Primary Teacher Trainees Preparedness to Teach Science: A Gender Perspective

The purpose of this study was to determine Primary Teacher Education (PTE) Trainees’ perceptions regarding their preparedness to teach science in primary schools. A descriptive survey research design was used and stratified proportionate random sampling techniques used to select 177 males and 172 females. The study found out that more male trainee than female trainees had studied the three science subjects in secondary schools. Overall more male trainees than female trainees expressed high level of conceptual understanding of science subject content and SPS. More male trainee than female trainees further indicated they were ready to teach science during teaching practice and after training. The study recommends that science tutors to use SPS approach in teaching of PTE science, PTE to ensure trainees have high mastery of science subject content and SPS and to provide a gender-appropriate training to demystify gender differences in performance in science and promote gender equity in science education. The study further recommends that affirmative action be used in subject specialization selection to ensure gender parity in science education. Finally Kenya National Examination Council to include practical science examination measuring competency to teach science. Key words: Science Process Skills and Science Content, Inquiry Based science Educatio

Unmet Need for Contraception Use among HIV Positive Women in Kwale County, Kenya

Introduction: The HIV pandemic has been one of the biggest challenges in public health across the world since its emergence. Millions are still getting infected every year, despite all the efforts made to prevent new infections. The use of modern contraceptives is one of the strategies used in preventing vertical transmission of HIV by averting unplanned pregnancies, yet the uptake among HIV infected women is still below expectations especially in rural communities with fewer resources. Therefore this study aimed to determine the contraceptive use among HIV- positive women in Kwale County, Kenya. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study design was used, interviewing 347 HIV positive women aged 15-49 years who had been attending selected Comprehensive Care Clinics in Kwale County, for at least three months. Questionnaires were used between March and April 2021 to collect data from participants based on a systematic sampling with a skip interval used to select the participants. Data were managed and analysed using Ms Excel and STATA 16, respectively. A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The contraceptive prevalence rate was 79% (95% CI 74.3; 82.9) and the unmet need for contraception was 21% with 18% and 3% was the unmet need for limiting and spacing, respectively. The most commonly used modern contraceptive methods were injectables (48%) followed by implants (36%) then condoms (8%) and 4% were on hormonal pills. Older women aged between 45 and 49 had the highest unmet need for contraception (16;4.6%)[ X2=53.9031, p=0.000]. Marital status [X2=68.7855, p=0.000] and parity [X2=, 7.9921 p=0.018] were also associated with contraceptive use. Conclusion: The contraceptive prevalence rate and unmet needs were 79% and 21% respectively among HIV-positive women of childbearing age in Kwale County. Age of 45-49 years, widowed, and nulliparous status was associated with unmet needs for contraception. Recommendations: Literature indicates that spousal support encourages women to use contraceptives. Therefore, National and local governments should prioritize endorsing policies and programs targeting widowed and unmarried women to encourage them to utilize modern contraceptives

Alternative Education and Return Pathways for Out-of-School Youth in Sub-Saharan Africa

This background paper was prepared as part of the Mastercard Foundation's Secondary Education in Africa (SEA) initiative. The study was conducted by the African Population and Health Research Center's (APHRC) Education and Youth Empowerment (EYE) unit.The study was a desk review that relied on secondary data, and organizing and synthesizing available information on OOSY. A literature search focusing on SSA was conducted using academic databases and grey literature to find information on as many models as possible. The literature was synthesized into key features in alternative provision of education and training for OOSY and pathways back to formal education... A total of 190 articles that met the set criteria were retrieved and 66 of these were included in the review. More than 15 project reports (grey literature) were accessed online and used to develop case studies.... Additionally, the short case studies were enriched through telephone and Skype interviews with program staff and relevant senior government officers.

Imunização subcutânea na infecção do camundongo pela Leishmania major: eficácia dos promastigotos mortos pela formalina combinada com adjuvantes

Promastigotos mortos pela formalina (FKP) de Leishmania major combinados com Montanide ISA 720 (MISA), BCG ou alumen foram usados na vacinação de modelo murino cutâneo de leishmaniose (CL). Aumento significante e específico de resposta IgG anti FKP foram detectados tanto no FKP com alumen como naquele com BCG comparados ao MISA-FKP (p < 0,001). Aumento significante da proliferação esplênica de linfócitos de memória foi obtida nos camundongos vacinados com MISA-FKP quando comparados aos grupos vacinados com alumen-FKP ou BCG-FKP (p < 0,01). As maiores respostas por interferon-gama foram observadas no grupo BCG-FKP seguido pelo MISA-FKP enquanto que o alumen-FKP deu a menor resposta. No grupo MISA-FKP foram obtidas reduções significantes do tamanho das lesões quando comparado aos grupos vacinados com BCG/adjuvante de alumen-FKP. Embora o grupo BCG-FKP tenha mostrado a maior resposta por interferon-gama, não houve controle das lesões cutâneas. Redução significante no número de parasitas foi observada tanto no grupo vacinado com MISA-FKP como no BCG-FKP (p < 0,001). Houve boa correlação entre a carga parasitária e o nível de interferon-gama indicando que a resposta do interferon-gama é parâmetro sensível do estado imunológico. Em conclusão, MISA-FKP é a forma mais eficaz de vacina contra a leishmaniose cutânea murina.Formalin-killed promastigotes (FKP) of Leishmania major, in combination with Montanide ISA 720 (MISA), BCG or alum were used in vaccination of an inbred murine model against cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Significant and specific increases in anti-FKP IgG responses were detected for both alum-FKP and BCG-FKP compared to MISA-FKP (p < 0.001). Significant increases in splenic lymphocyte recall proliferation was obtained in the MISA-FKP vaccinated mice compared to alum-FKP or BCG-FKP vaccinated groups (p < 0.01). The highest interferon-&#947; responses were observed in the BCG-FKP group followed by the MISA-FKP while the alum-FKP gave the least responses. Significantly reduced lesion sizes were obtained in the MISA-FKP group compared to the BCG/alum adjuvants-FKP vaccinated groups. Although the BCG-FKP group showed the highest IFN-&#947; responses, it failed to control cutaneous lesions. Significant reductions in parasite numbers were observed in the MISA-FKP and BCG-FKP vaccinated groups (p < 0.001). There was a good correlation between parasite burden and IFN-&#947; level indicating IFN-&#947; response as a sensitive parameter of the immune status. In conclusion, MISA-FKP is the most efficacious vaccine formulation against murine cutaneous leishmaniasis

Education Management Information System (EMIS) and Learning Management in Informal Schools: A Case of Bridge International Schools, Nairobi-Kenya

Learning management and education management information systems (EMIS) in informal schools: a case study of bridge international schools in Nairobi is the focus of this study. This research set out to answer three main questions: (i) how effective is EMIS at boosting teacher management efficiency in NFS; (ii) what role does EMIS play in reducing or eliminating NFS learning challenges; and (iii) where exactly in Nairobi County's Kibera slums do NFS exist? The study's theoretical framework was constructivism. The researcher employed a Convergent parallel design mixed-methods strategy and zeroed in on a select group of respondents. 15 principals, 45 instructors, and 240 students (one focus group discussion with eight students per grade level) were randomly selected. Questionnaires and in-person interviews were used to compile the data. Descriptive statistics and SPSS for Windows version 21 were used to handle and analyse the collected data. Tables, frequencies, and percentages were used to display quantitative data, while questionnaires and interviews were used to display and analyse qualitative data. Schools should embrace the incorporation of education management information system (EMIS) and learning in informal settings, according to the study's findings, because school leadership and management play a crucial role in mitigating the negative impact EMIS has on Bridge International Academies' pedagogical approach. Kenya's Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MoEST) benefited greatly from the study's findings on the impact of EMIS on student learning and its suggestions for the ministry's future policymaking and ICT implementation. Researchers are encouraged to use the study's findings to further their own knowledge of EMIS in non-formal education systems, to test hypotheses, or as background reading for future investigations

Factors associated with anaemia among pregnant women in Rwanda: an analysis of the Rwanda demographic and health survey of 2020

Background: Anaemia in pregnancy is associated with several adverse outcomes for mothers and newborns, as well as their families. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of anaemia and the associated factors among pregnant women in Rwanda. Methods: Secondary data from the 2020 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS) was used. Multistage stratified sampling was used to select 435 pregnant women included in the study. Anaemia among pregnant women was defined as a haemoglobin value/dL. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the associated factors with anaemia in pregnancy, using SPSS (version 26). Results: Of the 435 pregnant women, 24.6% (95%CI: 21.1–29.3) were anaemic (1 in 4 pregnant women). Not working (AOR=2.45; 95%CI: 1.14–5.26), being unmarried (AOR=1.23; 95%CI: 1.24–3.57), low wealth index (AOR=9.19; 95%CI:1.64–51.56), having difficulty accessing a nearby health facility (AOR=5.40; 95%CI: 2.21–13.23), and normal body mass index (AOR=3.33; 95%CI: 1.46–7.59) were associated with higher odds of being anaemic. However, not taking iron supplements (AOR=0.16; 95% CI: 0.04–0.67), having no exposure to television (AOR=0.35; 95%CI: 0.14–0.91), being from the southern region (AOR=0.14; 95% CI: 0.03–0.66), and low husband/partner’s education (AOR=0.08; 95% CI:0.01–0.59) were associated with lower odds of being anaemic. Conclusions: The study findings indicate a high prevalence of anaemia in pregnancy, which was associated with several socio-demographics. There is a need for setting up mobile clinics and health facilities in hard-to-reach areas for easy accessibility to early anaemia screening services. Conducting mass screening for anaemia targeting pregnant women who are not working, the unmarried, and those with a low wealth index would also be beneficial. The intake of locally available iron-rich foods and/ or bio-fortified foods is also recommended. Keywords: Anaemia, Pregnancy, Women, Iron deficiency, Rwand

Effect of Desmodium intortum and black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) based meal on sensory and physicochemical properties of broiler chicken meat in Kenya

Although few studies have been conducted on the sensory effects of adding legume forage such as Desmodium intortum in combination with Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) in poultry (broiler) diets, the increased sensory appeal of the D. intortum-BSFLM based diets is unique, and corroborates previous studies. In this study the physical attributes of meat derived from various treatments differed; the increased addition of D. intortum-BSFLM mixture has a significant effect on poultry meat, particularly in moisture retention, pH and water holding capacity. As well, the inclusion of BSFLM and D. intortum influenced the fatty acid profile. These attributes could be comparative to free-range chicken ‘kienyeji’.Biovision Foundation, SwitzerlandNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research, WOTRO Science for Global DevelopmentAustralian Centre for International Agricultural ResearchRockefeller Foundatio

Malnutrition and cachexia among cancer out-patients in Nairobi, Kenya

Cancer is the third leading cause of death in Kenya. However, there is scarce information on the nutritional status of cancer patients to guide in decision making. The present study sought to assess the risk of malnutrition, and factors associated with malnutrition and cachexia, among cancer out-patients, with the aim of informing nutrition programmes for cancer management in Kenya and beyond. This was a facility-based cross-sectional study performed at Kenyatta National Hospital and Texas Cancer Centre in Nairobi, Kenya. The risk of malnutrition was assessed using the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST). Diagnoses of malnutrition and cachexia were done using the European Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) and Fearon criteria, respectively. A total of 512 participants were assessed. Those at risk of malnutrition were 33·1 % (12·5 % at medium risk, 20·6 % at high risk). Prevalence of malnutrition was 13·4 %. The overall weight loss >5 % over 3 months was 18·2 % and low fat-free mass index was 43·1 %. Prevalence of cachexia was 14·1 % compared with 8·5 % obtained using the local criteria. Only 18·6 % participants had received any form of nutrition services. Age was a predictor of malnutrition and cachexia in addition to site of cancer for malnutrition and cigarette smoking for cachexia. The use of the MUST as a screening tool at the first point of care should be explored. The predictive value of current nutrition assessment tools, and the local diagnostic criteria for malnutrition and cachexia should be reassessed to inform the development of appropriate clinical guidelines and future capacity-building initiatives that will ensure the correct identification of patients at risk for timely care