University Students and AIDS: Evaluation of HIV Self-Testing Acceptability and Willingness

Given the high incidence of HIV among youth in Sub-Saharan Africa, it is critical to better understand the factors influencing HIV testing in this population; this is the first stage in the HIV treatment cascade. To reach the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets for eradicating AIDS by 2030, 95% of persons living with HIV (PLWHV) should be diagnosed, 95% of those diagnosed should be on antiretroviral medication (ART), and 95% of those on ART should be virally suppressed. Youth (ages 15-24) are less likely than adults (ages 25-49) to receive HIV testing, and they are disproportionately affected by HIV; in 2018, an estimated one-third of all new infections occurred in the 15-24 age group, with Africa accounting for 73% of new infections among youth. HIV self-testing (HIVST) has been found to be an acceptable technique of learning one's HIV status without danger of self or social harm, and may boost the uptake and frequency of testing for teenagers and those who are reluctant to test. The current study therefore, evaluated Kenyan University students' acceptability and willingness towards HIV self-testing (HIVST). The study sampled 250 students from 4 public Universities using simple random sampling method. Data was analyzed using frequencies and percentages. The study concluded that many University students choose HIV self-testing (HIVST) owing to stigma

Turkana Schools in Kenya: An Analysis of the Hygiene and Sanitation Management Approach and the Completion Rates for Girls

The Kenyan government has started implementing measures to improve gender equality in the availability of basic education. Low girls' participation in basic education has been connected to factors originating from the home environment. The majority of females do not finish their eight years of elementary school, as intended by Kenyan curriculum developers. This study looked into the impact of school hygiene and sanitation practices on girls' completion rates in Turkana County. A descriptive survey research design was employed in the study. The study was carried out in a primary public school. There were 14 head teachers, 110 instructors, and 112 girls in the study's sample. The girls, teachers, and head teachers were chosen by a straightforward random sample technique. Head teachers were interviewed in order to gather data.Data was gathered via focus groups with eight girls in each group (a total of 14 discussion groups), questionnaires given to teachers, and interviews with head teachers. According to Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory (1989), the study was conducted. The results of the study indicated that improving sanitation and hygiene will raise the percentage of females who graduate from public elementary schools in Turkana County.&nbsp

Variation du Vent et ses Influences sur les Parametres Climatiques de la Région de Yangambi (RD Congo)

La région forestière de Yangambi subi des perturbations climatiques suite au réchauffement global. Ainsi à cause de degâts entrainés par des tempêtes, la présente étude a été menée pour déterminer par le test de Pettit et de Welch le changement tendanciel sérial du vent et son influence par les coefficients de corrélations simples et partielles sur les paramètres climatiques observés de 1950 à 2017 à Yangambi. Il s’est avéré que l’augmentation de la température à 24,98±0,15°C a influencé la hausse significative depuis 1990 de la tendance du vent d’une vitesse moyenne annuelle de 2,85±0,17 km/h. Les grandes vitesses mensuelles du vent ont été observées en mars avec 3,16 km/h et octobre avec 2,99 km/h. L’évapotranspiration potentielle (ETP) et la chaleur latente étant très élevées en mars et octobre, influencent la baisse de l’humidité relative de l’air (HR) et produisent des grandes variations de vent pour déclencher les premières pluies aléatoires. La relation mensuelle simple du vent a été significative avec tous les paramètres climatiques. Le vent a été hautement influencé par la corrélation mensuelle partielle de r= -0,918 entre la température et l’HR moyenne de 87,3% observées dans la divergence symétrique de leurs régimes, et r= 0,698 entre la température et l’ETP moyenne de 95,3 mm observées dans la convergence symétrique de leurs coefficients de variation. The forest region of Yangambi has met climatic disturbances because of global warming. Thus, for disasters caused by tempests, the present study has been conducted to determine by the test of Pettit and Welch the serial trend change of wind and its influence by the coefficients of simple and partial correlations on the climatic parameters registered from 1950 to 2017 in Yangambi. It has been revealed that the temperature increase at 24.98±0.15°C has influenced since 1990 the significant increase of annual wind trend with the speed means of 2.85±0.17 km/h. Higher monthly wind speeds have been observed in march with 3.16 km/h and october with 2.99 km/h. Potential evapotranspiration (PET) and latent hit, being very high in march and october, influence the declining of air relative humidity (RH) and yield high wind variations that could enhance aleatory first rainfall. Monthly simple correlationship of wind has been significant with all climatic parameters. The wind has been highly influenced by the monthly partial correlation with r= - 0.918 between temperature and RH averaged at 87.3% observed in the symmetrical divergence of their regimes and r= 0.698 between temperature and PET averaged at 95.3 mm following the symmetrical convergence of their coefficients of variation

Public Schools in Northern Kenya: Perceived Security and Teacher Turnover

Despite efforts to improve teacher retention, turnover is still a problem in Kenya's northern public schools. However, the consistency and continuity of teaching and learning processes are hampered by teacher turnover. These experiences prompted this study to investigate perceived security and teacher turnover in the public schools in the Northern region of Kenya. The target population included 89 non native teachers from public schools in the Northen part of Kenya. A sample 29 teachers (non-native) were selected using snowball sampling method. To collect data from teachers a questionnaire was used. Weighted averages, percentages, means, standard deviations, correlation and linear regression were all used in the data analysis. The study concluded that the perceived security played a significant role in non-native teachers turnover in the Northern region of Kenya

Employee Satisfaction and Retention in Kenyan Public Universities

Retention of human resources is vital in companies and institutions whose financial sustainability and survival in a competitive environment are dependent on scarce human and specialist capabilities. The employee is the most important resource because of how much they contribute to the performance and success of the company. When talented employees leave an organization, they leave a hole that can be expensive to fill and difficult to manage, which undermines institutional performance. The research design used in the study was ex post facto. 430 non-teaching employees from 4 public Universities were chosen for the study using simple random sampling. A questionnaire with closed-ended (Likert type scale 1–5) items was used to gather the data. With the aid of descriptive statistics, the data was analyzed. According to the study's findings, more satisfied employees would have little intentions to quit

Traditional Male Circumcision and Its Implications on the Socio-Economic and Psychosocial Life of the Bukusu Community in Kenya

Circumcision is traditionally practised among the Bukusu of Bungoma District, Western Province. This practise has had several implications on the community and the initiates involved. This study sought to investigate the impact of traditional circumcision on the psychosocial life of the Bukusu. This study utilized a survey research design in which data was collected on a number of variables simultaneously and at one point in time. The target population consisted of all circumcised boys between 12 –15 years in class 8 of primary schools in Bukembe location of Kanduyi division. Purposive sampling was used to select 100 boys from class eight and 40 parents from their households. Primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire and an interview schedule. Secondary data was collected from documented information about circumcision. The data collected was coded and analyzed descriptively using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 11.5. Based on the findings, the study established that during traditional circumcision practices, the youths were taught sacred things, secrets, dos and don’ts, norms and regulations of their community. Thus they graduated as responsible members and future leaders of the community. It was also established that circumcision practices affect the socio-economic status of the families because it proved to be very expensive. It was also established that circumcision boosted the youth’s self- esteem because after graduation they were allowed to participate in communal activities,  including decision- making. This made them feel courageous, confident, worth to be respected and socially accepted members of their community. Based on this findings, it is recommended that teachings and songs being sung during traditional circumcision should be vetted to discourage immoral behaviours among the youth and also  parents should be provided with adequate information on hygiene pertaining to the long-term medical effects of circumcision so that they can make informed decisions. Key words: Traditional Circumcision, Moral, Economical & Psychological Effects of Circumcisio

Influence of Academic Staff Involvement in Management on Turnover Intentions in Public Diploma Teacher Training Colleges in Kenya

The purpose of the study was to investigate the influence of academic staff involvement in management on turnover intentions in PDTTCs in Kenya. Purposive sampling was used to select 4 PDTTCs, 4 college principals and 8 senior masters. Simple random sampling was used to select 430 academic staff members for the study. Data was collected using a questionnaire which had closed-ended (likert type scale 1-5) questions. Items from the main questionnaire were arranged and grouped according into specific research objectives. College principals and senior masters were interviewed in order to get in-depth information on turnover intentions among the academic staff in PDTTCs. The data was analyzed using Pearson correlation and simple linear regression. The study established that the academic staff members were less involved in the management which significantly contributed to turnover intentions. Keywords: Involvement in Management, Turnover Intentions, Influence, Academic Staf

RETHINKING EFFECTIVE RESOURCE UTILIZATION IN URBAN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KENYA

In light of the assertion by Alvin Toffler that “The illiterates of the 21st Century will not be those who cannot read and write but those who cannot learn, unlearn and re-learn”, the aim of this paper is to encourage educational planners, managers and scholars to re-think and adopt school management practices towards effective resource utilization in urban schools. While many scholars have written on effective resource utilization in schools, this paper examines the relationship between school management practices and effective utilization of resources in urban schools. The main educational resources under focus in this study include physical facilities, financial and human resources. These resources are managed in a manner beneficial to a single-owning school yet other schools within the neighborhood experience severe shortages. Like in most areas of the world, Kenya encounters a steady rise in student enrolment in urban schools due to the ever-growing population. This is compounded by the government’s policies of 100% transition to secondary education and Tuition-Free Secondary Education (TFSE). Resource constraints and misuse threaten the quest for improved access, quality and equity in education in Kenyan urban secondary schools.  This paper uses a review of available literature and empirical studies, from which authors discuss, make conclusions and give recommendations to inform policy on management practices towards effective resource utilization in urban schools.  Article visualizations

Academic Achievement of Students in Kenya's Public Secondary Schools: The Effects of Teacher Time Management and Class Attendance

Almost all firms use performance appraisal as one of the strategic tools in human resource management to get a competitive edge. Every employee's performance is identified, measured, and evaluated during this procedure. One of the fundamental instruments that encourages employees to be highly productive and engaged at work is the Teacher Performance Appraisal Development (TPAD). The system of teacher performance appraisal is intended to increase student learning outcomes by positively influencing teachers' professional growth if it is properly developed and put into practice. In general, many schools, particularly those in West Pokot Sub County's rural areas, have performed poorly. The study was designed to investigate teachers’time management and lesson attendance on students’ academic achievement in public secondary schools. A descriptive survey research design was used in the study. The target population was 43 public secondary schools, which had 12900 pupils, 86 Quality Assurance and Standard Officers, 43 principals, 43 deputy Principals, and 860 teachers. The Yamane formula was used to determine the sample size of 388. Sample size is the number of participants included in a study. Interviews, interview schedules, and questionnaires were all used as data gathering tools. A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the validity and reliability of the research instruments used to measure accuracy, consistency, and the degree to which differences in measurement results accurately represented differences between respondents. Additionally, important was the Cronbach alpha. Data analysis benefited from the use of the statistical package for social sciences version 27. The significant levels of one variable were transferred to the other with the use of the multiple regression analysis. Each variable's correlation coefficient was calculated after an Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test. The study found that student performance on the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) is favourably and significantly influenced by teacher time management and lesson attendance

Tutor Competence and its Effect on Quality of Teacher Preparation in Emerging Private Primary Teacher Training Colleges in Bungoma County- Kenya

Teacher quality is critical in the provision of quality education. Teachers are a country’s determinant of competitiveness and capacity to create more jobs and growth. They are important means of passing on values, skills, knowledge and attitudes required for democracy, citizenship, intercultural dialogue and personal development. Research has shown that teacher effect is much larger than the effect of school organization, leadership and financial conditions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the competence of tutors as a resource in effective teacher preparation. The research was carried out in eight private teacher training colleges in Western Province in Kenya. The study sample was selected through simple random and purposive sampling techniques. The sample size comprised of eight college principals and 43 tutors. Data was collected through questionnaires, interview and document analysis. The Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) was utilized in the analysis of descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages. The research established that incompetent teaching staff in the emerging private primary teacher training colleges had a negative impact on quality of teacher preparation. This factor continues to have negative effect on the quality of graduates produced. The study therefore recommended that, regular monitoring and evaluation audits should be conducted to ensure that these colleges conform to the set standards all the time. Furthermore there is need to constantly review and improve the quality of teacher training to be in tandem with the global trends. This will ultimately enhance preparation of teachers’ and minimize the quality inconsistencies in the private primary teacher training colleges. Key Words: Teacher Competence, Teacher Preparation, Teacher Qualit