Comrades’ power: Student representation and activism in universities in Kenya

In the last decade, student politics and governance of universities in Kenya and in otherAfrican countries have undergone a tremendous transformation. The unprecedentedexpansion and massification of public universities, the introduction of ‘Module 2’programmes, the admission of private, ‘parallel’ and ‘school-based’ students, and thesubstantial increase in private universities have impacted on the governance of theinstitutions and student politics in different ways. In this context, this article exploresstudent involvement in university governance and describes the structure of students’unions in Kenyan universities in comparison with students exercising ‘comrades’ power’ inuniversities in Kenya

Metabolic syndrome and total cancer mortality in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

PURPOSE: Although metabolic syndrome incidence has substantially increased during the last few decades, it largely remains unclear whether this metabolic disorder is associated with total cancer mortality. The present study was carried out to investigate this important question. METHODS: A total of 687 cancer deaths were identified from 14,916 participants in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey by linking them to the National Death Index database through December 31, 2006. Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for total cancer mortality in relation to metabolic syndrome and its individual components. RESULTS: After adjustment for confounders, a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was associated with 33% elevated total cancer mortality. Compared with individuals without metabolic syndrome, those with 3, 4 and 5 abnormal components had HRs (95% CIs) of 1.28 (1.03-1.59), 1.24 (0.96-1.60), and 1.87 (1.34-2.63), respectively (p-trend = 0.0003). Systolic blood pressure and serum glucose were associated with an increased risk of death from total cancer [HR (95% CI) for highest vs. lowest quartiles: 1.67 (1.19-2.33), p-trend = 0.002 and 1.34 (1.04-1.74), p-trend = 0.003, respectively]. Overall null results were obtained for lung cancer mortality. The effects of metabolic syndrome and its components on non-lung cancer mortality were generally similar to, but somewhat larger than, those for total cancer mortality. CONCLUSION: Our study is among the first to reveal that metabolic syndrome is associated with increased total cancer mortality

Dairy Cow Ownership and Child Nutritional Status in Kenya

This study examines the hypothesis that dairy cow ownership improves child nutritional status. Using household data from coastal and highland Kenya, three econometric model formulations are estimated. Positive impacts on chronic malnutrition are observed for coastal Kenya. No negative effects on acute or chronic malnutrition are found for either region.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Livestock Production/Industries,

Defining childhood severe falciparum malaria for intervention studies.

Background Clinical trials of interventions designed to prevent severe falciparum malaria in children require a clear endpoint. The internationally accepted definition of severe malaria is sensitive, and appropriate for clinical purposes. However, this definition includes individuals with severe nonmalarial disease and coincident parasitaemia, so may lack specificity in vaccine trials. Although there is no “gold standard” individual test for severe malaria, malaria-attributable fractions (MAFs) can be estimated among groups of children using a logistic model, which we use to test the suitability of various case definitions as trial endpoints. Methods and Findings A total of 4,583 blood samples were taken from well children in cross-sectional surveys and from 1,361 children admitted to a Kenyan District hospital with severe disease. Among children under 2 y old with severe disease and over 2,500 parasites per microliter of blood, the MAFs were above 85% in moderate- and low-transmission areas, but only 61% in a high-transmission area. HIV and malnutrition were not associated with reduced MAFs, but gastroenteritis with severe dehydration (defined by reduced skin turgor), lower respiratory tract infection (clinician's final diagnosis), meningitis (on cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] examination), and bacteraemia were associated with reduced MAFs. The overall MAF was 85% (95% confidence interval [CI] 83.8%–86.1%) without excluding these conditions, 89% (95% CI 88.4%–90.2%) after exclusions, and 95% (95% CI 94.0%–95.5%) when a threshold of 2,500 parasites/μl was also applied. Applying a threshold and exclusion criteria reduced sensitivity to 80% (95% CI 77%–83%). Conclusions The specificity of a case definition for severe malaria is improved by applying a parasite density threshold and by excluding children with meningitis, lower respiratory tract infection (clinician's diagnosis), bacteraemia, and gastroenteritis with severe dehydration, but not by excluding children with HIV or malnutrition

Influence of innovation on small and medium enterprise (SME) growth: A case of garment manufacturing industries in Nakuru county

Innovation is paramount to the survival and growth of any business. It has changed the way companies conduct business and the way both customers and clients acquire goods and services. The textile industry was one of the key sub-sectors targeted under the country’s strategy for economic recovery (Republic of Kenya, 2003). This study probed the influence of technological, product and process innovations on growth of garment manufacturing industries in Nakuru. Stratified random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were employed in deriving the study sample. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics with the aid of Statistical Packages for Social Scientist (SPSS 20). This study was able to establish a strong link between innovation and growth of businesses and recommends that the Kenyan government should establish close links with SMEs in the garment manufacturing industries to encourage innovative strategies that will enable the sector to expand

Adult BMI change and risk of Breast Cancer: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2010

OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality among women in the developed world. This study assessed the association between occurrence of breast cancer and body mass index (BMI) change from age 25 to age closest to breast cancer diagnosis while exploring the modifying effects of demographic variables. METHODS: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data were used. Women included were ≥50 years, not pregnant and without a diagnosis of any cancer but breast. The total sample included 2895 women (172 with breast cancer and 2723 controls with no breast cancer diagnosis). Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate the OR and 95 % CIs and interaction evaluated by including an interaction term in the model. RESULTS: Women whose BMI increased from normal or overweight to obese compared to those who remained at a normal BMI were found to have a 2 times higher odds (OR = 2.1; 95 % CI 1.11-3.79) of developing breast cancer. No significant association was observed for women who increased to overweight. However, a more pronounced association was observed in non-Hispanic black women (OR = 6.6; 95 % CI 1.68-25.86) and a significant association observed when they increased from normal to overweight (OR = 4.2; 95 % CI 1.02-17.75). CONCLUSIONS: Becoming obese after age 25 is associated with increased risk of breast cancer in women over 50 years old, with non-Hispanic black women being at greatest risk

Repellent Activity of the Essential Oil from Capparis tomentosa against Maize Weevil sitophilus zeamais

Essential oil was extracted from the fresh leaves of C. tomentosa through hydro-distillation, using a Clevenger type apparatus. Analysis of the oil was carried out on a combined gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer fitted with an hp-5 ms (5% phenyl methyl siloxane) column at a temperature programme of 35°c (5 min) increased at 10°c/min to 280°c and held for 10.5 min then 50°c/min to 285°c. The individual components of the essential oils were identified through GC, GC-MS and GC-FID co injection with the authentic standards. The major components identified include: beta phellandrene 26.63%, beta pinene 15.34%, euginol 6.64%, terpineol 6.02%, terpinen-4-ol 5.24%, ?-cymene 3.19%, geraniol 4.14%, nerolidol 5.14%. The repellent action of the essential oil was also evaluated using a Y shaped olfactometer.  The data obtained was analyzed using statistical analysis system (sas).  The repellent ability of the components of the essential oil from c. tomentosa: Nerolidol and Linalool showed significant repellence at all doses. The oil together with its components Nerolidol and Linalool may be good choices for repellant formulations Keywords: C. tomentosa, Sitophilus zeamais, Essential oil, Insect repellent, GC-MS

Perception of University Managers on the Influence of Organizational Structure on Quality of Management in Public and Private Universities in Kenya

Quality of institutional management is arguably a major determinant of organizational performance.  The role of managers and the activities and tasks they perform as aided by the organizational structure could lead to the effective and efficient implementation of organizational objectives and goals.  This study was undertaken to establish the perception of university managers on the influence of organizational structure on the quality of institutional management of universities in Kenya.  The study design was descriptive research. Purposive sampling procedure was used in selecting the universities.  Random stratification sampling was used to administer the questionnaire to the managers in the universities.  Positive responses were received from 137 managers from a target of 263 giving a 62.6%  response rate.  The response from university managers showed an average positive response rate at 60%.  There was a statistically significant difference at (p<0.05) on the perception of managers in the public and private universities on the influence of organizational structure on the dimension of customer satisfaction. The organizational structures in the private universities were found to be more customer centric than those of public universities. Private universities management practices emphasized concern for customer needs.  This translated into provision of quality services and products in order to meet customers’ expectations for their satisfaction and retention.  . Keywords: Organizational Structures, Quality of Management, Customer satisfaction, Structural Flexibility, Decision making, Teamwork DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/13-20-06 Publication date:October 31st 202

Combating HIV/AIDS: biomedical approaches towards prevention

For over three decades, HIV/AIDS has had a deleterious impact on public health the world over. There is still no cure for the disease although preventive strategies have evolved over the years to reduce its impact. In addition to behavioural change approaches, biomedical interventions have played a major part in reduction of HIV transmission and subsequently the burden associated with the HIV/AIDS disease. Early biomedical approaches include physical barriers such as condoms, use of clean injection equipment for intravenous drug users, blood and blood product screening. More recently, medical male circumcision and use of anti-retroviral drugs for prevention have been introduced. While these interventions have had a fundamental impact in reducing HIV incidence, the burden in many populations remains. Therefore, there is need to develop new biomedical methods to augment existing efforts. Future biomedical approaches may for instance include use of compounds that modulate the body’s immune system, such as acetylsalicylic acid, to cause resistance to HIV infection. Such approaches could be added to the HIV prevention toolkit.Keywords: HIV/AIDS, biomedical, prevention, immune quiescenceAfr. J. Biomed. Res. Vol. 22 (May, 2019); 105- 11