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Matter’s Influence Child’s On the Speech Development in Kenya
Get PDFMothers have key roles in their children’s speech development.Sibling a child true love is an essential step in speech development. Simply talking to a child and getting a conversation going by means of emotional expression, gestures and sounds equally important while doing this, it is necessarily to follow the child’s lead signs, expressions, gestures, emotions, praising and appreciating what the child’s manages to do and helping him or her to focus on his or her attention, thus sharing the child’s experiences. Mothers therefore, play a big role in helping their children to learn rules, limits values and more importantly develop their speech in a natural manner
Phosphorus Sorption and Lime Requirements of Maize Growing Acid Soils of Kenya
Get PDFIn Kenya, maize (Zea mays L.) is mainly grown on acid soils in high rainfall areas. These soils are known for
low available phosphorus (P), partly due to its sorption by aluminium (Al) and iron oxides. The study determined
soil P sorption, lime requirements and the effects of lime on soil pH, Al levels and available P on the main maize
growing acids soils in the highlands east and west of Rift Valley (RV), Kenya. Burnt lime containing 21%
calcium oxide was used. The soils were strongly to extremely acid (pH 4.85-4.07), had high exchangeable Al3+
(> 2 cmol Al kg-1) and Al saturation (> 20% Al), which most maize germplasm grown in Kenya are sensitive to.
The base cations, cation exchange capacity and available P (< 10 mg P kg-1 bicarbonate extractable P) were low,
except at one site in the highlands east of RV indicative with history of high fertilizer applications. Highlands
east of RV soils had higher P sorption (343-402 mg P kg-1) than the west (107-258 mg P kg-1), probably because
of their high Al3+ ions and also the energies of bonding between the soil colloids and phosphate ions. Highlands
east of RV also had higher lime requirements (11.4-21.9 tons lime ha-1) than the west (5.3-9.8 tons lime ha-1).
Due to differences in soil acidity, Al levels and P sorption capacities within and between highlands east and west
of RV, blanket P fertilizer and lime recommendations may not serve all soils equally well.
Keywords: acid soils, phosphorus sorption, lime requirement
Larviciding Potency of Water and Ethanol Extracts of Phytolacca dodecandra (L’ Herit) on Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae)
Get PDFIntroduction: Plant extracts are an attractive target for search of effective malaria vector control agents. The reason for this is that they present a cost effective, target specific and bio-degradable insecticides. The other reason is that they posses varied phytochemical contents that vectors are unlikely to develop resistance to very soon. In this study, we report on effectiveness of ethanol and water extracts of Phytolacca dodecandra (L’ Herit) against Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae. Methods: Crude ethanol and water extracts of leaves (shoot and midsection) and mature green fruits of P. dodecandra were scrutinized for larvicidal activity against 1 st to 4th instar larvae of An. gambiae. Larvicidal bioassays were conducted and effectiveness evaluated using the >80% as per the WHO methods and threshold respectively. ANOVA analyses were performed for statistical justifications of the larvicidal property with P considered significant at p 80%. We recommend that additional refinement and tests need to be done before commercial exploitation as a malaria vector larvicide.
Keywords Anopheles gambiae, Phytolacca dodecandra, Azadirachta indica, Deltamethrin, Ethano
Mycorrhizal Development and Phosphorus Concentration in selected Kenyan Sorghum Cultivars
Get PDFThis study was carried out on sorghum genotypes that exhibited significant difference in growth and
production on P-deficient soils. The objective was to find out if the genotypes developed different levels of
mycorrhizal associations and tissue phosphorus. Results showed that plants in unfertilized soils
developed extensive mycorrhizae than those in fertilized soils, no significant differences was observed in
the extent of mycorrhizal development among cultivars grown in P-fertilized soils. The cultivars in
unfertilized soils responded differently to mycorrhizal colonization, those with high level of mycorrhizal
development increased growth compared to those that had low levels of mycorrhizal development in the
unfertilized soils. The cultivars also responded differently to phosphorus concentration in their tissues.
Phosphorus fertilizer apparently increased number of leaves and sorghum plant height. There was no
relationship between phosphorus concentration in soil and level of mycorrhizal development though
fertilizer significantly suppressed the level of mycorrhizal development in the plant
Farmers’ perceptions on adoption of Bambara nut production as a food security crop in Kakamega county, Kenya
Get PDFThis study was conducted between April and December 2011 to examine perception of
smallholder farmers in four districts of Kakamega County, Kenya in adoption of Bambara nut
production as food security crop. The study was conducted to determine relationship between
the perception of the farmers and some socio-economic factors. Bambara nut, a crop a species
only identified and classified as “underutilized” crop. The crop has several production
advantages compared to other legumes. Bambara nut, a crop a species only identified and
classified as “underutilized” crop and has several production advantages compared to other
legumes. Three hundred and eighty four respondents used for the study were selected by random
sampling while focus group discussions and interview schedule were employed to gather
additional data through survey and correlational research study designs. Descriptive and
inferential statistical tests were used to analyze collected data. The findings showed that farmer
perceived adoption of bambara nut production was high, but however, despite its vast potential
production at household level was low and hence, its the utilization at household level was quite
low too. And that; age, labour availability, credit availability, farmers’ income, membership to
social organizations significantly influenced farmer’s perceveived decisions to adoption of
bambara growing as a food security crop. However, farmers level of education, land size,
marketing and provision of extension service did not significantly influence farmers’ perception
in their decision to adoption of bambara nut production as food security crop. Overall, it was
found that farmers had positive perception towards adoption of bambara nut production as food
security crop. However they had a number of challenges e.g lack of certified seeds for planting,
lack of extension service information on the crop and labour shortages particularly duting peak
periods. To ensure sustainaible increase in production and utilization, there is need for
adelibarate efforts to be stepped up by Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries and
other stakeholders to provide agronomic information for fomulating and implimenting research
programmes towards commercialisation of this crop. This would lead to increased production
and assist to fight against hunger and food insecurity.
Key words: Perception , Food Security, Bambara nuts, “underutilized” Adoptio
ATT_1432579733112_article1431604573_Justin et al
No full textSorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is a major food crop grown in dry lands and sub-humid areas of
East Africa. A study was conducted between 2010 to 2012 in dry lands (Miwaleni, Kiboko) and sub-
humid (Ukiriguru) environments to identify parents for hybrid production. It involved 121 lines from
ICRISAT and 121 hybrids developed from 36 male sterile lines and 42 restorer lines in a line × tester
crossing. Experiments were planted in an alpha lattice design with three replications. Analysis revealed
significant (P < 0.05) differences between parents and between crosses for yield and yield components,
indicative of potentiality for exploitation. Line IESV23010 expressed best (-6.5) general combing ability
(GCA) for days to 50% flowering (DAF). Highest general combiner for height was -55.4 expressed in
ICSR24007 and for yield was 382.8 expressed in IESV92156DL. The crosses SDSA4×ICSR43 and
SDSA4×ICSR59059 exhibited high and significant specific combining ability (SCA) for DAF. Lines IESB2
and ICSB44 were suited to sub-humid, whereas BTX623, ICSB15 and ICSB6 to dry lands environments.
Testers IESV91104DL, IESV91131DL, ICSR93034 were well suited to dry lands whereas KARI-MTAMA1
and IESV23019 to sub-humid environments. The parents identified could be used to produce hybrids
and varieties for the dry lands and sub-humid environments
Sequentially partitioned population attributable fraction as an estimate of impact of tick presence on infection
Get PDFhe impact of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus tick
presence (exposure) on Theileria parva infection
seroprevalence (outcome) on a farm was assessed in a
group of cattle using population attributable fractions
(PAF). The analysis was based on a representative
sample of 80 traditional smallholder mixed farms from
Mbeere District, Kenya. The PAFs were estimated using
sequentially partitioned PAF approach that estimated a
PAF associated with the exposure after adjusting for any
effect that the confounder (agro-ecological zone [AEZ])
may have had by influencing the prevalence of the
exposure. The resultant PAF was compared with Bruzzi
approach PAF that estimated the proportion of T. parva
infection cases directly attributable to the exposure after
controlling for confounding by AEZ. The estimated
PAF on the Bruzzi approach was 26.4% [95% CI:
9.6%, 43.2%]) whereas the partitioned PAF was 15.5%
[95% CI: 1.5%, 29.6%]) implying that about 11% of
the estimated impacts was driven by AEZ effects. Both
approaches were consistent in estimating a relatively
low impact of farm vector tick presence with a relatively
high level of uncertainty. Overall, the results suggested
that under endemic instability in Mbeere District, (1)
presence of R. appendiculatus was not a good indicator
of T. parva infection occurrence on a farm, and (2)
ecological variation could play a role in determining
infection impacts. This study provides a preliminary
basis for evaluating the potential value of estimating
PAFs for variables amenable to control in tick-borne
diseases epidemiological studies
Service quality as a catalyst for customer satisfaction of small and medium sized enterprises (sme’s) in Kitale municipality, Kenya
Get PDFABSTRACT: Service quality and customer satisfaction is an important ingredient in addressing
global challenges, such as customer satisfaction and service quality. Service quality influences
customer satisfaction because with an excellent service provided to the customers, their needs
and expectations are met and as a result it improves customer satisfaction and helps create a
good image of the company and bring positive reactions to potential customers mind. Despite
this attention, little empirical research has been performed about relationship-marketing
practices among SMEs, especially those in developing countries. This study is intended to
investigate the effects of service quality on customer satisfaction in Kitale town. Stratified
sampling was used to divide the Central Business District in terms of streets. Systematic random
sampling was used to select SMEs from each street to obtain a sample size of 146 SMEs where
customers was interviewed from each SME making a total of 146 customers involved in this
research work. Findings reveals that service quality highly affect customer satisfaction positively
(β2=0.396, P<0.05). All the beta values were significant at 0.05 level of significance. Hence it is
recommended that managers should focus on developing appropriate competencies in service
quality since it has a positive impact on customer satisfaction
Health Care Workers Adherence to Infection Prevention Practices and Control Measures: A Case of a Level Four District Hospital in Kenya
Get PDFAbstract: Infection prevention practices and control are critical activities that influence the quality of health care services.
This study was conducted to determine the health workers adherence to infection prevention and control policies and
procedures at a Level 4 Hospital in Kenya. A descriptive cross-sectional survey design were used. The objectives of the study
were to: -Identify existing infection prevention and control policy guidelines at the level four hospital; -Evaluate the
implementation of infection prevention and control measures; 3) Identify the barriers to compliance with infection prevention
practices and control measures. Data was collected by questionnaire, record review and a focus group discussion. Quantitative
data was analyzed by the statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) while information from focus group was analyzed
thematically. The results revealed that Health Care Workers (HCWs) had good knowledge on infection prevention practices
and control. There were written infection prevention practices and control (IPPC) policy guidelines and high awareness (98.7%)
of the IPPC policy guidelines. The record review showed that there was approximately 6.7% nosocomial infections rate among
hospitalized patients. Barriers to IPPC compliance among the health care workers (HCWs) included frequent shortage of water,
inadequate updates on IPPC through continuing professional education and inactive IPPC committee. The study concluded that
there was adequate compliance with IPPC, though there were challenges to implementation that needed to be addressed. The
study was done in October 2010 to January 2011
Keywords: Infection Prevention Practices and Control, Nosocomial Infections, Health Care Workers, Standard Precautions,
Adherence, Complianc
Cheprot et Al_PHYSIOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF KENYAN SORGHUM LINES.pdf
No full textEighty nine Kenyan sorghum lines were screened for tolerance to aluminium toxicity in nutrient
solution. Relative net root growth; root tip aluminium content and variation in organic acid
exudation were used to determine the tolerance or sensitivity of the sorghum lines at 148 μM Al for
six days. The lines showed variable reduction in root growth under the Al stress. On the basis of
the relative net root growths, three lines were tolerant, nineteen were moderately tolerant and sixty
seven were sensitive to the Al stress. The tolerant lines secreted up to five times more citrate
compared to sensitive lines under the Al treatment. All the lines secreted extremely low quantities
of malate under aluminium stress despite a significant positive regression (R 2 = 0.83) between
malate secretion and relative net root growth. There was a negative regression between relative
net root growth and root aluminium concentration (R2 = -0.79) among the selected sorghum lines,
and the sensitive lines accumulated up to three times the amount of Al compared to the tolerant
lines.. The Al tolerant sorghum lines were selected for improved sorghum production in acid soil.
The objectives of this study were to (i) identify Al tolerant Kenyan sorghum lines, (ii) investigate
tolerance mechanisms employed by Kenyan sorghum lines against Al stress