Factors influencing uptake of family planning services among men in Kenya

Background: Utilisation of family planning services in Kenya remains quite low hence, the soaring population which has partly hampered achievement of the fifth Millennium Development Goal (MDG) as well as achievement of overall development goals for the entire country. Current reports indicate that male participation improves uptake of maternal healthcare and family planning services among women.Objective: To determine factors that influence male participation in family planning services in Kenya.Design: A retrospective studySetting: Nationally representative survey of Eight provinces in Kenya.Subjects: Married and single sexually active men.Results: From the adjusted logistic regression model after controlling for other factors, we found higher education AOR 1.59 (C.I: 0.767-3.299), employment AOR 1.67 (C.I: 1.127-2.496), Media as the source of information AOR 1.75 (C.I: 1.308-2.367), discussion with a health worker AOR 1.71 (C.I: 1.206 – 2.430), number of wives (one wife AOR 0.07 (C.I: 0.007-0.769), No more desire for children AOR 2.83 (C.I: 1.794-4.489) and the total number of children one has (1-4) AOR 2.55 (CI: 1.616 -4.029) as the main factors that influence male participation in family planning services.Conclusion: In Kenya, programmes intending to have men actively participate in family planning services should focus on addressing multiple factors which influence men’s participation in family planning services

Effects of legume cover crop and sub-soiling on soil properties and Maize (Zea mays L) growth in semi arid area of Machakos district, Kenya = Efecto del cultivo de cobertua y el subsolado sobre las propiedades del suelo y crecimiento de maiz (Zea mays L.) en la region semi arida de Machakos, Kenia

Low crop yields in the semi arid areas of Kenya have been attributed to, among other factors, low soil fertility, low farm inputs, labour constraints and inappropriate tillage practices that lead to pulverized soils. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of legume cover crops (LCC) on soil properties and maize growth in the semi arid area of Machakos District, Kenya. The study was undertaken in farmers’ fields. The field experiments were carried out in a RCBD with four treatments each replicated four times during the 2008 long (LR) and short rain (SR) seasons. The treatments were T1 = maize + dolichos (Lablab purpureus) + subsoiling; T2 = maize + dolichos + no subsoiling; T3 = maize alone + no subsoiling; T4 = maize alone with subsoiling). Results from the field experiments showed that rainfall amount and its distribution affected the growth and yield of dolichos and maize. There were significant differences in ground cover between the treatments at P = 0.05 in all the different weeks after planting when measurements were taken. The penetration resistance in all the plots ranged from 3.83 - 4.18 kg cm-2 with treatment T4 having the highest and treatment T1 lowest penetration resistance. There were also siginificant changes in soil N in plots which were under dolichos compared to plots without dolichos. The results obtained in this study also indicated that subsoiling in combination with dolichos had the greatest potential of improving soil properties and crop yields in semi arid environments of Kenya

Mortality in East African shorthorn zebu cattle under one year : predictors of infectious-disease mortality

BACKGROUND: Infectious livestock diseases remain a major threat to attaining food security and are a source of economic and livelihood losses for people dependent on livestock for their livelihood. Knowledge of the vital infectious diseases that account for the majority of deaths is crucial in determining disease control strategies and in the allocation of limited funds available for disease control. Here we have estimated the mortality rates in zebu cattle raised in a smallholder mixed farming system during their first year of life, identified the periods of increased risk of death and the risk factors for calf mortality, and through analysis of post-mortem data, determined the aetiologies of calf mortality in this population. A longitudinal cohort study of 548 zebu cattle was conducted between 2007 and 2010. Each calf was followed during its first year of life or until lost from the study. Calves were randomly selected from 20 sub-locations and recruited within a week of birth from different farms over a 45 km radius area centered on Busia in the Western part of Kenya. The data comprised of 481.1 calf years of observation. Clinical examinations, sample collection and analysis were carried out at 5 week intervals, from birth until one year old. Cox proportional hazard models with frailty terms were used for the statistical analysis of risk factors. A standardized post-mortem examination was conducted on all animals that died during the study and appropriate samples collected. RESULTS: The all-cause mortality rate was estimated at 16.1 (13.0-19.2; 95% CI) per 100 calf years at risk. The Cox models identified high infection intensity with Theileria spp., the most lethal of which causes East Coast Fever disease, infection with Trypanosome spp., and helminth infections as measured by Strongyle spp. eggs per gram of faeces as the three important infections statistically associated with infectious disease mortality in these calves. Analysis of post-mortem data identified East Coast Fever as the main cause of death accounting for 40% of all deaths, haemonchosis 12% and heartwater disease 7%. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate the impact of endemic parasitic diseases in indigenous animals expected to be well adapted against disease pressures. Additionally, agreement between results of Cox models using data from simple diagnostic procedures and results from post-mortem analysis underline the potential use such diagnostic data to reduce calf mortality. The control strategies for the identified infectious diseases have been discussed.The Wellcome Trust (grant No. 079,445)http://www.biomedcentral.com/1746-6148/9/175am2013ab201

Parasite co-infections show synergistic and antagonistic interactions on growth performance of East African zebu cattle under one year

The co-occurrence of different pathogen species and their simultaneous infection of hosts are common, and may affect host health outcomes. Co-infecting pathogens may interact synergistically (harming the host more) or antagonistically (harming the host less) compared with single infections. Here we have tested associations of infections and their co-infections with variation in growth rate using a subset of 455 animals of the Infectious Diseases of East Africa Livestock (IDEAL) cohort study surviving to one year. Data on live body weight, infections with helminth parasites and haemoparasites were collected every 5 weeks during the first year of life. Growth of zebu cattle during the first year of life was best described by a linear growth function. A large variation in daily weight gain with a range of 0·03–0·34 kg, and a mean of 0·135 kg (0·124, 0·146; 95% CI) was observed. After controlling for other significant covariates in mixed effects statistical models, the results revealed synergistic interactions (lower growth rates) with Theileria parva and Anaplasma marginale co-infections, and antagonistic interactions (relatively higher growth rates) with T. parva and Theileria mutans co-infections, compared with infections with T. parva only. Additionally, helminth infections can have a strong negative effect on the growth rates but this is burden-dependent, accounting for up to 30% decrease in growth rate in heavily infected animals. These findings present evidence of pathogen–pathogen interactions affecting host growth, and we discuss possible mechanisms that may explain observed directions of interactions as well as possible modifications to disease control strategies when co-infections are present.This work was supported by the Wellcome Trust (grant No. 079445).http://www.parasitesandvectors.com/am2014ab201

Parasite co-infections and their impact on survival of indigenous cattle

In natural populations, individuals may be infected with multiple distinct pathogens at a time. These pathogens may act independently or interact with each other and the host through various mechanisms, with resultant varying outcomes on host health and survival. To study effects of pathogens and their interactions on host survival, we followed 548 zebu cattle during their first year of life, determining their infection and clinical status every 5 weeks. Using a combination of clinical signs observed before death, laboratory diagnostic test results, gross-lesions on post-mortem examination, histo-pathology results and survival analysis statistical techniques, cause-specific aetiology for each death case were determined, and effect of co-infections in observed mortality patterns. East Coast fever (ECF) caused by protozoan parasite Theileria parva and haemonchosis were the most important diseases associated with calf mortality, together accounting for over half (52%) of all deaths due to infectious diseases. Co-infection with Trypanosoma species increased the hazard for ECF death by 6 times (1.4–25; 95% CI). In addition, the hazard for ECF death was increased in the presence of Strongyle eggs, and this was burden dependent. An increase by 1000 Strongyle eggs per gram of faeces count was associated with a 1.5 times (1.4–1.6; 95% CI) increase in the hazard for ECF mortality. Deaths due to haemonchosis were burden dependent, with a 70% increase in hazard for death for every increase in strongyle eggs per gram count of 1000. These findings have important implications for disease control strategies, suggesting a need to consider co-infections in epidemiological studies as opposed to singlepathogen focus, and benefits of an integrated approach to helminths and East Coast fever disease control.The Wellcome Trust (grant No. 079445)http://www.plosone.orgam201

Hematological profile of East African short-horn zebu calves from birth to 51 weeks of age

This paper is the first attempt to accurately describe the hematological parameters for any African breed of cattle, by capturing the changes in these parameters over the first 12 months of an animal’s life using a population-based sample of calves reared under field conditions and natural disease challenge. Using a longitudinal study design, a stratified clustered random sample of newborn calves was recruited into the IDEAL study and monitored at 5-weekly intervals until 51 weeks of age. The blood cell analysis performed at each visit included: packed cell volume; red cell count; red cell distribution width; mean corpuscular volume; mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration; hemoglobin concentration; white cell count; absolute lymphocyte, eosinophil, monocyte, and neutrophil counts; platelet count; mean platelet volume; and total serum protein. The most significant age-related change in the red cell parameters was a rise in red cell count and hemoglobin concentration during the neonatal period. This is in contrast to what is reported for other ruminants, including European cattle breeds where the neonatal period is marked by a fall in the red cell parameters. There is a need to establish breed-specific reference ranges for blood parameters for indigenous cattle breeds. The possible role of the postnatal rise in the red cell parameters in the adaptability to environmental constraints and innate disease resistance warrants further research into the dynamics of blood cell parameters of these breeds.Wellcome Trust (project no.079445).http://link.springer.com/journal/580hb2013ab201

Effect of Lablab purpureus L. cover crop and imidazolinone resistant (IR) maize on weeds in drought prone areas, Kenya

Weeds compete for nutrients and soil moisture resulting to low maize yields in dry lands. A three year field study was initiated in 2009 at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Kiboko to evaluate the effect of dolichos bean (Lablab purpureus L.) and open pollinated imazapyr herbicide coated imidazolinone-resistant (IR)1 maize on weed species composition, density, and maize yield. Initially, weed species were identified, and then controlled using glyphosate at 1.6 kg ai ha 1. Twenty four plots were marked, each measuring 4 5 m. Six treatments 1) IR-maize coated, 2) IR-maize coated þ brown dolichos, 3) IR-maize coated þ black dolichos 4) IR-maize uncoated, 5) IR-maize uncoated þ brown dolichos, 6) IR-maize uncoated þ black dolichos were laid out in a randomized complete block design replicated four times. IR-maize was planted at a spacing of 90 45 cm and 2 seeds per hole. Weeds were sampled from a one meter squared quadrat 21 and 42 days after planting (DAP). The data was subjected to analysis of variance using Genstat version 12.0. Eighteen (18) weed species were prevalent before the experiment. Interaction of dolichos and herbicide coated IR-maize had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on weed species composition and density. Dolichos significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the density of Portulaca quadrifida L. and Paraknoxia parviflora L., and increased Eleusine indica L. Weed species composition decreased by 14% (21 DAP) and 33% (42 DAP) in plots with dolichos compared to no cover. Maize yields were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in plots with dolichos than without. From the findings, this study recommends dolichos integration with coated IR-for weed management and increased maize yields in drylands.Weeds compete for nutrients and soil moisture resulting to low maize yields in dry lands. A three year field study was initiated in 2009 at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Kiboko to evaluate the effect of dolichos bean (Lablab purpureus L.) and open pollinated imazapyr herbicide coated imidazolinone-resistant (IR)1 maize on weed species composition, density, and maize yield. Initially, weed species were identified, and then controlled using glyphosate at 1.6 kg ai ha 1. Twenty four plots were marked, each measuring 4 5 m. Six treatments 1) IR-maize coated, 2) IR-maize coated þ brown dolichos, 3) IR-maize coated þ black dolichos 4) IR-maize uncoated, 5) IR-maize uncoated þ brown dolichos, 6) IR-maize uncoated þ black dolichos were laid out in a randomized complete block design replicated four times. IR-maize was planted at a spacing of 90 45 cm and 2 seeds per hole. Weeds were sampled from a one meter squared quadrat 21 and 42 days after planting (DAP). The data was subjected to analysis of variance using Genstat version 12.0. Eighteen (18) weed species were prevalent before the experiment. Interaction of dolichos and herbicide coated IR-maize had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on weed species composition and density. Dolichos significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the density of Portulaca quadrifida L. and Paraknoxia parviflora L., and increased Eleusine indica L. Weed species composition decreased by 14% (21 DAP) and 33% (42 DAP) in plots with dolichos compared to no cover. Maize yields were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in plots with dolichos than without. From the findings, this study recommends dolichos integration with coated IR-for weed management and increased maize yields in drylands.Weeds compete for nutrients and soil moisture resulting to low maize yields in dry lands. A three year field study was initiated in 2009 at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Kiboko to evaluate the effect of dolichos bean (Lablab purpureus L.) and open pollinated imazapyr herbicide coated imidazolinone-resistant (IR)1 maize on weed species composition, density, and maize yield. Initially, weed species were identified, and then controlled using glyphosate at 1.6 kg ai ha 1. Twenty four plots were marked, each measuring 4 5 m. Six treatments 1) IR-maize coated, 2) IR-maize coated þ brown dolichos, 3) IR-maize coated þ black dolichos 4) IR-maize uncoated, 5) IR-maize uncoated þ brown dolichos, 6) IR-maize uncoated þ black dolichos were laid out in a randomized complete block design replicated four times. IR-maize was planted at a spacing of 90 45 cm and 2 seeds per hole. Weeds were sampled from a one meter squared quadrat 21 and 42 days after planting (DAP). The data was subjected to analysis of variance using Genstat version 12.0. Eighteen (18) weed species were prevalent before the experiment. Interaction of dolichos and herbicide coated IR-maize had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on weed species composition and density. Dolichos significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the density of Portulaca quadrifida L. and Paraknoxia parviflora L., and increased Eleusine indica L. Weed species composition decreased by 14% (21 DAP) and 33% (42 DAP) in plots with dolichos compared to no cover. Maize yields were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in plots with dolichos than without. From the findings, this study recommends dolichos integration with coated IR-for weed management and increased maize yields in drylands

Factors influencing adoption of cover crops for weed management in Machakos and Makueni counties of Kenya

Despite the many advantages of growing cover crops most farmers have not adopted them in their cropping systems. The objective of this study was to examine adoption and sociological factors associ- ated with adoption of cover crops in Kalama (Machakos county) and Kee (Makueni county), Kenya. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 80 randomly selected participants to obtain socio- logical information including gender, age category, education levels, and adoption of cover crops. Two binary logistic regression models were used to determine the factors affecting cover crops adoption by respondents. Results showed that 80% of the respondents had adopted cover crop technologies at Kalama compared to 57.5% at Kee. Results indicated that gender had a significant ( P < 0.05) effect on adoption. Men were less likely to adopt. Age category had mixed effects on cover crop adoption. At Kalama age category had a significant ( P < 0.05) effect on cover crops adoption however age effect was not significant at Kee. Education indicated mixed effects on cover crop adoption suggesting other factors not covered in the study were at play. Views from farmers with experience in growing cover crops revealed that, knowledge and skills, demonstration of gains and related cost had a significant ( P < 0.05) effect on cover crop adoption. Majority of farmers, adopters or non-adopters used seeds from market. Non-adopters in Kee (37.5%) used relief seed suggesting other factors were required to give the threshold required to influence adoption. This implies research is needed to identify factors with likelihood to reach threshold for adoption under different farming systems. The study recommends capacity building to develop cover crop knowledge and skills, demonstrate gains and related costs to improve men and women’s likelihood to adopt. In addition, the study recommends research to shed light on other factors likely to influence adoption.Despite the many advantages of growing cover crops most farmers have not adopted them in their cropping systems. The objective of this study was to examine adoption and sociological factors associ- ated with adoption of cover crops in Kalama (Machakos county) and Kee (Makueni county), Kenya. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 80 randomly selected participants to obtain socio- logical information including gender, age category, education levels, and adoption of cover crops. Two binary logistic regression models were used to determine the factors affecting cover crops adoption by respondents. Results showed that 80% of the respondents had adopted cover crop technologies at Kalama compared to 57.5% at Kee. Results indicated that gender had a significant ( P < 0.05) effect on adoption. Men were less likely to adopt. Age category had mixed effects on cover crop adoption. At Kalama age category had a significant ( P < 0.05) effect on cover crops adoption however age effect was not significant at Kee. Education indicated mixed effects on cover crop adoption suggesting other factors not covered in the study were at play. Views from farmers with experience in growing cover crops revealed that, knowledge and skills, demonstration of gains and related cost had a significant ( P < 0.05) effect on cover crop adoption. Majority of farmers, adopters or non-adopters used seeds from market. Non-adopters in Kee (37.5%) used relief seed suggesting other factors were required to give the threshold required to influence adoption. This implies research is needed to identify factors with likelihood to reach threshold for adoption under different farming systems. The study recommends capacity building to develop cover crop knowledge and skills, demonstrate gains and related costs to improve men and women’s likelihood to adopt. In addition, the study recommends research to shed light on other factors likely to influence adoption.Despite the many advantages of growing cover crops most farmers have not adopted them in their cropping systems. The objective of this study was to examine adoption and sociological factors associ- ated with adoption of cover crops in Kalama (Machakos county) and Kee (Makueni county), Kenya. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 80 randomly selected participants to obtain socio- logical information including gender, age category, education levels, and adoption of cover crops. Two binary logistic regression models were used to determine the factors affecting cover crops adoption by respondents. Results showed that 80% of the respondents had adopted cover crop technologies at Kalama compared to 57.5% at Kee. Results indicated that gender had a significant ( P < 0.05) effect on adoption. Men were less likely to adopt. Age category had mixed effects on cover crop adoption. At Kalama age category had a significant ( P < 0.05) effect on cover crops adoption however age effect was not significant at Kee. Education indicated mixed effects on cover crop adoption suggesting other factors not covered in the study were at play. Views from farmers with experience in growing cover crops revealed that, knowledge and skills, demonstration of gains and related cost had a significant ( P < 0.05) effect on cover crop adoption. Majority of farmers, adopters or non-adopters used seeds from market. Non-adopters in Kee (37.5%) used relief seed suggesting other factors were required to give the threshold required to influence adoption. This implies research is needed to identify factors with likelihood to reach threshold for adoption under different farming systems. The study recommends capacity building to develop cover crop knowledge and skills, demonstrate gains and related costs to improve men and women’s likelihood to adopt. In addition, the study recommends research to shed light on other factors likely to influence adoption