Modifying Surber sampling technique increases capture of freshwater crabs in African upland streams

We compared 2 methods for sampling the freshwater crab Potamonautes odhneri (Colosi) in Kenyan streams: standard Surber sampling, in which a sample is taken over a period of several minutes; and rapid Surber sampling, in which the process is reduced to around 10 seconds. Rapid Surber sampling caught more crabs than standard Surber sampling, This suggests that the crab species investigated is normally able to evade capture if sampling is carried out at an unhurried pace, but that if precision is sacrificed for speed, then capture efficiency increases. The size of crabs caught using the 2 techniques was similar, and use of baited traps set in the same locations showed that Surber sampling methods were not capturing larger individuals. Like all methods available to sample large benthic crustaceans, rapid Surber sampling has its limitations, but this study demonstrates that it can be used as a method for rapid assessment of crab presence and for comparative determination of population density, to significantly greater effect than the standard method of Surber sampling

Effectiveness of Wildlife Clubs of Kenya Activities in Promoting Awareness and Positive Attitude Towards Wildlife Conservation Education

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of WCK activities in promoting awareness and positive attitude towards wildlife conservation education among secondary schools students’ in Kenya. This study employed descriptive survey and correlational research designs. A sample of 591 respondents was employed for the study. The study utilized questionnaires and interview schedule for data collection. The study found that there exist significant relationship between WCK activities and promotion of awareness of wildlife conservation education at 5% significance level. The level of involvement in environmental conservation activities corresponded to WCK activities demonstrating a likelihood that the involvement of respondents in WCK activities would contribute to the level of awareness towards wildlife conservation. Also, the study found that WCK activities had insignificant influence on promoting positive attitude towards wildlife conservation. This implies that WCK activities do not contribute significantly to the prediction of positive attitude towards wildlife conservation. There is need for more education and awareness program to address ignorance and lack of knowledge by community towards wildlife conservation. It is anticipated that the findings of the current study will provide necessary information useful to the policy makers, members of WCK and other stakeholders to promote the effectiveness of WCK in wildlife conservation education in Kenya. Keywords: Awareness; Attitude; Wildlife conservation education; WCK activitie

Association Between Sources of Knowledge on Human Sexual Behaviour and Marital Satisfaction among Married People in Meru County

This study examines the sources of knowledge on sexual behaviour among married. Risky sexual behaviour is a problem that leads to dissatisfaction in many marriages in the world. Most conflicts in marriages are as a result of risky sexual behaviour. Sources of knowledge on sexual behaviour are instrumental in how a person manages their sexuality in marriage. How married persons manage affects satisfaction in marriage. There is a decline in marital satisfaction in Meru County as manifested by increase in marital violence, divorces and court cases related to custody and maintenance of children. Knowledge of sexual behaviour is a major contributor to marital satisfaction yet the association between sources of knowledge on sexual behaviour and marital satisfaction in Meru County had not been clearly established. This study intended fill the gap by establishing, the sources of knowledge on sexual behaviour and marital satisfaction in Meru County. The study adopted a causal-comparative research methodology. The target population of the study is 474,263 married people in Meru County from whom a sample of 384 respondents was drawn using multi-stage sampling. Data was collected from married people using questionnaires and Focus Group Discussions. Interview schedules were used to collect data from sexuality educators and marriage counsellors. Data obtained was analysed with the help of Statistical Package for Social Science for both descriptive and inferential statistics. A weak positive correlation which was not significant was demonstrated when sources of knowledge on sexual behaviour were correlated with marital satisfaction (rs=0.050, p=0.393). Key words: Marital satisfaction, sexual behaviour, Intimacy, passion, commitment DOI: 10.7176/DCS/9-10-10 Publication date:October 31st 201