Determining the Dynamics of HIV Voluntary Counselling and Testing Uptake among the Rural and Urban Communities of Nakuru District, Kenya

Globally, it is estimated that over 40 million people are living with HIV/AIDS with 67% of these coming from Sub Sahara Africa. While the epidemic has been receiving increasing attention towards and more emphasis placed on access to care and treatment, these efforts are bound to become unsustainable due to a high rate of new infections. In 2007, for every HIV patient who was put on drugs six others became infected with the virus. Voluntary testing and counselling (VCT) has been suggested as the most effective intervention that could reverse this rate of infection. Its utilization in Africa and many parts of the world has however, been at an all time low. In Kenya where populations of over 1.4 million people are living with the HIV/AID virus, less than 20% of the total population knows their status. The aim of this study is, therefore, to establish and document the dynamics of VCT uptake in Nakuru district of Kenya with a view to suggesting measures to increase this uptake. The main objectives of the study were to identify factors that influence VCT uptake and determine the levels of knowledge and prevailing attitudes on HIV testing. The role that gender plays in VCT utilization was also explored. This was a cross sectional study in which a mixed research method methodology employing quantitative and qualitative data collection methods was used. Quantitative data was collected using a structured questionnaire while qualitative data was collected using focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The target population was residents of Nakuru aged 16-60. 480 distributed completed the structured questionnaire out which 422 were completed and returned. Six focus group discussions and five key informant interviews were carried out. The research found that the awareness regarding HIV and VCT among the community members is relatively high. However, there are still a significant proportion of people who hold misconceptions about the disease and the testing service. This may partially explain why people opted not to take the test for the virus. Further, a majority of the people wanted to take up the test but both social and health system barriers such as gender inequality, the cost of taking the service, service operational hours, accessibility; misconceptions about the disease are barriers to the utilization of the service. The study recommends the adoption of more pro-active model of testing which could include mobile and home-based testing to help remove most of these barriers and therefore lead to an increased uptake. Moreover promotional activities targeting couples, providing the service beyond the current normal working hours weekdays and weekends, strengthening the general public health facility to help win back the trust of the service consumer and provision of youth-friendly voluntary counselling and testing for HIV (VCT) service are recommended

Determining the Dynamics of HIV Voluntary Counselling and Testing Uptake among the Rural and Urban Communities of Nakuru District, Kenya

Globally, it is estimated that over 40 million people are living with HIV/AIDS with 67% of these coming from Sub Sahara Africa. While the epidemic has been receiving increasing attention towards and more emphasis placed on access to care and treatment, these efforts are bound to become unsustainable due to a high rate of new infections. In 2007, for every HIV patient who was put on drugs six others became infected with the virus. Voluntary testing and counselling (VCT) has been suggested as the most effective intervention that could reverse this rate of infection. Its utilization in Africa and many parts of the world has however, been at an all time low. In Kenya where populations of over 1.4 million people are living with the HIV/AID virus, less than 20% of the total population knows their status. The aim of this study is, therefore, to establish and document the dynamics of VCT uptake in Nakuru district of Kenya with a view to suggesting measures to increase this uptake. The main objectives of the study were to identify factors that influence VCT uptake and determine the levels of knowledge and prevailing attitudes on HIV testing. The role that gender plays in VCT utilization was also explored. This was a cross sectional study in which a mixed research method methodology employing quantitative and qualitative data collection methods was used. Quantitative data was collected using a structured questionnaire while qualitative data was collected using focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The target population was residents of Nakuru aged 16-60. 480 distributed completed the structured questionnaire out which 422 were completed and returned. Six focus group discussions and five key informant interviews were carried out. The research found that the awareness regarding HIV and VCT among the community members is relatively high. However, there are still a significant proportion of people who hold misconceptions about the disease and the testing service. This may partially explain why people opted not to take the test for the virus. Further, a majority of the people wanted to take up the test but both social and health system barriers such as gender inequality, the cost of taking the service, service operational hours, accessibility; misconceptions about the disease are barriers to the utilization of the service. The study recommends the adoption of more pro-active model of testing which could include mobile and home-based testing to help remove most of these barriers and therefore lead to an increased uptake. Moreover promotional activities targeting couples, providing the service beyond the current normal working hours weekdays and weekends, strengthening the general public health facility to help win back the trust of the service consumer and provision of youth-friendly voluntary counselling and testing for HIV (VCT) service are recommended

Demographic study of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a hospital setting

Objectives: To highlight demographic pattern of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and determine mode and stage of presentation. Design: Prospective analytical study. Setting: Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH)/University of Nairobi, Kenya. Subjects: One hundred and twenty five patients seen at the ENT department of KNH. These were either referred from other peripheral hospitals or first seen at KNH and satisfied the inclusion criteria. Patients with open neck biopsy were excluded (among other criteria). Results: Age range of the patients was 13-85 years. Male: Female ratio was 2.2:1 with the highest frequency in the 31-40 years. Most patients presented in late disease (stages III and IV) which carry a poor prognosis. Majority of the patients had neck swelling as the first symptom followed by nose blockage. Several patients referred from peripheral major hospitals and open neck biopsy. Majority of the patients seen were from poor social-economic background. Conclusion: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a common malignancy at KNH. Diagnosis is usually made in late stages of the disease when prognosis after full treatment is poor. There is need to make early diagnosis by heightening the index of suspicion among health professionals and probably health education in the community on the need to seek treatment for persistent neck masses.East African Medical Journal Vol. 85 (8) 2008: pp. 181-18

Image Creation Through Movies: A Case Of “Out Of Africa” And “The Constant Gardener” In Kenya

This study examined the role of movies, specifically “The Constant Gardener” and “Out of Africa”, in destination image creation in Kenya and their importance in image building, their strengths and opportunities including the overall potential to communicate Kenya’s image.  Using Gunn’s image typology, the study elaborates the image formation process as a continuum consisting of eight distinctly different components.  The study covered hotels, tour agents and operators within Nairobi, Kenya Tourist Board and Karen Blixen Museum.  The target population comprised of tourists and tourism stakeholders.  Primary data was collected by use of questionnaires. The results reveal a visitor profile that is fairly consistent with the findings from literature. This outcome clearly shows an overall awareness and acceptance of the image creation through movies and the phenomenon of movie-induced tourism in Kenya. The study recommends conducting an in depth study to support and strengthen the existing knowledge of movie induced tourism and destination image creation. The results are expected to be used to encourage and promote Kenya as a popular destination for film makers as well as introduction of film induced tourism

Exploring Critical Success Factors of Community Development Projects

The utilization of Community Development Projects in developing nations continues to increase in significance. In the wake of the latest Sustainable Development Goals, developing nations are working towards eliminating poverty, promoting sustainable cities and communities, gender equality, and health and well-being. Although Community Development Projects have become prevalent, the challenge has been that some are successful, while others fail. This dissertation investigates what makes Community Development Projects successful. This dissertation implemented a comprehensive quantitative analysis using data collected from over one hundred community development projects obtained from The World Bank database. These projects took place in developing nations around the world. This dissertation contributes a new definition of a Community Development Project, as well as, suggest women participation as a critical success factor in Community Development Projects. This work also identified project duration, project budget, and number of project objectives of Community Development Projects as success factors. These results are important for the body of knowledge and practice of Project Management. In particular, these results are relevant for designing and implementing customized Community Development Projects in developing nations

The Contribution of Entrepreneurship Education Course in Enhancing Management Skills of Informal Entrepreneurs

The study was conducted to investigate the contribution of entrepreneurship education in technical training colleges in enhancing management skills of informal sector entrepreneurs in Kenya. A case study of informal sector operators in Nairobi was conducted. Qualitative data was collected using in-depth interviews and observations. The data was analyzed using the grounded theory. Findings of the study showed that the informal sector operators used skills they gained in entrepreneurship education in technical training colleges to gain access to the informal sector industry and to manage their business. Those with higher training in entrepreneurship education tended to excel in their operations. A closer look showed that there was still a need for further training of management skills to better their activities. The recommendations were that secondary schools in Kenya should include entrepreneurship in secondary education system curriculum so as to help the school leavers who fail to join tertiary education and end up in the informal sector

Psychosocial Challenges Facing Female Entrepreneurs in Rural Informal Sector and Their Coping Mechanisms: A Case Study of Gucha District, Kenya

The study was conducted to determine some of the psychosocial challenges facing the growing number of female entrepreneurs in informal sector entrepreneurs in Kenya and strategies they use to minimize these challenges. A case study of Gucha District in Kenya was conduced. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques were employed to collect data. A sample of 150 respondents was selected. Two data collection techniques were used: structured questionnaire and in-depth interviews. The information gathered was analyzed using statistical package of social sciences. Findings of the study showed that some of psychosocial challenges facing female informal sector entrepreneurs rural areas in Gucha district include financial stress, depression, social isolation and poor relationships with their friends, relatives, in and workmates. The study also established that demographic profile influences female entrepreneurs’ ability to cope with the challenges. The respondents recommended that the government and communities should create secure conditions for them to cope. Keywords: Psychosocial challenges; female entrepreneurs; rural informal sector; Kenya

Effect of computer assisted teaching strategy on students achievement by gender in agricultural education in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya

Gender has remained relevant in education because it has been linked to achievement and participation in certain professions. Gender differences in achievement has been shown to vary according to school subject. This has partly been attributed to the teaching strategy adopted by the teacher. Computer Assisted Teaching (CAT) strategy is a method that uses computers in a learning media and strengthens student’s motivation and educational processes. Little or no information is known about the impact of the strategy in teaching agriculture and consequently it’s effect on achievement by gender. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether there is gender difference in achievement in agriculture among students exposed to CAT strategy. The study employed Solomon Four-Quasi-experimental design. The study was conducted in eight county secondary schools in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. Stratified random sampling technique was used in selecting sample schools. A sample of 327 Form One students participated in the study. The research instrument was Agriculture Achievement Test (AAT) with a reliability coefficient of 0.91. Descriptive statistics (means and percentages) and inferential statistic (ANOVA) were used for data analysis. The study showed that CAT strategy improved achievement in agriculture but male students performed better than female students after exposure to CAT strategy. The study concluded that CAT is an effective strategy in improving achievement in agriculture and therefore agriculture teachers should incorporate CAT strategy in their teaching

Energy-Efficiency of Cooperative MIMO Wireless Systems

Increasing focus on global warming has challenged the scientific community to develop ways to mitigate its adverse effects. This is more so important as different technologies become an integral part of daily human life. Mobile wireless networks and mobile devices form a significant part of these technologies. It is estimated that there are over four billion mobile phone subscribers worldwide and this number is still growing as more people get connected in developing countries [1]. In addition to the growing number of subscribers, there is an explosive growth in high data applications among mobile terminal users. This has put increased demand on the mobile network in terms of energy needed to support both the growth in subscribers and higher data rates. The mobile wireless industry therefore has a significant part to play in the mitigation of global warming effects. To achieve this goal, there is a need to develop and design energy efficient communication schemes for deployment in future networks and upgrades to existing networks. This is not only done in the wireless communication infrastructure but also in mobile terminals. In this thesis a practical power consumption model which includes circuit power consumption from the different components in a transceiver chain is analyzed. This is of great significance to practical system design when doing energy consumption and energy efficiency analysis. The proposed power consumption model is then used to evaluate the energy efficiency in the context of cooperative Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) systems

The DNA replication apparatus in Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes

DNA synthesis in gametocytes takes place at two points; at the onset of gametocytogenesis where the nucleic acid content increases from lc to 1.8c prior to the formation of stage I gametocytes, and again 10 to 12 days later at the onset of gametogenesis when the mature male gametocyte (stage V) replicates its genome three times leading to the formation of eight haploid male gametes in less than 10 minutes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the status of the P. falciparum DNA replication apparatus during gametocytogenesis, most of which no significant DNA synthesis takes place, and gametogenesis in which a sudden burst of DNA replication takes place. The proteins studied in this project were DNA topoisomerase 1 and 11 (Topol and II), Replication factor C (Rfc) and Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (Pcna) of which P. falciparum homologous have been previously identified, isolated and characterised. Standard indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFA) carried out on unsynchronised in vitro cultivated P. falciparum (3D7A) using rabbit polyclonal antiserum raised against recombinant PfRfcl, PfRfc2, PfRfc3, PfPcna and PfTopoII showed that all five proteins are present throughout gametocytogenesis. All five proteins appear to be predominantly located within the nuclear region and at significantly higher levels in stage I and V gametocytes. However PfRfc2 levels appeared to be significantly higher only in stage I gametocytes and was distinctly absent from the nucleus of stage V gametocytes. Western blot analysis showed no significant changes in the levels of these proteins occurred during gametogenesis, with the exception of PfRfc2, which appear to increase immediately after activation and then gradually decrease as gametogenesis progressed.RT-PCR detected the presence of PfRFC2, PARFC3, PfPCNA, PfDNA POL5 and PiTOPO 1 transcripts in mature gametocytes before and after activation. However, PfRFCl and PfTOPO II transcripts were not detected in mature gametocytes either before or after activation. Similar results in protein and RNA analysis were obtained whether gametocytes were grown in AlbuMax or serum supplemented medium. In situ hybridisation using fluorescein-labelled PfRFCl, PfRFC2, PfDNA POL8, PfTOPO 1 and PfTOPO II gene fragments showed pockets of fluorescence on the peripheral regions of schizonts away from the nuclear region stained by DAPI. PfRFC3 and PfPCNA probes appeared to show fluorescence emanating from the nuclear region of schizonts. In conclusion, the localisation and unique expression pattern of PfRfc2 observed before and during gametogenesis, from that of the other DNA replication proteins and in particular, PfRfcl and PfRfc3, appears to imply a significant role for PfRfc2. Further studies need to be carried out in order to get to a better understanding of the role of PfRfc2 during gametogenesis