Evaluating the efficacy of flashing lights in deterring livestock attacks by predators: a case study of Meibae Community Conservancy, Northern Kenya

Pastoralists living in the arid and semi-arid areas of Africa have for centuries coexisted with wildlife. They frequently share the same environmental resources with wildlife, are exposed to common risks including disease and drought, and in some cases, and are antagonistic to one another, particularly when competing for limited resources. In recent years, negative interactions between wildlife and humans have increased due to the decline of wildlife habitat, which has led to greater conflict. In the Meibae Community Conservancy, there has been a concern in recent years over increased human-wildlife conflict. Retaliatory killings raised concerns for the conservation of carnivore species. This study evaluated the effectiveness of non-lethal mitigation measures, in particular the use of predator deterrent lights, in reducing night attacks on livestock by large carnivores in Meibae Community Conservancy. The study assessed the effectiveness of the technique by determining the number of predator visits using tracks and sightings both at homesteads fitted with light units, and those without deterrents. The findings indicate that homesteads fitted with flashing deterrent lights recorded a lower number of visits by predators (2.4 visits/homestead) compared to those without lights (3.4 visits/homestead). Despite finding no significant difference (p>0.05) in the number of visits for homesteads with lights and those without lights, this study concluded that flashing deterrent lights have the potential in reducing cases of successful livestock attacks at bomas even though predators remained inquisitive. Flashing lights can contribute to the conservation of large carnivores by reducing conflicts between predators and livestock owners

Effect of Socio-economic Factors on Level of use of Improved Maize Varieties in Bungoma County, Kenya

Maize is Kenya’s primary staple food, where 75% of producers are smallholder farmers. Maize consumption exceeds production with imports bridging the gap. Improved maize varieties have been adopted by smallholder farmers but the deficit gap still exists. The study’s objective was to determine factors influencing the adoption intensity of improved maize varieties in Bungoma County. Primary data was collected from 500 smallholder farmers using a structured questionnaire. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 27 software and a fractional logit model applied. Factors influencing adoption intensity of improved maize varieties were personal characteristics of the farmer (age, and household size), institutional factors (extension service) and varietal factors (early maturity, pest and disease resistance, drought resistance). Age, household size and extension services reduced the intensity of adoption, while varietal factors increased the intensity of adoption of improved maize varieties. The recommendations from the study is that even if the extension agents discouraged increased acreage under maize, they need to address and manage risk aversion among the old farmers through providing information and support groups. Counties should nurture a strong research-inkage with researchers to demonstrate demonstrate technology benefits

Delivery Practices and Associated Factors among Mothers Seeking Child Welfare Services in Selected Health Facilities in Nyandarua South District, Kenya

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A measure of the proportion of deliveries assisted by skilled attendants is one of the indicators of progress towards achieving Millennium Development Goal (MDG) 5, which aims at improving maternal health. This study aimed at establishing delivery practices and associated factors among mothers seeking child welfare services at selected health facilities in Nyandarua South district, Kenya to determine whether mothers were receiving appropriate delivery care.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A hospital-based cross-sectional survey among women who had recently delivered while in the study area was carried out between August and October 2009. Binary Logistic regression was used to identify factors that predicted mothers' delivery practice.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among the 409 mothers who participated in the study, 1170 deliveries were reported. Of all the deliveries reported, 51.8% were attended by unskilled birth attendants. Among the deliveries attended by unskilled birth attendants, 38.6% (452/1170) were by neighbors and/or relatives. Traditional Birth Attendants attended 1.5% (17/1170) of the deliveries while in 11.7% (137/1170) of the deliveries were self administered. Mothers who had unskilled birth attendance were more likely to have <3 years of education (Adjusted Odds ratio [AOR] 19.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7 - 212.8) and with more than three deliveries in a life time (AOR 3.8, 95% CI 2.3 - 6.4). Mothers with perceived similarity in delivery attendance among skilled and unskilled delivery attendants were associated with unsafe delivery practice (AOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1 - 3.4). Mother's with lower knowledge score on safe delivery (%) were more likely to have unskilled delivery attendance (AOR 36.5, 95% CI 4.3 - 309.3).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Among the mothers interviewed, utilization of skilled delivery attendance services was still low with a high number of deliveries being attended by unqualified lay persons. There is need to implement cost effective and sustainable measures to improve the quality of maternal health services with an aim of promoting safe delivery and hence reducing maternal mortality.</p

“We have been working overnight without sleeping”: traditional birth attendants’ practices and perceptions of post-partum care services in rural Tanzania

Background: In many low-income countries, formal post-partum care utilization is much lower than that of skilled delivery and antenatal care. While Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) might play a role in post-partum care, research exploring their attitudes and practices during this period is scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore TBAs’ practices and perceptions in post-partum care in rural Tanzania. Methods: Qualitative in-depth interview data were collected from eight untrained and three trained TBAs. Additionally, five multiparous women who were clients of untrained TBAs were also interviewed. Interviews were conducted in February 2013. Data were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze data. Results: Our study found that TBAs take care of women during post-partum with rituals appreciated by women. They report lacking formal post-partum care training, which makes them ill-equipped to detect and handle post-partum complications. Despite their lack of preparation, they try to provide care for some post-partum complications which could put the health of the woman at risk. TBAs perceive that utilization of hospital-based post-partum services among women was only important for the baby and for managing complications which they cannot handle. They are poorly linked with the health system. Conclusions: This study found that the TBAs conducted close follow-ups and some of their practices were appreciated by women. However, the fact that they were trying to manage certain post-partum complications can put women at risk. These findings point out the need to enhance the communication between TBAs and the formal health system and to increase the quality of the TBA services, especially in terms of prompt referral, through provision of training, mentoring, monitoring and supervision of the TBA servic

Marketing Communication Tool on Consumer Buying Behaviour in Selected Supermarkets in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Consumer purchasing habits have remained a challenge for marketers to grasp, and studies have suggested that the construct can be best grasped through marketing communication stimulus that is planned and implemented in the organization. However, empirical research into consumer purchasing behavior in retail supermarkets has been limited and anecdotal, particularly in Kenya, where several stores have gone bankrupt and others are trying to stay afloat. In light of this, the purpose of this study was to look at how marketing communication tools affect consumer purchasing behavior in selected supermarkets within Nairobi City County, Kenya. The tools in marketing communication adopted included; sales promotion, personal selling, direct and digital marketing. Descriptive together with the explanatory research design were applied. Customers were the study's population, with a sample size of 370 customers established using the Yamane method. The respondents for the study were chosen using the convenience sample method. Questionnaire were used in obtaining the study’s primary data. The instruments’ validity and reliability were evaluated to identify the acceptability and adequacy of the research items. The collected information was analyzed utilizing descriptive and inferential analytical methods. The data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. At the 0.05 level of significance, the multiple regression approach was employed to examine the significant influence of the hypotheses formulated in this study. Research results have shown that in a sample of Nairobi City County supermarkets, consumer purchasing behavior has been significantly influenced by the integrated development of advertising communication technologies. Personal sales, direct marketing, and digital marketing, according to the findings, have had a substantial impact on consumer shopping behavior at selected supermarkets in Nairobi City County, Kenya. Advertising and sales promotions, on the other hand, were shown to have no effect on consumer behavior in a few supermarkets. Although the lack of a link between advertising and sales promotion and consumer buying behavior is indicated by the findings of insignificant effects, marketing firms may still need to focus their efforts on increasing advertisements and promotion in sales as instruments in attracting customers' desires on what is offered in the market. It is recommended that Kenyan supermarket managers use the findings to better understand people's perceptions of market offerings and information exchange on what defines public behavior.</jats:p

Surveying technologies for integrating indigenous knowledge systems in mathematics teaching in South Africa: Potentials and challenges

The article is based on a study that surveyed pre-existing initiatives that integrate indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) in mathematics education in Durban, South Africa. In the exploratory case study, the researchers examined the existing modern and traditional technologies that are used in teaching mathematics by pre-service and in-service teachers enrolled in teacher certification programs at a high-tech university in the South African KwaZulu-Natal province. The overall goal of the study was to explore the feasibility of potential prospects to infuse traditional technologies and IKS in middle and high school mathematics education. A sample of 39 teachers responded to a 23-item online survey that examined the technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge of teachers completing their teaching degree and their predispositions regarding the integration of IKS. Juxtaposed between traditional/indigenous technologies and modern/digital tools and resources, findings of the study revealed a number of constraints that preclude preservice and in-service teachers from incorporating IKS in teaching mathematics.Keywords: Indigenous knowledge systems, mathematics teaching and learning, indigenous technologies, curriculum reform

Evaluating the efficacy of flashing lights in deterring livestock attacks by predators: a case study of Meibae Community Conservancy, Northern Kenya

Pastoralists living in the arid and semi-arid areas of Africa have for centuries coexisted with wildlife. They frequently share the same environmental resources with wildlife, are exposed to common risks including disease and drought, and in some cases, and are antagonistic to one another, particularly when competing for limited resources. In recent years, negative interactions between wildlife and humans have increased due to the decline of wildlife habitat, which has led to greater conflict. In the Meibae Community Conservancy, there has been a concern in recent years over increased human-wildlife conflict. Retaliatory killings raised concerns for the conservation of carnivore species. This study evaluated the effectiveness of non-lethal mitigation measures, in particular the use of predator deterrent lights, in reducing night attacks on livestock by large carnivores in Meibae Community Conservancy. The study assessed the effectiveness of the technique by determining the number of predator visits using tracks and sightings both at homesteads fitted with light units, and those without deterrents. The findings indicate that homesteads fitted with flashing deterrent lights recorded a lower number of visits by predators (2.4 visits/homestead) compared to those without lights (3.4 visits/homestead). Despite finding no significant difference (p&gt;0.05) in the number of visits for homesteads with lights and those without lights, this study concluded that flashing deterrent lights have the potential in reducing cases of successful livestock attacks at bomas even though predators remained inquisitive. Flashing lights can contribute to the conservation of large carnivores by reducing conflicts between predators and livestock owners.</jats:p

Bridging the Divide: Exploring the use of digital and physical technology to aid mobility impaired people living in an informal settlement

Living in informality is challenging. It is even harder when you have a mobility impairment. Traditional assistive products such as wheelchairs are essential to enable people to travel. Wheelchairs are considered a Human Right. However, they are difficult to access. On the other hand, mobile phones are becoming ubiquitous and are increasingly seen as an assistive technology. Should therefore a mobile phone be considered a Human Right? To help understand the role of the mobile phone in contrast of a more traditional assistive technology – the wheelchair, we conducted contextual interviews with eight mobility impaired people who live in Kibera, a large informal settlement in Nairobi. Our findings show mobile phones act as an accessibility bridge when physical accessibility becomes too challenging. We explore our findings from two perspective – human infrastructure and interdependence, contributing an understanding of the role supported interactions play in enabling both the wheelchair and the mobile phone to be used. This further demonstrates the critical nature of designing for context and understanding the social fabric that characterizes informal settlements. It is this social fabric which enables the technology to be useable