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Analysis of the relationship between school management practices and the implementation of human resource development in public primary schools in Nyeri county, Kenya
No full textPractices adopted by school management play an important role in promoting human resource development dynamics of teachers. Schools ensure that teachers are comfortable while executing their duties. However, in many public primary schools in Nyeri County, the situation is quite different with implementation human resource development facing numerous challenges. There is promotion of few teachers, low teacher performance, teacher indiscipline and lack of morale among teachers for career progression. Thus, the purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between school management practices and implementation of human resource development in public primary schools in Nyeri County, Kenya. The objectives; to establish the relationship between teachers‘ induction practices and the implementation of human resource development in public primary schools; to analyze the relationship between teachers‘ professional development practices and the implementation of human resource development in public primary schools; to assess the relationship between teacher motivation practices and implementation of human resource development in public primary schools and to find out the relationship between teacher performance appraisal practices and the implementation of human resource development in public primary schools. The human capital management theory and the human resource management theory guided this study. The study adopted mixed methodology and concurrent triangulation design was applied. The target population included 400 headteachers, 1600 teachers, 400 chairpersons of school BoMs and the eight (8) sub county TSC Human Resource Officers totaling to 2408 from which a sample of 240 respondents were obtained. Stratified sampling was applied to select a sample size of eight (8) headteachers, 216 teachers and eight (8) chairpersons of school BoMs. Eight (8) Sub County TSC Human Resource Officers were purposively selected. The questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data from headteachers and teachers whereas interviews were used to collect qualitative data from chairpersons of school BoMs and Sub-county TSC Human Resource Officers. Piloting was conducted in Nyeri County among 24 respondents to establish validity, reliability, credibility and dependability of the research instruments. Validity was enhanced by piloting of instruments prior to collecting the final data. To enhance credibility, adjustments of the tools were done according to the opinion obtained from respondents during piloting and the advice provided by supervisors. Interactive questioning was used to enhance dependability. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistics (the Pearson‘s Product Moment Correlation Test Analysis) with the help of SPSS Version 24 and presented using tables. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically and presented in narrative forms. The study established that implementation of human resource development programmes has been a challenge in many public primary schools. Very few primary school teachers are promoted as a way of improving their performance, many of them absent themselves from work and fail complete syllabus in time whereas many rarely undertake career progression activities. Thus, the study recommends that headteachers of public primary schools should put in place measures to ensure effective implementation of the outlined induction processes. The Ministry of Education should formulate managerial training content for the headteachers and ensure that such materials reach and are accessible to all headteachers of public primary schools. School managers should set aside money to adequately motivate teachers. The Teachers Service Commission should simplify the process of appraising teachers
Assessment of the challenges faced by single mothers on their spiritual growth in the seventh-day Adventist church in Nyanchwa Station Kisii County
No full textThe study was about an Assessment of the Challenges facing Single Mothers on their Spiritual Growth in the Seventh Day Adventist Church. The objectives were to establish the biblical and theological foundations for single mothers on their spiritual growth in the Seventh Day Adventist Church, to determine the effects of the challenges faced by single mothers on their spiritual growth in the Seventh Day Adventist Church, to examine the influence of the Church on the spiritual growth of single mothers in the Seventh Day Adventist Church and to establish strategies of supporting single mothers in their spiritual growth in the Seventh Day Adventist Church. This study used the descriptive survey research design. The Marxist Theory of Feminism was used. The study was conducted in Kisii County which is in Western Kenya. The target population in the study included 5 Churches within the Nyanchwa Station, South Kenya Conference. The researcher employed a census sampling method from the 5 churches with a sample population of 105 participants. The main instruments of data collection for the study were questionnaires, focused group discussions, and oral interviews. To ensure the reliability of the research instruments, a pilot study involving 4 churches was conducted. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics by employing a computer package for social science (SPSS) version 20 to generate the results presented in form of tables and charts and NVIVO for qualitative data. The study established the biblical and theological foundations for single mothers by referencing single mothers in the Bible. The study determined that the challenges faced by single mothers included; difficulty in accessing good medical facilities, financial strain, low self-esteem, self-doubt, guilt, work-life balance, emotional instability, limited time, which negatively and significantly influence their spiritual growth. The effects of these challenges on the single mothers’ spiritual growth were that they were prone to physical and psychological abuse and exploitation, overwhelmed and lacked closer monitoring and relationship with their children, stigmatization, and depression. The church’s role was to positively influence the spiritual growth of single mothers. The study also established that as a strategy of supporting single mothers on their spiritual growth in the Seventh Day Adventist Church, they organized enrichment programs for single-parent families, planned recreational activities for parents and children of single-parent families, and preached truth, not opinion. However, it established that the church did not organize help for unexpected emergencies, organize a co-parenting program and the church did not remember birthdays and holidays. The findings in this study revealed that the church has a ministry for women which supports those single mothers in the church, though not all are catered for. Other findings in the study showed that the government has developed policies of soliciting special kitties that support women and vulnerable members of the society economically. Lastly, the findings of the study reveal that single mothers need to be nurtured by church members to grow spiritually
Premarital counselling interventions in sustaining marital stability among couples in Langata and Dagoretti South Constituences, of Nairobi county, Kenya
No full textMarriage is regarded as the primary relationship between men and women in many societies and cultures of the world. Considering this reality, this study assessed premarital counselling in sustenance to marriage stability. Specifically, the study sought to determine current status of marriage stability, explored influence of communication skills, examined spousal romance and investigated financial management skills, among couples; who undertook Premarital Counselling. The study was anchored on Rational Emotive Behaviour Theory as advanced by Albert Ellis (2005) and Contextual Family Therapy theory by Boszormenyi-Nagy, (1987). Mixed methods research design comprising of Survey, Phenomenological and ex-posto facto Causal Comparative; were used in gathering statistical elements of data, which enriched the research with the behavioural characteristics of respondents. The study sample comprised of 416 married men and women participants, identified from Langata and Dagoretti South Constituencies of Nairobi County. Probability sampling technique through systematic random sampling identified the participants. Research tools included questionnaires for gathering quantitative data and fill-in section for qualitative data. To ensure validity of the research instruments, the researcher personally generated the instruments and submitted them for expert judgement on content validity. Reliability was ascertained by carrying out a pilot study (test and retest) with fifteen participants. Results obtained repeatedly, ensured the instruments were reliable and acceptable; with Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient above 0.7. Regarding qualitative instruments the researcher ensured reliability by submitting them to experts in marriage counselling. Quantitative data was subjected to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS); for analysis. Results were expressed statistically and presented in tables, percentiles, pie charts and bar graphs. Qualitative data was analysed thematically and presented in narratives. Key findings at the completion of the study indicated that couples who went through premarital counselling experienced greater commitment to spouse, enhanced affective communication, cordial co-existence and couple cohesion; culminating in marriage stability and longevity. The study further established that romance created cooperation and sexual intimacy leading to spousal fulfilment and contentment. About financial management skills, budgeting, trust in handling family finances, openness in savings, investment and living within one’s means; contributed to stabilityof marriages. The study recommended that premarital and marriage counsellors should be trained in counselling psychology, among other qualifications. Consideration on age, religious beliefs, culture and attitude to life partner should be considered before marriage. Mentor couples and implementation of post marital counselling was also recommended, within the area of study
Optimization of toxicology testing using earthworms
No full textHumans and other organisms are continually exposed to toxic substances. These may be found in the environment or introduced into our bodies through the food chain. Pesticides are important in controlling unwanted pests in the gardens or as part as large-scale farming. Handling of these chemicals can result in negative health effects. Tests to determine toxicity of chemicals have been documented however domestication of these tests can improve access to reliable results and can explain occurrences of diseases such as cancer. The study aimed at optimizing a standard toxicity testing protocol by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), establish the effectiveness of using local worms for toxicity testing and study the growth of earthworms. The study also intended to provide vital information about the toxicity profile of selected pesticides in the market using locally available organisms to carry out standard toxicity tests. The filter paper contact test was adopted in this study and two commercially available pesticides; acetamiprid (200g/kg) and imidacloprid (700g/kg). The results from the study revealed that the two pesticides were toxic to the locally available earthworms. The exposure to the pesticide resulted into morphological abnormalities such as swelling and color changes after the 48 hours with death of the earthworms in at a higher concentration of the two pesticides being observed after 72 hours. Also, the study revealed that earthworms can be used in testing the toxic profile of the pesticides commonly used. Also, the results revealed that earthworms can be maintained on locally available fruit and potato peels. In conclusion, it’s evident that pesticides have toxic effects on soil organisms such as earthworms and earthworms are as well suitable specimens for testing the toxicity of pesticides
The effect of substituents on the reactivity of dichloridotriphenylphosphinoruthenium(II) complexes: kinetic and mechanistic study
No full textThe rates of substitution of chloro ligands from a series of ruthenium(II) complexes, [Ru(κ³-L)(PPh3)Cl2] (L = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine, 1; 4′-(4-methylphenyl)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine, 2; 4,4′4″-tri-tert-butyl-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine, 3; 4′-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine, 4; 4-chloro-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine, 5 and 2,6-bis(2-pyrazolyl)pyridine, 6), by thiourea nucleophiles was investigated under pseudo-first-order conditions in methanol as a function of nucleophile concentration and temperature. The chloro ligands were substituted in two steps and the reactivity trend was 4 > 5 > 2 > 1 > 6. Complexes 2 and 3 having donor substituents on the 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine backbone experience a trans-effect making them more reactive than 1. Complexes 4 and 5 are more reactive than 1 due to enhanced π-back-bonding brought about by electron-withdrawing substituents on their 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine backbones. The reactivity of 4 is higher than 5 due to greater electron acceptor-ability of the chlorophenyl substituent than the chloro substituent in 5. The 2,6-bis(pyrazolyl)pyridine ligand in 6 retards the reactivity of the complex compared to 1 due to the cis-donor effect of the pyrazole. The reactivity of the complexes is associative for all nucleophiles in step one and only thiourea in step two. The substitution reactions proceed by a steady changeover from an associative interchange mechanism (Ia) to a dissociative interchange (Id) mechanism on increasing steric hindrance
Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of methanol rhizome extract of zingiber officinale
No full textAntimicrobial drug resistance is one of the challenging problems that the world is facing
Currently. This situation is worsening each day due to the high cost of searching new
Antimicrobial agents. Additionally, the slow rate of new drug discovery is greatly contributing
To the worsening of this state. The oxidation process in the body that results into free radicals
Has as well resulted into oxidative stress which is an etiology in many chronic conditions such
As cancer. These chronic conditions are not easy to prevent with the conventional drugs hence
Need for alternatives. However, nature has shown to be the savior of this devastating global
Challenge by offering alternative agents with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. These
Agents include the products from plants, herbs and shrubs with medicinal values, minerals and
Other products. This study aimed at evaluating the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of
Methanol rhizome extract of zingiber officinale. Disc diffusion technique and dpph free
Radical scavenging assay were used as methods for evaluating antibacterial and antioxidant.
Ciprofloxacin and l-ascorbic acid were used as the standard antibiotic and antioxidant
Respectively. The antibacterial activity was tested aginst pure cultures of staphylococcus
Aureus, pseudomonas aeruginosa and e.coli. The results showed that the extract of zingiber
Officinale was more active against psudomoan aeruginosa followed by staphylococcus aureus.
The extract of zingiber officinale was less active against e.coli. The antioxidant activity results
Showed that l-ascorbic acid recorded significantly higher percentage radical scavenging
Activity as compared to the extract of zingiber officinale at all concentration levels (p<0.05).
In conclusion it’s evident that zingiber officinale has antibacterial and antioxidant properties
Relationship of turnaround strategies on organizational performance of KCB Bank and Uchumi supermarket
No full textThis was a study on relationship of turnaround strategies on organizational performance of enterprises in Kenya: A case of KCB Bank and Uchumi supermarket. Specific objectives crafted for the study were: to investigate the the way human, finance, coporate planning and marketing turnaround strategies relate to organizational performance in KCB Bank and Uchumi Supermarket. The study was significant because it compared vital nexus between turnaround strategies and organizational performance in KCB bank and Uchumi supermarket. The study was carried out using open ended, closed ended questionnaires and interviews. The theories underpinning the study were resource based view, dynamic capabilities theory, open systems theory, and competitive theory. Empirical studies were carried out per objective. The target population was 450 and 660 Uchumi and KCB staff respectively.The sample sizecalculated using Nassiuma’s (2009) formula was 82 and 87 Uchumi and KCB staff respectively making a total of 169 respondents). Causal research design was used. The validity of the questionnaire was examined using the face and content validity while the reliability was examined using the Cronbach alpha coefficient. Data was analysedusing descriptive statistics (means, frequency distribution and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (linear correlation and multiple linear regressions). There were significant relationship between corporate planning and organizational performance in KCB bank and Uchumi Supermarket since F (1, 139) = 5.356,p=0.0220.05, no major relationship between HR strategies and organizational performance based in KCB and Uchumi supermarket since F (1, 139) =0.290, p=0.591>0.05, no significant relationship between marketing strategies and organizational performance in KCB bank and Uchumi Supermarket since F (1, 139) =0.760, p=0.385>0.05.Key recommendation were for FMCG retail outlets (uchumi supermarket) to implement turnaround strategies starting with marketing followed by finance, human resource and finally corporate planning turnaround strategies. However, to finance retail outlet (KCB Bank) corporate planning is a priority focus followed by human resource then marketing and finally finance strategies
Role of Social Health Insurance towards Universal Health Coverage for East African Community: An Analytical Review
No full textBackground: Social Health Insurance (SHI), a health financing model for Universal Health
Coverage (UHC), is an organizational mechanism for raising and pooling funds to finance
health services, along with tax-financing, private health insurance, community health
insurance and others.
Objective: To analyze successful experiences, lessons learnt and best practices among
selected middle income countries in the efforts of the East African Community member
states to attain UHC through SHI.
Methods: A 11-year (2009-2019) electronic peer-reviewed articles that met eligibility
criteria were collated. PubMed, Medline and Google Scholar search engine. Only papers
published in English from the 9 countries (Thailand, Philippines, Colombia, Ghana, Kenya,
Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi) were reviewed. A Scoping review methodology
was used to improve data validity.
Results: A total of 9649 papers were extracted from the databases. 17 studies met all
inclusion criteria; Colombia (1) Thailand (2), Philippines (2) Kenya (4) and Ghana (8).11
studies were case control studies, 2 mixed methods, 2 qualitative and 2 systematic reviews.
UHC index and indicators were higher in UHC successful countries compared to the EAC
countries. Most papers in Ghana discussed a significant progress towards UHC through
political stewardship, quality of care, significant expansion of population coverage and
financial risk protection with their National Health Insurance though equity, sustainability
and enrolment were some of the challenges. Successes of Thailand and Philippines were
as a result of political commitment and goodwill, subsidies, increasing funding, adoption of
general tax-financed for UHC, access to PHC, quality through accreditation system and
earmarked revenue source. In Kenya, progress was made by introduction of civil servants’
schemes, subsidies and expansion of benefit packages while struggling with purchasing
reforms, equity, efficiency and sustainability
Assessment of effectiveness of hospital waste management practices in public health facilities in Garissa County - Kenya
No full textHospital waste management requires an organized systematic channeling of waste
through practically appropriate recovery disposal routes, consistent with acceptable
public health and environmental safeguards. Management of hospital wastes is
identified as one of the most critical operations in hospital environment. This is because
such wasted can cause serious health problems. The Ministry of Health estimates 47%
of hospital waste generated cannot be accounted for, thus risking the health of
individuals and the general environment. The study was aimed to identifying and
assessing the determinants of effective waste management practices in public health
facilities in Garissa County. The specific objectives of the study focused on
effectiveness of waste management practices, exposure to hospital wastes and health
risks associated with hospital wastes in public health facilities in Garissa County. The
study adopted a cross sectional design. The target population of this study is 2240
management staffs in 32 public health facilities in Garissa County and 500 households
around the damp sites. The study used stratified proportionate sampling to sample of
340 staff and random sampling to sample 328 members of the community potentially
exposed to hospital wastes. Quantitative and qualitative research data was collected
through questionnaires and observation respectively. Descriptive statistics such as
frequencies and percentages were used to analyze categorical data while Chi-square test
was used to determine the relationships between the variables. The analysis was aided
by GraphPad Prism statistical software version 7.04. The data was presented in tables,
bar graphs and charts. From the findings, it was concluded that on averagely, proper
hospital waste segregation occurs in Garissa County health facilities. Most health
facilities were established to have in place informed and dedicated who follow waste
management guidelines. On the other hand, it was evident from the findings that most
health facilities in Gerissa County lack suitable and adequate temporary waste holding
and treatment areas. Similarly, there health facilities have inadequate transportation
mechanisms hampering regular emptying of waste containers. In addition, available
incineration facility was not in good condition. As a result of poor health waste
management, people living around waste management areas are exposed to health risk
including contaminated sharps, contaminated ground water, and food poisoning as well
as skin infections. The study recommends that appropriate clinical waste management
should be put into place to ensure protection of human health and the environment.
Similarly, adequate and appropriate waste handling and management equipment be
availed to health facilities for efficient waste management. Staff involved in waste
handling and management should be trained to minimize injuries and to enhance
hospital waste management efficiency and effectiveness. Lastly, waste management
areas should be isolated and fenced and communities living around the areas sensitized
on the potential health hazards and how such hazards can be avoided
Role of π-conjugation on the coordination behaviour, substitution kinetics, DNA/BSA interactions, and in vitro cytotoxicity of carboxamide palladium(ii) complexes
No full textTreatments of N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide (L1), N-(quinolin-8-yl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide (L2), N-(quinolin-8-yl)picolinamide (L3) and N-(quinolin-8-yl)quinoline-2-carboxamide (L4) with [PdCl2(NCMe)]2 afforded the corresponding Pd(II) complexes, [Pd(L1)Cl] (PdL1); [Pd(L2)Cl] (PdL2); [Pd(L3)Cl] (PdL3); and [Pd(L4)Cl] (PdL4) in moderate yields. Structural characterisation of the compounds was achieved by NMR and FT-IR spectroscopies, elemental analyses and single crystal X-ray crystallography. The solid-state structures of complexes PdL2–PdL4 established the presence of one tridentate carboxamide and Cl ligands around the Pd(II) coordination sphere, to give distorted square planar complexes. Electrochemical investigations of PdL1–PdL4 showed irreversible one-electron oxidation reactions. Kinetics reactivity of the complexes towards bio-molecules, thiourea (Tu), L-methionine (L-Met) and guanosine 5′-diphosphate disodium salt (5′-GMP) decreased in the order: PdL1 > PdL2 > PdL3 > PdL4, in tandem with the density functional theory (DFT) data. The complexes bind favourably to calf thymus (CT-DNA), and bovine serum albumin (BSA), and the order of their interactions agrees with the substitution kinetics trends. The in vitro cytotoxic activities of PdL1–PdL4 were examined in cancer cell lines A549, PC-3, HT-29, Caco-2, and HeLa, and a normal cell line, KMST-6. Overall, PdL1 and PdL3 displayed potent cytotoxic effects on A549, PC-3 HT-29 and Caco-2 comparable to cisplatin. All the investigated complexes exhibited lower toxicity on normal cells than cisplatin