DETERMINANTS OF PARENTS’ PERCEPTION ON SCHOOL READINESS AMONG PRE-PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN KARASANI DIVISION, NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA

Global studies show the need for parental involvement in children’s school readiness. In Kenya, studies show that students’ poor performance in school is mainly caused by lack of school readiness. This study was guided by the Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory which regards children as the center of various layers of systems. Survey research design was used to guide the study. The location of the study was Kasarani Division. The target population was parents with children aged 5 to 6 years in pre-unit class enrolled in pre-primary schools in Kasarani Division. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to obtain data from the respondents. Pilot study was done in two pre-schools within Kasarani Division. Content validity was used to determine the validity of the instruments, while the reliability of the instruments was determined using test re-test method. Data was collected in two stages. Descriptive and inferential methods were used to analyze the collected data. ANOVA and Chi-square tests were used to test the null hypotheses at a significance level of 0.05. The findings showed that various factors were influenced parents’ perception on children’s school readiness. It was recommended that managers and administrators in public preschools ought to put systems in place to ensure that parents’ perceptions on school readiness are enhanced.  Article visualizations

Early changes in farmers’ adoption and use of an improved maize seed: An assessment of the impact of demos and field days

Background: Demonstration plots are widely used in the seed industry to create awareness and promote improved seed among smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the magnitude of effects on farmers’ adoption behaviour is less known. Objectives: This study assessed the impact of demonstration plots and field days on farmers’ awareness, knowledge and use of the improved maize variety that was being promoted. The study also assessed the impact on maize yields and production. Method: A promotion campaign was mounted by a local seed company in eastern and western Uganda, where demonstration plots were established and field days were held for two seasons. These were aimed at augmenting effects of radio messages that were aired over the same period. We used quasi-experimental approaches to determine changes in farmers’ adoption behaviour towards a new maize variety, and the subsequent effects on productivity. Farm household data were collected at the baseline and midline from a sample of 2050 households. Results: The findings showed no effect on the proportion of farmers planting the promoted variety, the acreage or proportion of land planted with the promoted variety. This was not surprising as farmers’ awareness and knowledge about the variety remained very low. Conclusion: The early result shows that demonstration plots were not effective, suggesting that more effective approaches should be explored. It may also be the case that the assessment was too early in the adoption cycle, in which case results after two more seasons of promotion will provide a better estimate of the effect

Awareness, Treatment and Control of Hypertension in Kenya

The emerging epidemic of hypertension (HTN) in sub-Saharan Africa is predicted to worsen. Uncontrolled HTN is associated with CVD, high morbidity and premature mortality; hence early detection, treatment and control of HTN is critical to reduction of the associated sequelae. The study was guided by the Social Ecological Model and principles of Community Based Participatory Research

The Role of Bioinformatics in Drug Discovery: A Comprehensive Overview

Bioinformatics plays a crucial role in various aspects of drug discovery, drug metabolism, and pharmacology. In drug discovery, bioinformatics enables the efficient analysis and interpretation of large-scale biological data, facilitating target identification, lead compound optimization, and prediction of drug-target interactions. It aids in the identification and characterization of potential drug targets through genomic and proteomic analyses. Additionally, bioinformatics assists in the prediction of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetic properties, offering insights into the safety and efficacy of potential drug candidates. Furthermore, it contributes to pharmacology by enabling the analysis of drug-drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, and personalized medicine approaches. The integration of computational tools and algorithms with biological and chemical data has accelerated the drug discovery process, improved success rates, and reduced costs. Bioinformatics has become an indispensable tool in the development of novel therapeutics and the optimization of drug efficacy and safety. This book chapter elucidates the profound impact of bioinformatics in drug metabolism and pharmacology, emphasizing the transformative potential it holds for the future of pharmaceutical research, ultimately improving patient outcomes and bringing innovative therapies

Insecticide-Treated Nets and Protection against Insecticide-Resistant Malaria Vectors in Western Kenya

Insecticide resistance might reduce the efficacy of malaria vector control. In 2013 and 2014, malaria vectors from 50 villages, of varying pyrethroid resistance, in western Kenya were assayed for resistance to deltamethrin. Long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLIN) were distributed to households at universal coverage. Children were recruited into 2 cohorts, cleared of malaria-causing parasites, and tested every 2 weeks for reinfection. Infection incidence rates for the 2 cohorts were 2.2 (95% CI 1.9–2.5) infections/person-year and 2.8 (95% CI 2.5–3.0) infections/person-year. LLIN users had lower infection rates than non-LLIN users in both low-resistance (rate ratio 0.61, 95% CI 0.42–0.88) and high-resistance (rate ratio 0.55, 95% CI 0.35–0.87) villages (p = 0.63). The association between insecticide resistance and infection incidence was not significant (p = 0.99). Although the incidence of infection was high among net users, LLINs provided significant protection (p = 0.01) against infection with malaria parasite regardless of vector insecticide resistanc

Cardiovascular Disease Behavioral Risk Factors in Select Countries of Sub-Saharan Africa: An Inter-Country Comparative Study from a Cross-Sectional Population-Based Survey

Cardiovascular Disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Cardiovascular disease causes 30% of total deaths globally; 82% of these deaths take place in low- and middle-income countries (WHO, 2012). Sub-Saharan Africa is now facing a double burden of disease with a rising wave of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease along with the current communicable diseases epidemic. Behavioral factors that have been shown to increase risk of developing cardiovascular disease include: physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence, distribution and association of cardiovascular disease behavioral risk factors (physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol) in Sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya, Ghana, South Africa and Senegal). Secondary analysis was conducted on data generated from a 2003 population-based survey (World Health Survey) by the World Health Organization (WHO) with a sample consisting of 13,851 individuals. In addition, secondary analysis was conducted on data from the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control to determine if there is any association between implementation of country-specific tobacco control policies and self-reported tobacco use prevalence in Kenya, Ghana, South Africa and Senegal. This study documented a high prevalence of unhealthy diet (67% overall) that is relatively similar to unhealthy diet prevalence in the U.S (75%). In the countries of interest, the overall prevalence of physical inactivity, tobacco use and harmful use of alcohol (12%, 14%, and 6%) respectively were lower as compared to developed countries. Implementation of country-specific tobacco policies was associated with a higher reduction in the rate of country reported tobacco use prevalence. Results showed that there was variability in prevalence and distribution of the four examined cardiovascular disease behavioral risk factors. The study showed that there were both within-country and between-country differences. These risk factors varied by age, gender, living location and level of education attainment. A trend of increased behavioral risk factors associated with increased age, male gender and lower education attainment was observed which places older adults, males and those with lower education attainment at increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease

Farmer Demand for Soil Fertility Management Practices in Kenya’s Grain Basket

Land degradation cripples smallholder crop production in Sub-Saharan Africa, including those found in the densely populated, grain basket areas of Kenya. Research in the early nineties already documented and rated nutrient depletion to be very high in the east African Highlands. Whereas some of the soil related problems are inherent, smallholder farmer practices have contributed to the degradation, including the increasing soil nutrient depletion

Farmer Demand for Soil Fertility Management Practices in Kenya’s Grain Basket

Use of soil amendments, including organic materials and mineral fertilizers, is highly recommended for the replenishment of soil nutrients, improved soil health and more efficient use of fertilizers in sub-Saharan Africa. Along with other constraints, underdeveloped markets are often cited as a reason for limited uptake of recommended practices. Recognizing the potential interrelationship among practices, we estimate seemingly-unrelated, multivariate probit models to identify the factors that determine use of inorganic fertilizer, other soil amendments, and practices to control erosion by smallholder farmers in Kenya. We then estimate demand for the most common soil nutrients (N and P). We find that, consistent with theory, farmers are price-responsive and remoteness depresses demand for mineral fertilizers. Knowledge and plot tenure have a strong influence on use of soil fertility management practices. Sex of household head affects use of soil fertility management practices only in maize production, and particularly in use of N and P. Decisions to use different categories of soil fertility management practices are correlated