SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY APPLICATIONS: SOME LESSONS FROM THE PILOT TISSUE-CULTURE (TC) BANANA PRODUCTION PROMOTION PROJECT IN KENYA, 1997-2002

This article is based on a socio-economic impact study of the introduction and adoption of tissue-culture (tc) technology in banana production in Kenya. It attempts to demonstrate that a prudent introduction and promotion of a new biotechnological innovation in farming can make a positive contribution to the socio-economic status of resource poor farmers in a developing country, such as Kenya. Adoption of tc technology in banana production in Kenya is considered a good example of biotechnological applications in agriculture. Hence the article hopes to make a contribution to recent debates at international levels as to whether biotechnology can make a difference in uplifting the living standards of people in the third world (Qaim, 1999; Graff, et al 2002; Qaim, et al 2002) by showing that it actually does so, using experiences from Kenya. The study utilizes both primary and secondary data sources. The results show that tc-banana production is relatively more capital intensive than non-tc banana production (re: about 70% fixed costs for tc banana versus about 49% fixed costs for non-tc banana). However, tc-banana production is found to offer relatively much higher financial returns than non-tc banana production. The high profitability of tc-banana production relative to traditional (non-tc) banana production and other farm enterprises in the pilot tc-banana project area in Kenya demonstrates the importance of biotechnological applications in rural development and shows that biotechnology can make a difference in uplifting the living standards of people in the third world. Therefore, efforts to promote tc-banana production in Kenya are justifiable from both food security and economic criteria.Biotechnology and Tissue-Culture (tc) Banana, Adoption, Socio-economic Impact, Rural Development, Third World, Kenya., Crop Production/Industries, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Investigations of Experiential Cooperative Concept Mapping Instructional Approach on Secondary School Girls’ Achievement in Physics in Nyeri County, Kenya

This study investigated the effects of Experiential Cooperative Concept Mapping Instructional Approach (ECCA) on girls’ achievement in Physics in secondary schools. The study employed Quasi- Experimental Research Design represented by Solomon Four Non-equivalent Control Group Design. Stratified sampling technique was used to select 8 Secondary Schools from girls’ alone and co- educational schools strata drawn from Nyeri County. A total of 334 Form Two students were involved in the study.  A validated Students Physics Achievement Test (PAT) with a reliability coefficient of 0.80 was administered. The experimental group I and III were exposed to ECCA while the conventional Method was used for the control group. Two groups were pre-tested prior to the implementation of the ECCA treatment. After five weeks, all four groups were post-tested using the Physics Achievement Test (PAT). Data was analyzed using ANOVA and ANCOVA at a significance level of alpha (?) equal to 0.05.  The results of the study revealed significant effect on achievement of girls when ECCA was used. However there was a significant effect in achievement on school type in favour of girls’ alone class performing better than girls in co-educational class when ECCA was used. The investigations concludes that ECCA is an effective learning strategy which physics teachers should be encouraged to use in their teaching/ learning process in order to address the current low girls performance. This may create an increased pool of scientific and technical female workers in the area where Physics is a requirement. Key words- Experiential Cooperative Concept Mapping (ECCA), Conventional Methods (CM), Secondary School, Girls’ Achievement, Physics, Nyeri County

Influence of Occupational Stress on Quality Family Relationships among Clergy: A Case of Christ is the Answer Ministries, Kenya

The role of clergy can be demanding, as they are tasked with providing spiritual guidance and support to their congregation. This responsibility can result in occupational stress, which can affect the clergy and their family relationships. This study investigated the influence of occupational stress on quality family relationships among clergy in Christ Is The Answer Ministries, Kenya (CITAM). A pragmatist lens which informs the adoption of mixed methods research design was used. Out of a sample size of 135, 115 respondents comprising of 57 pastors, 40 spouses and 18 children participated in the study. Ethical considerations were adhered to by receiving the necessary approvals and licenses before commencing the study. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and focus group discussions which were all done online. Quantitative data was analyzed using the linear regression technique in SPSS Version 28 and presented through tables. The qualitative data was transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis approach with identification of key themes. Findings showed that the clergy families have high quality family relationships (x̅=3.4635, x = .37655). Thematic analysis revealed that having intentionality and maintaining clear boundaries between work and personal life would help clergy improve the quality of their family relationships. The study recommended that churches should collaborate with family therapists to offer therapy session to all members of the clergy

Effects of Experiential Cooperative Concept Mapping Instructional Approach on Secondary School Students’ Motivation in Physics in Nyeri County, Kenya

This study aimed at finding out the effects of Experiential Cooperative Concept Mapping ECCM on students’ motivation to learn Physics. Solomon Four Non-equivalent Control Group Design under the quasi- experimental research was used. A stratified random sample of 12 Secondary Schools was drawn from Nyeri County. Four boys’ alone, four girls’ alone and four co-educational schools were randomly assigned to four groups with a total of 513 Form Two students. Students in all the groups were taught the same Physics content of Magnetic Effect of Electric Current. The experimental groups were taught using ECCM approach while the control groups were taught through Regular Teaching Methods (RTM). Two groups were pre-tested prior to the implementation of treatment. After five weeks, all four groups were post-tested using the Student Motivation Questionnaire (SMQ). The instrument was validated and pilot tested before use. The reliability coefficient for SMQ was 0.81.  The instrument was scored and data analyzed using t-test, one-way ANOVA and ANCOVA at a significance level of alpha equal to 0.05.  The results of the study revealed that there was a statistically significant difference between the motivation to learn of students who were taught through ECCM and those taught through RTM. The researchers recommend the used of ECCM in addressing motivation of students towards learning physics. Keywords: Experiential Cooperative Concept Mapping (ECCM), Regular Teaching Methods (RTM), Secondary School students, Physics, Motivation, Nyeri County

Influence of Occupational Stress on Quality Family Relationship among Clergy: A Case of Christ is the Answer Ministries, Kenya

The role of clergy can be demanding, as they are tasked with providing spiritual guidance and support to their congregation. This responsibility can result in occupational stress, which can affect the clergy and their family relationships. This study investigated the influence of occupational stress on quality family relationships among clergy in Christ Is the Answer Ministries, Kenya (CITAM). A pragmatist lens which informs the adoption of mixed methods research design was used. Out of a sample size of 135, 115 respondents comprising 57 pastors, 40 spouses, and 18 children participated in the study. Ethical considerations were adhered to by receiving the necessary approvals and licenses before commencing the study. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and focus group discussions which were all done online. Quantitative data were analyzed using the linear regression technique in SPSS Version 28 and presented through tables. The qualitative data were transcribed and analysed using a thematic analysis approach with the identification of key themes. Findings showed that the clergy families have high-quality family relationships (x̅=3.4635, x = .37655). Thematic analysis revealed that having intentionality and maintaining clear boundaries between work and personal life would help clergy improve the quality of their family relationships. The study recommended that churches should collaborate with family therapists to offer therapy sessions to all members of the clergy

Influence of Occupational Stress on Quality Family Relationships among Clergy: A Case of Christ is the Answer Ministries, Kenya

The role of clergy can be demanding, as they are tasked with providing spiritual guidance and support to their congregation. This responsibility can result in occupational stress, which can affect the clergy and their family relationships. This study investigated the influence of occupational stress on quality family relationships among clergy in Christ Is The Answer Ministries, Kenya (CITAM). A pragmatist lens which informs the adoption of mixed methods research design was used. Out of a sample size of 135, 115 respondents comprising of 57 pastors, 40 spouses and 18 children participated in the study. Ethical considerations were adhered to by receiving the necessary approvals and licenses before commencing the study. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and focus group discussions which were all done online. Quantitative data was analyzed using the linear regression technique in SPSS Version 28 and presented through tables. The qualitative data was transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis approach with identification of key themes. Findings showed that the clergy families have high quality family relationships (x̅=3.4635, x = .37655). Thematic analysis revealed that having intentionality and maintaining clear boundaries between work and personal life would help clergy improve the quality of their family relationships. The study recommended that churches should collaborate with family therapists to offer therapy session to all members of the clergy

The Cerebro-placental Ratio as a Prognostic Factor of Foetal Outcome in Patients with Third Trimester Hypertension

Background: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy can cause complications in both the maternal and fetal circulations resulting in poor fetal outcome. These circulations can be safely and non-invasively assessed using arterial Doppler indices of the umbilical and middle cerebral arteries to obtain the cerebro-placental ratio. The study objective was to determine the role of the cerebro-placental ratio as a prognostic factor of fetal outcome in patients with hypertensive states of pregnancy delivered at least 32 weeks of gestation by dates.Methods: This was a prospective cohort study undertaken at Kenyatta National Hospital, a tertiary referral hospital in Nairobi. A total of 160 gravid patients of median age 28 years and at least 32 weeks gestations were recruited from labor ward over a 9 month study period by consecutive sampling method. Doppler ultrasound analyses of the foetal umbilical and cerebral arteries were done and the cerebro-placental ratio calculated.Results: At sonography, the average ultrasound age was 31 weeks. The median gestation at admission was 34 weeks. Twenty nine percent had an abnormal Cerebro-placental ratio (<1.0).125/160 (78%) delivered via caesarean section and 35/160(22%) delivered vaginally.51/160(32%)  severe pre-eclamptic toxaemia out of which 39% had cerebroplacental ratio<1.0 109/160(68%) had mild pre-eclamptic toxaemia out of which 24% had cerebroplacental ratio <1.0 Still births were 12.5 times more likely in mothers with cerebroplacental ratio <1.0 than those with CPR 1.0 (p value 0.05). A foetal birth score < 7 was 66 times more often in  mothers with cerebro-placental ratio< 1.0 than mothers with CPR 1.0. (P 0.05). Low birth weight was 4.7 times more likely among mothers with cerebroplacental ratio < 1.0.as compared to those with mothers with CPR1.0 (95% CI 2, 11.1; p0.001). A foetal birth score < 7 was 66 times more likely among neonates delivered vaginally as compared to those born via caesarean section(95% CI 1.3, 23; p=0.02). Still births were 14.5 times more often than among neonates born vaginally as compared to those born via caesarean section (95% CI 3, 84; p0.001). The prognostic Odds Ratio for cerebro-placental ratio was 12.5 for live births (95% CI 2, 74; p=0.005), 66 for fetal birth score <7 (95% Confidence interval 13, 340; p< 0.001) and 4.7 for low birth weight (95% CI 2, 11.1; p< 0.001) and 1.1 (95% CI 0.9, 1.4; p=0.327).Conclusion: Cerebro-placental ratio is significantly predictive of adverse perinatal outcome when used to monitor mothers with hypertensive states of pregnancy. Cerebroplacental ratio.Key words: Cerebro-placental Ratio, Prognostic Factor, Foetal Outcome, Third Trimester, Hypertensio

Suicide in Kenyan Universities

This study examines the prevalence of suicidal thinking, planning, attempts and self-harm and the associated psychological stressors in two Kenyan universities. The participants are undergraduate university students aged (18 -29) years. A convergent mixed method study design was adopted to collect data. Self-administered questionnaire and focus group discussions were carried out among 431 students and six university counselors participated in a three rounds delphi survey. The study instruments were adopted from the Suicide Assessment Five-Step Evaluation & Triage (SAFE-T), Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Assessment Tool (NSSI-AT) and Emerging Adult Stress Inventory (EASI). A multivariate analysis (MANOVA) was performed. The prevalence rate of suicidal thinking was 17.1%, suicidal planning 5.9%, suicidal attempts 7.8% and self-harm 5.5%. Female students and private university students had high prevalence for all suicidal behaviors. Feeling hopeless and depressed, financial difficult, feeling anxious, family conflicts and academic challenges were psychological stressors compelling emerging adults to suicidal behaviors. The prevalence for suicidal behaviors were similar to that found in other studies carried out in other countries. Suicidal behaviors are associated with mental illness symptoms. This should be taken into account by peers, parents and university counselors to prevent and intervene for suicidal behaviors

Suicide in Kenyan Universities

This study examines the prevalence of suicidal thinking, planning, attempts and self-harm and the associated psychological stressors in two Kenyan universities. The participants are undergraduate university students aged (18 -29) years. A convergent mixed method study design was adopted to collect data. Self-administered questionnaire and focus group discussions were carried out among 431 students and six university counselors participated in a three rounds delphi survey. The study instruments were adopted from the Suicide Assessment Five-Step Evaluation & Triage (SAFE-T), Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Assessment Tool (NSSI-AT) and Emerging Adult Stress Inventory (EASI). A multivariate analysis (MANOVA) was performed. The prevalence rate of suicidal thinking was 17.1%, suicidal planning 5.9%, suicidal attempts 7.8% and self-harm 5.5%. Female students and private university students had high prevalence for all suicidal behaviors. Feeling hopeless and depressed, financial difficult, feeling anxious, family conflicts and academic challenges were psychological stressors compelling emerging adults to suicidal behaviors. The prevalence for suicidal behaviors were similar to that found in other studies carried out in other countries. Suicidal behaviors are associated with mental illness symptoms. This should be taken into account by peers, parents and university counselors to prevent and intervene for suicidal behaviors

Suicidal Behaviors Among Emerging Adults in Kenyan Universities

This study examined the prevalence of suicidal thinking, planning, attempts, and self-harm and the associated psychological stressors in two Kenyan universities. The participants were undergraduate university students aged (18 -29) years. A convergent mixed-method study design was adopted to collect data. Self-administered questionnaires and focus group discussions were carried out among 431 students and six university counselors participated in a three-round Delphi survey. The study instruments were adopted from the Suicide Assessment Five-Step Evaluation & Triage (SAFE-T), Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Assessment Tool (NSSI-AT), and Emerging Adult Stress Inventory (EASI). A multivariate analysis (MANOVA) was performed. The prevalence rate of suicidal thinking was 17.1%, suicidal planning 5.9%, suicidal attempts 7.8%, and self-harm 5.5%. Female students and private university students have a high prevalence of all suicidal behaviors. Feeling hopeless and depressed, financial difficulty, feeling anxious, family conflicts, and academic challenges were psychological stressors compelling emerging adults to suicidal behaviors. The prevalence of suicidal behaviors was like that found in other studies carried out in other countries. Suicidal behaviors are associated with mental illness symptoms. This should be considered by peers, parents, and university counselors to prevent and intervene in suicidal behaviors