Association between household food access and livelihood food strategy factors in Githunguri and Mwala sub-counties, Kenya

Household food access is a critical concern for every government, community and household as it touches on the basic sources for human energy to do work and also for survival. Access to food is an essential component of good nutrition, health and well-being. Knowledge of food access risk sources and coping strategies can contribute to forward planning to avert food security hazards. This study analyzed the extent to which household food access was determined by livelihood food strategy factors employed during hazards. A sample size of three hundred and eighty four (384) was used. The study was carried out in two different livelihood zones i.e. high potential livelihood zone (Githunguri Sub-County) versus a medium potential livelihood zone (Mwala Sub-County). Household data were collected within two seasons using a structured household questionnaire. In addition, focus group discussions with a group of men, women and the youth were also conducted in each of the sampled sub-location. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical data package for social sciences version 17. Pearson correlation index on factors that influence food access indicated a strong and significant relationship in total HH income (.718), total food available (.631) and HH storing ability (.545). There was a weak relationship in distance from household to the local market (.029) and household food strategy (.009). The study concluded that households in Githunguri Sub-County were mildly food insecure while households in Mwala Sub-County were moderately food insecure, implying that households in Githunguri Sub-County had better food access than households in Mwala Sub-County. The study recommends two studies that include: (i) Determination of opportunities and constraints to optimal income generation for improved food access (ii) Opportunities and constraints to increased food production hence food access Key words; Food security, Food access, Hazards, livelihood strategies, Food strategy factor

Gender Role in Household Food Access in Githunguri And Mwala Sub-Counties of Kenya

Food access is a critical concern for every household, community or government as it is a basic source for human energy to do work and for survival. Access to food is an essential component of good nutrition, health and well-being. Food access risks affecting households and mainly the poor arise from many sources. Knowledge of food access risk sources and coping strategies can contribute to forward planning to avert food security hazards. This study analyzed the extent of gender role difference in household food access and established the relationship between household food access and coping strategies employed during hazards. The study was carried out in high and medium potential livelihood zones of Githunguri and Mwala Sub-Counties respectively. Multistage sampling strategy was used to get the sample of 384 households. Face to face interviews using structured questionnaires were conducted. Two Focus Group Discussions of 10 persons each with balanced gender, were conducted. Five key informants per sub-county were also interviewed using key informant schedules. Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistical data Package for Social Sciences Version 17. Chi-Square χ2 test results for variables in 24 out of 30 gender role variables indicated a p value less than the significance level (0.00 <.05). The study therefore rejected the null hypothesis and concluded that there was significant difference in gender role based food access in male and female headed households in Githunguri and Mwala Sub-Counties. The study recommended two studies that include: (i) Determination of opportunities and constraints to optimal income generation for improved food access (ii) Opportunities and constraints to increased food production by gender hence food access

The effects of lake Ol’Bolossat’s sediments application on soil-chemical characteristics and productivity of swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L.)

Sediments dredged from the lakes have emerged as successful soil amendment solutions, especially in alleviating soil fertility problems in poor soils. This study aimed to assess the effect of sediments from lake Ol’Bolossat on soil quality and the growth and yield of Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L.). A pot experiment was carried out in January-April and July-October 2020 in a polyethylene greenhouse using a completely randomized design at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. To achieve the study's objective, Swiss chard (Ford hook giant variety) was grown in pots, and five treatments were applied; (T1)-sediments from lake depth of 0-30 cm + soil, (T2)-sediments from lake depth of 30-60 cm + soil, (T3)-sediments from lake depth of 60-90 cm + soil, (T4)-inorganic fertilizer (NPK 150 kg/acre) + soil, (T5)-soil with no lake sediments or inorganic fertilizers, which acted as the control experiment. The sediments were mixed with soil at a ratio of 1:4

Dependence of Sheet Resistivity on Urbach Energy of Nano TiO2 - Graphene-based Electrode for DSSC Application

The importance of renewable energy cannot be over-emphasized. Titanium IV oxide (TiO2 ) is the most suitable semiconductor for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) due to its chemical stability, non-toxicity and excellent optoelectronic properties. In this research, TiO2 is coated on Graphene to enhance its charge transport, aiming to reduce recombination, a main setback in DSSCs. Understanding Graphene- TiO2 contact is, therefore, essential for DSSC application. Using doctor blading, TiO2 thin films were deposited on single-layer graphene (SLG) and fluorine tin oxide (FTO). The films were annealed at 2 °C /min and 1 °C/min up to a temperature of 450 °C, then sintering at this temperature for 30 minutes. Four four-point probes SRM -232 were used to measure the samples' sheet resistance. The film thickness was obtained from transmittance using pointwise unconstrained minimization approximation (PUMA). UV–VIS spectrophotometer was employed to measure transmittance. The resistivity of TiO2 on both FTO and Graphene was of order 10-4 Ω cm. However, TiO2 annealed on graphene matrix exhibited a slightly lower resistivity, 5.6 x10-4 Ω cm, compared to 6.0 x10-4 Ω cm on FTO. Optical transmittance on the visible region was lower for TiO2 on FTO than on SLG, 71.48% and 80.11%, respectively. The annealing rate decreased the weak absorption region's Urbach energy (Eu). Urbach energies for 1oC/min TiO2 on FTO and SLG were 361 meV and 261 meV, respectively. This accounted for the decrease in film disorders due to annealing. A striking relation between sheet resistivity and Urbach was reported, suggesting SLG as a suitable candidate for the photoanode of a DSSC

Preparation, characterization, and optimization of primaquine-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles

Research Article published by DovepressPrimaquine (PQ) is one of the most widely used antimalarial drugs and is the only available drug that combats the relapsing form of malaria. PQ use in higher doses is limited by severe tissue toxicity including hematological- and gastrointestinal-related side effects. Nanoformulation of drugs in an appropriate drug carrier system has been extensively studied and shown to have the potential to improve bioavailability, thereby enhancing activity, reducing dose frequency, and subsequently reducing toxicity. The aim of this work was to design, synthesize, and characterize PQ-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) (PQ-SLNs) as a potential drug-delivery system. SLNs were prepared by a modified solvent emulsification evaporation method based on a water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w) double emulsion. The mean particle size, zeta potential, drug loading, and encapsulation efficiency of the PQ-SLNs were 236 nm, +23 mV, 14%, and 75%, respectively. The zeta potential of the SLNs changed dramatically, from −6.54 mV to +23.0 mV, by binding positively charged chitosan as surface modifier. A spherical morphology of PQ-SLNs was seen by scanning electron microscope. In vitro, release profile depicted a steady drug release over 72 hours. Differential scanning calorimeter thermograms demonstrated presence of drug in drug-loaded nanoparticles along with disappearance of decomposition exotherms, suggesting increased physical stability of drug in prepared formulations. Negligible changes in characteristic peaks of drug in Fourier transform infrared spectra indicated absence of any interaction among the various components entrapped in the nanoparticle formulation. The nanoformulated PQ was 20% more effective as compared with conventional oral dose when tested in Plasmodium berghei-infected Swiss albino mice. This study demonstrated an efficient method of forming a nanomedicine delivery system for antimalarial drugs

Expanding the Evidence on the Safety and Efficiency of 2-Way Text Messaging–Based Telehealth for Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Follow-up Compared With In-Person Reviews: Randomized Controlled Trial in Rural and Urban South Africa

BackgroundThere is a dearth of high-quality evidence from digital health interventions in routine program settings in low- and middle-income countries. We previously conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in Zimbabwe, demonstrating that 2-way texting (2wT) was safe and effective for follow-up after adult voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC). ObjectiveTo demonstrate the replicability of 2wT, we conducted a larger RCT in both urban and rural VMMC settings in South Africa to determine whether 2wT improves adverse event (AE) ascertainment and, therefore, the quality of follow-up after VMMC while reducing health care workers’ workload. MethodsA prospective, unblinded, noninferiority RCT was conducted among adult participants who underwent VMMC with cell phones randomized in a 1:1 ratio between 2wT and control (routine care) in North West and Gauteng provinces. The 2wT participants responded to a daily SMS text message with in-person follow-up only if desired or an AE was suspected. The control group was requested to make in-person visits on postoperative days 2 and 7 as per national VMMC guidelines. All participants were asked to return on postoperative day 14 for study-specific review. Safety (cumulative AEs ≤day 14 visit) and workload (number of in-person follow-up visits) were compared. Differences in cumulative AEs were calculated between groups. Noninferiority was prespecified with a margin of −0.25%. The Manning score method was used to calculate 95% CIs. ResultsThe study was conducted between June 7, 2021, and February 21, 2022. In total, 1084 men were enrolled (2wT: n=547, 50.5%, control: n=537, 49.5%), with near-equal proportions of rural and urban participants. Cumulative AEs were identified in 2.3% (95% CI 1.3-4.1) of 2wT participants and 1.0% (95% CI 0.4-2.3) of control participants, demonstrating noninferiority (1-sided 95% CI −0.09 to ∞). Among the 2wT participants, 11 AEs (9 moderate and 2 severe) were identified, compared with 5 AEs (all moderate) among the control participants—a nonsignificant difference in AE rates (P=.13). The 2wT participants attended 0.22 visits, and the control participants attended 1.34 visits—a significant reduction in follow-up visit workload (P<.001). The 2wT approach reduced unnecessary postoperative visits by 84.8%. Daily response rates ranged from 86% on day 3 to 74% on day 13. Among the 2wT participants, 94% (514/547) responded to ≥1 daily SMS text messages over 13 days. ConclusionsAcross rural and urban contexts in South Africa, 2wT was noninferior to routine in-person visits for AE ascertainment, demonstrating 2wT safety. The 2wT approach also significantly reduced the follow-up visit workload, improving efficiency. These results strongly suggest that 2wT provides quality VMMC follow-up and should be adopted at scale. Adaptation of the 2wT telehealth approach to other acute follow-up care contexts could extend these gains beyond VMMC. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04327271; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT0432727