How does the health status of older migrants compare to the Canadian and Australian-born population?

Background: Despite Australia’s and Canada’s rich migration history and the well-known challenges posed by an ageing heterogenous migrant population, little attention has been paid to the health of older migrants in research, policy and practice.Aims and methods: My thesis investigated the variations in the health status of older migrants and their host population and its subsequent determinants using three study designs: systematic literature review (Australia, Canada); serial cross-sectional analyses of a combined dataset (Dynamic Analyses to Optimise Ageing (DYNOPTA), Australia); longitudinal analysis of a DYNOPTA contributory study (Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Study (HILDA)).Findings: In general, the systematic review found older migrants reported an objective health advantage for some non-communicable diseases, but a disadvantage for infectious diseases and poor mental health relative to the older Australian and Canadian-born population. Health (dis)advantages varied by region/country of birth, age, sex and migrating circumstances.With regards to self-reported health, neither the systematic review nor the repeated cross- sectional analysis found convincing differences using binary country of birth. However, using region of birth sub-groups the systematic review and longitudinal analysis demonstrated a self-rated health advantage in North-West Europeans and a self-rated health disadvantage in Southern and Eastern Europeans – both of relevant magnitude. Longitudinally, being older, divorced or never married, current or former smoker and first, native or preferred language other than English were associated with poor health. Higher education attainment, alcohol consumption and being female were associated with better self-rated health. Language, education and increasing age showed a “dose-dependent” association with self-reported health.Conclusions: My findings provide evidence that older migrants with cumulative education and language disadvantages – both potentially remediable - experience poorer self-rated health. In addition to economic integration, policies should address these issues with regard to their impact on health literacy and health inequalities, which persist and magnify as the migrant becomes older

Challenges of Combating Homegrown Terrorism in Kenya: A Youth Radicalization Perspective

Radicalization and recruitment of young Kenyan males into homegrown terrorism has persisted since November 2011 following the decision by the government to send Kenya Defense Forces to fight al Shabaab terrorist groups in Somalia. Using Schneider and Ingram\u27s conceptualization of social construction of target populations as a guide, the purpose of this multicase study was to explore the motivation of young Kenyan males in accepting radicalization and recruitment into homegrown terrorism and their interpretations, feelings, and perceptions of the policies and strategies in place to empower them. Using a purposeful sampling with a maximum variation strategy, data were collected through interviews with 34 young Kenyan males, 4 of whom were connected to 4 terrorism incidents in Kenya since 2011. Additional data were collected through publicly available data and policy statements. All data were inductively coded and subjected to a thematic analysis procedure and cross-case analysis. Findings indicated that young Kenyan males are enticed with financial offers by al Shabaab, and faced social problems that needed solutions, and participants believe the government of Kenya should better protect them from al Shabaab maneuvers. Implications for social change include recommendations for reform of youth policies and programs by the Ministry of Youth Affairs, and implementation of the recommendations of this study so that youth can be properly engaged in nation-building activities

ADEQUACY OF SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE AND QUALITY OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION – THE CASE OF NAKURU COUNTY, KENYA

Early childhood development and education forms a strong foundation for children as they get ready to go through formal education. Many early childhood education centres in Kenya face challenges in regard to necessities that enhance quality education. The study sought to establish the situation that could have led to lack of quality education in ECDE centres in Naivasha. The purpose of the study was to determine the adequacy of infrastructure associated with quality Early Childhood Education in Naivasha central zone, Nakuru County. The study employed the descriptive survey design. The target population of this study was all the 40 public pre-primary schools in Naivasha central zone, the 40 head teachers/managers and all the 120 ECDE teachers. A sample of (20) 50% of the centres were selected using purposive and simple random sampling methods. The research tools used to elicit data were two questionnaires administered to head teachers and ECDE teachers. Observation schedule was used to elicit information on the adequacy of infrastructure and their conditions. Before the main study, a pilot study was carried out in two ECDE centres in order to test the validity and reliability of the instruments that were to be used. The data obtained was analyzed using frequencies and percentages and presented using tables. The researcher found out that financial challenges inhibited the acquisition of materials, equipment and development of standard and adequate facilities. This was accounted for by the fact that free primary education funding does not incorporate ECDE funding. Most parents with children in the ECDE Centers felt that free primary education funds should also cater for ECDE and were therefore reluctant to pay fees. The study, therefore, recommended that the National government through Ministry of Education should allocate or develop a kitty to support early childhood education centres in developing and maintain reliable infrastructural systems.  Article visualizations

An Assessment of fraud risk management and financial sustainability of Non - Governmental Organizations in Kenya

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for Degree of Master of Commerce of Strathmore UniversityFraud risk management practices influence the financial performance hence sustainability of Non-Governmental Organization. Several fraud risk management techniques are deployed within organizations to curb the vice. They include anti-fraud policies, management style, fraud detection and deterrence mechanisms and internal controls. This study seeks to establish relationship between fraud risk management and financial sustainability of non-governmental organizations in Kenya. The main variables of the study include the techniques of fraud risk used within NGOs in Kenya, extent of adoption of these techniques and relationship between fraud risk and financial sustainability within Kenyan NGOs. The study used an explanatory research design. The study collected both quantitative and qualitative data and analyzed it using content analysis, descriptive and correlational analysis methods respectively. The study revealed that fraud is an issue of concern among NGOs in Kenya as most of the NGOs conduct daily or weekly monitoring and apply anti-fraud teclmiques to a great extent while seeking to curb fraud. The findings indicated that the sector is financially sustainable with the large Organisations being more financially stable as compared to small organizations. A multiple regression model was also applied in deriving the relation between the dependent and independent variables. From the findings, the study concluded that all the independent variables; anti-fraud policies, fraud detection, fraud deterrence, internal controls and management style positively correlate with financial sustainability and have a statistically significant relationship with financial sustainability. These variables explain up to 73.1 percent of financial sustainability in Kenyan NGOs. The study recommends that anti-fraud policies should give clear guidance to employees, the organizations should establish policies around whistle blowing, monitoring and financial rep01iing processes should be considered while setting internal controls and that management should keenly support strategies towards fraud risk management. The outcome of the research will be beneficial in enhancing the understanding of fraud risk management specifically the aspects such as anti-fraud policies, fraud detection, fraud deterrence, internal controls and management style and their relationship to financial sustainability within the NGOs. The findings will also provide the management of NGOs with insight into the various approaches towards fraud risk management techniques and how effectively risk management techniques are in mitigating risks and influence financial performance and also contribute towards the establishment of the fraud triangle, self-control, differential association and fraud scale theories

Influence of Parent-Adolescent Direct and Indirect Communication About Sexuality on Adolescents’ Early Sexual Activity

Communication between parents and adolescents is important, especially concerning sexuality because it affects adolescent’s identity formation and role taking. When parents give limited information to their adolescents about sex, the adolescents are unable to cope with socio-psychological and physiological changes that come up at puberty. Approximately 50% to 70% of adolescents are sexually active between the ages of 13 to 17 years and almost 90% by the age of 18 years. This early sexual activity puts adolescents at high risk for sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies as they do not have sufficient information on sexuality. The purpose of the study was to establish the influence of parent-adolescent communication about sexuality on early sexual activity among Form Two students in Rongai Sub - County, Nakuru County, Kenya. The research was guided by the social learning theory and Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA). The study used descriptive survey research design. The study was conducted in Rongai Sub - County, Nakuru County. Rongai Sub- County has 65 secondary schools in four divisions with a total of 4,414 Form Two students. Proportionate, purposive, stratified and random sampling techniques were used to select participants. From a population of 4,414, a sample of 351 students participated in the study. Data were collected using questionnaires and Focus Group Discussion. Experts from the Department of Psychology, Counselling and Educational Foundations were consulted to assess the face validity of the instruments. The reliability was determined by conducting a pilot study in Secondary schools at Njoro Sub-County. The reliability of the questionnaires was estimated using Cronbach alpha reliability coefficient where any value above 0.70 was accepted. For this study, reliability coefficient test yielded an alpha value of 0.85, which was further triangulated using multiple sources of data on study phenomenon. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (Means, Percentages and Frequencies) and inferential (Chi square) statistics with the help of the latest statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 24.0. The findings indicated that majority of the adolescents (72%) 234 had received communication from their parents/guardians about early sexual activity while (28%) 76 had not received communication regarding early sexual activity. The findings of the study revealed that there existed a significant relationship between the parent communication and early sexual activity among the adolescent (r = 0.271, p=.000, p<0.05). The positive correlation between communication and sexual activity suggested that that the higher the parental communication and guidance and counseling the lesser the involvement on early sexual activity. This study found out that majority of parents used direct methods when communicating with their adolescents. This study established that most of the parent-adolescent communication on sexuality was based on physical changes, personal hygiene, abstinence, abortion, and saying “no” to forced sex. Majority (72%) 224 of the adolescent occasionally discussed early sexual matter with their parents thus many cases of early sexual activity, teenage pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections. From the Focus group discussion, many parents expressed discomfort discussing sexual topics/activity with adolescents. Parents were protective of their girls than the boys when discussing issues on sexuality. These findings are expected to be useful in assisting all stakeholders to come up with intervention programs that may assist adolescents deal with early sexual activity in schools and society. Keywords: Adolescent, Parent, Indirect Communication, Sexuality, Early Sexual Activity DOI: 10.7176/JEP/13-20-01 Publication date:July 31st 202

Students’ Academic Self-Esteem and Academic Achievement Relationships in Public Secondary Schools in Nakuru County, Kenya

Academic achievement is important in the determination of a students’ future prospects. Educationists and other stakeholders have consistently used students’ academic achievement results as basis of advancement and employment opportunities. The learners’ academic self-esteem correspondingly shape the learning environment of students. The purpose of this study was to examine students’ academic self-esteem and academic achievement relationships in public secondary schools in Nakuru County, Kenya. Correlational research design and both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were used in the study. The population of the study comprised 23,309 from 29 public secondary schools. The sample size for the study was 407 respondents, comprising of 378 form three students and 29 class teachers. The study used closed-ended questionnaires to collect data on self-esteem from students and interview schedule to collect data from class teachers. Self-esteem scale was adopted and adjusted using Rosenberg Self-esteem Inventory. Data for academic achievement was obtained from school examinations results record. Cronbach’s Alpha test of internal constituency for self-esteem questionnaire had reliability coefficients of 0.873 which was considered acceptable. The study found out that there was a significant relationship between students’ academic self-esteem and academic achievement in public secondary schools in Nakuru County, Kenya. The study concluded that students’ academic self-esteem affects their academic achievement. In respect to this, the study recommended the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) to develop a curriculum or teaching methods that seeks to improve students’ academic self-esteem for better academic achievement. Keywords: Academic Self-Esteem, Academic Achievement DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-24-18 Publication date:August 31st 202

Relationship Between Students-Student Academic Interactions and Academic Achievement in Public Secondary Schools in Nakuru County, Kenya

In achieving the set academic goals, student interacts with different group of people including their teachers, fellow students and parents with an aim of obtaining support to improve their academic realization. Through the interactions, students identify mentors who can help them achieve their academic goals and students who perform better than their peers may become role models for the rest of students in terms of academic aspirations. One of such interactions is student-student academic interactions.  Academic achievement is globally paralleled as an indicator of intellectual ability of a learner in a given educational system. It is important in the determination of a students’ future prospects. Educationists and other stakeholders have consistently used students’ academic achievement results as basis of advancement and employment opportunities. The student-student academic interaction correspondingly shape the learning environment of students. The purpose of this study was to examine student-student academic interaction and academic achievement relationships in public secondary schools in Nakuru County, Kenya. Correlational research design and both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were used in the study. The population of the study comprised 23,309 form three students from 294 public secondary schools in Nakuru County. A total of 29 public secondary schools and 378 form three students were selected using stratified random sampling. The total sample size for this study was therefore 407 respondents. The study used closed-ended questionnaires to collect data from students on student-student academic interactions. Data for academic achievement was obtained from school examinations results record. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. The study established that there was a statistically significant relationship between student-student academic interaction and academic achievement in public secondary schools in Nakuru County, Kenya. It was concluded that student-student academic interactions are related to their academic achievement. The study recommended the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) to develop a curriculum or teaching methods that seeks to improve students’ academic interaction for better academic achievement. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-16-06 Publication date:June 30th 202

Is there sufficient evidence regarding signage-based stair use interventions?:A sequential meta-analysis

Objective: The proliferation of studies using motivational signs to promote stair use continues unabated, with their oft-cited potential for increasing population-level physical activity participation. This study examined all stair use promotional signage studies since 1980, calculating pre-estimates and post-estimates of stair use. The aim of this project was to conduct a sequential meta-analysis to pool intervention effects, in order to determine when the evidence base was sufficient for population-wide dissemination. Design: Using comparable data from 50 stair-promoting studies (57 unique estimates) we pooled data to assess the effect sizes of such interventions. Results: At baseline, median stair usage across interventions was 8.1%, with an absolute median increase of 2.2% in stair use following signage-based interventions. The overall pooled OR indicated that participants were 52% more likely to use stairs after exposure to promotional signs (adjusted OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.37 to 1.70). Incremental (sequential) meta-analyses using z-score methods identified that sufficient evidence for stair use interventions has existed since 2006, with recent studies providing no further evidence on the effect sizes of such interventions. Conclusions: This analysis has important policy and practice implications. Researchers continue to publish stair use interventions without connection to policymakers' needs, and few stair use interventions are implemented at a population level. Researchers should move away from repeating short-term, small-scale, stair sign interventions, to investigating their scalability, adoption and fidelity. Only such research translation efforts will provide sufficient evidence of external validity to inform their scaling up to influence population physical activity

Priority mental, neurological and substance use disorders in rural Kenya: Traditional health practitioners’ and primary health care workers’ perspectives

Background: Over 75% of people with mental neurological and substance use disorders (MNSD) live in low and middle-income countries with limited access to specialized care. The World Health Organization’s Mental Health Gap Action Program (mhGAP) aims to address the human resource gap but it requires contextualization. Aim: We conducted a qualitative study in rural coastal Kenya to explore the local terms, perceived causes and management modalities of priority MNSD listed in the mhGAP, to inform implementation in this setting. Methods: We conducted 8 focus group discussions with primary health care providers and traditional health practitioners and used the framework method to conduct thematic analysis. We identified local terms, perceived causes and treatment options for MNSD. We also explored possibilities for collaboration between the traditional health practitioners and primary health care providers. Results: We found local terms for depression, psychoses, epilepsy, disorders due to substance use and self-harm/ suicide but none for dementia. Child and adolescent mental and behavioral problems were not regarded as MNSD but consequences of poor parenting. Self-harm/suicide was recognized in the context of other MNSD. Causes of MNSD were broadly either biological or supernatural. Treatment options were dependent on perceived cause of illness. Most traditional health practitioners were willing to collaborate with primary health care providers mainly through referring cases. Primary health care providers were unwilling to collaborate with traditional health practitioners because they perceived them to contribute to worsening of patients’ prognoses. Conclusions: Local terms and management modalities are available for some priority MNSD in this setting. Community level case detection and referral may be hindered by lack of collaboration between traditional health practitioners and primary health care providers. There is need for training on the recognition and management of all priority MNSD