EANSO East African Nature and Science Organization Journals
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Individual Factors and Micro-Environment as Predictors of Research Skills of Female Doctoral Students at Makerere University
Get PDFLeech (2012) put forward a model with four predictors which explain who a knowledgeable and skilled researcher is. Based on Leech's model, the study aimed to test whether two of them (the individual and micro environment) were predictors of the research skills of female doctoral students in Makerere University (Mak). From the model, two hypotheses (H1-H2) were developed. That is, H1, which postulated that Individual Factors (IF), and H2, which postulated that the Micro-Environment (ME), both positively predicted research skills (RS) of female doctoral students in Mak. RS was operationalised as Creativity (Cr) and Readiness to do Research and to Write (RRW) for publication. Similarly, the two predictors (IR & ME) had four constructs each. Taking a positivist approach, cross-sectional and correlation designs, data were collected from 57 female doctoral students who filled out a self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis involved computation of descriptive statistics, correlation and multiple linear regression (MLR). Results revealed that two of the constructs of IF (Thinking Style [TS]; & Self-Efficacy [SE]) were significant positive predictors of RS, against the constructs of Motivation (M) and Personality (P), which were not. One construct of ME (Supervisor [Sup]) was a significant positive predictor of RS, while three others (Culture of the Department on Graduate Education [CDE]; Other Faculty [OF & Peers [Pe]) were not. Thus, of the eight sub-hypotheses, three were supported, meaning that Leech's model only offered a fair explanation of RS in Mak. Thus, a call for further research to explore all the predictors as put forward by Leech’s model in other context
Evidence of Dementia Treatment using Vitamin D: A Systematic Review
Get PDFDementia is a progressive cognitive decline that poses significant public health concerns, particularly among the ageing population. Recent evidence highlights vitamin D's neuroprotective roles, including its involvement in neurotransmission, antioxidative processes, and neuronal preservation. This systematic review examined ten studies from 2011 to 2020, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cross-sectional studies, and longitudinal studies, to evaluate vitamin D's efficacy in treating dementia. Findings demonstrated that vitamin D supplementation improves cognitive function, particularly in patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. High-dose supplementation exhibited enhanced effects on visuospatial memory and executive functions compared to low-dose supplementation in some studies. However, results varied due to differences in study populations, methodologies, and follow-up durations. Despite its limitations, including small sample sizes and short study periods, this review underscores the potential of vitamin D as a complementary intervention in dementia care. Further research is needed to establish optimal dosing and explore its long-term effects on cognitive healt
Prescription, Compliance and Barriers to Prophylactic Regimen among Children with Sickle Cell Disease at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital
Get PDFBackground: Especially in sub-Saharan Africa, sickle cell disease (SCD), a severe hereditary hemoglobinopathy, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. To lower problems, hospitalizations, and mortality, preventative regimens such as Hydroxyurea (HU), Penicillin V, and folate supplements are essential. Notwithstanding the established advantages, following these regimens is still very difficult, and there is a dearth of information on prescription trends and compliance rates in Kenya. The objective of this study was to assess the trends in prescriptions, adherence levels, and obstacles to adherence among children with sickle cell disease at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted among children with SCD attending Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital. A total of 144 caregiver-child pairs were recruited using consecutive sampling. Quantitative data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires, while qualitative data were obtained through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data, while qualitative data were thematically analyzed. The study adhered to ethical research standards, with approvals obtained from relevant authorities. Results: The most frequently prescribed prophylactic medications were folate (97.9%), penicillin V (86.9%), and hydroxyurea (81.3%). Despite high prescription rates, compliance and dosing accuracy varied. Only 39.3% of children received the correct hydroxyurea dosage, and 70.2% were underdosed on penicillin V. Overall, 66.4% of children were compliant with at least one prophylactic medication. Forgetting (46.5%), not understanding the significance of the drugs, medicine shortages at the institution, and children refusing to take their meds were the most frequently mentioned obstacles to compliance. From provider interviews, challenges such as lack of prescription standardization, limited diagnostic and dosing tools, and inadequate staffing were noted as contributors to poor adherence to national SCD treatment guidelines. Conclusion: Children with sickle cell disease at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital do not always follow their preventive regimens, especially when it comes to antimalarial prophylaxis. Adherence may increase if medication stock-outs are addressed, caregiver education is improved, and routine clinic follow-up is reinforced. In environments with limited resources, these results highlight the necessity of focused interventions to enhance SCD outcom
The Effect of Caregiving on the Mental Health of Caregivers of People with Cancer in Nyanza, Kenya: Implications for Cancer Care
Get PDFIntroduction: Patients with cancer, just like other patients, need extensive round-the-clock care. Caregiving improves their well-being and quality of life. However, caregiving to people with cancer comes with a lot of challenges and is sometimes a burden to the caregiver. With time, this burden may predispose the caregivers to mental health challenges like anxiety and depression. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and extent of anxiety and depressive symptoms among caregivers of patients with cancer in the Nyanza Region of Kenya. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used. Convenience sampling and snowballing were used to recruit 147 study participants. Pretested interview-guided structured questionnaires, slight modifications of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Data was analyzed and visualized using GraphPad Prism version 5.03. Results: The mean age of participants was 41.19 (± 2.510) years, 85(58.1) were females and spent an average of 12.35 (± 1.194) hours providing care daily. The prevalence of anxiety and depression were 28.6% and 32.7% respectively. For anxiety, 56 (38.1%) were normal, 49(33.3%) were borderline abnormal and 42(28.6%) were anxious. For depression, 33(22.4%) were normal, 66(44.9%) were borderline abnormal and 48(32.7%) were depressed. For the self-rating of their mental health status since starting caregiving roles, 47(32.3%) were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, 38(25.8%) were strongly satisfied, 33(22.6%) were satisfied, 24(16.1%) were dissatisfied, and 5(3.2%) were strongly dissatisfied. Conclusion: The prevalence and extent of anxiety and depression are relatively high in caregivers of people with cancer compared to the general population. Many caregivers are on the borderline for both anxiety and depression, representing a poor trend in the mental health of this vulnerable group of people. There is a need for continuous mental health screening of caregivers for early diagnosis and treatment. Interventions addressing mental health resilience in caregivers should be a part of cancer care
Network Transformation and Productivity of Public Sector Institutions in Kenya
Get PDFPublic institutions in Kenya undeniably create a conducive environment for economic development. However, public sector productivity in Kenya remains a concern, hindering socio-economic transformation, global competitiveness, and job creation. There has been a long-term decline in overall productivity from 0.45 in 2009 to 0.40 in 2022 with both labour productivity and total factor productivity falling over several decades. Further, the productivity of government MDAs ranges from 45% - 65% which implies the existence of wastages in the majority of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) assessed. It is against this backdrop that this study assesses the effect of network transformation on the national productivity of public sector institutions. The study population included 432 state departments and agencies that have mainstreamed national productivity as provided by the National Productivity and Competitiveness Centre (NPCC). The unit of analysis of the study was 432 MDAs that had mainstreamed national productivity while the unit of observations was Heads of departments of performance monitoring units in the MDAs. The formula adopted yielded a sample of 204 respondents from the target population. The study established that network transformation also had a significant positive impact on productivity. The findings showed that network transformation was significant, highlighting its role in improving communication, connectivity, and accessibility across public institutions. Enhanced network infrastructure facilitates seamless collaboration and improves response times in service delivery. The adoption of advanced network solutions, such as new architectures, network scalability and network security, was found to be essential for enabling digital transformation hence improving the productivity of public institutions. These solutions create scalable and efficient systems that support productivit
Electronic Fiscal Device (EFD) Utilization among Entrepreneurs in Tanzania: Assessing Knowledge, Attitudes, and Challenges
Get PDFThe adoption of Electronic Fiscal Devices (EFDs) has been a critical policy initiative to enhance tax compliance and revenue collection efficiency. However, the effective utilization of EFDs among entrepreneurs in Mkuranga District, Tanzania, remains a challenge. This study examines the role of knowledge, attitudes, and operational challenges in influencing EFD adoption. Using a descriptive survey research design, data were collected from 136 entrepreneurs through structured questionnaires and analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The findings reveal that attitude significantly influences EFD usage (B = 0.360, p = 0.045), whereas knowledge has a weaker, non-significant effect (B = 0.130, p = 0.134). Major barriers to compliance include power outages (M = 4.15, SD = 0.834), network instability (M = 4.04, SD = 0.851), and high maintenance costs (M = 4.03, SD = 0.825). The regression model (R² = 0.440, F = 52.188, p = 0.000) indicates that knowledge and attitude together explain 44% of the variation in EFD usage. These findings underscore the importance of targeted training, improved system reliability, and financial incentives to enhance entrepreneurs' engagement with EFDs. The study recommends strengthening education programs, addressing technical challenges, and fostering trust in tax administration to optimize EFD compliance and tax efficiency
Electronic Learning Systems’ effectiveness in teaching and learning in public universities of Uganda: A case of Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST)
Get PDFThis study examined the effectiveness of e-learning systems in enhancing teaching and learning at public universities in Uganda, with a focus on Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST). A cross-sectional survey design was used, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data was collected from 237 respondents through questionnaires, interviews, and document reviews. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 24, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. The study assessed how system quality, information quality, and service quality impact teaching and learning. Key challenges identified included low student engagement, inactive distance learning groups, poor internet connectivity, inadequate infrastructure, and courses not optimized for online delivery. Results revealed that e-learning significantly contributes to teaching and learning effectiveness, with system quality accounting for 12.1%, information quality 25.1%, and service quality 54.5% of the impact. High system quality marked by usability and user-friendly interfaces enhances instructional delivery and learning outcomes. Information quality supports curriculum continuity and access to dependable resources. Service quality emerged as the most influential factor, reinforcing the need for efficient technical support and learner assistance. The study recommended upgrading technical infrastructure, forming an Information Quality Task Force, improving system compatibility, strengthening support services, promoting staff training, and formulating a policy to ensure sustainable, high-quality online education at MUST
Design and Performance Evaluation of a LoRaWAN-Based Communication System for Enhanced Situational Awareness in Armored Vehicles
Get PDFThis study presents the design and performance evaluation of a LoRaWAN-based communication system for enhancing situational awareness in armoured vehicles, with a comparative analysis against GSM networks. Performance metrics such as communication range, latency, security, GPS accuracy, data transmission speed, and power consumption were assessed under different environmental conditions, including open fields, urban areas, and forested regions. The results indicate that LoRaWAN offers a reliable alternative to GSM, particularly in environments with limited cellular infrastructure. LoRaWAN demonstrated a communication range of up to 12 km in open fields, moderate security with AES-128 encryption, and superior power efficiency, supporting up to 41.6 hours of continuous operation on a 5000mAh battery. While GSM outperformed LoRaWAN in latency (50–150 ms vs. 150–300 ms) and data transmission speed, LoRaWAN provided better performance in rural areas and secured communication through dynamic key management. These findings highlight LoRaWAN’s potential for military applications where secure, long-range, and energy-efficient communication is require
Control and Regulation of Human Trafficking in Nigeria: A Legal Framework Analysis
Get PDFHuman trafficking is a pervasive and complex issue affecting millions worldwide. Despite international efforts to combat trafficking, the scourge persists, necessitating a critical examination of the existing legal framework as it relates to Nigeria. This article undertakes a study of Nigeria's legal framework and the various measures adopted by the Nigerian government to curb the menace of human trafficking, with a view to identifying best practices and areas for improvement. This article employs the analytical approach to Nigeria's Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015. The article examines the definition of trafficking, the prosecution and punishment of offenders, the protection of victims, and prevention strategies employed by the Nigerian government. The findings reveal that while Nigeria has made significant strides in combating human trafficking, there are still gaps to be filled with respect to penalties for offenders. Nigeria's legislation, although well-intentioned, is often criticized for its limited scope and inadequate enforcement mechanisms. This article contributes to the existing literature on human trafficking by providing a nuanced understanding of the control measures employed in Nigeria. The article highlights the need for a more coordinated and effective approach to combating human trafficking, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation, capacity building, and community engagement. Ultimately, this article aims to inform policy and legislative reforms, promoting a more robust response to the scourge of human traffickin
Overview of the African Human Rights and Justice System
Get PDFThis thesis examines the African Human Rights and Justice System, focusing on the mechanisms established to promote and protect human rights on the continent. It provides a comprehensive overview of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), which represents the foundational legal framework for human rights in Africa. The research details the roles of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, exploring their functions, challenges, and the impact of their actions on human rights protections. The research methodology was a qualitative analysis of legal documents, case studies, and reports from human rights organizations, this study identifies significant gaps in enforcement mechanisms and the implementation of human rights laws. Moreover, the thesis highlights the historical context of human rights in Africa, emphasizing the effects of colonialism and the need for a concerted effort to eradicate its remnants for genuine human rights realization. The findings suggest that while substantial frameworks exist, effective operationalization remains hindered by political, social, and economic factors. The study concludes with recommendations for strengthening the African Human Rights and Justice System, including enhancing the capacity of the existing institutions, fostering greater accountability, and encouraging civil society participation. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on human rights in Africa and aims to provide a foundation for future reforms in the regional justice syste