Machakos County Research Articles

The Perceptions of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among People with Chronic Diseases in Mwala Sub-County, Machakos County, Kenya

Purpose: This paper sought to determine the perceptions of the nurses on complementary and alternative medicine in Machakos County, Kenya. Methodology: This was a descriptive study, it had 3 objectives: to determine the perspectives of the nurses about CAM; establish the drivers of CAM in Machakos; and to investigate the available models of CAM in Machakos. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from the patients with chronic diseases. Findings: the nurses who knew about CAM were 60%; those who had negative perspective about CAM were 68%, those who had used some CAM treatment were 50%; the patients with chronic diseases hesitance to use CAM was based on issues of safety, unknown effects of the treatment, lack of clear dosage, ethical, and quality. However, a few had used CAM for external only. Unique Contribution to Theory Policy and Practice: The study concluded that for the people with chronic diseases perspectives towards CAM and consequently the usage of CAM needs more research to establish the validity and reliability of such perspectives. The consumers of CAM should be assisted to access more accurate information as front-line consumers of CAM that will dispel concerns correct dosages, safety of the CAMs, their effectiveness, any risks and possible therapeutic values from CAMs in general. The study recommends more random and controlled pragmatic clinical trials and sharing of information and experiences by paramedics.

Principal’s Involvement of Parents in Student’s Discipline; Assessing its Relationship with Teenage Pregnancy in Public Secondary Schools in Kenya

Teenage pregnancy remains a persistent global crisis that profoundly affects the socio-economic wellbeing of nations, citizens and families. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between principals’ involvement of parents in students discipline and teenage pregnancy in public secondary schools in Kenya. The article is an extract of a study done in public secondary schools in Machakos County, Kenya. The study was guided by the social learning theory postulated by Albert Bandura. The research utilized a descriptive research design. The research target population comprised of 360 principals, 360 Heads of Department (HoDs) Guidance and Counseling (G&C), 360 Parent Association (PA) chairpersons and, 103,517 students. The study sample size was 450 comprising of 189 principals, 189 HoDs G&C, 36 PA chairpersons and 36 FGD. Questionnaires were used to collect data from the principal’s and HoDs G&C. Interview schedules collected data from the PA chairperson while Focused Group Discussions (FGD) collected data from form three students. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 25.The correlational analysis findings from the principal and HoDs G&C responses showed a positive and significant relationship between principal’s engagement of parents in student’s discipline and teenage pregnancy (rp =.379 & rh = 0.564; p≤ .01). The study concludes that involving parents enhances learner discipline and can help curb cases of teenage pregnancies. The study recommended that PAs should work collaboratively with principals to make sure that parents are engaged in all matters affecting their children.

Curbing Students' Bullying Among Secondary School Learners: The Effectiveness of School Bullying Interventions

This study investigates the effectiveness of bullying interventions in addressing student bullying within secondary schools in Machakos County. Anchored on social learning theory, which elucidates the role of behavior in fostering bullying among learners, the research employed a descriptive survey research design to gather and analyze primary data. A sample of 333 respondents was drawn from a population of 116,053 individuals across 36 schools. Questionnaires and interview guides served as the primary research instruments. The analysis encompassed both qualitative and quantitative methods. Results revealed persistent student bullying despite intervention efforts, with disciplinary measures like suspensions and punishments predominantly employed. Conversely, restorative interventions, anti-bullying programs, and supportive measures were underutilized, demonstrating ineffectiveness in bullying eradication. The study underscores the prevalence of student bullying in secondary schools, attributing it to the inadequate implementation of interventions. Recommendations urge school principals and stakeholders to enhance the efficacy of bullying interventions in secondary education settings.

A double-hurdle model estimation of adoption and intensity of use of poultry production technologies in Machakos County, Kenya

A double-hurdle model estimation of adoption and intensity of use of poultry production technologies in Machakos County, Kenya

Moderating Influence of Government Water Policy on the Relationship between PM&E Approach and Implementation of Water Projects in Machakos County of Kenya

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish moderating influence of Government water policy on the relationship between PM&E Approach and Implementation of water projects in Machakos County of Kenya.
 Materials and Method: The study was anchored on Pragmatic paradigm and used descriptive survey research design. The target population for this study was Machakos County water representatives both staff and Community water representatives. Research sample comprised of; Water Resources Users Association officials, Water Resource Management Authority, County Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Water Services Trust Fund and Tana Athi Water Services Agency, giving a total target population of 572 individuals. The sample size of the study was derived from the various strata’s by using Krejcie and Morgan Table for sample size determination which gave a sample size of 226 participants. The research instruments used included: questionnaires; Key informant Interviews, Focus Group discussions, observation, documents review and Interview guides. SPSS version 24 was used to analyze the data using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Quantitative data was analysed using frequencies, percentages, mean, standard deviation, composite mean and standard deviation. Qualitative data was analysed by content analysis.
 Findings: Findings of the study were presented using tables. The study was pegged on theory of change. This study is significant to policy makers, students and primary stakeholders. The study established that there is a relationship between PM&E Approach and Implementation of water projects. It was concluded that government water policy has significant moderating relationship between participatory monitoring and evaluation process and implementation of water projects.
 Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends that all departments both in county and national government to work in cooperation to ensure that security in the area is maintained so that vandalism of water resources is eliminated.

Decentralized Diagnosis and Treatment of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Machakos County, Kenya

Background: Access to drug susceptibility testing (DST) for drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) diagnosis is challenging. Between 2016-2019, in Machakos county, Kenya, Xpert MTB/RIF was available in 5 sites. Additional DST was done in the national lab. DR-TB treatment was available in 32 clinics.

Principals’ Provision of Professional Development Strategies on Teacher Productivity in Public Secondary Schools in Machakos County, Kenya

There has been a worldwide concern on human relation strategies that are applied in schools by the principals to enable healthy teacher productivity. This research aimed at examining the influence of principals’ professional development strategies on teacher productivity in public secondary schools in Machakos County, Kenya. The study was guided by the human relations theory and the theory of educational productivity. The study adopted mixed methodology and the descriptive correlational designs with concurrent triangulation model. The target population was 4,369, consisting of 4,312 teachers, 291 principals, 18 Sub-County education officers and 10 Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC) officers. The sample size was 490 participants which comprised of 433 teachers and 29 principals that were randomly sampled, 18 Sub-County directors of education and 10 TSC officers who were purposively sampled. Questionnaires were used for teachers and principals. Interview schedules were used for SCDEs and TSC officers. The content validity was established through judgment by educational management experts. Reliability was established using the split-half method. A reliability index of r≥0.75 was obtained using Cronbach Alpha Method, indicating high internal reliability. Data triangulation through multiple analyses ascertained credibility, whereas dependability was established by detailed reporting of each data collection process. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, tables and inferentially using linear regression with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (Version 24). Qualitative data was analysed thematically and presented in narrative forms and verbatim citations. The findings established that principals were not significantly using professional development among the schools and thus, affecting teacher productivity in schools in Machakos County. It was recommended that stakeholders in education work together with the schools to improve on professional development in the schools so as to improve teacher productivity

Strategic Implementation and Organizational Performance of Deposit Taking Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies in Nairobi City County, Kenya

This study sought to establish the influence of strategic implementation on organizational performance of Deposit Taking SACCOs in Nairobi City County, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to determine the influence of strategic competence, strategic direction, organization structure and strategic communication on organizational performance of Deposit Taking SACCOs in Nairobi City County. The study was grounded on several theories including Resource Based View theory, Game theory, General systems theory, and Contingency Theory. The study employed a descriptive research design. The target population was the 42 Deposit Taking SACCOs in Nairobi City County. There were 272 management (top, and middle) staffs working in the head offices of the DT-SACCOs. This research used both convenient and stratified random sampling. From the population of 272, a sample of 30% was selected. This generated a sample of 81 respondents. This study mainly relied on primary data collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. The pilot study was conducted using eight (8) respondents drawn from SACCOs in Machakos County. Machakos County was selected due to its convenience and suitability to portray the characteristics of the target population. Internal consistency method was tested using Cronbach’s Alpha test while validity was ensured by seeking lecturer’s opinions on the face validity of the research instrument. The researcher administered the survey questionnaires to the staff in DT- SACCOs in Nairobi City County. The data gathered was entered, cleaned, and analyzed using SPSS (Version 25). Descriptive analysis included frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviations. Multiple linear regression model was used to measure the relationship between the study variables. Tables were used to summarize responses for further analysis and facilitate comparison. The study found that strategic competence affects the performance of DT- SACCOs to a moderate extent. Technical knowledge, roles and task involvement, technological knowledge and job training influences the performance of DT SACCOs to great extents. The study found that strategic direction influences the performance of DT- SACCOs to a great extent. Mission, vision, planning and execution and that goals and objectives play great roles on the performance of the DT-SACCOs. From the study, organizational structure influences the performance of DT-SACCOs to a great extent. Task allocation and coordination, chain of command, teamwork and strategic communication were found to affect the performance of DT SACCOs to great extents. The study found that strategic communication influences the performance of DT-SACCOs to a moderate extent. The study concludes that strategic competences, strategic direction, organizational structures and strategic communication have great influence on the performance of DT-SACCOs.

Physico-chemical, Microbiological, and Ion Assessment in Underground and Surface Water in Machakos County, Kenya

Physico-chemical, Microbiological, and Ion Assessment in Underground and Surface Water in Machakos County, Kenya

Impact of the group antenatal care model at Machakos County Referral Hospital, Kenya

Background: According to the World Health Organization, antenatal care (ANC) is defined as “timely, appropriate, evidence-based actions related to health promotion, disease prevention, screening, and treatment with targets to reduce complications from pregnancy and childbirth, such as stillbirths and perinatal deaths”. The WHO recommends the adoption of the eight antenatal care model, whereby the health care provider interacts with the pregnant woman in eight contacts, as compared to the individual antenatal care model that had four visits. The eight ANC contacts are easily achieved through group antenatal care whereby pregnant women of similar gestational age are placed in groups or cohorts and then receive care together in the following ANC clinic days. Objective: To assess the impact of a group antenatal care model at Machakos County Referral Hospital. Methods: The group antenatal care model was rolled out at Machakos County Referral Hospital in April 2022. A record review was done from the summary report register for the following periods: February to July 2021 (before group ANC) and February to July 2023 (after group ANC). Results: The number of clients who revisited the antenatal clinic in the study period for the year 2021 was 2075, whereas those who revisited the clinic in the same study period were 4057, with 688 clients having attended the group antenatal care. Conclusion: There was an increase in the number of pregnant women who attended ANC services among pregnant women in 2023. A possible contributing factor to this may be associated with the introduction of group antenatal care where the pregnant women interacted seven times with the nurses and therefore more entries to the register.

A Quasi-experimental study on the effectiveness of primary caregiver social support capacity on self-management practices of clients living with type II diabetes in Machakos county, Kenya

Background: Diabetes is a fast-growing public health emergency, projected to affect 643 million people by 2045. While primary caregiver social support can influence the self-management practices of Type 2 diabetes (T2D) clients, there's often limited capacity to provide it. The study determined the effectiveness of enhanced caregivers' social support capacity on self-management practices of T2D clients in Machakos. Methods: A six-month quasi-experimental study design that adopted quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis approaches. Primary caregivers at the Matungulu intervention site were trained on T2D self-management and types of social support, with no intervention conducted at the Masinga control site. Results: Over 90% of the 227 primary caregivers were female, with a mean age of 43.28, supporting approximately three T2D clients each. Post-intervention, a 27.2% change in capacity to identify all T2D self-management practices was noted compared to a 7.6% change in the control group. The greatest contribution was in the primary caregivers' ability to provide tangible, followed by emotional and informational social support, resulting in a statistically significant improvement in the self-management practices in the intervention site, B=0.140 (95% CI: 0.072, 0.208), t=4.046, p<0.001. Consequently, the difference in blood glucose levels was statistically significant, crude OR=3.213 [95% CI: 2.039, 5.063], p<0.001. Conclusions: Enhanced capacity to provide social support positively correlates with the T2D clients' self-management practices. Further investigation of factors that hinder the full realization of primary caregiver social support capacity benefits in improving self-management capacities among T2D clients is recommended.

Prevalence of Bullying in Public Secondary Schools: A Case of Selected Schools in Machakos County, Kenya

This study sought to assess the prevalence of bullying in selected public secondary schools in Machakos sub-county, Machakos County. The objectives of the study were: 
 
 To determine the various forms of bullying behavior that are experienced among students, 
 To establish the relationship between the gender of students and forms of bullying,
 To examine the prevalence of bullying and 
 To examine risk factors contributing to bullying. 
 
 The researcher employed a descriptive research design. Purposive sampling and simple random sampling were used to select 280 respondents. The study used both open and closed-ended questionnaires to collect data. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. The study used both descriptive and inferential statistics to describe quantitative data, which were then analyzed, interpreted, and presented in the form of tables and figures. The study revealed that bullying existed in Machakos County more in boys' schools than girls' schools and forms of bullying varied with gender. Boys suffered more physical and cyberbullying, while girls suffered more sexual and verbal bullying activities. School environment and academic performance were leading as risky factors of involvement in bullying. The study concluded that the prevalence of bullying exists in Machakos County and recommended seeking strategies for curbing it.

The Application of Referent Authority by Teachers in Enhancement of Classroom Role Performance: A Case of Machakos County in Kenya

Teachers’ classroom authority is fundamental for their successful role performance. Traditionally, teachers enjoyed legitimacy over the students, but that has been challenged by educational policy reforms and technology to a two-way social relationship with students referred to as referent authority. Unfortunately, school policies and school rules and regulations do not attract the use of personal characteristics in class as teachers are supposed to wield legitimacy. On the other hand, school curricula advocate for use of hidden curriculum as a way of achieving the whole personal performance. This article endeavored to establish the extent to which teachers used referent authority and the influence it had on their classroom role performance in Machakos County. A descriptive survey research design was employed. The target population was 369 principals, 4365 teachers, and 63973 form two and form Three students in 369 public secondary schools in the County. A total of 619 respondents were sampled using systematic, stratified, simple random and proportional sampling techniques. An interview schedule was used to collect data from the principals and questionnaires were used to gather data from teachers and students. Analyzed data from both teachers and students showed that they strongly agreed that teachers applied referent authority. Inferential statistics showed that referent authority had a significant influence on the role performance of teachers. This was also supported by head teacher responses who concluded that teachers who used referent authority in class influenced to a larger extent their performance. The study concluded that when teachers use more referent authority practices, their performance in the classroom improved more as compared to when they used the other three authority types. This study recommended that the Ministry of Education, universities/colleges and TSC need to review teacher training curricula to equip teachers in the use of practices and approaches that lead to referent authority.

Life Skills Education; Investigating its Relationship with Teenage Pregnancy in Public Secondary Schools in Kenya

Teenage pregnancy remains a persistent global crisis that profoundly affects the socio-economic wellbeing of nations, citizens and families. It contributes to school dropout rates, lower academic achievements, early marriages, and decreased school attendance for female learners. The aim of the research was to investigate the relationship between Life Skills Education and teenage pregnancy in public secondary schools in Machakos County. This article is an extract of a study done in public secondary schools in Machakos County. The reviewed Literature was based on the research aims whereas the research was anchored on social learning theory postulated by Albert Bandura. The research utilized a descriptive survey research design. The research target population was 360 principals and 360 Heads of Department (HoDs) Guidance and Counseling (G&C),. The study gathered data from a sample of 189 schools comprising Boys only, Girls only and mixed schools. The participants of the study, who were proportionately sampled, included; principals and HODs G&C. Data were collected using questionnaires and document analysis. The Collected data was analyzed using SPSS software version 25. Descriptive analysis was done using frequencies, measures of central tendency and dispersion particularly the mean and standard deviation. Hypotheses were tested using Pearson’s’ correlation coefficient at the .05 level of significance. The study results revealed that teenage pregnancy was prevalent in Machakos County with an average of 173 cases recorded annually. Each school in the county also recorded at least 2 cases of teenage pregnancy yearly. The research findings revealed that there was also a positive and significant relationship between Life Skills Education and teenage pregnancy in public secondary schools in Machakos County (rp =.575 & rh = 0.414; p≤ .01). The study suggests that KICD should review the Life Skill Education syllabus to include content on sex education. In addition, the MOE should include LSE in teacher education as a learning area or infuse LSE in a specific subject combination so that the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) posts teachers to teach LSE specifically and make it compulsory and examinable.

Principals’ Use of School Curriculum and Promotion of Social Cohesion in Public Secondary Schools in Machakos County, Kenya.

This study sought to investigate how principals’ use curriculum in promoting social cohesion in public secondary schools in Machakos County. The study was guided by the ecological systems theory of human development and socialization. The study adopted the descriptive survey research design wherein a target population of 375 principals’ and 9 Sub County Directors of Education were respondents. Further, the study used stratified proportionate sampling in selecting sample sizes for the study in which case a sample size of 113 principals and 9 Sub County Directors of education totaling to 122 respondents were surveyed. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedules and document analysis. Quantitative data was processed and analyzed using SPSS software version 26 and presented in tables. Simple regression analysis was employed in testing hypotheses of the study for inferences. While qualitative data was transcribed into themes and presented in narratives. The findings of the study revealed that principals use of school curriculum t (113) = 10.316; p was statistically significant in contributing to the promotion of social cohesion in public secondary schools in Machakos County. The study recommends among others that MOE makes value creating education mandatory in the school curriculum. Further principals should ensure language policy in schools is enhanced and prohibit the use of vernacular language in schools.

Forms of Bullying Prevalent in Public Secondary Schools: A Case of Selected Schools in Machakos County, Kenya.

Bullying in schools is a global problem that has short- and long-term negative health consequences on both the bullies and victims. A report by the National Center for Educational Statistics (2019) shows that one out of every five (20.2%) students report being bullied. This has long term physical, psychological and academic negative impact among students. The researcher sought to assess the prevalence of forms of bullying in public secondary schools in Machakos sub county, Machakos County. The researcher employed descriptive research design. Purposive sampling and simple random sampling were used to select 280 respondents. The study used both open and closed ended questionnaires to collect data. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 23.0. The study used both descriptive and inferential statistics to describe quantitative data which were then analyzed, interpreted, and presented in form of tables and figures. The study established that about 71.5% of students participated in bullying and among the different forms of bullying verbal (38.9%) was leading followed by psychological (21.7%), sexual physical (15.3%) and cyber bullying (11.2%). The study revealed that boys suffered more physical and cyber bullying while girls suffered more of sexual and verbal bullying activities. The study concluded that four forms of bullying are prevalent in Machakos County and that there is need to seek solutions in order to curb it down.

Levels of Cadmium, Copper, and Lead in Soils and Cassava Tubers Grown in Machakos County, Kenya

Levels of Cadmium, Copper, and Lead in Soils and Cassava Tubers Grown in Machakos County, Kenya

Religious leaders´ willingness to promote the uptake of human papillomavirus vaccine among their congregants in Mavoko Sub-County, Machakos County, Kenya

Religious leaders´ willingness to promote the uptake of human papillomavirus vaccine among their congregants in Mavoko Sub-County, Machakos County, Kenya

Resources Allocation as an Institutional Determinant of Strategic Plan Implementation in Public Secondary Schools in Kenya.

The study sought to examine the influence of school resource allocation on Strategic plan implementation. The study used a descriptive survey research design. The study targeted 351 public secondary schools, 351 public school principals, 1,404 class teachers and 1,755 academic Heads of Departments from which the sample of 105 principals, 176 academic Heads of Departments and 140 class teachers were derived. The respondents were sampled using stratified sampling technique. A questionnaire and an interview guide were the data collection instruments. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze data. Data was presented by used of frequency distribution tables and pie charts. Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression was used to analyze the inferential data. The set level of hypothesis testing was at 0.05 level of significance. This may be significant to the school Board of Management policy makers in terms of know-how skills formulation, implementation and evaluation of strategic plan. This study found that resource allocation does not influence strategic plan implementation. Based on these findings, the study recommends that; the Government need to provide enough funds at the right time to finance the implementation of the schools’ strategic plan and to ensure schools have enough physical resources, enough human resources, and adequate learning resources. The researcher conducted Hypothesis testing using a multiple regression model at the 5 percent level of significance. The results of hypothesis testing gave a negative coefficient of -0.0168 on resource allocation was realized with a p-value of 0.714 which was not statistically significant at the 0.05 level. . Hence we fail to reject the hypothesis that, resource allocation has no effect on strategic plan implementation. This indicates that, resource allocation does not have a statistically significant effect on strategic plan implementation in public secondary schools in Machakos County.

Influence of Parents’ Level of Education on Quality Education in Public Primary Schools in Machakos County, Kenya

Influence of Parents’ Level of Education on Quality Education in Public Primary Schools in Machakos County, Kenya