Bed net use and associated factors in a rice farming community in Central Kenya

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) continues to offer potential strategy for malaria prevention in endemic areas. However their effectiveness, sustainability and massive scale up remain a factor of socio-economic and cultural variables of the local community which are indispensable during design and implementation stages.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An ethnographic household survey was conducted in four study villages which were purposefully selected to represent socio-economic and geographical diversity. In total, 400 households were randomly selected from the four study villages. Quantitative and qualitative information of the respondents were collected by use of semi-structured questionnaires and focus group discussions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Malaria was reported the most frequently occurring disease in the area (93%) and its aetiology was attributed to other non-biomedical causes like stagnant water (16%), and long rains (13%). Factors which significantly caused variation in bed net use were occupant relationship to household head (χ²= 105.705; df 14; P = 0.000), Age (χ²= 74.483; df 14; P = 0.000), village (χ²= 150.325; df 6; P = 0.000), occupation (χ²= 7.955; df 3; P = 0.047), gender (χ²= 4.254; df 1; P = 0.039) and education levels of the household head or spouse (χ²= 33.622; df 6; P = 0.000). The same variables determined access and conditions of bed nets at household level. Protection against mosquito bite (95%) was the main reason cited for using bed nets in most households while protection against malaria came second (54%). Colour, shape and affordability were some of the key potential factors which determined choice, use and acceptance of bed nets in the study area.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The study highlights potential social and economic variables important for effective and sustainable implementation of bed nets-related programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa.</p

Malaria vector control practices in an irrigated rice agro-ecosystem in central Kenya and implications for malaria control

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Malaria transmission in most agricultural ecosystems is complex and hence the need for developing a holistic malaria control strategy with adequate consideration of socio-economic factors driving transmission at community level. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in an irrigated ecosystem with the aim of investigating vector control practices applied and factors affecting their application both at household and community level.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Four villages representing the socio-economic, demographic and geographical diversity within the study area were purposefully selected. A total of 400 households were randomly sampled from the four study villages. Both semi-structured questionnaires and focus group discussions were used to gather both qualitative and quantitative data.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results showed that malaria was perceived to be a major public health problem in the area and the role of the vector <it>Anopheles </it>mosquitoes in malaria transmission was generally recognized. More than 80% of respondents were aware of the major breeding sites of the vector. Reported personal protection methods applied to prevent mosquito bites included; use of treated bed nets (57%), untreated bed nets (35%), insecticide coils (21%), traditional methods such as burning of cow dung (8%), insecticide sprays (6%), and use of skin repellents (2%). However, 39% of respondents could not apply some of the known vector control methods due to unaffordability (50.5%), side effects (19.9%), perceived lack of effectiveness (16%), and lack of time to apply (2.6%). Lack of time was the main reason (56.3%) reported for non-application of environmental management practices, such as draining of stagnant water (77%) and clearing of vegetations along water canals (67%).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The study provides relevant information necessary for the management, prevention and control of malaria in irrigated agro-ecosystems, where vectors of malaria are abundant and disease transmission is stable.</p

Dakar 10: The elusive EFA goal. Education provision in the arid lands of Kenya

One key target set during the Dakar World Forum on Education for All (2000) was to ensure that by 2015 all children, particularly girls, children in difficult circumstances and children of ethnic minorities, have access to and complete free and compulsory primary education of good quality. However, one clear challenge that Kenya faces is the education of children in the arid districts, inhabited by nomadic and pastoralist communities. This paper analyzes the progress made in enhancing access to primary education for these communities, ten years after Dakar. While acknowledging the progress made, a skeptical question is raised: Are these strategies really likely to deliver EFA by 2015? (DIPF/Orig.)Das Ziel des Weltbildungsforums in Dakar 2000 war u.a., Zugang zu Schulen für alle, insbesondere für Mädchen und benachteiligte Gruppen, zu erreichen. Zu den marginalisierten Gruppen gehören in Kenia die Nomaden und Viehzüchter in den ariden und semiariden Gegenden im Norden des Landes. Der folgende Artikel stellt einerseits die Fortschritte dar, die das Land seit der Unabhängigkeit im Jahre 1963 in diesen Regionen gemacht hat, und analysiert andererseits, ob Interventionsmaßnahmen zu Erfolgen geführt haben. Die zentrale Frage lautet: Reichen die Strategien, um das Ziel bis zum Jahre 2015 zu erreichen? (DIPF/Orig.

The 2015 promise of Education for All in Kenya: Missed target or new start?

This paper examines the current status of basic education in Kenya. First, a review of the progress made in expanding access to both primary and secondary education is made, and the access gains are evaluated against the poor quality and the persistent inequalities. Specifically, it is argued that measurement of quality in education must supersede inputs to education, to consider the learning outcomes at every level. In analysing inequality, the variables geographic regions, socio-economic status of households, gender and school type (public and private) are considered. The paper further examines evidence on what works in improving education, and the priorities set for education in Kenya after 2015 are described. Conclusion is made that while progress is being made, there is little attention to adopting interventions that have shown promise to improving learning. A call is made to align the national priorities to the rich body of evidence, while paying attention to sustaining the current donor-driven initiatives for improving education. (DIPF/Orig.)In diesem Artikel wird der aktuelle Stand der Grundbildung in Kenia analysiert. Nach einem Rückblick auf erreichte Fortschritte im Ausbau des Primar- und Sekundarschulbereichs werden die Zunahme des Bildungszugangs gegenüber der niedrigen Qualität und anhaltende Ungleichheiten beschrieben. Es wird herausgearbeitet, dass im Bildungssystem Qualitätsmessung an die Stelle bloßer Investitionen treten sollte, um die langfristigen Lernergebnisse auf allen Bildungsstufen einschätzen zu können. In der Analyse von Ungleichheiten werden die Variablen der geografischen Region, des sozioökonomischen Status des Haushalts, Geschlecht und Schultyp (staatlich oder privat) in Betracht gezogen. Daraufhin werden zu Fragen der Verbesserung von Bildung Befunde analysiert sowie die Prioritäten beschrieben, die für Bildung in Kenia nach 2015 gesetzt sind. Abschließend wird festgehalten, dass Fortschritte gemacht werden, jedoch wenig Aufmerksamkeit jenen Maßnahmen zu Teil wird, die sich vielversprechend mit Blick auf die Verbesserung von Lernen gezeigt haben. (DIPF/Orig.

From government to farmer-managed smallholder rice schemes: The unresolved case of the Mwea Irrigation Scheme

In Blank, H. G.; Mutero, C. M.; Murray-Rust, H. (Eds.), The changing face of irrigation in Kenya: Opportunities for anticipating changes in Eastern and Southern Africa. Colombo, Sri Lanka, IWM

Traditional Village Institutions in Environmental Management: Erosion Control in Katheka, Kenya

Twice in the history of Katheka Sublocation, Machakos District, its residents have been involved in the construction of bench terraces to control erosion and stabilize agricultural productivity. The first effort was coerced, resisted, and not sustained. The second effort began in the early 1970s and continues today. Fifteen traditional volunteer mwethya groups have been revitalized and have constructed over 20 kilometers of bench terraces and almost 100 check dams. Specific policy and programming recommendations for the government of Kenya and the development assistance community are presented. -from Author

Ecohealth Capacity Building Workshop, Nairobi, Kenya, November 26 - 30, 2007

The workshop explored how the Ecohealth framework plays out differently in different contexts. Included in Ecohealth is better understanding of gender and related social inequities, and as well, reducing inequity through this enhanced knowledge. Participants were able to recognize links between the project monitoring method of Outcome Mapping (OM), and Ecohealth approaches, and how they are mutually supportive. The workshop ended with an exploration around issues of knowledge translation and some successes participants have had. Annex 1 provides a table that organizes information regarding Integration of OM and Ecohealth

Mt. Elgon Regional Ecosystem Conservation Programme (MERECP) appraisal report

A consultancy team of four persons, contracted by Norad, made during April-May 2002 an external review of the programme proposal ”Mt. Elgon Regional Ecosystem Conservation Programme” (MERECP) prepared by IUCN-EARO. The proposal is partly based on two recent national projects dealing with the Mt. Elgon area in both countries. The MTTI/UWA in Uganda, and KWS/MENR, FD and Mt. Elgon County Council in Kenya will be the main responsible national institutions involved in the MERECP. EAC will constitute the regional umbrella for the programme. National and EAC commitment to the MERECP is outlined, and relevant legislation is discussed. Issues relating to the regional approach, with needs for harmonisation of policies, field activities, research and monitoring, are discussed. Coherence with Norwegian development policies is also outlined. The programme structure is explained, with Norad as external donor, a Programme Steering Committee led by EAC, a Programme Managemnt Unit, and with IUCN as technical facilitator and responsible for the financial flows. IUCN will subcontract institutions at various levels, including NGOs and CBOs, to perform programme activities. The MERECP will have an inception phase of about six months during which more detailed activity plans, budget outlines, recruitment of staff, purchase of equipment, and establishment of an agreed work plan will take place. The general outline of the programme, as well as the participatory process behind its development, is commended. However, the budget proposal has not been developed in the same participatory manner, and it is recommended to revise the budget outline. More resources should generally be spent on field activities, and less resources should be spent on general support to EAC, to IUCN, and to salaries for recruited staff. A major challenge will be to effectively harmonise the programme into a truly regional effort, and to avoid that the implementation phase will be split into a small regional component and two national components. It will also be a challenge to develop a regional integrated ecosystem management plan for Mt. Elgon. It is recommended that more focus is set on the knowledge gaps and the needs for more research activities in the MERECP, both in terms of collating what has already been done, and in terms of biodiversity monitoring, ecosystem functioning, and the various interactions between the forest ecosystem and the socio-economic and socio-cultural issues. Research needs might be discussed in a workshop where relevant stakeholders and institutions are invited. The complicated institutional set-up of the programme, as well as the significant differences between the two countries, are considered to be major risk factors for the success of the MERECP. The collaborative management component will be a particular challenge, as Kenya so far has no official provision for such schemes. Some appropriate indicators for assessing the success of the programme are given in the proposal, but a more complete set of such indicators remains to be developed. To foster a better sense of local responsibility and ownership to the programme, it is recommended that IUCN’s prominent role is gradually phased out, and given over to local bodies over the 4-5 years’ programme period. It is also recommended that the programme activities as far as possible are integrated into mainstream activities like district plans and DEAPs. The issue of corruption is identified as a major concern to the MERECP, and various ways to curb the problem are discussed. For example, funds will basically not pass through central government agencies under the programme, but through IUCN. The long term sustainability of MERECP will to a large extent be dependent on the ability to integrate programme activities into mainstream, national and regional activities, and the ability to find ways of future funding of successful activities. Increased revenue from tourism and from well managed forest plantations are particularly promising alternatives in this regard. It is important that local authorities are given better incentives than today, so that a major share of revenue accumulated locally also is retained locally. Human rights aspects, including resettlement issues; socio-cultural and gender aspects, and the HIV/AIDS problem are discussed in the programme context. It is probable that some of the projects being developed under the Nile Basin Initiative in the Mt. Elgon area will directly overlap with the MERECP. It is recommended that these efforts are co-ordinated through a continuous liaison system to avoid duplication of efforts. Also for other relevant donor-supported activities in the area it is important to develop effective collaborative routines