Journals.aua.ke (Adventist University of Africa)
Not a member yet
202 research outputs found
Sort by
Luther and Calvin’s Ideas of Church Authority and the Change of Sabbath to Sunday
Full text linkDuring the Reformation era, Catholics criticized Protestants for not being faithful to the sola scriptura principle by accepting Sunday as the day of worship instead of the Sabbath. The Council of Trent claimed that the change occurred not because of the Bible, but the authority of the church. This accusation generates an inquiry about the reason why Luther and Calvin chose Sunday over the Sabbath. To understand why Luther and Calvin accepted Sunday instead of the Sabbath, this study aims to explore their ideas regarding the shift from the Sabbath to Sunday. Based on their understanding of the church authority and the relationship between the law and the Sabbath, both theologians concluded that while the meaning of the Sabbath still prevailed, the day of the Sabbath in a week could be compromised. They also assumed that the change of the Sabbath to Sunday was not mandated by God’s command but by church authority
Book Review: Love Is! A Journey of Grief, Grace, and Gratitude
No full textHasel, Frank M. Love Is! A Journey of Grief, Grace, and Gratitude. Eugen, Oregon: Cascade Books, 2024. Xvii + 111 pp. Paperback, USD 19:00. ISBN 978-166678237
Faculty Artificial Intelligence Readiness in Adventist Higher Institutions of Learning in Sub-Saharan Africa
Full text linkThis study investigated AI readiness using a quantitative descriptive design with a sample of 130 faculty members. Data from a self-constructed questionnaire were analyzed using SPSS 27 and SmartPLS 4.0 for statistical treatment. Anchored on grit theory, the results show that the faculty members have a high level of AI readiness in terms of wellbeing and mental health, changing skill requirements, job automation and displacement, and low level of privacy issues. The independent samples t-test conducted to compare the AI readiness of faculty members aged 18 – 44 years and 45 – 64 years showed that younger faculty members were more ready for AI technologies than older faculty members. The Mann-Whitney U-test results and Cohen’s effect size revealed a significant difference in AI readiness for Protestants and non-Protestants, with Protestants having a higher level of readiness than their counterparts. On gender, the females had a higher level of AI readiness than the males. In terms of educational levels, postgraduate degree faculty members had a higher level of AI readiness than those with up to bachelor’s degrees
Health Risks of Waste Disposal in Water: Scientific Data Versus Households’ Perception in Ba-Phalaborwa Limpopo, South Africa
Full text linkBackground: There has been abundant evidence and knowledge in the literature on the health risks of waste disposal in water. Yet, households’ perception of health risks is often regarded as erroneous and inferior, while scientific data, specifically water quality data, is viewed as superior and accurate.
Methods: Three hundred and eighty-four questionnaires were administered in four villages and analyzed using SPSS version 29.0 and Excel. Water samples were collected from the Ga-Selati River during the dry and wet seasons. Water quality assessment and MiniSASS were used to compare water quality indicators with the perceived health risks.
Results: The results show that variations exist between households’ perception of health risks and the scientific data from the laboratory, ascertained water quality indicators. Some perception statements match with laboratory data in relation to Temperature, pH, and Electrical conductivity (EC), Total Suspended Solid (TSS), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Dissolved oxygen (DO), Turbidity, Nitrates, Phosphorus and Bioindicators.
Conclusion: Our study highlights the need for a dialogue between households and researchers to develop new strategies to prevent the risks associated with waste disposal in water
Potential for Regional Development Through Harmonising Land- Related Policies Across East Africa
Full text linkThe East African Community (EAC) is a region endowed with vast land resources that have the potential to drive economic, social, and environmental development. However, the lack of harmonised land-related policies among EAC member states has hindered the effective utilisation of these resources for regional development and the successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) investment protocol. Through a desk review and qualitative content analysis, the study identifies significant gaps in land-related issues that hinder regional economic development. The findings reveal that land is a constitutional issue in all EAC member states, with policies varying in their objectives. Land Acts and other legal land-related documents do not consider EAC citizens as co-citizens in land access and use, as implementing EAC and AfCFTA protocols is challenging. The study concludes that harmonising land-related policies across the EAC is crucial. It will facilitate the implementation of various protocols and agendas, and promote the free movement of people, labour, goods, services, and capital
The Foundations of Ethno-Religious Politics and Conflicts in Nigeria, 1914-1966: A Critical Review of Existing Literature
Full text linkThis paper examines the impact of ethno-religious dynamics on Nigeria’s social structure, political interactions, and national identity. Drawing on over 40 scholarly sources, spanning historical texts, political analyses, and sociological theories, this study traces the roots of Nigeria’s ethno-religious tensions from the colonial era to the present. It engages key works by scholars such as Afigbo (1972), Nnoli (1978), Ake (2000), and Falola and Heaton (2020), as well as speeches by Nigeria’s founding fathers. Using the historical method, the paper situates these challenges within the colonial experience, where British policies institutionalised ethnic and religious divisions. It argues that post-colonial leadership largely failed to address these divisions due to political self-interest. The review concludes that while ethnicity and religion hold potential for unity, they have more often been manipulated as instruments of division, particularly through “divide and rule” tactics. The study, thus, contributes to ongoing debates on national integration, identity politics, and conflict resolution by emphasising the need to confront historical legacies as a path toward democratic governance and sustainable development in Nigeria
Exploring the Determinants of Intimate Partner Violence in the Dar es Salaam Region, Tanzania
Full text linkBackground: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant global health issue and a form of gender-based violence with far-reaching consequences. Estimates indicate that 39% of married women in Tanzania have experienced spousal violence. This study investigated the factors that contribute to intimate partner violence (IPV) in the Dar es Salaam region.
Methods: This quantitative study employed a cross-sectional design and questionnaires to survey 280 ever-married men and women who had experienced violence during data collection. Participants were randomly selected from social welfare departments, and logistic regression analysis was used to determine the key determinants of IPV.
Results: The study identified several key determinants that significantly influenced IPV, including economic dependence (p=0.009), cohabitation (p=0.020), having multiple sexual partners (p=0.050), parental influence (p=0.032), unplanned pregnancies (p=0.042), low property ownership (p=0.006), and alcohol abuse(p=0.024).
Conclusion: Traditional gender roles enforce rigid expectations for men and women and create power imbalances that perpetuate IPV. This study calls for proactive interventions by the local government and stakeholders, such as religious leaders, to reduce IPV. These include promoting economic empowerment, gender equality, and providing accessible support services for survivors
Factors Associated with Uncontrolled Blood Pressure Among Adult Hypertensives in Ho Municipality, Ghana: A Cross-Sectional Study
No full textBackground: Uncontrolled blood pressure (UBP) remains a major public health challenge in Ghana and contributes substantially to the burden of non-communicable diseases. This study assessed the prevalence of UBP and its associated factors among hypertensive adults in Ho Municipality, Ghana.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 305 hypertensive adults selected through multistage sampling from two major health facilities in Ho Municipality. Data on medication adherence and behavior were collected, and blood pressure measurements were taken. Statistical analyses were performed using STATA version 17.0.
Results: The mean age of participants was 54.5 ± 16.2 years, with females comprising the majority. Overall, 60.7% (185) of participants had UBP. Individuals with UBP consumed significantly fewer fruits and vegetables but higher amounts of table salt (66.92 g vs. 41.58 g. Inadequate physical activity, hazardous alcohol intake, and poor medication adherence were significant predictors of UBP (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: The high prevalence of UBP and its association with modifiable lifestyle and behavioral factors underscore the need for targeted interventions to promote healthy behaviors and improve medication adherence among hypertensive adults
Factors Promoting Retention of HIV/AIDS Clients with Suspected Treatment Failure at Kakamega County
No full textBackground: HIV-related retention is a significant issue that impedes the best treatment outcomes for clients with suspected treatment failure (STF). This study examined how the retention of HIV/AIDS clients in STF is promoted in Kakamega County, Kenya.
Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental design that combined qualitative and quantitative research. Four sub-counties were used to recruit 513 participants (270 in the treatment and 243 in the control groups) on treatment failure rate.
Results: The main indices of treatment success were viral load suppression, increased CD4 lymphocyte counts, clinic attendance, and decreased missed pills and opportunistic infections. Monetary and social rewards were also very effective in increasing retention in care and clinical outcomes in the short run.
Conclusion: Evidence indicates that medical care with context-specific incentives and digital technologies can help to boost HIV patients at risk of treatment failure to a large extent
Exploration of Parents’ Perceptions of their Roles in their Children’s Learning Process in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Full text linkIntroducing a new curriculum and dynamics in the Zimbabwean education system demands parental involvement. Therefore, this study aimed to contribute to the ongoing debate exploring the perceptions of parents from the city of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. A qualitative study was conducted using 12 parents selected from stratified sampled locations in the city. In addition to determining the perceived roles of parents, this study also sought to determine whether the economic and social backgrounds of the parents influence these perceived roles. The findings of this study indicate that parents are aware of their primary roles, particularly their financial responsibilities. The study also showed that perceived roles are determined by the economic class of the parents, where parents in low-income groups tend to think that their role is limited to financial obligations. In contrast, those in the upper-income group see their roles as encompassing far more than financial obligations. The study concludes by recommending that all parents should be assisted in understanding that their roles extend far beyond financial provisions