chi-square test was used to establish factors associated with children undernutrition. Multivariable logistic regression model was performed to control the confounding variables. The level of significance was set at 5%. Ethical clearance to collect data was obtained from Mounty Kenya University. The study showed that most of the children were aged between 6 to 24 months (94.5%) and males were 52.0% compared to 48.0% of their female counterparts. The study concludes that the prevalence of under nutrition was relatively high but lower than the national average with respondent factors that are associated malnutrition. Therefore, public health sector and local government should increase access to clean water and also to increase the awareness of caregivers on balanced diet.
Keywords: Nutritional Status, Associated Factors, Children, Five years, Rwand
Social Demographic Factors Affecting the Uptake of Modern Contraceptives Methods Among Female Adolescents After the First Birth in Kitui County, Kenya
No full textGlobally, adolescents make up 16% of the total population, and 55% of unwanted pregnancies among adolescent’s end in abortion. Africa has the highest number of adolescents (23%). Adolescents in Kenya experience a higher risk of unintended pregnancies than older women, but contraceptive use among them remains very low. Despite various efforts by Kenya's national and county governments and non-governmental organizations to promote abstinence among adolescents, these efforts have not been successful. In light of this, this study sought to assess the prevalence of modern contraceptives and the social demographic factors affecting the uptake of modern contraceptive methods among female adolescents after the first birth in Kitui County, Kenya. The study was conducted in Kitui County and employed a cross-sectional descriptive survey design targeting adolescent girls between 10 and 19 years who had given birth in the last six months. The results showed that the usage of modern contraceptives was generally low (35.2%). However, based on the factors influencing uptake, it was higher among respondents aged 19 years (57.4%) and those with college education (50.0%). Adolescents with a college education were 3.55 times more likely to use modern contraception (AOR=3.55; p=.000) than those with primary school qualifications. The results revealed that age, education, and marital status were determinants of modern contraceptive use among adolescents. The study advocates for increasing the use of modern contraceptives among female adolescents in Kitui County, recognizing that this is a multi-faceted problem that will require concerted efforts by all key stakeholders to provide a wide range of interventions. Such stakeholders include the community, parents, guardians, peers, school teachers and tutors, religious leaders, healthcare practitioners, and policymakers.
Keywords: Social Demographic Factors, Modern Contraceptives Methods, Female Adolescents, First Birth, Kitui Count
Factors Impacting Agricultural Production and the Role of Agricultural Extension Services in Kenya
No full textProductivity in agricultural is also important for spurring economic growth in other sectors. Farmers live in remote rural areas and make up 75% of the world’s poor. In Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA), productivity in agriculture lags behind globally, and is below the required standards of achieving food security, poverty goals and food sufficiency. As an important sector in the Kenyan economy, agriculture continues to dominate other sectors despite its declining contribution to real GDP. The development in agriculture is that one which revolutionizes the industry by bringing forth profitable agriculture and environment friendly solutions. Kenya government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, have in the past tried to pass information to the farmers via agricultural extension officers. However, the quality of the information disseminated to the farmers has not been up to date, information delivery has not been good, the mode of communication also questionable owing to literacy levels of our farmers and indeed that of the extension officers, information technology has not been embraced fully making it difficult for our farmers to progress with their counterparts in other parts of the world. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the factors impacting agricultural production and the role of agricultural extension services in Kenya. This study is anchored on Diffusion of Innovations Theory. The study employed a mixed design involving a combination of both quantitative and qualitative approach. And the target population was made up of farmers, officers from the ministry of agriculture and officers from agricultural extension service providers. Data was gathered using both structured questionnaire and interview guides. The collected data was analysed with the aid of SPSS software using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings revealed a coefficient of determination (R squared) of 0.319 implying that agricultural extension services explains 31.9 % of the variation in agricultural production in Kenya. The study also showed a positive and statistically significant relationship between agricultural extension services and agricultural production in Kenya (β=1.561, p=.003<.05). The study concludes that agricultural extension services play a significant role in improving agricultural production in Kenya because agricultural extension services offers technical advice on agriculture to farmers. It is thus recommended that agricultural extension service delivery should be boosted through timely recruitment, periodic training of agents and provision of adequate logistics to the farmers.
Keywords: Agricultural extension services, agricultural factors, agricultural production, farmers in Keny
Inbound Logistics Metrics and Performance of Freight Forwarders Association in Kicukiro District, Rwanda
No full textThe Rwandan Freight forwarders federation (RWAFFA) was established in 2013 to deal with the fragility that was in the clearing and forwarding industry, which worked without defined and professional procedures that led to poor and inefficient practices within the industry. The objective of this study was to examine inbound logistics metrics on the performance of Freight forwarders federation in Rwanda. A case of RWAFFA in Kicukiro District. This study was guided by three specific objectives which are toto evaluate order fulfilment accuracy level of freight forwarders in Rwanda, to determine the status of on time delivered shipments, in case of freight forwarders in Rwanda and to analyse the degree of safety for goods handled by freight forwarders in Rwanda. The research was of great significant to the researcher, MKU and freight forwarding Industry in Rwanda. The descriptive research design with two mixed approach of qualitative and quantitative was used to collect data by use of interview guide and questionnaire. The 160 respondents of the study were selected from the target population of 246 including employees from RWAFFA management team, clearing agents and importers firms operating in Kicukiro District using the Krejcie and Morgan table with a simple random and census method of selecting the sample size. The collected results were analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis with use of percentage, mean and standard deviation and inferential statistics by the use of Pearson correlation (r) and multiple linear logistic regression analysis. Data were also presented in figure, tables and narratives because the qualitative data were analyzed with the use of thematic analysis which require the researcher to present the qualitative results in narrative. In this study, research findings showed that inbound logistic metrics were adopted to reduce the damaged shipment in freight forwarding within Rwandan Freight Forwarders association (RWAFFA).Therefore,The intercept of the regression was 13.803 and statistically significant p= 0.000).While the coefficient of order accuracy was 0.100 and p = 0.003. On time delivery had an intercept of 0.043 but significant at 0.002 and finally safety of goods had it at 0.065 and also positive. Despite the problem arising within Rwandan freight forwarders association in Kicukiro District such as Inadequate Performance measurement and metrics pertaining to SCM, lack of professionalism, clear regulations and to some extend absence of documented procedures to follow, delays and unreliability, lack of previous empirical research that examined the effects of inbound logistics metrics on performance of freight forwarders. The current success in implantation of inbound logistic metrics was contributed to the performance of freight forwarders federations.
Keywords: Supply Chain Efficiency, Freight Forwarding, Kicukiro District Logistics, Inbound Logistics Metrics, Rwanda Transportation Industr
Working Capital Management and Financial Performance of Agricultural Firms Listed on Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya
No full textThe listed firms in Kenya have been experiencing declining and inconsistent performance in the recent years. The study sought to establish effect of working capital management on financial performance of agricultural firms3listed on Nairobi Securities Exchange. Specifically, study established the influence of accounts receivable collection period on financial performance; determined5the effect of creditors payment period on financial performance; established effect of operating cash flow on financial performance; and determined effect of inventory turnover on financial performance and establish the controlling effect of firm size on the relationship between working capital and financial performance of agricultural firms listed on Nairobi Securities Exchange. The study would be important for policy, practice and theory. The study was based on agency theory, transaction cost theory, Miller-Orr Model and Baumol’s Model which formed the theoretical basis for this research. This research adopted a descriptive research and correlational research designs. This study’s target population comprised seven agricultural5firms listed on the NSE sampling seven agricultural firms’ listed5on the NSE between 2016 and 2022 using a census survey. Data was obtained from secondary sources for a period between 2016 and 2022. Panel regression, descriptive and correlation statistics were used for analysis. The study established a negative correlation between accounts receivable collection period and financial performance. The study also revealed that creditor’s payment period had a positive but insignificant relationship with financial performance of the sampled firms. Moreover, there was a positive significant relationship between cash flows and financial performance. This study, therefore, concluded that there exists a positive significant relationship between cash flows and financial performance of agricultural firms listed on Nairobi Securities Exchange. This study, therefore, concluded that accounts receivable collection period has a significant negative relationship with financial performance of agricultural firms listed on Nairobi Securities Exchange. The study recommends that agricultural firms listed on Nairobi Securities Exchange reduce their accounts receivable collection period; increase their operating cash flows; and reduce their inventory turnover period for increased financial performance.
Keywords: Capital management, accounts5receivable collection period, creditors’ payment period, operating cash flows, inventory turnover period, firm size, financial Performanc
Effects of Revenue Generation on Tax Auditing in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
No full textRevenue generation is crucial for the financial sustainability and functioning of organizations and governments. The study sought to examine the effects of revenue generation on tax auditing in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Tax auditing refers to the process of examining and reviewing tax-related records, financial statements, and other relevant documents to ensure compliance with tax laws and regulations. Tax authorities may prioritize audits of high-revenue-generating taxpayers or sectors, potentially overlooking smaller taxpayers or sectors that may still pose a risk of non-compliance. Tax authorities can ensure that revenue generation efforts are balanced with maintaining taxpayers' trust and encouraging voluntary compliance. The study utilized the descriptive research design. The target population was 180 businesses in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The research did sampling of 140 participants that were selected from the target population of 180 businesses in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Questionnaires were utilized to gather the data. The study concluded that a comprehensive evaluation of existing practices, policies, and resource allocations within the tax authority is necessary. This evaluation should aim to establish a balance between revenue generation goals and the maintenance of a robust and fair tax auditing process. A well-balanced approach to revenue generation and tax auditing is crucial therefore, this requires collaboration between government authorities, taxpayers, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure a fair, transparent, and effective tax system. It was recommended that there should be allocation of sufficient resources, both financial and human, to support audit activities which includes recruiting and retaining qualified auditors, equipping them with the necessary tools and technology, and providing ongoing professional development opportunities. Invest in advanced data analytics tools and technologies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of tax audits.
Keywords: Revenue Generation, Tax Auditing, Bosnia and Herzegovin
Equity Financing and Performance of Islamic Commercial Banks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
No full textEquity financing plays a crucial role in the performance of banks by providing a stable and reliable source of capital. With equity financing, banks can strengthen their balance sheets, improve their capital adequacy ratios, and enhance their ability to absorb financial shocks. By issuing new shares or raising equity capital from investors, banks can expand their lending activities, invest in technology and infrastructure, and pursue growth opportunities. Moreover, a higher equity base can increase investor confidence and improve credit ratings, enabling banks to access funding at lower costs. A well-capitalized bank through equity financing is better positioned to navigate economic downturns, mitigate risks, and sustain long-term performance. The study used the descriptive research design. The target population was 20 branches of Islamic commercial banks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The study did sampling of 15 participants that were chosen from the target population of 20 branches of Islamic commercial banks in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Questionnaires were used to collect the data. It was concluded that equity financing enables investors and the bank to share risks and rewards, and understanding how this affects the risk profile, stability, and profitability of Islamic banks is essential. Identifying areas for improvement and growth in the Islamic banking sector will require ongoing evaluation of the impact of equity financing on various performance indicators, including profitability, risk management, and asset quality. The study recommended that Islamic commercial banks in Kuala Lumpur should focus on strengthening their risk management frameworks to effectively manage the risks associated with equity financing. There should be implementation of robust risk assessment and monitoring systems, conducting thorough due diligence on potential shareholders, and diversifying their equity base to minimize concentration risk. Regulatory frameworks should address issues such as corporate governance, disclosure requirements, and risk management standards to promote transparency, investor confidence, and the overall performance of Islamic commercial banks in Kuala Lumpur.
Keywords: Equity financing, performance, Islamic commercial banks, Malaysi