Mortality and functional outcomes after a spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage: A retrospective multicentre cross-sectional study in Kenya

Introduction: Despite a reduction in poor outcomes in recent decades, spontaneous subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) remains associated with severe disability and high mortality rates. The exact extent of these outcomes is however unknown in Africa. This study aimed to determine the mortality and functional outcomes of patients with SAH in Kenya. Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicentre cross-sectional study involving patients admitted with SAH to three referral hospitals in Nairobi. All patients with a confirmed (primary) discharge diagnosis of first-time SAH between January 2009 and November 2017 were included (n = 158). Patients who had prior head trauma or cerebrovascular disease (n = 53) were excluded. Telephone interviews were conducted with surviving patients or their next of kin to assess out-of-hospital outcomes (including functional outcomes) based on modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used to assess associations between mortality and functional outcomes and sample characteristics. Results: Of the 158 patients sampled, 38 (24.1%) died in hospital and 42 (26.6%) died within 1 month. In total, 87 patients were discharged home and followed-up in this study, of which 72 reported favourable functional outcomes (mRS ≤2). This represented 45.6% of all patients who presented alive, pointing to high numbers of unfavourable outcomes post SAH in Kenya. Conclusions: Mortality following SAH remains high in Kenya. Patients who survive the initial ictus tend to do well after treatment, despite resource constraints. Limitations: The study findings should be interpreted with caution because of unavoidable limitations in the primary data. These include its retrospective nature, the high number of patients lost to follow up, missing records and diagnoses, and/or possible miscoding of cases

Mapping and assessment of ecosystem services to improve resource management and human wellbeing in data-scarce peri-urban ecosystems

The ecosystem service (ES) approach acknowledges the fundamental interactions between biodiversity, ecosystems, natural resources and human wellbeing, while substantiating both tangible and intangible benefits of ecosystems to humans. Reflecting on the challenges of rapid population growth and land use changes in Africa’s urban areas on the one hand, and the opportunities provided by the ES approach on the other hand, the thesis adopts suitable ES mapping and assessment methodologies, frameworks and tools. Focus is directed to the emerging peri-urban ecosystems with complex social and ecological (socio-ecological) interactions, and with limited data and expertise. This focus helps to identify the socio-ecological problems of peri-urban ecosystems and the plausible solutions in developing countries. Chapter 1 introduces crucial definitions, concepts and frameworks for ES mapping and assessment. Results show, first, that there is an increase in ES studies between the year 2005 and 2014 in Africa, and they are heterogeneously distributed across the continent. Second, based on a peri-urban case study in Nairobi Kenya, rapid conversions of grassland and forestland into settlements over time have caused a decline in the potential for regulating ES in the area. Third, cultural ES (intangible benefits from the peri-urban ecosystem) positively influence human wellbeing and could improve resource policy of the area. Fourth, the gap between the potential and demand for provisioning ES is increasing over time, hence proposing an adaptive policy against the socio-ecological dynamics in the peri-urban areas. In conclusion, the thesis recommends that the adoption of the ES approach in research could guide proactive measures, hence averting future pressures on the socio-ecological processes and thus enhancing the status of the biodiversity and ecosystems, optimizing natural resource use and improving human wellbeing in the study area

Contributing to the cultural ecosystem services and human wellbeing debate: A case study application on indicators and linkages

Inadequacies in the indication of cultural ecosystem services (CES) are a hindrance in assessing their comprehensive impacts on human wellbeing. Similarly, uncertainties about the quantity and quality of CES, in real time and space, have hampered the ability of resource managers to precisely take responsive management actions. The aim of the study is to demonstrate, how CES indicators can be identified and qualified in order to link CES to human wellbeing, and to integrate them into the 'ecosystem services cascade' and the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) models. A case study methodology is applied at the Nairobi-Kiambu (Kenya) peri-urban area. Primary data on CES was collected in the case study through survey, field observations and matrix tables. Secondary data originates from literature analysis. Results show that the participatory identification of CES and human wellbeing indicators could improve their transparency and comprehensibility. The environmental policy formulation and implementation processes have been demonstrated. The tripartite framework of CES-human wellbeing-DPSIR has demonstrated more linkages and feedbacks than initially indicated in the cascade model. For policy formulation and implementation, appropriate communication of results is mandatory. This is illustrated by a terminology that enables the transfer of scientific messages to stakeholders, especially for the local people. The conclusion indicates the importance of consistency in qualifying CES and human wellbeing indicators even at this time of urgency to bridge the gaps existing in CES and human wellbeing research.Catholic Academic Exchange Service (KAAD

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

THE CARCERAL COLONY AND ENTANGLEMENT OF GENDER: THEORIZING WOMEN IMPRISONMENT IN KENYA

In the second half of the nineteenth century, a certain dissatisfaction becomes apparent in the records of British concerned themselves with crime and its punishment in colonial Kenya. Broadly speaking, there was a growing perception that there were serious problems with the manner in which women entered the labor market and crime associated with it and on the other hand, how the colonial state punished female offenders. While some observers questioned whether imprisonment in colonial jails was particularly punishing, others expressed alarm that such incarceration was actually counterproductive: that instead of reforming and rehabilitating women criminals, British prisons contributed to their further demoralizations. One is that the most basic mechanism through which long-term female convicts were to be reformed were vocational training and a comprehensive segregation: the isolation of the offender not only from families, non-criminals and free society, but also from men, other female criminals, the idle, the sick, and assorted other contaminating influences. These processes were expected to transform convicted women into productive, orderly and modest members of the laboring class. Such sentiments contributed to the philosophy of the female prison in Kenya. This study, therefore, focuses its attention on the history of Langata women prison, the only female corrective institution in Kenya. The objective of the study was to examine its establishment, development dynamics and the impacts it had on women, crime and punishment.  Article visualizations

The Effect of Employee Welfare on Employee Commitment at Judicial Service of Kenya

Employee’s commitment is a major problem facing many organizations worldwide. Many organizations are therefore employing various human resource management practices as measure to improve the level of employee commitment. In Kenya the level of employee commitment in constitutional offices have been on declining trend. At Judicial Service Commission, discontent has been expressed in the area of remuneration characterized by discrimination in rewards; inadequate pay vis-à-vis the work load. The objective of this study was thus to evaluate the effect of employee welfare on employee commitment at Judicial Service Commission. A descriptive research design was adopted for this study. The population of interest was the 412 employees of Judicial Service Commission across various functions and divisions. Using a stratified random sampling technique, a sample size of 213 respondents was picked. A questionnaire was used to collect data for the study while descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used to analyze collected data. The study findings indicated that 98% of the variation on employee commitment at judicial service commission in Kenya is determined by employee welfare. The study concluded that employee welfare in an organization is an important factor in the determination of employee commitment. The study recommended that Judicial Service Commission should design and implement an effective welfare policy for their employee. Key Words: Employee Welfare, Employee Commitment, Judicial Service Commission DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-30-10 Publication date:October 31st 202

Effect of Remuneration on Employee Job Satisfaction at the Public Service Commission in Kenya

Over the years, job satisfaction is considered to be one such factor that has attracted the attention of not only government agencies, organizations, businesses, banks, and independent institutions but it has also proven to be an important aspect in academic institutions. In light of the above scenario the Kenya public service is not an exception. Although the mandate of the commission is to provide competent human resource in the public service, low morale and lack of staff motivation has remained a major challenge that Public Service Commission has to endure over the years. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of remuneration on job satisfaction at the Public Service Commission in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The population for this study was 200 Public Service Commission employees. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to select a sample of 132 respondents. A five likert scale questionnaire was used to collect data which was analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. The study found out that that Remuneration has a statistical significantly effect on employee job satisfaction at the Public Service Commission in Kenya at 95% confidence level.  The study concluded that remuneration is an important factor affecting employee job satisfaction at the Public Service Commission in Kenya. The study recommended that the Public Service Commission in Kenya should improve on financial and non-financial compensation and increase employee wages in order to boost employee e satisfaction and enhance performance of public servants. Key Words: Remuneration, Job Satisfaction, Public Service Commission DOI: 10.7176/DCS/10-10-07 Publication date:October 31st 202

Influence of Internal Organizational Factors on E-procurement Adoption in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Nyeri County Kenya

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are considered as major pillars of the modern market economies given that they play critical economic and social roles world over more so in developing countries like Kenya. Though E-procurement provides benefits that SMEs could gain from, some internal organizational factors have inhibited effective E-procurement adoption in SMEs. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of internal organizational factors on E-procurement adoption in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Nyeri County Kenya. The study hypothesized that internal organizational factors do not have a significant influence on E-procurement adoption in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Nyeri County Kenya. The study was guided by the Resource Based Theory. In the study, internal organizational factors was the independent variable and E-procurement adoption was the dependent variable. The study used a self-administered questionnaire for data collection that was issued to 105Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise business owners within Nyeri County. A Pilot study was conducted by administering 5 questionnaires and reliability test done by use of Cronbach alpha. Data analysis was conducted using regression and correlation analysis in order to determine the relationship between the variables. The results were presented in tables and the findings discussed. Based on the findings the study concluded that internal organizational factors like employee knowledge, size of an organization, staff retention, trust on technology and perceptions of manager, influence E-procurement adoption in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. The findings of this study can assist in deepening the understanding of the challenges that hinder E-procurement adoption by SMEs for managers and policy makers as well as form a body of knowledge for referencing to scholars and academicians. Keywords: Internal organizational factors, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, E-procurement DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-33-04 Publication date: November 30th 202

Home -Based Challenges to Effective Implementation of Curriculum under Free Primary Education System in Nomadic Kenya

This study explored the school-based challenges to effective curriculum implementation under the free primary education (FPE) system in Kenya.  The study was framed by the constructivist theory.  Convenience sampling was used to select a sample of 205 primary school teachers and employed mixed methods to collect and analyze data.  It was found that despite the gains made in quality education since the launch of FPE   in Kenya at the national level, there still remain pockets within Kenyan geographical regions which have remained behind in attaining effective implementation of curriculum, resulting into low academic achievement. The study   established  that the effect of school –based factors, especially human and infrastructural, when compounded with active and  effective instructional techniques used by teachers , student motivation and school safety concerns significantly contributes to effective implementation of curriculum and enhance students academic achievement .It is recommended that strategies should be put in place to urgently address teacher shortages, reduce over-crowding in classrooms by improving school infrastructure,  and enhance  teacher  professional development and upgrading  mechanisms as well as teacher motivation via attractive  terms of service and remuneration packages  .[ 182  words] Keywords: Free Primary education Classroom practices, Teacher classroom practices, Curriculum implementation, Teacher professional development, Academic performance

Impure Hydrazone Preparation from Chicken Dung

Hydrazones are strong reducing agents. Some hydrazones like hydrazine are is highly toxic and unstable and are therefore found dissolved in water. Chicken dung contains amines and uric acid that are potential sources of hydrazones. This paper reports on the use of chicken dung as an important raw material for the industrial hydrazones. In this study, we investigated the conversion of amine to amide compounds in chicken dung and later chlorine treatment to produce impure hydrazones. In the preparation, 1.0 kg of the chicken dung was soaked in 2.0 litres of distilled water for fifteen days. After filtration, the leachate obtained was treated with chlorine gas. The chemical conversion of the compounds in the chicken dung leachate before and after chlorination was monitored using FT-IR and MS. A sample of pure hydrazine hydrate was analyzed using the two techniques and the spectra obtained was used as a reference standard.  The findings of this study indicate that chicken dung is rich in amine-containing compounds that can be converted to amide derivatives under ambient conditions. A comparison of FT-IR and MS data before and after chlorination indicated the formation of hydrazones. The findings of this study provide some scientific rationale for using chicken dung as an alternative source of industrial hydrazones. Keywords: Hydrazones, amines, amides, chicken dung. DOI: 10.7176/CMR/12-7-02 Publication date:September 30th 202