Effects of Timeliness of Audit Reports on the Financial Stability of Matatu SACCOS in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya

The Matatu SACCO sub sector in Kenya is not well developed and is characterized by very short life span, sub- divisions into small uneconomical units, with low capital base and poor services, limiting their financial stability. Though having an audit function is important, the quality of the reports from the function is of utmost importance. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of timeliness of audit reports on the financial stability of matatu saccos in uasin gishu county, Kenya. The study was guided by agency theory and employed Ex post facto research design. A total of 60 Matatu SACCOs have been registered in the county.  The target population of this study was all 41 active matatu Sacco’s since the others have since gone dormant. Out of 41 active Matatu Sacco’s in the county, 36 SACCOs were selected for sampling using Krejcie and Morgan table. Both primary and secondary data was collected by use of questionnaire and document analysis guide. Primary data utilized the questionnaire while secondary data utilized document analysis guide. Analysis of data was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics such as means, percentages and frequency were applied while inferential statistics like multiple regression analysis were used. All tests were done at 5% significance level. Regression results were as follows: Timeliness had (β =0.507, p=0.000). The study concluded that timeliness of audit reports contributes positively to financial stability of Matatu SACCOs. The study recommended that the management of Matatu SACCOs’ should always ensure that there is timeliness of audit reports. Keywords: timeless, audit, matatu saccos, financial stability, effects DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/13-16-02 Publication date:August 31st 202

Using Advance Organizers to Enhance Pupils’ Achievement in Learning Poetry in English Language

The study was a quasi-experimental that investigated the effects of Advance Organizers (AO) on achievement in poetry. Target population was class seven pupils of Nakuru North Sub-county primary schools in Kenya. 160 pupils were involved in the study. Four sampled schools were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups in Solomon Four Non- Equivalent Control Design was used to collect data  using Pupils Poetry Achievement Test (PPAT) whose Reliability coefficient was 0.76.  Prior to the treatment, one control and one experimental group were pretested.  The experimental groups were taught using AO. All groups were Post tested. ANOVA was used to analyze data. The results revealed that pupils who were taught using AO demonstrated significant improvement in poetry. The researchers recommend the use AOs in the learning of poetry in English Language. Keywords: Advance Organizers; Pupils’ Achievement; Poetry in English Languag

Validation of the UNICEF fiscal diagnostic tool for SDGs 6.1 and 6.2 in East and Southern Africa using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP)

The UN High Level Panel on Water notes that a total annual capital expenditure (CAPEX) of $114 billion and operation and maintenance expenditure (OPEX) of$129 billion is required globally to meet the safe drinking water and sanitation targets 1 and 2 of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6). In Sub-Saharan Africa, $36 billion is required and UNICEF estimates$15 billion is required to meet these targets in 21 countries in East and Southern Africa. Currently, only 15% of the financial investments in the sector are accounted for, which falls significantly short of delivering SDG 6. Consequently, innovative finance tools that maximise taxes, tariffs and transfers (3ts) are required to mobilise finances for the region's sector. This paper presents a diagnostic methodology for identifying bankable and blended finance projects in East and Southern Africa's water and sanitation sector. Potential projects were identified in Malawi, Mozambique and Ethiopia. Findings from applying the AHP (analytical hierarchy process) analysis recommend the use of the decision-making tool for prioritisation and selection of water and sanitation projects in the context of multiple projects requiring blended finance. The methods are applicable to other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa to enhance project pipelines whose collective cost and revenue mitigate investment risk

Validation of the Sustainable Development Goal 6 Monitoring Structures across East and Southern Africa Using Fuzzy Logic Analysis

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organisation (WHO) Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) reports that only three African countries are on track to achieve universal access to at least basic water services by 2030 and only one country, Botswana, within the East and Southern Africa region (ESAR). Monitoring is crucial to advancing progress on SGD 6 in the region through providing reliable data to decision makers for policy, planning and much needed investment in the sector. This paper presents findings of the rapid assessment termed SDG 6 + 5 which relates to monitoring systems for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in 21 countries of ESAR, five years into the SDGs. The paper presents the results of a fuzzy logic analysis applied to aspects and findings from the rapid assessment. Fuzzy logic benefits the study by managing unconscious bias from qualitative assessment and evaluating the strengths of countries’ WASH monitoring systems. The paper demonstrates similarities and variations between results from the rapid assessment and fuzzy analysis including Angola and Botswana scoring more favourably in enabling environments for monitoring from the analysis. The paper provides methods of rapid assessment of key aspects that impact on effective WASH monitoring and recommends the use of fuzzy logic to reduce data bias from qualitative methods. The methodology presented in the paper can be adapted and applied to other regions of the world and settings to enhance evaluations on the strength of systems within other sectors

Research report: Exploring the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of MSM engaged in substance use and transactional sex in Ghana

This study was implemented by Boston University in collaboration with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology with support from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the U.S. Agency for International Development under Project SEARCH Task Order No. GHH‐I‐00‐07‐00023‐00, beginning August 27, 2010. The content and views expressed here are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or policy of USAID or the U.S. Government.This report presents findings from a qualitative study examining the vulnerability to HIV of young men who have sex with men (MSM) in Kumasi, Ghana, and their prevention needs. The study was jointly conducted in Kumasi, Ghana’s second largest urban center, by Boston University’s Center for Global and Health and Development (CGHD) and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). It was carried out as a component of Project SEARCH funded by the United States Agency for International Development. The study was designed and conducted in collaboration with FHI 360 (formerly Family Health International (FHI)), an international non‐governmental organization based in the capital city of Accra which operates programs targeting MSM and other key populations in Kumasi, and the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC). Preventing HIV among key populations in Ghana is a major goal for the National AIDS Control Program (NACP) and the GAC.1 MSM are a particularly stigmatized population in Ghana, in part because male‐to‐male sex has traditionally been viewed as illegal, making them a difficult yet critical to reach population with HIV/AIDS‐related services. This qualitative study was conducted in order to enhance understanding of the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of adolescent and young MSM (aged 15‐29). In this population, we particularly sought to focus on two sub‐groups: MSM who engage in transactional sex and those who use alcohol or illicit substances (hereinafter “substances”). The specific objectives were to explore: 1) the types and extent of substance use by MSM; 2) the overlap between substance use and transactional sex among MSM; 3) the beliefs and attitudes related to substance use and transactional sex; 4) knowledge and risk behaviors of both subgroups. The study’s broader goal was to collect and analyze in‐depth data that can be used to improve the outreach and effectiveness of local programs that aim to reach these groups with important HIV prevention and treatment information and with services appropriate to their needs.Support from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the U.S. Agency for International Development under Project SEARCH Task Order No. GHH‐I‐00‐07‐00023‐00, beginning August 27, 201

Program brief: Exploring the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of msm engaged in substance use and transactional sex in Ghana

This study was implemented by Boston University in collaboration with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology with support from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the U.S. Agency for International Development under Project SEARCH Task Order No. GHH‐I‐00‐07‐00023‐00, beginning August 27, 2010. The content and views expressed here are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or policy of USAID or the U.S. Government.Preventing HIV among key populations is a goal of the National AIDS Control Program (NACP) and the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC).1 Men who have sex with men (MSM) are a particularly stigmatized group in Ghana, in part because male-to-male sex is viewed as “unnatural” and therefore illegal. MSM are a critical though difficult population to reach with HIV-related services. Until recently, specific data on MSM in the country were limited. The Ghana Men’s Study (GMS), which collected data from 1,302 MSM in five regions in 2011, has detailed information on HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence and risk behaviors among MSM. Whereas adult HIV prevalence in Ghana has been estimated at 1.31% in 2013,2 the GMS documented a nationwide average prevalence in 2011 of 17.5% among MSM, with the rate in Accra estimated at 34.3% and 13.7% in Kumasi.3 This qualitative study was designed to complement and supplement quantitative findings about MSM from the GMS. It was conducted by Boston University’s Center for Global Health and Development and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in collaboration with FHI 360 and with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Ghana. It is the first of two qualitative studies focusing on MSM in Ghana. The objectives were to explore: (1) the types and extent of substance use by MSM; (2) the overlap between substance use and transactional sex among MSM; (3) the beliefs and attitudes related to substance use and transactional sex; and (4) knowledge and risk behaviors of both subgroups. In-depth interviews (IDI) and focus group discussions (FGD) were used to collect data from four participant groups: two age groups, adolescent MSM (aged 15-17 years) and young adult MSM (aged 18-29 years), with each group including men who consume high levels of alcohol and/ or use drugs and men who engage in transactional sex (TS). Transactional sex is defined here as self-reported sex with another man in exchange for money, gifts, or favors.Support from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the U.S. Agency for International Development under Project SEARCH Task Order No. GHH‐I‐00‐07‐00023‐00, beginning August 27, 201

Attitudes and behaviors among older MSM in Ghana

This study was implemented by Boston University in collaboration with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology with support from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the U.S. Agency for International Development under Project SEARCH Task Order No. GHH‐I‐00‐07‐00023‐00, beginning August 27, 2010. The content and views expressed here are the authors’ and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or policy of USAID or the U.S. Government.This report provides the findings of a qualitative study that explored vulnerability to HIV of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Kumasi, Ghana. It is the second of two related studies focusing on MSM. The first study, “Exploring the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of MSM engaged in substance use and transactional sex in Ghana,”1 focused on adolescent and young adult MSM aged 15 to 29 years. This companion study focused on ‘older MSM’, encompassing individuals aged 30 years and above. This research was conducted by a collaborative team comprised of researchers from Boston University’s Center for Global and Health and Development (CGHD) and the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). The team conducted this research in Kumasi, Ghana’s second largest urban center. It is a component of the ‘Operations Research for Key Populations in Ghana’ Program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). We designed and carried out the study in collaboration with FHI 360, an organization based in the capital of Accra that operates programs targeting MSM and other high‐risk individuals in Ghana, as well as the Ghana AIDS Commission (GAC). Reducing vulnerability to HIV infection among high‐risk populations in Ghana is a major goal for the National AIDS Control Program (NACP) and the GAC. MSM are highly stigmatized in Ghana, in part because male‐to‐male sex is illegal. This makes it extremely challenging to understand the challenges these men face and ensure that they have access to HIV‐ and AIDS‐related services. We designed this qualitative study to add to what is known about the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors of older MSM in Ghana. We focused on two groups among older MSM: those aged 30‐39 years and those aged 40 years and above. Given the need for more data on these groups to better reach them with effective HIV prevention and treatment information, the study aimed to explore: 1) How older MSM find their sex partners; 2) Their views of HIV risk; 3) Their risky behaviors, including those situations in which they are most likely to engage in risky sex; 4) HIV‐related services they receive; and 5) What services would be most helpful to them. The broad goal of the study was to collect and analyze in‐depth data in order to improve the outreach and effectiveness of local programs that aim to reach older MSM with important HIV prevention and treatment information and with services appropriate to their needs.Support from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the U.S. Agency for International Development under Project SEARCH Task Order No. GHH‐I‐00‐07‐00023‐00, beginning August 27, 201

Impact of five years of peer-mediated interventions on sexual behavior and sexually transmitted infections among female sex workers in Mombasa, Kenya

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Since 2000, peer-mediated interventions among female sex workers (FSW) in Mombasa Kenya have promoted behavioural change through improving knowledge, attitudes and awareness of HIV serostatus, and aimed to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infection (STI) by facilitating early STI treatment. Impact of these interventions was evaluated among those who attended peer education and at the FSW population level.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A pre-intervention survey in 2000, recruited 503 FSW using snowball sampling. Thereafter, peer educators provided STI/HIV education, condoms, and facilitated HIV testing, treatment and care services. In 2005, data were collected using identical survey methods, allowing comparison with historical controls, and between FSW who had or had not received peer interventions.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Over five years, sex work became predominately a full-time activity, with increased mean sexual partners (2.8 versus 4.9/week; <it>P </it>< 0.001). Consistent condom use with clients increased from 28.8% (145/503) to 70.4% (356/506; <it>P </it>< 0.001) as well as the likelihood of refusing clients who were unwilling to use condoms (OR = 4.9, 95%CI = 3.7–6.6). In 2005, FSW who received peer interventions (28.7%, 145/506), had more consistent condom use with clients compared with unexposed FSW (86.2% versus 64.0%; AOR = 3.6, 95%CI = 2.1–6.1). These differences were larger among FSW with greater peer-intervention exposure. HIV prevalence was 25% (17/69) in FSW attending ≥ 4 peer-education sessions, compared with 34% (25/73) in those attending 1–3 sessions (P = 0.21). Overall HIV prevalence was 30.6 (151/493) in 2000 and 33.3% (166/498) in 2005 (<it>P </it>= 0.36).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Peer-mediated interventions were associated with an increase in protected sex. Though peer-mediated interventions remain important, higher coverage is needed and more efficacious interventions to reduce overall vulnerability and risk.</p

Water safety plans for housing developments in urban areas of developing countries: A case study from Kenya

Urban areas in developing countries often face the challenge of inadequate water supply and uncertain water quality. Middle -income areas are no exception to the deficit in water service provision. In urban middle- income housing estates, utility supply is often supplemented by alternative service providers or private supply to meet the shortfall in quantity. The gap however is realised in water quality management, where the utility ceases to carry responsibility for water quality within these estates and the estate management has no direct obligation to do so. This study looks into the applicability of Water Safety Plans (WSPs) as a risk assessment and management tool to ensure water quality within urban housing estates, using a case study of three housing estates in Nairobi, Kenya. Stakeholders within the estates are primarily concerned with adequacy of supply and residents take individual responsibility over water quality through household treatment. No form of water quality monitoring is conducted internally. Despite the low risks to water contamination, a water quality management tool can be adopted to ensure safe water supply to residents and minimise the risks of unforeseen events. Such a tool would require the internal will of all stakeholders and as recommended, the external support of policy

Validation of the Sustainable Development Goal 6 Monitoring Structures across East and Southern Africa Using Fuzzy Logic Analysis

The United Nations Children&rsquo;s Fund (UNICEF) and World Health Organisation (WHO) Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) reports that only three African countries are on track to achieve universal access to at least basic water services by 2030 and only one country, Botswana, within the East and Southern Africa region (ESAR). Monitoring is crucial to advancing progress on SGD 6 in the region through providing reliable data to decision makers for policy, planning and much needed investment in the sector. This paper presents findings of the rapid assessment termed SDG 6 + 5 which relates to monitoring systems for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in 21 countries of ESAR, five years into the SDGs. The paper presents the results of a fuzzy logic analysis applied to aspects and findings from the rapid assessment. Fuzzy logic benefits the study by managing unconscious bias from qualitative assessment and evaluating the strengths of countries&rsquo; WASH monitoring systems. The paper demonstrates similarities and variations between results from the rapid assessment and fuzzy analysis including Angola and Botswana scoring more favourably in enabling environments for monitoring from the analysis. The paper provides methods of rapid assessment of key aspects that impact on effective WASH monitoring and recommends the use of fuzzy logic to reduce data bias from qualitative methods. The methodology presented in the paper can be adapted and applied to other regions of the world and settings to enhance evaluations on the strength of systems within other sectors