ACCESS, UTILIZATION AND MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES OF NAIROBI, NGONG AND MATHARE RIVERS OF NAIROBI CATCHMENT BASIN, KENYA

This study investigated land use activities along Nairobi, Ngong and Mathare rivers, uses of waters from the rivers and their management. The objectives of the study were:To identify and describe land use activities along the valleys of Nairobi, Ngong and Mathare riversTo assess the effects of land use activities along Nairobi, Ngong and Máthare rivers on the quality of water in their river channelsTo establish the uses of Nairobi, Ngong and Mathare rivers to the people along their river valleysTo examine the role of the people along the river valleys and other stakeholders in the implementation of the conservation programs.The study used a combination of primary data collected via questionnaire, questionnaire schedules and observation record sheet and secondary data from libraries. The data collected was analysed by use of frequencies, percentages, cross tabulation, chi-square, factor analysis and SWOT analysis. A questionnaire based survey collected information from 96 respondents.When the 96 respondents were asked whether they were aware of environmental degradation in Nairobi city, 90 (93.7%) respondents answered in the affirmative while 6 (6.3%) in the negative. When asked the aspect of environmental degradation they were aware of, 77 (85.5%) indicated that they were aware of water/river pollution. When the respondents were asked what peopleviused waters of Nairobi rivers for, 51 respondents (5 6.7%) stated that people used the waters fo

Politics, Etiquette, and the Fight against HIV/AIDS in Kenya: Negotiating for a Common Front

HIV/AIDS is the single most serious socio-economic and health problem affecting Kenya presently. The rapid spread of the epidemic resulted from the failure of government to recognise it as a problem early enough and institute necessary measures to counter it. Today, there are efforts from various stakeholders to slow down the spread of the epidemic. Some of these efforts have caused much debate and controversy, sometimes taking a political angle. Hardly any agreed steps are accepted by national institutions and even individuals on how to tackle the epidemic. This diversity of views and standpoints may be healthy especially when it comes to finding concrete solutions to the problem. However, this is only so if unity in diversity is achieved within a certain time-frame before the problem gets out of hand. This paper tries to assess the efforts and methods suggested in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Kenya and the resultant controversies, debates and chances for unity in diversity. Résumé Le VIH/SIDA est le problème socio-économique et sanitaire le plus aigu auquel le Kenya est actuellement confronté. La vitesse de développement de cette épidémie est due au refus du gouvernement de l\'identifier assez tôt comme étant un problème à part entière et d\'adopter les mesures nécessaires à son éradication. Aujourd\'hui, les différentes parties prenantes déploient tous leurs efforts pour ralentir la prolifération de l\'épidémie. Certains de ces efforts ont provoqué un certain nombre de débats, ainsi qu\'une grande controverse, sur le plan politique, notamment. Pratiquement aucune mesure approuvée relative aux moyens de combattre cette épidémie, n\'a été acceptée par les institutions nationales et les personnes concernées. Cette diversité d\'opinions est en soi, de bon aloi, particulièrement en ce qui concerne la recherche de solutions concrètes à ce problème. Mais cela ne peut être de bon aloi que si l\'on arrive à réaliser l\'unité dans la diversité, dans un certain délai, pour éviter que le problème ne prenne d\'énormes proportions. Cette contribution tente d\'évaluer les efforts et les méthodes proposées dans le cadre de la lutte contre le VIH/SIDA au Kenya, les controverses et débats qui en résultent, ainsi que les chances de réaliser l\'unité dans la diversité. Africa Development/Afrique et développement Vol.XXIX, No 4, 2004: 113-13

A youth-centred approach to improving engagement in HIV services: human-centred design methods and outcomes in a research trial in Kisumu County, Kenya

Methods We applied an iterative, four-phased HCD process in Kenya that included: (1) systematic review of extant knowledge, (2) prioritisation of design challenges, (3) a co-creation workshop and (4) translation tables to pair insights with trial intervention adaptations. The co-creation workshop was co-led by youth facilitators employing participatory activities to inform intervention adaptations. Iterative data analysis included rapid thematic analysis of visualised workshop outputs and notes using affinity mapping and dialogue to identify key themes. We conducted a survey to assess workshop acceptability among participants.Results Twenty-two participants engaged in the 4-day workshop. Co-creation activities yielded recommendations for improving planned interventions (eg, message frequency and content; strategies to engage hard-to-reach participants), critical principles to employ across interventions (eg, personalisation, AYA empowerment) and identification of unanticipated AYA HIV treatment priorities (eg, drug holidays, transition from adolescent to adult services). We revised intervention content, peer navigator training materials and study inclusion criteria in response to findings. The youth-led HCD workshop was highly acceptable to participants.Conclusions Research employing HCD among youth can improve interventions preimplementation through empathy, youth-led inquiry and real-time problem solving. Peer navigation may be most influential in improving retention when engagement with young people is based on mutual trust, respect, privacy and extends beyond HIV-specific support. Identifying opportunities for personalisation and adaptation within intervention delivery is important for AYAs. Patient engagement interventions that target young people should prioritise improved transition between youth and adult services, youth HIV status disclosure, AYA empowerment and healthcare worker responsiveness in interactions and episodic adherence interruptions