Participatory Evaluation of \u3ci\u3eUrochloa\u3c/i\u3e and \u3ci\u3eMegathyrsus\u3c/i\u3e Forage Species in Western Kenya: Farmers Perspective

Despite western Kenya potential in dairy production, it has lagged behind compared to other regions in the country. This comes against growing per capita milk consumption in Kenya currently estimated at 120 litres per person per year. As a result, western Kenya is largely net importer of milk from neighbouring counties albeit the possibility improving productivity within. Among the most prevalent constraint to increased productivity is limited forage quality and quantity throughout the year. Napier stunting disease, which suppresses forage production from Napier grass, the most prevalent cultivated forage in western Kenya, exacerbates this. To contribute to addressing the problem, we selected several hybrids/cultivars of Urochloa and Megathyrsus and grown by several farmer groups in Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma and Siaya counties in western Kenya. To rate the forages, we guided farmers in generating criteria, by each group, on parameters/attributes they consider ideal for a forage to possess. On a scale of 1–9, farmers scored on the way they perceive each criterion, with the higher the score the more relevance it carries. In their respective groups, individual farmers scored on forage demonstrations replicated 3 times, on by plot-by-plot basis. We pooled groups’ criteria scores with individual farmer forage scores to generate weighted scores leading to forage rankings. We observed that criteria regarded highly relate to biomass production, fast growth rate, capability of regrowth, palatability and acceptability by animals among others. Test forages ranked differently by counties indicating provenances that stand good chance of adoption in relation to the farmers’ perspectives, and possibly in other similar areas

Synthesis, characterization, and DNA-binding kinetics of new pd(ii) and pt(ii) thiosemicarbazone complexes: Spectral, structural, and anticancer evaluation

In a bid to come up with potential anticancer agents, a class of thiosemicarbazone ligands bearing substituted thiophene were synthesized followed by complexation with various Pd(II) and Pt(II) metal precursors. The ligands (E)-1-((thiophen-2-yl)methylene)thiosemicarbazide (L1), (E)-1-((4-bromothiophen-2-yl)methylene)thiosemicarbazide (L2), and (E)-1-((5-bromothiophen-2-yl)methylene)thiosemicarbazide (L3) were synthesized by condensation reactions and obtained in good yields. Complexation of L1 and L2 with Pd(cod)Cl2 gave C1 (C6H7Cl2N3PdS2) and C2 (C6H6BrCl2N3PdS2), respectively. Complexation of L1 with K2PtCl4 gave C3 (C6H7Cl2N3PtS2), while L3 with K2PtCl2[(PPh)3]2 gave C4 (C24H21BrClN3PPtS2). The structures and coordination for all compounds were established by FTIR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, UV-Vis, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies for ligand L1. Tuning of the spectral and anticancer activity of the compounds was investigated by changing the position of the bromide substituent, metal center, and the σ or π-donor/acceptor strength of the groups surrounding the metal center

Working with smallholder dairy producers on feeding dairy cattle in western Kenya

We worked with selected dairy farmers in Western Kenya counties (Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega) on feeding lactating cattle and monitored milk output. Two feeding phases comprised, following farmer own practice on what they normally do on daily basis, and two, introduced forages not normally used in the area namely Panicum Maasai and Brachiaria Mulato II. Under either case, we observed milk production (liters). Generally, there was a mix of some animals increasing milk production and a drop in others. The animals increased milk production by up to 9.5% when the two introduced grasses were compared to farmers practice. However, Panicum Maasai has greater increase in production of up to 31% while Mulato II on its own did not register milk increase with the animals used and is worth investigating more. Use of improved forages for increased livestock productivity require concerted effort on promotion and awareness creation while ensuring availability of seeds/planting materials is adequate to reach adoption at scale

Protocol for a prospective mixed-methods longitudinal study to evaluate the dynamics of contraceptive use, discontinuation, and switching in Kenya

BACKGROUND: More women are accessing modern contraceptive use in Kenya, however, contraceptive discontinuation has stagnated over the decades. Any further increase in contraceptive use will most likely be from past users, hence understanding the dynamics of discontinuation while addressing quality of family planning services offered at health facilities and communities is critical for increasing the contraceptive prevalence rate and reducing the unmet need of family planning. The paper presents a study protocol that intends to evaluate the dynamics of contraceptive use, discontinuation, and switching among women of reproductive age initiating use of a contraceptive method. METHODS: This longitudinal mixed-methods study is being conducted in Migori and Kitui counties, Kenya. A formative assessment using Interviews with adolescents, older women, heterosexual couples, health care workers, and community health volunteers explored barriers to contraceptive continuation and perspectives on discontinuation utilizing a qualitative cross sectional study design. Following the formative assessment, a client-centered intervention focusing on improving quality of family planning services, including counseling, will be implemented in 10 health facilities. A 24-month prospective cohort study among women of reproductive age initiating contraception with follow-up at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months will then be undertaken to assess the discontinuation rates, examine the dynamics of contraceptive use, discontinuation and switching, and further explore barriers and enablers for contraceptive continuation and switching among the study population. DISCUSSION: In sub-Saharan Africa, contraceptive discontinuation studies have mainly been based on survey data that is collected retrospectively. By implementing a longitudinal mixed-methods study, we gain deeper insights into the contraceptive dynamics influencing the decision to continue, discontinue, and even switch following implementation of a client-centered intervention that enhances quality of care. Additionally, the study will shed more light on the profile of women discontinuing contractive use and further explore individual and couple-level dynamics influencing decision-making on continuation and discontinuation. The findings of this study will provide information that can be used to develop and implement human-centered interventions that focus on improving quality of family planning services and consequently improved continuation rates and overall satisfaction with method. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered with the Clinical Trials Registry, NCT03973593