Cost of milk production in EADD Tanzanian dairy hubs

Irish Ai

The prevalence of glucose intolerance among antenatal clients at Kenyatta National Hospital at, 24-36 weeks of gestation

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of and associated factors for glucose intolerance among antenatal clients at Kenyatta National Hospital at 24-36 weeks of gestation.Design: Cross-sectional analytical study.Setting: Kenyatta National Hospital antenatal clinic.Subjects: One hundred and two (102) antenatal mothers at a gestational age of 24-36 weeks were recruited into the study and underwent a 100g Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) after consenting to participate in the study.Results: From the study 37(36%) had glucose intolerance while 65 (64%) had normal glucose tolerance. Among clients with glucose intolerance, 16.7% met the diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes, 3.9% had impaired glucose tolerance and 15.7% had impaired fasting glycaemia. Of the clients with normal glucose tolerance 22.5% displayed flat curves. Factors significantly associated with glucose intolerance were: BMI > 25;P-value 0.036: OR 0.37 CI (1.06-6.90), history of and treatment for sub-fertility p-value 0.002: OR 8.69 CI (1.74-43.50) and family history of hypertension; p-value 0.037: OR 2.66 CI (1.04-6.78).Conclusion: The prevalence of glucose intolerance was 36%. This is much higher than the 5% previously reported. There is need to screen pregnant women for glucose intolerance to prevent the complications usually associated with it

Climate variability and gender differentials in decision making processes among farming households in Baringo county, Kenya and Jigawa state, Nigeria: A comparative assessment

This paper describes the impact of household activities by gender in areas vulnerable to climatic variability. A multistage sampling technique was applied, using both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire while secondary data was obtained from the Meteorological Department Nairobi, Kenya and Lagos, Nigeria. Data obtained were analysed using frequency distribution, trend analysis, percentage and means. A total of 338 respondents were sampled in Baringo County and 158 respondents in Jigawa State. Trend in rainfall pattern has been unstable and fluctuates by 0.44mm and 19.96mm in Baringo County, Kenya and Jigawa State, Nigeria respectively. Majority of the respondents 94.1 % (Baringo county) and 60.68% (Jigawa State) affirmed that the climate is no longer stable following observed variations in the elements of climate over time. Perception of respondents were in line with the climatic data records. A differential assessment on socially contructed roles of male and female respondents in farming households of Baringo County, Kenya revealed that males are key decision makers in choice of crop/seed to plant (50.6%), livestock keeping/feeding (57.4%), land preparation (52.4%) and coping strategies to adopt for climate variability (57.1%). Similarly, males in Jigawa State, Nigeria took charge, leading decisions on crop/seed to plant (60.7%), livestock keeping/feeding (51.6%), and coping strategies to adopt for climate variability (58.8%) while their females are key decion makers in land preparation activities (57.5%). This implies that female decisions (on agricultural activities and climate variability) in the study areas are secondary.Keywords: Climate variability, Livelihood, Gender, Adaptation/coping strategies

Determinants of the outcome on traumatic brain injury patients at Kenyatta National Hospital

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is among the leading causes of admissions in hospitals globally. TBI has been attributed with significant morbidity, mortality and disability. Most injuries have mainly been attributed to motor accidents and falls from heights.Traumatic brain injuries represent a significant and growing disease burden in the developing world, and one of the leading causes of death in economically active adults in many low- and middle-income countries.In Kenya, motor vehicle accidents, assaults and motorcycle are significant causes. Per vehicle mile travelled, motorcycle riders have a 34-fold higher risk of death in a crash than people driving vehicles and 8 times more likely to be injured. neurological injury progresses over hours and days, resulting in a secondary injury. Inflammatory and neurotoxic processes result in vasogenic fluid accumulation within the brain, contributing to raised intracranial pressure, hypoperfusion, and cerebral ischaemia a secondary injury may be amenable to intervention. Almost one-third of patients who die after a TBI will talk or obey commands before their death.Physiological insults, Hypoxia, hypotension, hyper - or hypocapnia, hyper - or hypoglycaemia have all been shown to increase the risk of secondary brain injuryObjectives: To determine the patients’ factor, clinical care and systems factor affecting outcome of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) patients at Kenyatta National Hospital. Which led to a poor outcome of above 40 years, casual laborers, Polytrauma and time lapse from trauma to hospitalization experienced. The clinical care factors indicating good outcome which included; diagnosis and medication, Nursing care and clinical setting A&E, CCU. Length of hospitalization >10 days. Protocols factors; Patients in surgical wards recording poor outcome.Design: The rationale for using purposive sampling was to be able to distinguish between traumatic brain injury patients, who did not have any neurological problems before the injury, and those who had suffered neurological problems prior to trauma. A descriptive cross-sectional design, Purposive sampling and Quantitative approach to data collection, analysis and presentation was adopted.Setting: The study was carried out at the Accident and Emergency department (A&E), Critical care unit (CCU) and surgical wards of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).Subjects: Patients with TBI within 72 hours of injury, aged between 18- 65 years and should have had no previous neurological problem.Results: Patient factors; that led to poor outcome; above 40 years (p=0.042), casual laborers (p=0.043), Polytrauma (p=0.042) and time lapse from trauma to hospitalization (p=0.051). The clinical care factors indicated good outcome which included; diagnosis and medication (p=0.001), Nursing care (p=0.055) and clinical setting A&E (p=0.051), CCU (p=0.032). Length of hospitalization >10 days (p=0.050). Protocols factors; Patients in surgical wards had poor outcome (p=0.051).Conclusion: Patient factor's influenced outcome of TBI, Intensive care and longer time of hospitalization is paramount for better outcome.Recommendation: Setup of a Trauma Neuro Ward and training of Neuro Teams to facilitate professional and quality care to improve outcome of Traumatic Brain Injury patient

Secure pseudo-random linear binary sequences generators based on arithmetic polynoms

We present a new approach to constructing of pseudo-random binary sequences (PRS) generators for the purpose of cryptographic data protection, secured from the perpetrator's attacks, caused by generation of masses of hardware errors and faults. The new method is based on use of linear polynomial arithmetic for the realization of systems of boolean characteristic functions of PRS' generators. "Arithmetizatio" of systems of logic formulas has allowed to apply mathematical apparatus of residue systems for multisequencing of the process of PRS generation and organizing control of computing errors, caused by hardware faults. This has guaranteed high security of PRS generator's functioning and, consequently, security of tools for cryptographic data protection based on those PRSs

External factors influencing consumer purchase decision by home furniture buyers: case of Victoria Courts Kenya

A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Masters of Business Administration at Strathmore University Business SchoolConsumer behavior is affected by many factors, and characteristics, influencing the consumer in their decision making, purchase behavior, brand loyalty and even their choice of retailer. The factors influencing consumer behavior include; the psychological factors like perception, motivation, attitudes and beliefs, social factors like reference, family, status and role, cultural factors like own cultural beliefs and habits, sub culture and social class. In addition, there are also the economic factors for instance, family income, personal income, savings, liquid assets and government policy, as well as personal factors like personality, age, life style and occupation. This study sought to establish external factors influencing consumer purchase decision of home furniture buyers in Kenya through a case analysis of Victoria Courts (Kenya). The specific objectives were; to determine the effect of economic factors on consumer purchase decisions in Kenya’s home furniture industry, to determine how psychological factors influence consumer purchase decisions in Kenya’s home furniture industry and to determine how social-cultural factors affect consumer purchase decisions in Kenya’s home furniture industry. The study was based on two theories namely the theory of reasoned action and the theory of planned behaviour. A descriptive case study research design was adopted. Using simple random sampling technique, 367 respondents were selected from a population of 8152 customers who visited Victoria Courts in 2018. Descriptive, correlation and regression analysis were conducted to establish the influence of external factors on consumer purchase decision of home furniture buyers in Kenya; a case of Victoria Courts. The study found that economic factors, psychological factors and social cultural factors exhibited a positive and a significant relationship to decision-making process of home furniture buyers. The multiple regression findings indicate that these factors influenced consumer purchase decision by 74% which was statistically significant. The results revealed that psychological factors had the greatest influence on consumer purchase decision of home furniture buyers at Victoria Courts followed by social-cultural and economic factors. The study therefore concluded that the external factors significantly and positively influence the consumer decision-making process. To the furniture retailers, the recommendations were to ensure they understand the perceptions, attitudes of their customers as well as know that their customers are price sensitive

Dairy value chains in East Africa: Why so few women?

Peer Revie