Customers' Perception about Service Quality in Commercial Health and Fitness Clubs in Uganda

Many service providers have emerged on the Ugandan market offering health and fitness services, this study therefore sought club customers’ perception about service delivery in the sector. With a modified 26-item SERVQUAL questionnaire, data was collected from a random sample of 486 customers and 116 interviewees covering 58 purposively selected health-and-fitness centres countrywide. Customers to gymnasia, aerobics clubs and aqua-based activities where vulnerability is high were considered. Major findings are that gaps exist in service delivery (Overall service perception µ= -1.73) and that the current management model in most clubs falls far short of international standards. A single authority for standardization is lacking for professionals’ certification and regulation. It is recommended that sport-specific Government of Uganda authorities must act promptly in a joint effort with federations, academia, and the leading international certifying organizations to directly oversee and/or set standards of practice to meet required quality levels and fitness industry needs.Key words: service providers, SERVQUAL, fitness services, practice-standards, health clubs.

Identifying climate change frames within East African settings of displacement

Whether forced or voluntary, mobility related to climate change affects developing and developed countries with the most vulnerable groups affected more. Humanitarian crises are a concern across the globe significantly when they contribute to rising levels of displacement. Climate change in connection with displacement has been framed in multiple ways across regions. Understanding how the climate change phenomenon is interpreted, perceived, and experienced in different settings is crucial to understanding what information various frames intend to highlight and the purpose therein. In order to grasp the growing concern of humanitarian crises with respect to climate change, I explore how the climate change phenomenon is framed by humanitarian actors with a focus on displacement settings in East Africa. The objective of this thesis research is to identify climate change frames adopted by humanitarian actors within East African settings of displacement since the East African region houses a large number of displaced persons. This thesis research follows a constructivist approach, which holds that reality is socially constructed and that there are multiple realities or ways of perceiving and interpreting phenomena depending on the social and natural circumstances. A combination of a systematic literature review and semi-structured interviewing procedures was adopted to explore the perspectives around the framing of climate change within the East African settings of displacement. Findings indicate that climate change in the East Africa region as framed by humanitarian actors is perceived mainly by how it affects the displaced persons, and the organizations providing aid response, while also highlighting the dependence of the displaced persons on the natural environment. The conclusions are that the framing of climate change in this particular context is highly centered around: livelihood protection, need for physical safety, clean energy needs, environmental protection, local governance, donor requirements, and the implications on future humanitarian response. The frames highlight the context-specific circumstances, the perceived/constructed realities surrounding climate change and aid assistance, and the plight of displaced persons in East Africa and connect to the broader sustainable development goals.M-I

Students Perceptions on Effectiveness of Guidance Programmes in Enhancing Study Skills in Secondary Schools in Bungoma North Subcounty, Kenya

Examination preparedness is essential in helping students do well in examinations. As a result many schools have put in place guidance programmes to equip students with examination preparedness skills. This study sought to establish the perceptions of students on the effectiveness of guidance programmes in enhancing student examination preparedness in secondary schools in Bungoma North Sub-county, Kenya. The study was guided by the social cognitive theory and the interference theory. The  descriptive survey research design was used in this study. The target population was all students in secondary schools in Bungoma North Sub County. The accessible population was 2938 Form 4 students from 32 public secondary schools. Stratified sampling was used to select 9 secondary schools. Nassiuma’s formula and stratified and simple random sampling was used to obtain 186 student respondents. Students’ questionnaire was used to collect data. The validity of the research instruments was ensured by generating the quesionnaire items in line with the research objectives. The instrument was piloted using 30 Form 4 students from secondary schools in Bungoma South Subcounty who did not participate in the actual study. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics which included mean, standard deviation, frequencies and percentages with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22. The study concluded that guidance programme was effective in enhancing study skills among students in secondary schools in Bungoma North Sub County. Hence, students perceived guidance programme as being helpful in enhancing study skills. Keywords: Guidance programme, Exam preparedness, Perception, Study Skills DOI: 10.7176/JEP/10-8-03 Publication date:March 31st 201

Dynamics of Teaching Performance Standards on Curriculum Implimentation in Public Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya

This study assessed effects of teaching performance standards on curriculum implementation and delivery in public schools in Bungoma County, Kenya. The study was objective was to assess if every teacher has complied with the teaching performance standards. The study was based on education production function theory, which places students’ performance as function of teachers` quality of input/ curriculum service delivery. The study employed simple random sampling where two lists were prepared for public primary and secondary schools and 10% of the schools, teaching staff and deputy heads were randomly picked from the lists. Out of 73 primary, 29 secondary, 1971 teachers and 102 deputy heads a sample frame of 7 primary schools, 3 secondary schools, 197 teachers, 7 deputy head from primary and 3 from secondary were used. Correlation and regression were used in data analysis. The paper singles out syllabus coverage, lesson attendance, marking of learners’ exercise books and teaching/learning Aids as major factors influencing curriculum implementation in schools. The paper concludes that if teachers comply with all the teaching performance standards, effective implementation of curriculum will be achieved.  The paper recommends the study on IEP to assess its effect on quality of education in Bungoma County

Sports and drugs: a critical analysis of the legal framework on doping in Kenya

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Bachelor of Laws Degree, Strathmore University Law SchoolDoping has been inadequately provided for in law, policy and practice in Kenya over a long period of time. Proliferation of doping cases among Kenyan athletes raised doubts over the ability of the Kenyan legal framework on anti-doping to regulate the use of performance enhancing substances. This resulted into a sanction by the World Anti-Doping Agency1. This study seeks to critically analyses the Kenyan legal framework on doping and assess its suitability to curb the number of doping incidences among Kenyan athletes. Among the issues to be considered include: the sufficiency and efficiency of existing Kenyan anti-doping laws, factors impeding the application of these laws and finally recommendations to improve their applicability and efficiency. The study was conducted through literature review on anti-doping laws and adopted a qualitative analysis. It established that there is a general belief about the inefficacy of anti-doping laws, programmes and the manner in which tests are conducted. Most people consider the severity of punishment as inappropriate and lenient.2 It was further realized that law alone is insufficient to regulate doping. In order to reduce doping cases among Kenyan athletes, it is this paper’s recommendation that barriers hindering the application of doping laws be eliminated. It further proposes that appropriate educational programmes be established to enhance awareness among athletes. Sporting institutions besides physical training should invest in programmes aimed at discouraging the use of performance enhancing substances. Event organizers and sport federations should closely work together to establish rules of each competition to disincentivize dopers. Improved research methods should also be put in place

Mathematical Modelling of a Composite Granular Filter of Effluent at Shirere Wastewater Treatment Plant in Kakamega County, Kenya

Insufficient technology for municipal wastewater treatment compromises the quality of effluent discharged into water bodies, elevating the risk of waterborne diseases (e.g., cholera, dysentery, typhoid). Previous research has associated the absence of clean water and sanitation with health issues such as skin problems, eye infections, and diarrhea among community members. Furthermore, studies indicate the proliferation of algae in the Shirere wastewater oxidation ponds, suggesting the presence of toxic cyanobacteria. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a mathematical model representing five critical parameters: COD, BOD, TSS, Phosphates, and Nitrates. Effluent from Shirere WWTP were collected for microbial quality analysis at MMUST and KACUWASCO laboratories. Data analysis involved, regression and correlation, and integration of wastewater mass balance equation using R-Programming and Fourth Order Runga Kutta (RK) method. The research employed  purposeful sampling strategy, with a sample size of 8 of wastewater. The study followed an experimental design. Specifically, for the first season of March – May 2021 at 200mm filtration depth were carried out at effluent flow rate of 0.0032  and volume, 0.234   the model arrived at was . The model results showed minimal variation from the measured values.The first season measured COD as 0.236kg/m3 and model gave 0.2174kg/m3. The model can be used in prediction of parameter concentrations at any given time. The findings of this research will inform wastewater management policies and contribute to the development of sustainable wastewater treatment technologies

High prevalence of diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome in a South African coloured population: Baseline data of a study in Bellville, Cape Town

Objective. The coloured population has the second-highest prevalence of diabetes in South Africa. However, the data were based on a study conducted almost 20 years ago in a peri-urban coloured population of the Western Cape. We aimed to determine the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome in an urban coloured population in South Africa.Design. In a cross-sectional survey, 642 participants aged .31 years were drawn from an urban community of Bellville South, Cape Town, from mid-January 2008 to March 2009. Type 2 diabetes was assessed according to the WHO criteria, and metabolic syndrome was based on the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), ATP III and 2009 Joint Interim Statement (JIS) definition.Results. The crude prevalence of 28.2% (age-adjusted 26.3%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 22.0 - 30.3) for type 2 diabetes was: 4.4% (age-adjusted 3.2%, 95% CI 1.6 - 4.9) for impaired fasting glycaemia, and 15.3% (age-adjusted 15.0%, 95% CI 11.4 - 18.6) for impaired glucose tolerance. Undiagnosed type 2 diabetes was present in 18.1% (age-adjusted 16.8%, 95% CI 13.3 - 20.4). The crude prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher with the JIS definition (62.0%) than the IDF (60.6%), and the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) ATP III (55.4%). There was good overall agreement between the MetS criteria, k=0.89 (95% CI 0.85 - 0.92).Conclusion. The prevalence of diabetes has increased hugely in the coloured community, and the high prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes portends that cardiovascular diseases might grow to epidemic proportions in the near future in South Africa

Effect of early tranexamic acid administration on mortality, hysterectomy, and other morbidities in women with post-partum haemorrhage (WOMAN): an international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background Post-partum haemorrhage is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. Early administration of tranexamic acid reduces deaths due to bleeding in trauma patients. We aimed to assess the effects of early administration of tranexamic acid on death, hysterectomy, and other relevant outcomes in women with post-partum haemorrhage. Methods In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we recruited women aged 16 years and older with a clinical diagnosis of post-partum haemorrhage after a vaginal birth or caesarean section from 193 hospitals in 21 countries. We randomly assigned women to receive either 1 g intravenous tranexamic acid or matching placebo in addition to usual care. If bleeding continued after 30 min, or stopped and restarted within 24 h of the first dose, a second dose of 1 g of tranexamic acid or placebo could be given. Patients were assigned by selection of a numbered treatment pack from a box containing eight numbered packs that were identical apart from the pack number. Participants, care givers, and those assessing outcomes were masked to allocation. We originally planned to enrol 15 000 women with a composite primary endpoint of death from all-causes or hysterectomy within 42 days of giving birth. However, during the trial it became apparent that the decision to conduct a hysterectomy was often made at the same time as randomisation. Although tranexamic acid could influence the risk of death in these cases, it could not affect the risk of hysterectomy. We therefore increased the sample size from 15 000 to 20 000 women in order to estimate the effect of tranexamic acid on the risk of death from post-partum haemorrhage. All analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. This trial is registered with ISRCTN76912190 (Dec 8, 2008); ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00872469; and PACTR201007000192283. Findings Between March, 2010, and April, 2016, 20 060 women were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive tranexamic acid (n=10 051) or placebo (n=10 009), of whom 10 036 and 9985, respectively, were included in the analysis. Death due to bleeding was significantly reduced in women given tranexamic acid (155 [1·5%] of 10 036 patients vs 191 [1·9%] of 9985 in the placebo group, risk ratio [RR] 0·81, 95% CI 0·65–1·00; p=0·045), especially in women given treatment within 3 h of giving birth (89 [1·2%] in the tranexamic acid group vs 127 [1·7%] in the placebo group, RR 0·69, 95% CI 0·52–0·91; p=0·008). All other causes of death did not differ significantly by group. Hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (358 [3·6%] patients in the tranexamic acid group vs 351 [3·5%] in the placebo group, RR 1·02, 95% CI 0·88–1·07; p=0·84). The composite primary endpoint of death from all causes or hysterectomy was not reduced with tranexamic acid (534 [5·3%] deaths or hysterectomies in the tranexamic acid group vs 546 [5·5%] in the placebo group, RR 0·97, 95% CI 0·87-1·09; p=0·65). Adverse events (including thromboembolic events) did not differ significantly in the tranexamic acid versus placebo group. Interpretation Tranexamic acid reduces death due to bleeding in women with post-partum haemorrhage with no adverse effects. When used as a treatment for postpartum haemorrhage, tranexamic acid should be given as soon as possible after bleeding onset. Funding London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Pfizer, UK Department of Health, Wellcome Trust, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation