Managing chronic conditions through hosted medical records in Kenya

Complex medical conditions are rising in developing countries at very alarming rates. E.g. projections from the World Health Organization’s global burden of disease and risk factors report chronic diseases are responsible for up to 50% of disease burden in selected countries. Diseases hitherto associated with the developed countries like diabetes, cancer and Hypertension are in the increase in developing countries. Management of these medical conditions calls for a new way of delivering health care services in these countries. Long term therapeutic management of these diseases requires availability of medical records to a provider when a patient presents him/herself at a medical facility. Advances in technology present opportnities for informing systematic management of these chronic conditions within constraints of resources that these countries face.Complex medical conditions are rising in developing countries at very alarming rates. E.g. projections from the World Health Organization’s global burden of disease and risk factors report chronic diseases are responsible for up to 50% of disease burden in selected countries. Diseases hitherto associated with the developed countries like diabetes, cancer and Hypertension are in the increase in developing countries. Management of these medical conditions calls for a new way of delivering health care services in these countries. Long term therapeutic management of these diseases requires availability of medical records to a provider when a patient presents him/herself at a medical facility. Advances in technology present opportunities for informing systematic management of these chronic conditions within constraints of resources that these countries face

Does Homework type Affect Pupils’ Homework Management? Experience from Standard Five Pupils in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

The aim of this study was to examine whether homework type may have influence on pupils’ development of various Homework Management Strategies (HMS) for effective management of the homework assigned. 154 standard five pupils selected from two Public Primary Schools in Ubungo, Dar es Salaam were assigned into either of the two homework types namely, Interactive homework Assignment (IHA) and Non- Interactive Homework Assignments (Non-IHA). The homework management strategies include: (a) ability to set an appropriate work environment, (b) managing time, (c) handling distraction, (d) monitoring motivation, and (e) controlling negative emotions arising while doing the homework. A Homework Management Strategies (HMS) scale by Xu and Corno (2003) was adapted and used to solicit information on Homework Management Strategies from the pupils. Compared with Non-Interactive Homework assignments, pupils in IHA reported more frequently working to manage their workspace, budget time, handle distraction, monitor motivation, and control emotion while doing homework. This suggests a need to encourage the use of IHA in our public primary schools so as to enhance the use of the five HMS and consequently improve pupils’ learning

Developments in participatory methods for software development

Paper presented at ICT confrence of 2006This paper briefly discusses the concept of Participatory design. Whereas the embodying research is in software engineering and development of large enterprise information systems, this paper discusses the general concepts of participation from a perspective of a developing country’s possible gains from embracing this methodological approach. In line with the theme of the conference “Emerging technologies and trends and the future of ICT Sector in Kenya” the content is abridged to reflect the wide spectrum of the audience in the conferenceThis paper briefly discusses the concept of Participatory design. Whereas the embodying research is in software engineering and development of large enterprise information systems, this paper discusses the general concepts of participation from a perspective of a developing country’s possible gains from embracing this methodological approach. In line with the theme of the conference “Emerging technologies and trends and the future of ICT Sector in Kenya” the content is abridged to reflect the wide spectrum of the audience in the conferenc

Antecedent Factors Affecting Academic Performance of Graduate Students at the Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology

This paper reports the findings of a Master’s level thesis work that was done in 1997 to assess the antecedent factors affecting the academic performance of graduate students at the Nairobi Evangelical School of Theology (N.E.G.S.T.), which is currently Africa International University (AIU). The paper reviews the effect of lack of finance on academic performance; the effect of age on academic performance; the effect of language proficiency on academic performance; the effect of family responsibilities on academic performance; the effect of academic aspirations on academic performance; and the effect of student-faculty interactions on academic performance. The study targeted twenty-seven graduate students at the seminary. These respondents were sampled purposively. Data were collected through the use of a semi-structured questionnaire. The items in the questionnaire were developed using a five-point Likert scale. Open ended questions were coded and analyzed thematically. A Chi square correlation analysis was computed to establish the relationship between study variables.-Teacher friendly interactions, inspiration for further studies, family responsibilities, language proficiency age and lack of finance were some of the factors identified to be affecting academic performance of students. The paper recommends that time management, regulation of work load and commitment to seeking academic mentorship, are significant components that students need to embrace to enhance their academic performance. As a lecturer a lecturer in the institution, the author observes the practical relevance of the findings despite many changes in the institution. Recommendation is given to conduct more replication studies to investigate factors affecting AIU’s students’ academic performance in relation to current changes such as cultural, academic and numerical. Keywords: Excellence, student academic performance, academic goals, educatio

CAREER ADVANCEMENT AND JOB SATISFACTION AMONG NON-ACADEMIC STAFF IN UNIVERSITY SETTINGS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR ETHICAL LEADERSHIP

Career advancement path of academic staff (also referred to as faculty members in this paper) is well spelt out in ranking for promotion policy guidelines. Emerging academic staff when well oriented into the academic arena, get to know what competences, skills and credentials to work on so as to move from one level of rank to another and within how much time. While rank equivalences exist for their counterparts, the non-academic staff‘s elaborate criteria on how to move from one level to another is usually lacking. Moreover, there are no clear guidelines for rank implications when one migrates from non-academic roles into academic roles. The disparity exists because of various reasons such as: limited financial resources, diversity of non-academic careers within universities and unclear appraisal mechanisms among others. Nonetheless, the need to have a career advancement path for non-academic staff is long overdue in addressing a major disparity between personnel of the same institutions. This is primarily an ethical issue in regard to human resource management. Ethical leadership therefore demands that this disparity is addressed even as higher education leadership seeks to create work environments where employees can thrive as they advance in their careers, regardless of their domain of operation, whether academic or non-academic. This paper therefore seeks to review literature on issues related to career advancement/promotion opportunities for non-academic staff, and their implications for ethical academic leadership in university settings. It is hoped that the discussions in this paper will lead to amicable solutions for clear and effective career advancement pathways for non-academic personnel in university settings.  Article visualizations

Philosophy of Education as an accidental trickle

This paper recalls a Thomistic dictum quidquid recipitur ad modum recipietis recipitur to the effect that, somewhat, everything is received in the manner of the recipient, and which, for the purposes of the paper shall be rendered to signify that the operations of any thing - en, entis - cannot exceed its nature, and at the level of particulars would mean that the capabilities of any thing cannot exceed those of its essence. Thus, the dictum only served as a reminder to the fact that we  know as much of reality as our predispositions allow, and once we have had our "fill," its  effect cannot possibly exceed it as cause.  Based on an Aristotelean-Thomistic-Gilsonean philosophical framework, and employing an anecdotic, hypothetical quasi scenario-building methodology to visit learning and teaching of philosophy of education and the career-building in the field at our universities, it attempts, through again, a quasi Socratic method, to intimate that the effects cannot possibly exceed their causes, and so, in Africa and in the world at large, philosophy of education will yield as much progress as that of its teachers as its causes and principles. Key words: Philosophy, education, Thomas, Africa, Kenya, universit

Stochastic modeling of HIV dynamics within an individual and its management

Conference paper presented at “SU International Mathematics Research Meeting" on 23rd – 26th July 2012. Strathmore University - KenyaMathematical models can facilitate the understanding of complex biomedical systems such as in HIV/AIDS. Untangling the dynamics between HIV and CD4+ cellular populations and molecular interactions can be used to investigate the effective points of interventions in the HIV life cycle. With that in mind, we will develop state transition systems dynamics and stochastic model that can be used to examine various alternatives for the control and treatment of HIV/AIDS, and also determine the cost of treating an HIV patient such that the expected lifetime or quality-adjusted lifetime of the patient is maximized. The AIDS epidemic is extremely dynamic; this dynamism orthogonally complicates interventions embraced for the management of the epidemic. This research is mostly motivated by the fact that eradication of the HIV virus is not attainable with the current available drugs and now the focus is not virus eradication but the management and control of the virus progression. We will develop and analyze Non-Homogeneous Semi-Markov Stochastic (NHSMS) Models of HIV biological process and compute internal transition probabilities. Specifically the models will target: the HIV internal dynamics in an infected person, defined by CD4+ levels and Viral load, and the disease control and management strategies put in place. Secondly we will use Non-Homogeneous Semi-Markov Reward (NHSMR) processes to determine the cost of treating an HIV patient, and lastly, we consider the revenue generated by such person (as well as the expert advice by such infected person into various projects) such that the Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) can also be conducted.Mathematical models can facilitate the understanding of complex biomedical systems such as in HIV/AIDS. Untangling the dynamics between HIV and CD4+ cellular populations and molecular interactions can be used to investigate the effective points of interventions in the HIV life cycle. With that in mind, we will develop state transition systems dynamics and stochastic model that can be used to examine various alternatives for the control and treatment of HIV/AIDS, and also determine the cost of treating an HIV patient such that the expected lifetime or quality-adjusted lifetime of the patient is maximized. The AIDS epidemic is extremely dynamic; this dynamism orthogonally complicates interventions embraced for the management of the epidemic. This research is mostly motivated by the fact that eradication of the HIV virus is not attainable with the current available drugs and now the focus is not virus eradication but the management and control of the virus progression. We will develop and analyze Non-Homogeneous Semi-Markov Stochastic (NHSMS) Models of HIV biological process and compute internal transition probabilities. Specifically the models will target: the HIV internal dynamics in an infected person, defined by CD4+ levels and Viral load, and the disease control and management strategies put in place. Secondly we will use Non-Homogeneous Semi-Markov Reward (NHSMR) processes to determine the cost of treating an HIV patient, and lastly, we consider the revenue generated by such person (as well as the expert advice by such infected person into various projects) such that the Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) can also be conducted

The role of anti-corruption laws and institutions in curbing illicit financial flows from Kenya study

Magister Legum - LLMThe concept of the illicit movement of money aimed at concealing illegal activities and evading taxes is not new. However, the global community first used the term “illicit financial flows” (IFFs) in the 1990s and originally associated it with capital flight. The globalisation of financial markets and the increasing ease with which individuals and companies transact across borders have led to a substantial increase in IFFs. Despite their growing economic and political significance, academics and international institutions are yet to formulate an agreed definition of IFFs. One of the common definitions is that of Global Financial Integrity (GFI), which describes IFFs as the illegal movement of illegal or legal money meant for an illegal purpose. The Report of the High Level Panel (HLP) on IFFs from Africa estimates that the continent loses more than US$50 billion annually through IFFs. The HLP Report notes that abusive commercial practices, transnational criminal activities and corruption are the main causes of IFFs in Africa. It estimates that commercial activities account for 65 per cent of IFFs, criminal activities for 30 per cent and corruption for around 5 per cent. Kenya has lost substantial amounts of money to IFFs. In the period 2002-2006, the country lost an estimated US$686 million annually to IFFs

Historical Factors for the Church’s Involvement in Holistic Community Development in East Africa

Christian education plays a significant role in accelerating holistic development among people. As an agent appointed by God to be His representative and to be “salt and light” in the world (Matt. 5:13), the church, through Christian education, is well positioned to bring needed transformation in a world haunted by much evil: injustice, prejudice and corruption, to name but a few. However, the church cannot effectively administer transformational Christian education without understanding her past, in order to correctly interpret the present and adequately strategize for the future. This paper aims at explaining the role the East African church has played in community development since its inception in mid 1800’s to post independent. Although the church has accomplished much, the author argues that the church currently faces many challenges in the task of holistic community transformation, which has historical roots. During the pre-colonial era, missionaries endeavored to establish mission stations. They were engaged in transformation work mostly through Christian education ministries – administered through churches, health, literacy and vocational training programmes. Although many initiatives have resulted to commendable transformative development work by churches and parachurch organizations, much is still to be done to enhance holistic community transformation. Although the approach to community transformation had a common brand among the missionaries, in establishing mission stations and the services offered, their partnership with colonial masters mingled with contextual realities produced divergent results in the region, with significant variations from the originally intended goals. These diversions have resulted to key challenges plaguing present transformational efforts through Christian education. They include: cross-cultural issues leading to mistrust among Africans and foreigners, inter-faith issues causing problems among people of different religions and ethnic issues causing suspicion among people of various tribes. Unless the church salvages the opportunities embedded in the challenges, accelerating holistic development will remain an enigma

The co-ordination chemistry of tellurium and related selenium ligands

2-(2-pyridyl)phenyl(p-ethoxyphenyl)tellurium(II), (RR1Te) reacts with HgC12 at room temperature to give white HgCl2.RR1Te. On setting aside, or on warming the reaction mixture a yellow material, [R1HgCl.(RTeCl)2] is formed. Multinuclear NMR(125Te, 199Hg, 1H) and mass spectroscopy confirm the formulation, and confirm the ease of transfer of the p-ethoxyphenyl group (R1) between the metal centres. The crystal structure of the yellow material consists of two discrete RTeCl molecules together with a R1HgCl molecule. There is no dative bond formation between these species, hence the preferred description of the formation of an inclusion complex. The reaction of RR1Te with Copper(I) chloride in the cold gives an air sensitive yellow product Cu3Cl3(RR1Te)2(0.5CH3CN); under reflux in air changes to the green Cu2Cl(RR1Te)(0.5 EtOH). By contrast, the reaction of RR1Te with acetonitrile solution of Copper(II) salts under mild conditions affords the white materials CuCl(RR1Te) and CuBr(RR1Te)H2O. RR1Te reacts with PdCl2 and PtCl2 to give materials albeit not well defined, can be seen as intermediates to the synthesis of inorganic phase of the type M3XTe2XCl2X. Paramagnetism is associated with some of the palladium and platinum products. The 195Pt NMR measurement in DMSO establishes the presence of six platinum species, which are assigned to Pt(IV), Pt(III) or Pt(II). The reactions show that in the presence of PdCl2 or PtCl2 both R and R1 are very labile. The reaction of RHgCl(R= 2-(2-pyridyl)phenyl) with SeX4(X= Cl, Br) gives compounds which suggest that both Trans-metallation and redox processes are involved. By varying reaction conditions materials which appear to be intermediates in the trans-metallation process are isolated. Potentially bidentate tellurium ligands having molecular formula RTe(CH2)nTeR,Ln, (R= Ph,(t-Bu). C6H4, n = 5,10) are prepared. Palladium and Platinum complexes containing these ligands are prepared. Also complex Ph3SnC1L(L = p-EtO.C6H4) is prepared