Decolonising Sex: Fifty Shades of Rape

This article explores how ideas of patriarchy have shaped the nature and effect of rape law. It argues that rape law reinforces patriarchy, and because of the inherent inconsistencies between the male roles of aggressor and protector, it has remained ineffective. Taking Kenya as its springboard, it analyses how ideas of sexual relations within and outside marriage are transplanted through colonialism; and how they morph and merge with analogous indigenous conceptions to entrench and formalise the continued subjugation of the female body. It explores the unintended consequences of the internationalisation of English Monogamy; and rape law reform and its continuity/discontinuity with the Civilising Mission

Quality and In Vitro Pharmaceutical Equivalence of Ciprofloxacin Tablets Brands in Kenya

The quality and in vitro pharmaceutical equivalence of nineteen generic products of ciprofloxacin tablets with marketing authorization in Kenya are reported. The tablets were assessed for compliance with pharmacopoeial specifications for identity, uniformity of weight, disintegration, drug content and dissolution. All the evaluated generic brands complied with the compendial specifications for identity, uniformity of weight, disintegration and drug content. However, five (26.3%) of the evaluated generic brands were non-compliant in the dissolution test at pH 1.2. In vitro pharmaceutical equivalence analysis showed that ten (52.6%) generic ciprofloxacin tablets brands exhibited similar dissolution profiles as the innovator Cipro® brand at pH 1.2 and pH 4.5, while the other nine (47.4%) had significantly variable dissolution profiles. Therefore only 10 of the 19 generic ciprofloxacin tablets brands evaluated in this study may be regarded as pharmaceutically equivalent to the innovator Cipro® brand.Key words: Ciprofloxacin tablets, quality parameters, pharmaceutical equivalenc

In vitro inhibition of tomato Fusarium wilt causative agent by zearalenone from a soil inhabiting fungus

To find naturally occurring compounds for the control of Fusarium wilt disease of tomato in the farming fields, 200 fungal strains were cultured in liquid media and screened for antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporium f. sp. Lycosperci. The screening was carried out using in vitro antifungal assays and coincidentally a strain of Fusarium species was found to produce secondary metabolites, which were prepared as crude extracts that showed strong antifungal activity. The responsible compound was purified using column chromatography and the chemical structure of the purified compound was determined using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic techniques. A known compound, zearalenone, was found to be responsible for the antifungal activity, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 550 ± 10.5 ppm. This is a sufficient inhibition for F. oxysporium f. sp. Lycosperci, which is the causative agent for Fusarium wilt disease to tomato. Given the global abundance of zearalenone and its implication to human health, the results from this study suggest a sustainable manner of disposing of the mycotoxin and simultaneous benefit in control of the Fusarium wilt disease. It is recommended from this finding that it can be used to suppress fungal attack onto the roots of tomato plant to manage the Fusarium wilt disease.Keywords: Fusarium oxysporium f. sp. Lycosperci, tomato, submerged cultures, column chromatography, zearalenon

Quality Control Report of Drugs Analyzed in the Drug Analysis and Research Unit during the Period 2011-2015

During the period 2011-2015, the Drug Analysis and Research Unit (DARU) analyzed 1972 drug samples. The samples consisted of 21.5% locally manufactured and 78.2% imported products while the origin of 0.3% of products was indeterminate. Samples were subjected to compendial and/or in-house analytical specifications. The overall non-compliance rate was 4.5% comprising 2.5% local products and 2.0% imports. High failure rates were recorded for uterotonics (37.5%), hemostatics (33%), anthelmintics (17%) and anticancers (10.5%) while ophthalmic, immunomodulatory, musculoskeletal and endocrine drugs all complied with the quality acceptance criteria. Erectile dysfunction drugs, received by the laboratory for the first time, all complied with specifications. The results obtained demonstrate an improvement in the quality of samples submitted to DARU when compared to previous performance

Evaluation of chickpea genotypes for resistance to Ascochyta blight (Ascochyta rabiei) disease in the dry highlands of Kenya

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) is an edible legume grown widely for its nutritious seed, which is rich in protein, minerals, vitamins and dietary fibre. It’s a new crop in Kenya whose potential has not been utilized fully due to abiotic and biotic stresses that limit its productivity. The crop is affected mainly by Ascochyta blight (AB) which is widespread in cool dry highlands causing up to 100% yield loss. The objective of this study was to evalu- ate the resistance of selected chickpea genotypes to AB in dry highlands of Kenya. The study was done in 2 sites (Egerton University-Njoro) and Agricultural Training centre-ATC-Koibatek) for one season during long rains of 2010/2011 growing season. Thirty six genotypes from reference sets and mini-core samples introduced from ICR- SAT were evaluated. There were significant (P<0.001) differences in AB responses and grain yield performance in test genotypes in both sites. AB was more severe at Egerton-Njoro (mean score 5.7) than ATC-Koibatek (mean score 4.25), with subsequent low grain yield. Genotypes ICC7052, ICC4463, ICC4363, ICC2884, ICC7150, ICC15294 and ICC11627 had both highest grain yield in decreasing order (mean range 1790-1053 Kg ha-1) and best resist- ance to AB. Further evaluation is needed in other multi-locations and their use in breeding program determined especially because of their undesirable black seed color. Commercial varieties (LDT068, LDT065, Chania desi 1, and Saina K1) were all susceptible to AB, but with grain yield >1200 Kg ha-1. The findings of the study showed that chickpea should be sown during the short rains (summer) in the dry highlands of Kenya when conditions are drier and warmer and less favorable for AB infection. However yield could be increased by shifting the sowing date from dry season to long rain (winter) thus avoiding terminal drought if AB resistant cultivars with acceptable agronomic traits could be identified

Evaluation of Genotype x Environment Interaction and Stability of Grain Yield and Related Yield Components in Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R.Br.)

Thirty six pearl millet genotypes were evaluated in randomized complete block design with two replications during 2011/2012 at two locations to study the magnitude of genotype by environment interaction for yield and yield related traits and identify the most stable high yielding genotypes. ANOVA of data at individual locations revealed significant differences among genotypes at Marigat and Koibatek for all yield components. Combined mean analysis of variance showed that the Genotype and location main effects and the genotype by environment interaction were highly significant (P≤0.01) for grain yield and other traits, indicating differential response of genotypes across testing locations and the need for stability analysis. Marigat was the most suitable environment and gave highest mean grain yield of 3620 kg/ha. The lowest yield 870 Kg/ha was recorded at Koibatek. Genotypes EUP 32, EUP 35, EUP 19 and EUP 10 produced high mean yield of 3530, 3080, 2690 and 2590 kg/ha respectively. The lowest grain 1290 kg/ha was obtained from genotype EUP 4.Based on the parameters of stability, three stable (widely adapted) and high yielding genotypes (EUP 34, EUP 18, and EUP 9) were identified. They also out-yield the standard open pollinated variety (OPV) check, Kat PM2. Genotypes EUP 32 was the highest yielding across all sites followed by EUP 35 and could be recommended for further multi-location evaluation in warmer environment and possible release for commercial production. The findings of this study showed that pearl millet hybrids have high potential for commercial production in Kenya than the OPVs. The ANOVA results showed that the effects of environments, genotypes and genotype x environment interaction (GE) were important in trait expression and performance of genotypes. In addition, it was observed that amount of rainfall received at both vegetative and post-anthesis phases and temperature had an effect on grain yield. The GGE biplot analysis characterised the environments in terms of stability and productivity, where Marigat was the best for grain yield; implying that environment-specific selection should be adopted. Genotypes EUP 34, EUP 18, and EUP 9 were the best performing since they out yielded the standard OPV check. These stable high yielding genotypes can be evaluated further in varied agro-ecologies and recommended for release as commercial hybrid varieties in ASALs of Kenya

Malaria misdiagnosis in Uganda – implications for policy change

BACKGROUND: In Uganda, like in many other countries traditionally viewed as harbouring very high malaria transmission, the norm has been to recommend that febrile episodes are diagnosed as malaria. In this study, the policy implications of such recommendations are revisited. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was undertaken at outpatient departments of all health facilities in four Ugandan districts. The routine diagnostic practices were assessed for all patients during exit interviews and a research slide was obtained for later reading. Primary outcome measures were the accuracy of national recommendations and routine malaria diagnosis in comparison with the study definition of malaria (any parasitaemia on expert slide examination in patient with fever) stratified by age and intensity of malaria transmission. Secondary outcome measures were the use, interpretation and accuracy of routine malaria microscopy. RESULTS: 1,763 consultations undertaken by 233 health workers at 188 facilities were evaluated. The prevalence of malaria was 24.2% and ranged between 13.9% in patients >or=5 years in medium-to-high transmission areas to 50.5% for children <5 years in very high transmission areas. Overall, the sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) of routine malaria diagnosis were high (89.7% and 91.6% respectively) while the specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) were low (35.6% and 30.8% respectively). However, malaria was under-diagnosed in 39.9% of children less than five years of age in the very high transmission area. At 48 facilities with functional microscopy, the use of malaria slide examination was low (34.5%) without significant differences between age groups, or between patients for whom microscopy is recommended or not. 96.2% of patients with a routine positive slide result were treated for malaria but also 47.6% with a negative result. CONCLUSION: Current recommendations and associated clinical practices result in massive malaria over-diagnosis across all age groups and transmission areas in Uganda. Yet, under-diagnosis is also common in children <5 years. The potential benefits of malaria microscopy are not realized. To address malaria misdiagnosis, Uganda's policy shift from presumptive to parasitological diagnosis should encompass introduction of malaria rapid diagnostic tests and substantial strengthening of malaria microscopy

An overview of chickpea breeding programs in Kenya

Chickpea is a new crop in Kenya and its potential has not been fully utilized. The chickpea grain yields generally range between 1.2 to 3.5 tons/ha at farmers‟ fields, indicating that chickpea has a potential of becoming an important export crop in Kenya. The chickpea breeding program in Kenya is still at infant stage and being established with support from International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). Four chickpea varieties have been recently released from the breeding material supplied by ICRISAT. Efforts are being made on evaluation of germplasm and breeding lines, application of modern molecular breeding tools and techniques in chickpea breeding and establishment of effective seed system for establishing a sustainable chickpea production system in the country

Malaria case-management under artemether-lumefantrine treatment policy in Uganda

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Case-management with artemether-lumefantrine (AL) is one of the key strategies to control malaria in many African countries. Yet, the reports on translation of AL implementation activities into clinical practice are scarce. Here the quality of AL case-management is reported from Uganda; approximately one year after AL replaced combination of chloroquine and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (CQ+SP) as recommended first line treatment for uncomplicated malaria.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional survey, using a range of quality of care assessment tools, was undertaken at all government and private-not-for-profit facilities in four Ugandan districts. Main outcome measures were AL prescribing, dispensing and counseling practices in comparison with national guidelines, and factors influencing health workers decision to 1) treat for malaria, and 2) prescribe AL.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>195 facilities, 232 health workers and 1,763 outpatient consultations were evaluated. Of 1,200 patients who needed treatment with AL according to guidelines, AL was prescribed for 60%, CQ+SP for 14%, quinine for 4%, CQ for 3%, other antimalarials for 3%, and 16% of patients had no antimalarial drug prescribed. AL was prescribed in the correct dose for 95% of patients. Only three out of seven AL counseling and dispensing tasks were performed for more than 50% of patients. Patients were more likely to be treated for malaria if they presented with main complaint of fever (OR = 5.22; 95% CI: 3.61–7.54) and if they were seen by supervised health workers (OR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.06–2.50); however less likely if they were treated by more qualified health workers (OR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.40–0.93) and presented with skin problem (OR = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.15–0.55). AL was more likely prescribed if the appropriate weight-specific AL pack was in stock (OR = 6.15; 95% CI: 3.43–11.05) and when CQ was absent (OR = 2.16; 95% CI: 1.09–4.28). Routine AL implementation activities were not associated with better performance.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although the use of AL was predominant over non-recommended therapies, the quality of AL case-management at the point of care is not yet optimal. There is an urgent need for innovative quality improvement interventions, which should be rigorously tested. Adequate availability of ACTs at the point of care will, however, ultimately determine the success of any performance interventions and ACT policy transitions.</p

Track D Social Science, Human Rights and Political Science

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138414/1/jia218442.pd