A multilevel analysis of the determinants of HIV testing in Zimbabwe: evidence from the demographic and health surveys

Introduction Zimbabwe is still burdened with HIV epidemic and the government has an ambitious aim in the post-2015 era to end the AIDS epidemic by 2030. To achieve this, the government has set up the 90-90-90 strategic milestones to be achieved by 2020. It is daunting task to increase HIV testing uptake from current estimate of 56%to 90% to meet these targets. The current government’s initiative requires an understanding of determinants of HIV testing. Objectives The specific objectives of this study are to: (i) identify the individual and community-level determinants of HIV testing, focussing on predisposing, enabling and perceived need factors (PREP); and (ii) establish gender differences. Material and Methods We applied multilevel logistic regression models to nationally-representative samples of 17,797women and 14,587 men from the 2005/6 and 2010/11 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Surveys to examine the determinants of HIV testing. Results HIV testing uptake increased significantly between 2005/6 and 2010/11, especially for women (females OR=5.60; males OR=2.57). Most PREP factors associated with HIV testing are largely consistent with patterns in Southern Africa (e.g. higher uptake by women and those who are wealthier), but unique patterns have also emerged. In particular, results reveal important gender differences: rural residence is associated with lower uptake of HIV testing for women (OR=0.74) but higher for men (OR=1.16); community wealth is a more important factor in enabling HIV testing than household wealth for women, but the converse is true for men; and individual-level, rather than community-level stigma is important for women, while for men, it is community-level stigma that is important. Conclusion Observed gender disparities in determinants of HIV testing calls for gender specific response. Couple-oriented HIV counselling and testing services where men accompany their spouse to HIV screening during pregnancy may help increase HIV testing uptake for males and reduce gender disparities

Non-Western Teaching and Learning Processes: Adult education Among Women Artists of Kenya‟s Luo community.

The world over, educators are increasingly expected to serve learners with multiple differentiating conditions, functions of among other things, cultural orientations, modern times, and trends. Additionally, there is increased information exchange in the world due to population migration and the ever increasing access to internet services for hitherto inaccessible Geographical regions and related populations. Internet access has allowed online class attendance and brought needed educational services to learners irrespective of their physical locations around the world. All the above dynamics increase college students‘ diversity when added to the current economic recession felt in the world and which has seen many people lose their jobs and decide to re-enter educational programs to adapt their skills to the needs of the prevailing job market. Because of this increased diversity in the student constituency, the import of understanding and enriching practice with insight from non-Western perspectives of teaching and learning has never been more essential. This empirical study among indigenous Luo women artists of Western Kenya focused on the teaching and learning processes utilized in the art forms of pottery, basketry, and indigenous architecture. The overarching instrument of study data collection was a form of participant observation adapted to the Luo community‘s epistemological structures. This study documented the system of sustainable indigenous adult education, explored and described the local terminologies associated with this education within the meta-language of established adult educational studies and practices, and reported the processes involved in this education in a way as to be reproducible in a similar setting. The main objective of the study was to explore the anti-colonial aspects of these indigenous art educational processes. This exploration was in as far as the educational processes gave the study participants skills that enabled them to engage the social, political, economical, spiritual, and medical hurdles facing the community in their capacity as indigenous practitioners. This study found out, among other things that the participants utilized experiential learning strategies that include learning by doing, imitating, and scaffolding. Participants also depended on other collective members as important support network for learning the individual art form and living as expected by the community

Kiswahili usage in ICT in NEPAD secondary schools in Kenya

There has been tremendous increase in Kiswahili usage in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). This has been credited to the various projects that have been initiated in the computer and internet. In addition, Kiswahili is among the languages that have been accepted for use in ICT.This paper discusses Kiswahili usage in ICT in two New Partnerships for Africa's Development (NEPAD) sponsored schools in Kenya that use Microsoft software: Chavakali and Maranda Boy's secondary schools. This study is guided by a model developed from a combination of two theories: Use and Gratification theory and Symbolic Interaction theory. Data from the two schools are analyzed using qualitative and quantitative analysis.An attempt is also made to demonstrate that Kiswahili usage in ICT in school is influenced by the language used in teaching and learning in school. The data for this work came from 120 students selected through simple random sampling and 8 teachers of Kiswahili from the two schools selected through saturated sampling technique.From the analysis of the responses from the study it is evident that a small percentage of teachers and students use Kiswahili in ICT in school. However, the study was able to come up with various uses of Kiswahili in ICT such as accessing the internet, learning and communicating with friends through email.Keywords: ICT, NEPAD, Kiswahili, Kenya, Chavakali Boys Secondary school, Maranda Boys Secondary School

Longitudinal study regarding Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato populations in defined habitats in Latvia

Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (B. burgdorferi s.l.) is a species complex that currently comprise 22 named or proposed genospecies. In Europe five species are known to be the agents of the human disease - Lyme borreliosis (LB). With approximately 650,000-850,000 assumed new LB cases in Europe annually, LB is the most common human tick-borne disease in Europe (Lit EU). For control measures and eventual prevention of this tick-borne disease, it will be beneficial to study and interpret the B. burgdorferi s.l. population dynamics and structure. The bacteria are maintained in a natural transmission cycle between reservoir hosts and ticks of the genus Ixodes. Keeping in mind that the tick vectors` life cycle may be up to more than five years, long term studies are required for a better understanding of such correlations. Hence this study is designed to cover the tick sampling periods between 1999 and 2010 in defined habitats in Latvia. As preliminary study the most economical and efficient method for DNA extraction was determined. Subsequently polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) was used to obtain information about population structure, fluctuations and stability regarding B. burgdorferi s.l.. The average prevalence over all years was 18.9 %. From initial high infection prevalences of 25.5 %, 33.1 % and 31.8 %, from 2002 onwards the infection rates steadily decreased to 7.3 % in 2010. Borrelia afzelii and B. garinii were the most commonly found genospecies but striking local differences were obvious. In one habitat, a significant shift from rodent-associated to birdassociated Borrelia species was noted whilst in the other habitats, Borrelia species composition was relatively stable over time. Sequence types (STs) showed a random spatial and temporal distribution. These results demonstrated that there are temporal regional changes and extrapolations from one habitat to the next are not possible

Perception of preservice teachers on the implementation of multicultural education

The purpose of the study was twofold: (1) To examine perceptions of preservice teachers on the implementation of multicultural education; and (2) To investigate the extent to which preservice teachers are willing to implement multicultural education. Snowball sampling method was used to find the participants for this research study because part of the sample for the study was very rare or limited to a very small subgroup of the population (minorities and seniors). Three preservice school teachers participated in the interview process, the results were audio recorded. The results indicated preservice school teachers of different demographic characteristics held different beliefs about the implementation of multicultural education in schools today. The data showed that all three preservice school teachers would prefer to use the additive approach to the integration of multicultural content into the curriculum. The additive approach is often the first phase of curriculum restructuring. This one allows the teacher to put content into the curriculum without restructuring it. It takes little time, effort, planning, or training. The additive approach however fails to help students understand how the dominant and ethnic cultures are interconnected and interrelated. Based on the findings of the study, implications for educators and future research are offered

Characterizing RNA Targets of TDP-43

TAR-DNA-binding 43kDa protein (TDP-43), is an RNA binding protein that has been linked to the pathology of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and FTLD. However, pathological mechanisms involving TDP-43, remain elusive. Current hypotheses have converged on altered RNA processing, due to a loss of function of TDP-43. To gain better insight into the pathogenic mechanisms linked to TDP-43, we hypothesised that a loss of function may lead to alterations in splicing and/or changes in protein expression in transcripts potentially linked to neurodegeneration. Thus, 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) gels and splice-junction microarrays were utilised to identify targets of TDP-43 whose expression exhibited association with altered TDP-43 levels. The 2-DE analyses depicted changes in several proteins (spots), which, upon subsequent validation, did not reveal any correlations with differential spot intensities. In contrast, the splice-junction arrays identified TDP-43 dependent changes in 2371 genes from which candidate genes for validation were selected upon fulfilment of criteria for being altered when TDP-43 was depleted and reversible by overexpression of wild type TDP-43, but not with mutant (F4L) TDP-43. 162 genes were selected and further narrowed down based on a two-fold or higher splicing score. RT-PCR validation confirmed 6/19 transcripts, POLDIP3, BCL2L11, MADD, STAG2, BRD8 and FNIP1, as undergoing TDP-43 dependent splicing. Protein level alterations, were also observed in MADD and STAG2, following which, TDP-43 binding sites were mapped. Lastly, using an inducible TDP-43 aggregation model, a loss of function effect for TDP-43 was recapitulated i. e. similar changes in splicing profiles as when TDP-43 was knocked down, for all six of the above genes, thus, supporting a loss of function hypothesis in TDP-43 aggregates. Our results further contribute to the number of genes known to be affected by TDP-43, with the distinct observation of involvement in apoptotic and mitotic pathways, which may have implications for TDP-43 proteinopathies

Longitudinal study regarding Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato populations in defined habitats in Latvia

Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (B. burgdorferi s.l.) is a species complex that currently comprise 22 named or proposed genospecies. In Europe five species are known to be the agents of the human disease - Lyme borreliosis (LB). With approximately 650,000-850,000 assumed new LB cases in Europe annually, LB is the most common human tick-borne disease in Europe (Lit EU). For control measures and eventual prevention of this tick-borne disease, it will be beneficial to study and interpret the B. burgdorferi s.l. population dynamics and structure. The bacteria are maintained in a natural transmission cycle between reservoir hosts and ticks of the genus Ixodes. Keeping in mind that the tick vectors` life cycle may be up to more than five years, long term studies are required for a better understanding of such correlations. Hence this study is designed to cover the tick sampling periods between 1999 and 2010 in defined habitats in Latvia. As preliminary study the most economical and efficient method for DNA extraction was determined. Subsequently polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) was used to obtain information about population structure, fluctuations and stability regarding B. burgdorferi s.l.. The average prevalence over all years was 18.9 %. From initial high infection prevalences of 25.5 %, 33.1 % and 31.8 %, from 2002 onwards the infection rates steadily decreased to 7.3 % in 2010. Borrelia afzelii and B. garinii were the most commonly found genospecies but striking local differences were obvious. In one habitat, a significant shift from rodent-associated to birdassociated Borrelia species was noted whilst in the other habitats, Borrelia species composition was relatively stable over time. Sequence types (STs) showed a random spatial and temporal distribution. These results demonstrated that there are temporal regional changes and extrapolations from one habitat to the next are not possible

Patterns of utilization of hiv preventive services by boda-boda operators in homabay town, kenya

The mobility of the transport sector makes it difficult to access health information and treatment and/or maintain a drug regimen. There is high HIV prevalence rate in Homa-Bay County with a prevalence of 25.7% compared to 5.6% nationally. The purpose of the study was to determine patterns of utilization of HIV preventive services which specifically sought to find out awareness of HIV status, to determine the HIV prevention strategies employed by the boda-boda, to investigate the driversaffecting the uptake of HIV preventive services and finally to explore the health seeking behavior patterns among boda-boda operators in Homa-Bay town. The study adopted three theories key among them was cognitive theory. This was a mixed methods study. The study population was 1120 and it targeted male boda-boda operators who were aged between 20-40 years. The sample size for the study was 119. The main respondents were boda-boda operators while key respondents were their group leaders. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the drivers affecting the uptake of HIV preventive services among the study population. Results from this study show that a majority of the operators (89.3%) reported having been tested for HIV. Relatively low HIV prevention service uptake with condom being the most used service at 68.9%. In the multivariate analysis, occupation of the respondent, marital status and highest level of education attained were significantly associated with HIV prevention services uptake. Participants who reported owning a business, either (Duka, Kiosk or Juakali) were about 38% less likely to utilize any of the services compared to those who reported farming as their other source of income occupation (PR=0.62, 95% CI 0.62-0.96); whereas in terms of marital status, divorced/separated were two-fold likely to use any of the two services compared to the married in a monogamous family (PR=2.13, 95% CI 1.36-3.33). Those respondents reporting having attained primary level of education as the highest were 1.3 more likely to utilize any of the services compared to those reporting secondary as the highest level of education (PR=1.33, 95% CI 1.00-1.78). Finally, medical pluralism was noted among boda-boda operators who sought health services. The study concludes that, HIV testing services in Homa-Bay are effective since many respondents reported having had an HIV test. However, utilization of HIV preventive services are relatively low as compared to the high awareness of HIV preventive services. Occupation, marital status and level of education were found to be the drivers affecting uptake of HIV preventive services. Finally, medical pluralism was noted among the operators who sought health services. The study recommends to the ministry through NACC to create flexible HIV testing hours in order to reach all the operators with testing services, put emphasis to increase the utilization of HIV prevention methods through education, there is also a need to target operators with higher educational levels, those that own business and married monogamous to increase their ability to effectively utilize HIV preventive methods. Finally, education on the importance of seeking medical services from health facilities should be stressed

ASSESSMENT OF SERVICE DELIVERY IN GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING UNITS IN SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ELDORET MUNICIPALITY, KENYA

This paper assess the type of services delivered by the existing Guidance and Counselling units in secondary schools in Kenya based on a survey conducted in Eldoret Municipality in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. The study adopted an ex-post facto research design the target population being all secondary schools in the Municipality where a sample was obtained by both random and stratified sampling techniques. A total of 204 secondary school students (103 girls and 101 boys), from nine secondary schools, 41 teachers (14 male and 27 female) and the officer in Charge of Guidance and Counselling in the District constituted the sample. All categories of schools were considered, that is, boarding and day; single sex and co-educational; public and private. The research instruments for the study involved the use of structured questionnaires (open- and closed-ended). The data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistical techniques for analysis and interpretation. The findings were described in the form of frequencies, percentages, means, variances and standard deviations. Chi-Square was use to test the hypotheses, where results were accepted as significant at P ~ 0.05. From the results, the services delivered within these units were varied. Physical and human resources were also not well distributed in all schools. The type of school did not have an influence on services delivered. Both private and public were not aware of the MOEST guidelines on the provision of Guidance and Counseling services. Each school had its own guidelines on service delivery, though they were almost similar. It is thus recommended that more teachers should also be trained in Guidance and Counselling and more than one posted per school. In addition, teachers in charge of Guidance and Counselling should be relieved of their teaching duties or their teaching loads reduced so that they devote more time to the service. Keywords: Service Delivery, Guidance, Counselling Units, Secondary Schools, Eldoret Municipality, Keny

Development of sample preparation and chromatographic mass spectrometric techniques for determination of selected organic pollutants in wastewater

Abstract : In the recent past, there has been a great concern on the ever-increasing emergence of organic contaminants in the various environmental compartments, that pose great health concerns to humans and aquatic life. These organic pollutants have been ubiquitous in the environment for decades, however, they were not identifiable until the emergence of new and advanced analytical technologies. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to develop robust and efficient analytical and modelling techniques, for the extraction and analysis of selected multiclass organic contaminants from wastewater samples. This is because their analytical determination is very challenging due to their occurrence in trace levels (ng L-1 to μg L-1) in the environment. The analytical techniques comprise of optimization of both the sample preparation procedures and instrumental analysis for detection and quantification. Solid phase extraction (SPE), dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) and ultrasonic-assisted magnetic solid phase dispersive extraction (UA-MSPDE) were the selected sample preparation techniques used for the extraction and preconcentration of methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, ethoprofos, parathion methyl, azinphos methyl and chlorpyrifos in water samples. This was followed by instrumental analysis for their detection and quantification using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The developed analytical techniques were applied in real environmental samples obtained from different water treatment stages of a local wastewater treatment plant in Gauteng province, South Africa. Experimental factors that had an influence on the analytical response in terms on highest percentage recoveries were optimized using both univariate (one factor a time) and multivariate approach for all the experiments in this study. Multivariate optimization was accomplished using Statistica and Minitab software. The performance characteristics of the LC-MS/MS facilitated the determination of these organic contaminants at trace levels. Multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM) was used for specific and sensitive targeted analysis, where the quadrupole analyzers were set at multiple ion frequencies for the specific analytes under investigation together with their product fragment ions. MRM is ideally suitable for trace level analysis of complex mixtures. Oasis HLB cartridges were found to be suitable for extraction of parabens giving satisfactory results. Vortex assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (VA-DLLME) was used for the extraction and enrichment of organophosphorus pesticides in wastewater samples. Selection of the appropriate organic solvent (extractant and disperser solvents) used for this method was of utmost importance and was performed using univariate optimization. v The results revealed chloroform to be the most suitable extractant solvent while acetone was the optimum disperser solvent. This was followed by the chemometric optimization of the independent variables that significantly affect the outcome of the analytical response. The organophosphorus compounds that were extracted in wastewater samples using this technique with satisfactory results were ethoprofos, parathion methyl and azinphos methyl. Also, a novel method was developed for the extraction and preconcentration of multiclass organic compounds (parabens and organophosphorus pesticides) using synthesized pristine carbon nanodots (CNDs) applied as SPE adsorbent. A comparison between the synthesized CNDs and commercial based SPE sorbent was analyzed. Two-level factorial design and response surface methodology based on central composite design were used for multivariate optimization of the experimental variables. Furthermore, the CNDs were also functionalized with magnetite. The magnetic CNDs were applied for the development of magnetic solid phase dispersive extraction method with ultrasonic dispersion for the simultaneous extraction of chlorpyrifos and triclosan in environmental water samples. This method offered a very rapid and simple extraction and preconcentration of these organic contaminants with satisfactory results.Ph.D. (Chemistry