The nature and trends of agricultural research development in Africa : an informetric study

The study recognizes Agriculture as the mainstay activity of most economies in Africa and analyses research nature and trends in the discipline by using descriptive informetrics and focusing on seven indicators, by using the AGRICOLA and ISI-E databases from 1991 to 2005. We observed that research output in the discipline is much higher in South Africa and Kenya, and research collaboration is greater than non-collaborative research output and collaboration is less among African countries. The most popular research domains were found to exist in environmental science, soil science, plant/crop production and [agricultural] economics. Helpful conclusions and recommendations for an Agricultural policy, capacity and research orientation have been made

The Relationship between Principals’ Managerial Approaches and Student Discipline in Secondary Schools in Kenya

Students’ discipline is critical to the attainment of positive school outcomes. This paper presents and discusses findings of a study on the relationship between principals’ management approaches and the level of student discipline in selected public secondary schools in Kenya. The premise of the study was that the level of students’ discipline depends on whether the principals’ discipline management approach is inclusive or exclusive of teachers’ and parents’ involvement. Data were collected using a selfadministered questionnaire from a sample of 211 teachers, 28 principals and 22 chairpersons of the Parent-Teachers Association. The raw data were analysed using frequency counts, the mean and standard deviation and hypotheses tested using the t-test and one way ANOVA at alpha level of 0.05. Key findings indicated that female principals applied more inclusive discipline management approaches compared to male principals. In addition, the level of teachers and parental input and the level of student discipline were comparatively higher in female - headed schools. More experienced principals applied inclusive discipline management approaches compared tothe less experienced ones. Headship experience was positively related to teacher and parental input while it was negatively correlated with the level of student discipline. The findings have important implications on determining policy guidelines on headship appointments and the strategies for upholding student discipline in secondary schools.Key words: Principal; Management approach; Student discipline

Modeling and Simulation of a Process That Converts Ethane to Ethylene and Ethylene to Low Density Polyethylene

Ethylene is a critical feedstock and a major building block in the petrochemical industry that is used in synthesizing important products like polyethylene, ethanol, ethylene oxide, ethylene dichloride and ethylbenzene. With increasing demand of plastics, production of ethylene and subsequently polyethylene has increased globally. This thesis conducts the modeling and simulation of an integrated process that utilizes ethane as the primary feedstock to produce ethylene and the subsequent polymerization of ethylene to low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The process combines two different processes into one integrated process: (1) conversion of ethane to ethylene and (2) conversion of ethylene to LDPE. First, a steady-state simulation for converting ethane gas from a shale gas processing plant into ethylene is developed and a sensitivity analysis with respect to variation in design operating conditions of different unit operations is performed. Second, a steady-state simulation for converting ethylene to LDPE is developed and a sensitivity analysis with respect to variation in design operating conditions of different unit operations and initiator concentration is performed. A heat integration approach for the whole process is utilized to minimize the utility costs and increase the efficiency of the process

Mapping media and information literacy skills during and after COVID-19, with special reference to online education, and commerce and trade

This paper examines literature from the COVID-19 period (2020-2022) to outline prevalent themes and essential competencies in the post-COVID era. Employing informetrics within a quantitative research approach, the study scrutinizes Scopus database data using COVID-19, e-learning, e-commerce, and media and information literacy terms. Results reveal a surge in scholarly focus on e-commerce, online learning, e-health, and ICTs, including social media. Identified were 355 media and information literacy terms, with digital, information, health, and media literacy at the forefront. Moreover, 244 corresponding competencies and skills were noted. The study emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive media and information literacy programs, diverse competencies, and stakeholder engagement in fostering a digitally literate society. Prioritizing skill development for navigating digital landscapes is vital amid the fourth industrial revolution, laying the groundwork for adept usage of media, information, and digital realms

A Client-Vendor Relationship Perspective of Cultural Differences on Cross-Border Information Technology Outsourcing

Cross-border information technology (IT) outsourcing continues to rise due to the demand for business process outsourcing. Issues such as miscommunication and management problems have emerged because of cross-cultural disparities between clients and vendors across national borders. The theoretical framework of this study was based on the organizational culture model studies of Meek, Spradley, Smith, and Draft for examining and understanding complex organizational practices. The purpose of this mixed-methods explanatory sequential case study was to qualitatively identify and quantitatively determine the management approaches that are effective in managing cross-cultural differences and the constitution of the elements of global adjustment, motivation, mindset, and communication patterns involving outsourcing business leaders in the United States. Ten IT leaders participated in-depth face-to-face interviews, while 120 IT outsourced service providers from the United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, and India completed the survey. Pearson\u27s correlation analysis was performed on quantitative survey data. Qualitative data from interviews were organized, coded, and the results generated 6 themes. The themes included no management issues in the current processes, a lack of formal management approaches to resolve cross-cultural issues, an intent to provide a strong management partnership platform, and a positive relationship between approaches. Quantitative results showed that formal management approaches positively correlated with global adjustment, motivation, mindset, and communication pattern. Results could be socially significant to IT business leaders, as these results will equip them with knowledge of effective practices and management approaches to address cultural diversity issues, programs, and policies in the industry

Local government and human rights: Building institutional links for the effective protection and realisation of human rights in Africa

There is increasing recognition of the role of local government in the protection and realisation of human rights obligations. Recent studies on links between local government, decentralisation and human rights are evidence of this growing recognition. In Africa, there are newly-formed pan-African institutions on local government. Local authorities and national local government associations have also formed a regional association. National ministries in charge of local government have formed a regional inter-ministerial forum on local government and decentralisation. This trend is replicated at sub-regional levels in Africa. While the place and role of local government in international human rights law are not yet fully understood, the formation of these institutions provides an appropriate avenue for the same. The article makes a case for institutional collaboration between these regional institutions, sub-regional institutions and the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights in order to achieve more effective rights protection. While this article presumes that such institutional collaboration will lead to better protection of human rights, it makes a further argument that this will only happen where the specific gaps identified are addressed to strengthen the role of local government in human rights.International Bibliography of the Social Science

The Effectiveness of Telephone Follow-Up for Diabetes Management

Approved May 2020 by faculty of UMKC in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of NursingDiabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States with 30.3 million Americans having the disease and a cost of $327 billion. Approximately 300,000 people are affected in Kansas, a cost of$ 2.6 billion, and $6.7 billion in Missouri. The burden of diabetes to society includes increased resource expenditure and reduced productivity. This quasi-experimental quality improvement study, one cohort, with pre and post-test included eighteen adult participants with diabetes at one clinic in the central Midwest. Participants received telephone calls and short message services weekly for four weeks and then every two weeks for eight weeks. Fasting blood glucose levels, hemoglobin A1C, and a Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Scale were collected pre-and-post intervention. Telephone follow-up reduced hemoglobin A1C and fasting blood glucose levels, and significantly increased adherence to diet, exercise, blood glucose testing, and foot care. Telephone follow-up to patients with uncontrolled diabetes can improve adherence to diabetes self-management skills

Teaching HIV/AIDS through a child-to-child approach: A teacher’s perspective

This paper draws from a larger study conducted in Kenya, which was a narrative inquiry into a teacher’s experiences of teaching the HIV/AIDS curriculum using a child-to-child approach. The two major research questions of this study were: 1) What are the experiences of a teacher teaching the HIV/AIDS curriculum using a child-to-child curriculum approach? 2) What are the experiences of children learning the HIV/AIDS curriculum using a child-to-child curriculum approach? The findings suggest that a teacher who adopted a child-to-child curriculum approach in teaching HIV/AIDS experienced a transformed classroom learning environment characterized by: sharing authority with children; constructing a democratic classroom; learning to listen to children; affirming children’s voices and ownership in learning; creating a partnership with parents; interrupting gendered classroom; and developing children’s advocacy in community matters. The study concludes with recommendations for equipping teachers with the necessary skills to teach the subject. These skills are: the ability to create a child-centered classroom, ability to listen to children, ability to engage parents, and talking openly on issues about HIV/AIDS.Cet article s'inspire d'une étude plus vaste menée au Kenya qui était une enquête narrative sur les expériences d'un enseignant dans son enseignement des programmes d'éducation sur le VIH / SIDA en utilisant une approche d'enfant à enfant. Les deux principales questions de recherche de cette étude étaient: 1. Quelles sont les expériences d'un professeur enseignant les programmes d'éducation sur le VIH / SIDA en utilisant une approche d'enfant à enfant ? 2. Quelles sont les expériences des enfants qui apprennent les programmes d'éducation sur le VIH / SIDA en utilisant une approche d'enfant à enfant ? Les résultats montrent qu'un enseignant qui a adopté une approche enfant-à-enfant dans l'enseignement des programmes d'éducation sur le VIH / SIDA a connu un environnement d'apprentissage dans la salle de classe transformé et caractérisé par : le partage de l'autorité avec les enfants, la construction d'une salle de classe démocratique, apprendre à écouter les enfants, l'affirmation de la voix des enfants et la participation dans l'apprentissage, la création d'un partenariat avec les parents, la fin d'une classe « genrée » et le développement de plaidoyers des enfants dans les affaires communautaires. L'étude se conclut par des recommandations afin de doter les enseignants de compétences nécessaires à l'enseignement de cette matière. Ces compétences sont : la capacité à créer une salle de classe centrée sur l'enfant, la capacité à écouter les enfants, la capacité à mobiliser les parents, et à parler ouvertement des questions sur le VIH / SIDA

“Women’s Three Bodies”: An Anthropological Perspective on Barriers to Safe Abortion Services in Kibera Informal Settlements, Nairobi, Kenya

Background: Abortion remains a critical determinant of maternal morbidity and mortality in Kenya. Recent studies on induced abortion estimated an annual abortion incidence of 48 abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age, which is higher than other East African countries. In 2010, the Kenyan Constitution widened the provisions under which women qualified for safe abortions. However, majority of women still seek abortion services from unqualified providers. Using an interpretive, meaning-centered approach, this study aims to explore the barriers to safe abortion services in Kibera informal settlements, Nairobi Kenya.Subjects and Method: This was a cross-sectional study encompassing both qualitative and quantitative research methods. We used different sampling techniques (convenient, purposive and snow ball methods) to recruit our study participants (n=55). Quantitative data was collected using a survey questionnaire and data was analyzed by SPSS version 21. Qualitatively, data was collected using Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant interviews and case study narratives. This involved note taking and audio recordings, which were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed using QSR Nvivo 21 software.Results: This study revealed that women’s decisions to procure abortion are influenced by a myriad of complex factors: a multiplicity of meanings regarding abortion, as provided by the law or as dictated by cultures or religion. Women’s access to safe abortion services were also determined by their ability to afford the procedure and to identify and reach a health care provider who offered the services.Conclusions: Legal access to abortion does not simultaneously ensure access to safe abortion services. Policy makers and health promoters need to work towards changing the socio-economic and religious forces that hamper access to safe abortions. Safe and affordable abortion services to women in Kenya including post abortion care need also be ensured.Keywords: barriers, access, safe abortion, KenyaCorrespondence: Edna Nyanchama Bosire, MRC/Wits Developmental Pathways for Health Research Unit (DPHRU), School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. 27 St Andrews Road, Parktown, Johannesburg, South Africa. Email: [email protected]. Telephone: 011 717 2383.Journal of Maternal and Child Health (2019), 4(2): 97-109https://doi.org/10.26911/thejmch.2019.04.02.0

An International Perspective on Under-representation of Female Leaders in Kenya’s Primary Schools

Studies of school administrators in North America, Europe, and Australia have shown consistently that women, although a majority in the teaching force, are under-represented in leadership positions. This study examine whether the factors associated with under-representation of women in school administration in Kenya are the same as they are in other countries. The female participants identified six barriers. These are, family obligations, cultural beliefs, unethical recruitment practices, lack of networking, low expectation of success, lack of role models and mentors. The participants further identified four areas for improvements. These are, educating the public, training and exemplars, and recruitment. Les recherches sur les administrateurs des écoles en Amérique du Nord, en Europe, et en Australie ont montré régulièrement que les femmes, qui pourtant font la majorité de l\u27effectif des enseignants, sont toujours sous-représentées dans les positions de dirigeants. Cette recherche a pour but d\u27examiner si les facteurs associés à cette sous représentation sont les mêmes que dans les autres pays. Les participantes à cette recherche ont identifié six obstacles. Ce sont: les obligations familiales, les croyances culturelles, les pratiques peu éthiques de recrutement, le manque de gestion de réseau, une espérance non élevée de succès, et le manque de modèles à émuler ou de mentors. Les participantes ont ensuite identifié quatre domaines où l\u27on pourrait effectuer les améliorations. Ce sont: l\u27éducation du public, la formation, des modèles, et le recrutement