Physical Facilities for Holistic Education: Lessons from Secondary Schools in Kiambu and Samburu Counties, Kenya

This paper is premised on the background that majority of researchers and educationists who have contributed to the discourse on education for sustainability seem to be in agreement that management of physical facilities  are critical ingredients in achieving holistic and sustainable education. The study examined the application of physical facilities   as determinants of holistic education in Kiambu and Samburu Counties, Kenya. The study employed an explanatory mixed methods research design, using a sample size of 707 respondents. The main research instruments used to collect data were questionnaires, interview guides and observation checklists. The findings revealed mixed results with principals attaching higher premium than the senior teachers and students on   the use of physical facilities as a determinant of holistic education. The test of hypothesis revealed a significant relationship between physical facilities and holistic education. The regression analysis corroborated by qualitative data from interviews and observations led to the conclusion that the use of academic and non-academic dynamics such as physical facilities were viable and timely ingredients for sustainable and holistic educational development. It was thus recommended that educationists and school leaders and managers should   adopt a well-balanced combinations of academic and non-academic variables such as physical facilities and environmental management in designing holistic education to replace the traditional use of only academic excellence. Key words: Education, Environment, Physical facilities, sustainable development, Kenya

Effect of Managerial Skills on the Development of Dairy Cooperatives in Kiambu County

Cooperatives societies are part and parcel of an increasing number of people in formal and informal employment the world over. The study sought to examine how managerial skills affect the development of Dairy Cooperatives in Kiambu County. Grounded on the Social Capital and Resource-Based Theory, this study adopted the descriptive research design. In this study, the target population was 59,635 registered Dairy Cooperative members while the sample size was 398 respondents who were picked via stratified random sampling. Data collection involved questionnaires that contained 5-point scale Likert-type statements. Descriptive and inferential statistics were carried out. In this case, tests such as central tendency (mean), frequencies, percentages, and standard deviation in addition to Pearson and regression analysis were utilized. The findings show that managerial skills had a significant influence on the development of dairy cooperatives. This is evidenced by a positive and statistically significant relationship between managerial skills & leadership (r=.156, p<0.001) and the development of dairy cooperatives. These findings lead to the conclusion that the kind of managerial skills and leadership in dairy cooperatives affected their development. The skills deployed by the managerial team would thus determine the level of development in dairy cooperatives. As such, there was a need for dairy Cooperatives to have robust management teams staffed with highly competent and experienced managers. The integrity of the firms should be established and regularly assessed to avoid corruption and mismanagement of the finances. Training is also necessary to enhance the capacity of managers and employees. This could be done in-house or sponsored by institutions of learning

Prevalence of chronic rhinosinusitis in children with dyspepsia–A cross sectional study

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a complex condition that has been found to affect both adults and children. Risk factors associated with CRS are allergy, asthma, immunodeficiency, GERD/Helicobacter pylori, anatomic obstruction, genetics, congenital and environmental factors and irritants. Chronic rhinosinusitis is defined as a symptomatic inflammatory condition of mucosa of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, the fluids within these sinuses, and/or the underlying bone for duration of greater than 12 weeks. Chronic rhinosinusitis affects 5–15% of populations worldwide. It has a significant impact on quality of life and has a negative economic impact due to rising treatment costs. This study attempted to determine the prevalence of CRS in children diagnosed with dyspepsia. Study methodology: This was a hospital based cross sectional descriptive study that was carried out at one public tertiary facility and one private tertiary facility. Ninety-six children diagnosed with dyspepsia were proportionately selected from the two hospitals using simple random sampling. CRS and dyspepsia were clinically diagnosed and Rome III criteria used for dyspepsia. Baseline characteristics were compared and Spearman Rho’ Chi Square test was used to test associations. Logistic regression assessed the association between multiple variables. Results: Ninety-six children with dyspepsia were analyzed for H. pylori antigen by means of a stool test, Reflux symptom index and CRS. CRS was present in 41.7% of dyspeptic patients, H. pylori in 60.4% and GERD in 78.5%. CRS with GERD had OR 38.07 (p value 0.00001), CRS with H. pylori had OR 2.95 (p value = 0.0252) and CRS with GERD and H. Pylori had OR 20.05 (p value 0.001). Conclusion: Chronic rhinosinusitis was diagnosed in more than 40% of children with dyspepsia. The odds of CRS being present in children diagnosed to have GERD increases significantly as demonstrated in this study

Bacteriology of chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) in children in Garissa district, Kenya: A point prevalence study

Objectives To identify by type and sensitivity to drugs the bacteria found in ears of school-going children with chronic otitis media in Garissa district. Methods Study design: This was a descriptive prevalence study of CSOM bacterial flora in eligible ears conducted among a cohort of children attending public and private primary as well as Islamic religious schools, screened for chronic ear discharge in Garissa district, Kenya. Procedure and bacteriological techniques: We used sterile swab-sticks to collect a specimen of the discharge from eligible ears of consenting pupils at the induction stage of the zinc supplementation trial for treatment of chronic suppurative otitis media conducted between January and July 2010. All pupils below 18 years present on day of visit were eligible. Both aerobic and anaerobic bacterial cultures were done to identify clinically and epidemiologically important bacteria. Sensitivity tests were based on disc diffusion methods. Results are presented as frequencies and proportions. Results Of the pupils seen, 61% were still in pre- or lower primary school. Majority were aged 13 and 14 years. Of the 261 ear swab samples processed, 336 isolates – either in mixed or pure flora – were identified, being almost exclusively aerobes. Proteus spp., Enterococcus, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas spp. were isolated in 32.7%, 28.6%, 12.8% and 11.3% respectively. Proteus was susceptible to majority of the antibiotics tested for, while Enterococcus was poorly susceptible. Conclusions Aerobic bacteria were most prevalent in this study. Several of the bacteria identified are known to require iron for their growth. This may be important for CSOM treatment if biofilm formation is involved in pathogenesis. Majority of the isolates were susceptible to basic antibiotics compared to Enterococcus bacteria. This portends an important consideration for clinical management and therapeutic decision-making. Additionally, given the prevalence of Enterococcus bacteria, which is an indicator of faecal contamination of the environment, there is need to consider relevant public health components in managing childhood CSOM besides the clinical ones alone