EANSO East African Nature and Science Organization Journals
Not a member yet
3828 research outputs found
Sort by
An Analysis of Geospatial Patterns and Diarrhoeal Prevalence in Children Under Five: A Case Study of Matungulu and Mavoko Sub-Counties, Kenya
Get PDFDespite ongoing advancements in prevention efforts, diarrhoea remains a critical public health challenge, particularly threatening the health of infants and young children. The rising prevalence of childhood diarrhoea, especially in developing nations, has emerged as a pressing concern within public health discourse. This study examined both the prevalence and spatial distribution of diarrhoea-related illness among children under the age of five, with the goal of enhancing the monitoring and implementation of effective intervention programs. Data were collected from 398 mothers or caregivers of children under five years through a structured survey. The prevalence rate was determined by dividing the number of reported diarrhoea cases by the total number of children in the sampled households. To analyse spatial distribution patterns, the study employed spatial statistical techniques, including Moran’s I and Getis-Ord Gi*. Findings indicated a high two-week prevalence rate of childhood diarrhoea, affecting 34% of children under five in Mavoko and Matungulu Sub-Counties. Mavoko reported a higher rate at 37%, compared to 27% in Matungulu. Hotspot analysis using Moran’s I and Getis-Ord Gi* identified the western parts of Mavoko, specifically Athi River, Mlolongo, and sections of Katani and Kinanie, as areas with significantly high diarrhoea prevalence. These spatial insights highlight the need for geographically targeted interventions. The study recommends prioritising high-prevalence hotspots through improved access to safe water, expansion of sewerage systems, enhanced waste management, and strengthened hygiene promotion programs. Such targeted measures, combined with sustained surveillance and community engagement, could significantly reduce disease burden and improve child health outcomes within and beyond the study are
Modified Conceptual Framework for Respectful Maternity Care for Promoting Quality in Health Facilities
Get PDFBackground: Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) is fundamental to improving maternal and neonatal health outcomes, yet mistreatment during childbirth remains widespread. Existing frameworks address either interpersonal mistreatment, structural delays, or quality standards, but often lack integration and clear evaluation pathways. Objective: This study presents a modified conceptual framework for RMC that unites training evaluation, systemic barriers, and patient experiences to guide quality improvement in Level 5 health facilities. Methods: The framework integrates three models: Kirkpatrick’s training evaluation model (linking provider learning to outcomes), Bowser & Hill’s landscape analysis (categorising disrespect and abuse), and the Three Delays model (addressing barriers to care). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) is proposed to enhance analytic rigour and weighting of variables. Results: The integrated framework demonstrates how provider training (reaction, learning, behaviour, results) influences women’s experiences of autonomy, dignity, and supportive environments, ultimately reducing delays and improving maternal and neonatal outcomes. Resource requirements—including staff training, supervision, and infrastructure—and cultural adaptations, such as respecting local birthing norms and promoting birth companionship, are essential for effective application. Recommendations: The framework guides implementation through structured steps: baseline assessments, stakeholder engagement, resource allocation, context-sensitive training protocols, and continuous monitoring and evaluation using Kirkpatrick’s four levels. Conclusion: By synthesising interpersonal, systemic, and evaluative dimensions, this model offers a robust and actionable tool for advancing RMC in resource-intensive settings. It provides policymakers, facility managers, and practitioners with a pathway to institutionalise respectful, equitable, and high-quality maternity care
The Role of Health Unit Management Committees on Health Service Delivery in Health Centre IIIS; A Case of Sheema Municipality, Uganda
Get PDFCountries across the World are working hard to improve health service delivery within communities. Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being of all at all ages is the major focus of Sustainable Development Goal 3, and target 3.8 was set to achieve this goal by 2030. This study focused on examining the role of Health Unit Management Committees in Health Service delivery. Specifically, to establish the effect of health unit management committees’ planning and budgeting on accessibility of quality health services; to determine the influence of health unit management committees’ motivation and incentives on health service delivery; to establish the effect of health unit management committees’ supervision and feedback on health service delivery in Sheema municipality, Uganda. A cross-sectional survey research design was employed, using a qualitative approach. The purposive sampling technique was used to select 131 respondents. Data collection methods included a questionnaire survey and an interview method. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive analysis, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression with SPSS v.29. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis supported by NVIVO software. The study found and concluded that Health Unit Management Committees’ planning significantly improves health service delivery (r = 0.536, β = 0.451, p < 0.05). The study also concluded that Health Unit Management Committees’ motivation and incentives significantly enhance health service delivery (r = 0.645, β = 0.327, p < 0.05). The study further concluded that Health Unit Management Committees’ supervision and feedback significantly improve health service delivery (r = .702, β = 0.544, p < 0.05). The study recommended that local governments, the Ministry of Health, and development partners should implement structured incentive schemes for HUMC members, including financial allowances, recognition, certificates, and capacity-building opportunities, to boost morale and commitment. Additionally, continuous supervision and feedback mechanisms should be institutionalised through regular visits, reporting frameworks, and timely feedback, while encouraging HUMCs to document and share their findings to improve health service delivery. Targeted training on supervision, leadership, and community engagement should further empower HUMCs to provide effective oversight and integrate their feedback into health planning, ultimately enhancing service delivery in Sheema District
Limitations of ICT Infrastructures in the Implementation of ICT Policy in Public Secondary Schools in Urambo District Council, Tanzania
Get PDFThis study sought to analyse ICT infrastructure limitations in the implementation of ICT policy in public secondary schools in the Urambo District Council in the Tabora region in Tanzania. The study employed a qualitative research approach with a case study design and a sample of 40 research respondents selected through purposive and simple random sampling. Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect data. The data were analysed through thematic analysis and descriptive statistics. Resource-based theory, developed by Jay Barney in 1991, underpinned the study. Infrastructure limitations hindering the implementation of ICT policy are a lack of computer laboratories, biogas and wind power, among others. The study recommends that policymakers and the government are to ensure the availability of materials and resources. Also, school administrators are to manage and ensure the availability of resources for the satisfactory implementation of the ICT policy. Finally, further researchers could investigate the level of implementation of ICT policy in private secondary school
Development of a Predictive Maintenance Model to Enhance Reliability in Overhead Catenary Systems at Tanzania Railways Corporation: A Case of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro
Get PDFin overhead catenary systems at Tanzania Railways Corporation's Standard Gauge Railway from Dar es Salaam to Morogoro. The research aimed to identify factors affecting OCS reliability, formulate a mathematical predictive model, and validate its performance. A mixed-methods approach involving surveys of 60 professionals, field observations, and multiple regression analysis was employed. Data collection spanned a period of twelve months (2024-2025), encompassing operational parameters, environmental conditions, maintenance records, and system performance metrics, which were analysed using SPSS software. Relative Importance Index analysis identified seven critical factors: wire wear (RII = 0.9100), voltage deviation (RII = 0.9067), low conductivity (RII = 0.8867), support strength (RII = 0.8833), wire tension (RII = 0.8733), excess span length (RII = 0.8733), and high temperature (RII = 0.8700). Five factors showed minimal influence with RII values below 0.31. The multiple regression model achieved R = 0.99 and R² = 0.98, with 98% of the variance in OCS reliability explained by selected factors. ANOVA confirmed statistical significance (F = 13.286, p < 0.05). The predictive equation: Reliability = 0.990 - 0.071X₁ - 0.043X₂ - 0.011X₃ + 0.006X₄ + 0.009X₅ - 0.003X₆ - 0.006X₇. Model validation showed 80.4% prediction accuracy compared to 82% actual reliability, demonstrating effectiveness under both optimal (99.6% vs. 100%) and degraded conditions (44.4% vs. 44%). The model provides a framework for transitioning from reactive to proactive maintenance strategies, enabling Tanzania Railways Corporation to optimise resource allocation and enhance system reliability
Reconsidering the Definition of Genocide: The Case for Including Political Groups in International Criminal Law
Get PDFThe 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention) represents a foundational legal instrument in international criminal law. While it identifies national, ethnic, racial, and religious groups as protected categories, it expressly omits political groups. This exclusion has created a significant gap in the legal construction of the prevention of mass killings. This article argues that the omission of political groups is no longer defensible given the evolving nature of identity-based violence. Drawing on comparative legal analysis, historical precedent, and current international jurisprudence, this article explores the implications of the exclusion and presents a legal rationale for reform. It argues that either political group should be explicitly incorporated into the definition of genocide through formal amendment, or that a more expansive interpretation of group-based targeting should be adopted by international courts. In the interim, enhanced reliance on crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute may provide partial redress. The article concludes with a call for international consensus to close this gap and proposes avenues for legal and policy refor
Rights of Civilian Population When Counter-Terrorism during the Armed Conflict on War in Gaza
Get PDFThis paper discusses the protection of the civilian population during armed conflict as a cornerstone of International Humanitarian Law, which provides a robust framework within which civilians are protected. The Geneva Convention of August 1949 and its Additional Protocols provide for the protection of the direct environment and property, also known as civilian objects. The nature of the protection accorded to civilians under International Humanitarian Law is seen through two main lenses. Firstly, this paper focuses on the implementation by the State parties to the Geneva Convention of August 1949 and its additional protocols, likewise the enforcement of the same by the State members. Nevertheless, this paper also speaks on whether the ongoing armed conflict between Israel forces and the Hamas military group adhere to the International Humanitarian law specifically the protection of Civilian population and what might be the major problem of not adhering to the Convention. Secondly, the finding of this paper depend on the Doctrinal and non-doctrinal as the method of data collection by analysing the law specifically the Geneva Convention of August 1949 and its additional protocol and statistics from different online sources including reports from websites. Finally, in the conclusion, this paper addresses the solution to the fundamental guarantees. Among other safeguards, everyone in the power of a party to a conflict is entitled to humane treatment without adverse distinction based on such criteria as race, colour, sex, language, religion, national origin or social statu
Informal Settlement Upgrading and Rehousing and Its Impact on Urban Resilience in Rwanda, A Case Study of Mpazi in Kigali City
Get PDFInformal settlements are prevalent in rapidly urbanising regions, often characterised by inadequate infrastructure and services, rendering them vulnerable to various socio-economic and environmental challenges. This study examined the impacts of informal settlement upgrading and rehousing on urban resilience in Rwanda, taking Mpazi as the case study. To achieve this, a mixed-methods approach that integrated qualitative and quantitative data was utilised. With these approaches, questionnaires were administered to 400 randomly sampled residents to gather quantitative data on upgraded housing status, socioeconomic indicators, access to services, and perceptions of resilience. Moreover, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with purposively sampled community leaders, local government officials, and NGOs to obtain rich qualitative insights into the upgrading processes and their impacts on community dynamics. In addition, a regression analysis was performed to establish the relationship between the informal settlement upgrade, housing, and the urban resilience of the community living in the upgraded settlements. The results revealed that constructed housing quality was of very good status as rated by the respondents considering the obtained high overall mean of 3.89 interpreted, access to socio-economic services rated at a high level considering an overall high mean of 3.71, a high level of social cohesion and empowerment with an overall mean of 3.75 and, rehabilitated and constructed basic infrastructures rated at a high level considering an overall mean of 3.95. Regarding the contribution of urban development initiatives in enhancing the community's capacity to cope with urban stresses, the findings revealed that upgrading and rehousing have been shown to have indisputable improvements, as agreed by respondents, with an overall high mean of 3.77. Finally, the findings indicate a positive relationship between informal settlement upgrading, rehousing, and urban community resilience as evidenced by an R2 of 0.630, implying that informal settlement upgrading contributes to rehousing and thus, urban resilience. Conclusively, it can be said that if informal settlement upgrading is well implemented, it can have a great positive influence on rehousing and thus contribute to the urban resilience of the community. The findings are anticipated to contribute to urban policy discussions and provide practical insights for sustainable development strategies in Rwanda and similar contexts, ultimately supporting the resilience of urban settlements in the face of ongoing global challenges
The Correlation between Tourists’ Motivation Factors and Perceptions in the Lake Victoria Region Tourism Circuit, Kenya
Get PDFThis study investigated the relationship between tourist motivations and perceptions in Kenya's Lake Victoria region, surveying 299 tourists from 26 hotels. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires through a cross-sectional survey design. Findings revealed significant positive correlations between most motivation factors and perceptions. By examining push and pull motivations alongside perceptions, the research outcome helps predict tourist travel behaviour towards the destinatio
Assessing the Indigenous Knowledge on Natural Salt Licks in Sala and Jarajara of Northern Kenya
Get PDFThis paper focused on indigenous knowledge of natural salt licks in Sala Ward (Mandera County) and Jarajara Ward (Garissa County), and thus, the purpose of the study was to document the local knowledge of understanding, use, and management of those salt licks. Mixed methods were used and included a descriptive survey design. Surveys in the field were carried out with the leadership of some knowledgeable community members in search of commonly used natural salt licks. Information was gathered on 99 heads of households through questionnaires as well as purposive key informant interviews with six leaders and experts. The Excel and SPSS were used on quantitative data and the results were described in tables, charts, and graphs. The outcome was that the information about the places to find salt licks and how to use them is sophisticatedly spread among the community and is mostly passed through oral means, with the elders having a pivotal role in the maintenance and passing on information. The ability to know where salt licks could be found through observation of animal behaviour was proven as the most credible among pastoral livelihoods, which is an indication of a high degree of ecological awareness. The research presents findings noting that indigenous knowledge is important in the sustained management of natural salt licks. The study has limitations in its geographical scope and cumulative virtual information. Future research is suggested to be broader in terms of regions and study seasonal variation in knowledge usage and combining the traditional practices and contemporary promising conservation strategies to enhance rangeland managemen