Determinants of Successful Implementation of Early Childhood Development Education by County Governments in Kenya; Implementing Partners Perspective

The purpose of this study was to assess the determinants of successful implementation of Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) by County Governments in Kenya from the implementing partners‟ perspective. This study was guided by the following specific objectives: to determine the influence of the capacities of the County Government staff on the implementation of early childhood development education by County Governments in Kenya, to determine the how management of early childhood development education affects its implementation by County Governments in Kenya, to assess how availability of physical facilities affect the implementation of early childhood development education by County Governments in Kenya and to examine how policies affect the implementation of early childhood development education by County Governments in Kenya. Decentralization theory and organization learning theory were used to explain the relationship between the study variables. Descriptive research design was used in the study. The population for the study was implementing partners working with County Governments in Kenya to support ECDE. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the respondents to participate in the study. A total of 100 respondents were targeted from the 10 organizations studied out of which 70 participated giving a response rate of 70%. Questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. Both qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques were used to analyze the data. The study found that the implementation of ECDE by County governments in Kenya was generally successful from the implementing partners‟ perspective and indicated by 56.8%. It is also worth noting that beside the general success, there were myriads of challenges facing the implementation of the program by county governments. Findings from regression analysis showed that the coefficient of determination indicated that 63.5% of the variations on the implementation of ECDE by county governments can be explained by staff capacity, management of ECDE, availability of physical facilities and ECDE policies. The remaining 36.5% can be explained by other variables not included in the study. R square and adjusted R is above average an implication that an above average variation can be explained by the model. The study recommended that county governments should allocate more funds for the renovation and construction of more ECDE centres, allocate adequate funds for the implementation of ECDE and that they should organize consistent in-service training for ECDE teachers and at the same time employ more ECDE staff to cater for the large number of children in ECDE centres.

Persistent Sciatic Artery: A Cadaveric Case Study

Objective The persistent sciatic artery associated with birth is a rare anomaly with a high rate of abnormal dilatation, blockage and stenosis prompting in extreme thrombosis, caudal embolisation, or aneurysm rupture. This is a case report on cadaveric specimen (50-year-old) African female cadaver in the Human Anatomy Laboratory, Department of Human Anatomy, Uzima University. Methods: During routine cadaveric dissections by first year medical students a peculiar structure was noted behind the right thigh after exposure of gluteal muscles. Results: The structure, identified as persistent sciatic artery, entered the gluteal region through the greater sciatic foramen and lied superficial to the sciatic nerve. The vessel was large and it passed out of the pelvis through the greater sciatic foramen below the pirifomis and descended posterior to the sciatic nerve. Muscular and articular branches branched off from artery through its course. The artery descended behind the thigh and was traversed obliquely by the long head of the biceps femoris muscle posteriorly. The sciatic artery continued as the popliteal artery that lied alongside popliteal vein, which was retraced back from the infrapiriform fossa. The femoral arteries were hypoplastic and had no obvious connections with the sciatic artery. Conclusion: It is a vital practice to recognize the position and tendency of sciatic artery to develop aneurysms and subsequent deep vein thrombosis that may be life threatening. Furthermore, understanding of this principle changes the approach to surgical interventions that are required during the process of bypass grafting

Pyramidal Lobe of the Human Thyroid Gland: A Case Report

Background The thyroid gland is amongst the most anatomically variable structures in the human body, with incidence of the pyramidal lobe ranging from 57-65%. While these anatomical variations remain overlooked or misinterpreted by students during routine laboratory dissection, they are of clinical relevance in terms of functional disorders and illnesses associated with thyroid gland. Multiple patterns of the pyramidal lobe have been identified during routine dissections and reported in the literature. The knowledge of these pattern differences is vital for surgical practice and patient management. This is a report on a 42-year-old African male cadaver with a pyramidal lobe noticed during routine dissection in Human Anatomy Laboratory, Department of Human Anatomy of Uzima University. Method: Dissimilarity was encountered during routine cadaveric dissections, overlying neck muscles were exposed, and the tissue was examined. Results: The macroscopic assessment revealed a capsulated glandular tissue with three lobes. Pyramidal lobe was located deep to the strap muscles of the neck at the midline below the Adam’s apple. Conclusion: Pyramidal lobe is considered a normal component of the thyroid gland with variable morphology and position. Its removal during surgery of the thyroid to treat non-malignant disease cases has proven to significantly reduce chances of cancer recurrence

Intussusception: Lab Report and Review of Literature

Objective: Intussusception is the invagination of a proximal portion of the gastrointestinal tract into an adjacent distal portion. This unusual form of bowel obstruction occurs less frequently in adults. We report a case of small bowel intussusception in a 39-year-old African male cadaver in the cadaveric laboratory in the, Department of Human Anatomy at, Uzima University. We have also performed a literature review of this rare condition. Method: Student cadaver groups at Uzima University were assigned with a ratio of 8:1 meaning that eight students received one cadaver to work on. There were a total of nine cadavers. One out of the nine assigned specimens had a lead point in the ileocecal valve resulting in ileocecal intussusception upon dissection. Results: At the ileocecal junction, an intussuscepted distal small bowel was discovered. We concluded it to be an ileocecal intussusception. Conclusion: The rarity of intussusception in adults makes it an exceptional finding in standard anatomy laboratory. Intussusception can occur anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. Surgeons should consider intussusception as a severe cause of intestinal obstruction and consequently, anticipate different clinical presentations. Diagnosis of intussusception is difficult to make without surgery, therefore, surgeons need to familiarize themselves with different imaging modalities

Anatomical Variations of Human Pulmonary Fissures: A Cadaveric Study Conducted in Western Kenya

Aim and Objective:  This cadaveric study was done to describe the variations in the pattern of pulmonary fissures in Western Kenyan population. Data were sourced from 68 lungs fixed in formalin in gross anatomy laboratory of the Department of Human Anatomy, Uzima University. The fissures were studied and the results compared with the previous studies. Results: In this study 83.82% of lungs had a classical appearance a “textbook” lung: three major fissures that were complete without any accessory fissure. Out of the 31 right lungs examined, the horizontal fissure was absent in 0% lungs, incomplete in 6 lungs (16.13%), and complete in 25 lungs (80.64%). Out of the 37 left lungs, the oblique fissure was incomplete in 4 lungs (10.70%) and complete in 29 lungs (86.30%). The fissure was absent in one of the lungs (2.70%). Four right lung accessory fissures were observed (12.90%). Six left lungs (16.67%) had accessory fissures. Conclusion: Incidence of complete of oblique fissure was greater in our present work when compared our results with other authors. The incomplete oblique fissure and incomplete horizontal fissure in our study varied compared with other studies.  Our study recorded a prevalence of absent oblique fissure in the left lung that was greater in relation to absent horizontal fissure. The superior accessory fissure was higher in our study compared to other studies as well as compared the inferior accessory fissure in our study. The left minor fissure was the most frequently appearing accessory fissure in our study. Anatomists should note that lung fissure anatomy is more variable than orthodoxly presented. Clinicians must be warranted towards the depth and occurrence of these variations. Considering these variants we recommend more explorative research should be done on this topic to cast more light on this

Exploring the Impacts of Lead Farmer Selection on Community Social Learning: The case of Farmer-to-Farmer Model: A Review of Literature

Agricultural extension has shifted towards community-centric, farmer-centered, and participatory approaches that enhance rural change through a social learning lens, resulting in the emergence of the farmer-to-farmer extension model. The purpose of the study was to understand lead farmer selection criteria within the farmer-to-farmer model and their impacts on community social learning. We applied Torraco’s (2005) integrative literature review method to guide our discussion around lead farmer selection processes, types of lead farmers selected and their impacts on social learning. The study indicated farmer-to-farmer extension model has the potential of re-invigorating the provision of agriculture extension services owing to its low cost, reliability, and the potential to be sustainable. However, farmer-to-farmer faces numerous challenges such as a lack of funding, limited community adoption, and acceptance of the system. This study’s findings suggest the farmer-to-farmer approach can be more effective when stakeholders, especially the community is actively involved in designing, implementing, and evaluating the model. The study recommends that practitioners work closely with the community to develop long-term relationships based on trust through intentionality and inviting attitude that respects and values community knowledge

Is Migration the Solution to Poverty Alleviation in Kenya? Rural-Urban Migration Experiences of Migrants from Western Kenya to Kisumu and Nairobi

Out-migration from western Kenya to Kenya’s urban areas dates back to the colonial period and remains a reflection of regional inequality, as migrants try to move out of their poorer origins to destinations with promising economic opportunities. Out-migration in Western Kenya, mainly from the Siaya and Vihiga counties, is directed towards the regional city of Kisumu and the national capital of Nairobi city, which for long has been the country’s primate city. Underdevelopment in western Kenya and the desired lifestyle of the cities drive both rural-urban migration and rural-rural migration to the county’s economic hubs that rely on commercial agriculture. Siaya and Vihiga are two contrasting counties. Siaya has vast landscapes wallowing in poverty due to subsistence agriculture whereas Vihiga is unsuitable for agriculture because of large boulders occupying much of the cultivable land. Using mixed qualitative methodology consisting of key informant interviews, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, the study found that although Kisumu is closer to the region of origin than Nairobi, the latter has the greater attraction. The migrants fare much better in urban destinations where they maintain strong contacts with their origins, to where they send remittances for relatives left behind. At the end of a migratory life, the vast majority of migrants expect to return to their homes to try and lead better lives than non-migrant folk, and to develop their communities as well as their counties of origin. The findings of the study corroborate findings of previous studies in Kenya that underscore the contribution of rural- urban migration to poverty reduction.DFI

Cash Management Techniques Adopted By Small And Medium Level Enterprises In Eldoret Town, Kenya

The purpose of this paper was to examine the cash management techniques adopted by small and medium level enterprises in Eldoret town. The study was carried out in 17 selected SMEs all capturing 108 personnel distributed among the said SMEs equitably. The researcher sampled 52 respondents through simple random sampling and stratified sampling to help arrive at better results and minimize research cost. Data from primary sources were then analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The study concluded that cash management is a working capital management component that contributes to a great extend on survival or failure of SMEs in Kenya. Among the cash management techniques commonly used are speeding cash collection and delayed payment of creditors and they did not have a direct significance with SME performance. However optimum cash held significantly, and positively influenced SMEs performance, SMEs used cheques, cash receipt, and petty cash to control cash movement and finally non financial measures of performance did not have a significant relationship with SME performance. Key Words: Cash Management, Techniques, Small and Medium Entreprise

Effective Microporosity for Enhanced Adsorption Capacity of Cr (VI) from Dilute Aqueous Solution: Isotherm and Kinetics

The adsorbent pore structure significant to enhanced adsorption capacity of Cr (VI) from dilute aqueous solution is evaluated. As reference, low-cost micro-mesoporous activated carbon (AC) of high basicity, mesoporosity centred about 2.4 nm, and effective microporosity centred about 0.9 nm was tested for removal of Cr (VI) from dilute aqueous solution in batch mode. At pH 2 the low-cost AC exhibited highly improved Langmuir Cr (VI) capacity of 115 mg/g which was competitive to high performance commercial AC. A Comparison with treated characterization results of literature adsorbents/ACs showed that moderate to high effective micropore volume of average pore-size about 0.9 ± 0.1 nm is critical for increased adsorption capacity of Cr (VI) from dilute aqueous solutions. The mesostructure of the tested low-cost AC was associated with rapid kinetics that was fitted by the Pseudo-second kinetics model. While Biot numbers suggested slight significant contribution of intraparticle diffusion. It is hoped that this study may be a useful contribution to development of effective adsorbents for the efficient abatement of toxic Cr (VI) from wastewater and water