Nairobi Research Articles

Determination of Irregular Antibodies in Donated Blood at the National Central Laboratory, Nairobi Kenya

Determination of Irregular Antibodies in Donated Blood at the National Central Laboratory, Nairobi Kenya

Developing greener food value chains: environmentally friendly tomato post-harvest operations in four cities

The main aim of the study was to attempt to better understand environmentally friendly tomato post-harvest operations provided by micro- and small-scale farmers and traders in the context of bottom-of-the-pyramid (BOP) peri-urban and urban areas of four major cities: Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Nairobi (Kenya), Tunis (Tunisia), and Cairo (Egypt). The study was initiated with an in-depth literature review and was followed by in-country, unstructured, informal, one-to-one interviews with a random number of micro- and small-scale farmers and traders and pictographic observations of table tomato post-harvest operations. The findings of the study provided a sample of practices and ‘innovations’ in post-harvest operations that used prevalently recycled post-harvest equipment, sparingly used natural resources, such as water, and powered operations using only energy of human origin. The findings ranged from the use of home-made sand filters for water purification, to large green leaves for ‘refrigeration’, to recyc...

Sheng: the expanding domains of an urban youth vernacular

African multilingualism is changing the languages and identities of urban communities, and indeed entire nations. Sheng, a non-standard variety of Kenyan Swahili closely associated with Nairobi's urban youth, continues to grow in numbers of users, and to expand its domains of use. Like other ‘youth languages’ of Africa as elsewhere, it is deployed as a marker of social identity, and is characterised by extensive code-mixing within a Swahili matrix, thus placing it on a continuum of Kenyan ways of speaking, or ‘Kenyanese’. The code is also an outcome of language dynamics within a socially stratified, multilingual society in search of a modern identity. In this article, I discuss Sheng's recent entry into mainstream domains of language use in Kenya such as the media, politics, education and corporate advertising. Shifts in population dynamics, as well as changed infrastructure and communications, have also aided its spread into peri-urban Nairobi and rural Kenya. This marks a step across an important threshold in Sheng's capacity to alter Kenya's language ecology in significant ways, as it morphs from a youth language into an urban vernacular.

Contextual Analysis and Perceptions of Health Workers on Migration: Perspective from Kenyatta National Hospital Staff, Nairobi Kenya

Contextual Analysis and Perceptions of Health Workers on Migration: Perspective from Kenyatta National Hospital Staff, Nairobi Kenya

Impact of First Line Antiretroviral Therapy on Clinical Outcomes Among HIV-1 Infected Adults Attending One of the Largest HIV Care and Treatment Program in Nairobi Kenya

Objective: This study evaluated the immunologic (CD4 cell count), virological (HIV RNA viral load), hepatic (alanine and aspartate aminotransferase - ALT and AST), renal (creatinine) and hematological (hemoglobin -HB, White Blood Cell - WBC, Lymphocytes - LYM and platelets - PLT) response to a six months ART treatment among HIV participants in Nairobi Kenya. Methods: Blood samples were obtained from 599 consenting HIV infected participants receiving HIV treatment in Nairobi. CD4 cell counts were measured using flow cytometer and viral load determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The blood hematology, liver and kidney function tests were also measured. One-way ANOVA and Linear regression analysis were conducted. Results: The median age at ART initiation was 41 years (IQR 35-47 years). The majority of participants (60.3%) were female and 56.1% started on regimens with 2 NRTIs and efavirenz based NNRTI. About 40% of the participants were failing treatment 6 month post ART initiation. The CD4 count significantly increased at the 6-month post ART initiation (301.7 ± 199.4 to 329.4 ± 305.8; P 5 times the upper limit of normal - ULN) and renal abnormalities (elevated serum creatinine levels) were all high at month 6 compared to baseline; ALT (2.5 to 10.5%), AST (5.3 to 23.4%) and creatinine (63.4 to 68.84%). Fewer participants at month 6 had anemia (29.4% verses 56.4%), leucopenia (42.4% vs. 46.9%) and thrombocytopenia (6.5% vs. 84.1%) compared to baseline. In multivariable models, baseline levels of this parameter, ART regimen and duration with HIV at ART initiation were the most important determinant of month 6 levels. Conclusion: These data demonstrate sustained immunologic/virologic response to ART among participants remaining on therapy. Anemia, leucopenia and thrombocytopenia were minimized with marginal hepatotoxicity and renal impairment seen. Interventions leading to earlier HIV diagnosis and initiation of ART could substantially improve patient outcomes in Kenya.

Summary Report of the International Conference on Requirements for an Independent and Effective Judiciary in Nairobi (Kenya) from 11 to 14 February 2016

RiA Recht in Afrika | Law in Africa | Droit en Afrique , Seite 102 - 111

Is cadaveric dissection vital in anatomy education? Perceptions of 1stand 2ndyear medical students

Introduction: The use of innovative ways of teaching anatomy as well as shortage of cadavers for dissection have raised questions as to whether dissection should continue to be used in teaching anatomy. This study aimed to assess the views of medical and dental students on the importance of dissection in learning gross anatomy, and whether they would prefer other ways of learning anatomy instead of cadaveric dissection. Materials and Methods: First‑ and second‑year students enrolled at the University of Nairobi (Kenya) were asked to fill an online questionnaire. Data gathered were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences. Results: Ninety‑eight (83 medical and 15 dental) students participated in the study. All students agreed dissection was useful in learning anatomy. Up to 95.2% of medical and 86.7% of dental students favored dissection. Most students strongly agreed or agreed that dissection helped them to develop three‑dimensional (3D) awareness of the human body (94.9%), work as a team (89.8%), learn medical terminology (85.7%), and learn how to use basic surgical instruments (80.6%). Dissection was preferred to use of 3D models, prosected specimens, computer‑aided learning techniques, or modern imaging techniques by 63.3%, 60.3%, 37.7%, and 34.4% of the students, respectively. Conclusion: Dissection is an important resource for learning anatomy. Other teaching techniques should be used to supplement dissection rather than replace it. Keywords: Anatomy, cadaveric dissection, medical students

Report on the Exchange Programme between Young Lawyers from Central and East Africa and the Judiciary of Baden-Württemberg and Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, in Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of Congo), Kigali (Rwanda) and Nairobi (Kenya) from 6 to 15 February 2016

RiA Recht in Afrika | Law in Africa | Droit en Afrique , Seite 94 - 101

Expatriate Employees’ Perception Of Challenges In Their Work Environment In The Ngo Sector In Nairobi Kenya

This study examined how expatriate employees perceive the challenges in their work environment in the NGO sector in Nairobi, Kenya. The study question was “how do expatriate employees’ workings in the NGOs sector in Kenya perceive the challenges in their work environment?” The study was anchored on person-environment fit theory and the culture shock theory of adaptation to explain the strategies employed by expatriate employees to cope with challenges in their work environment. The research design used was a descriptive survey with a target population of 2394 NGOs based in Nairobi, Kenya. The study sample consisted of 120 expatriates, although only 84 participated in the final study drawn from 60 NGOs. Questionnaires were used to collect the data. Data was analyzed using SPSS. The result showed that expatriate employees working in the Kenyan NGOs respond to challenges in their work environment by finding a fit between the Kenyan culture and that of their countries. However, sometimes there is a big clash between the two cultures which makes it difficult for the expatriates to adjust well. Some have devised some strategies to interact with the locals that have improved their communication skills and ability to work on the assignments. In cases where conversing in the local languages has been a challenge, the expatriates have sought the help of locals as interpreters. Some expatriates accompanied by their families to provide psychological support. The study therefore recommends that since the expatriate employees seem to have integrated well into the Kenya society, they can be a great source of strength to those who are taking up new assignments in this country -Kenya. The future studies could focus on how the extent of expatriate employees ‘adjustment to the conditions in the host country affects their performance. In addition, they are a source of transmission of management ‘know-how’. This makes them a strong pillar as the local employees rely on their explicit knowledge and tacit knowledge to manage the NGOs even after their repatriation.

Environmental Transmission of Typhoid Fever in an Urban Slum.

BackgroundEnteric fever due to Salmonella Typhi (typhoid fever) occurs in urban areas with poor sanitation. While direct fecal-oral transmission is thought to be the predominant mode of transmission, recent evidence suggests that indirect environmental transmission may also contribute to disease spread.MethodsData from a population-based infectious disease surveillance system (28,000 individuals followed biweekly) were used to map the spatial pattern of typhoid fever in Kibera, an urban informal settlement in Nairobi Kenya, between 2010–2011. Spatial modeling was used to test whether variations in topography and accumulation of surface water explain the geographic patterns of risk.ResultsAmong children less than ten years of age, risk of typhoid fever was geographically heterogeneous across the study area (p = 0.016) and was positively associated with lower elevation, OR = 1.87, 95% CI (1.36–2.57), p <0.001. In contrast, the risk of typhoid fever did not vary geographically or with elevation among individuals less than 6b ten years of age.ConclusionsOur results provide evidence of indirect, environmental transmission of typhoid fever among children, a group with high exposure to fecal pathogens in the environment. Spatially targeting sanitation interventions may decrease enteric fever transmission.

Health and ageing in Nairobi's informal settlements-evidence from the International Network for the Demographic Evaluation of Populations and Their Health (INDEPTH): a cross sectional study.

BackgroundMuch of the focus on population ageing has been in high-income counties. Relatively less attention is given to the world’s poorest region, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where children and adolescents still comprise a high proportion of the population. Yet the number of adults aged 60-plus in SSA is already twice that in northern Europe. In addition, SSA is experiencing massive rural to urban migration with consequent expansion of informal urban settlements, or slums, whose health problems are usually unrecognised and not addressed. This study aims to improve understanding of functional health and well-being in older adult slum-dwellers in Nairobi (Kenya).MethodsThe study sample comprised men and women, aged 50 years and over, living in Korogocho and Viwandani, Nairobi, Kenya (n = 1,878). Data from the International Network for the Demographic Evaluation of Populations and Their Health (INDEPTH) and the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE Wave 1) were analysed. The prevalence of poor self-reported quality of life (QoL) and difficulties in domain-specific function is estimated by age and sex. Logistic regression investigates associations between difficulties in the domains of function and poor QoL, adjusting for age, sex and socio-demographic factors. Statistical significance is set at P<0.05.ResultsWomen reported poorer QoL and greater functional difficulties than men in all domains except self-care. In the multivariable logistic regression the odds of poor QoL among respondents with problems or difficulties in relation to affect (OR = 7.0; 95%CI = 3.0-16.0), pain/discomfort (OR = 3.6; 95%CI = 2.3-5.8), cognition (OR = 1.8; 95 %CI = 1.2-2.9) and mobility (OR = 1.8; 95%CI = 1.1-2.8) were statistically significant.ConclusionsThe findings underscore differences in the domains of functional health that encapsulate women and men’s capacities to perform regular activities and the impact of poor functioning on QoL. Investing in the health and QoL of older people in SSA will be crucial in helping the region to realise key development goals and in opening opportunities for improved health outcomes and sustainable economic development.

‘We thought we will be safe here’: Narratives of Tanzanian Albinos in Kenya and South-Africa

There are paucity of information on the migratory trend and security challenges facing albinos seeking refuge and livelihood in neighbouring African countires. Specifically this study examines Tanzanian albinios’ migration, acceptability and security challenges in Kenya and South Africa. The study was purely qualitative in nature, involving a hundred and forty-five persons with albinism (PWA) identified in Nairobi (Kenya) and Gauteng province (South Africa). Realities, myths, folktales and legends about albinos as both disabled and divine beings prevailed in the host communities in Kenya and South Africa. Comparatively socioeconomic factors such as income and educational attainment of PWA and their family members were major factors informing choices of destination and abode. This was evident in a number of affluent albinos living in South Africa. Nevertheless, acceptability and safety continue to elude PWA as spirit beings and strangers. They are left vulnerable as strangers and at best perceived as persons without identity. Similarly the proximity of Tanzania to Kenya facilitated the choice as a major destination for PWA via land borders. The security expectations were described as poor in both countries. A network of syndicates hunting for albinos, were said to be present in Kenya and South Africa, fostering trades in albinos body parts. The study concluded that distant migration of PWA within Africa, does not guarantee the security of albinos as migrants.Keywords: Persons with albinism, migrants, realities, myth, insecurity

An Investigation of the Relationship of ICT Access of Principals and ICT integration in Management Public Secondary Schools in Kenya

The purpose of this study was to find out whether there exists a relationship between ICT access of principals and ICT integration in management of public secondary schools in Kenya. Descriptive survey design was used in Nairobi County where quantitative and qualitative research strategies were applied for the collection of data using questionnaires. The target population comprised of 75 secondary schools in Nairobi County at the time of data collection. Simple Random sampling was used to select the public secondary schools with 7(10%) principals participating in the pilot study. Data collected by questionnaires from 68 principals out of 75 principals were analyzed using Pearson’s chi square with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) programme. The findings of the analysis of data revealed that there was a significant relationship between the principals’ educational level and ICT integration in management of public secondary schools in Kenya. Out of this study recommendations were made to the county government and secondary schools in Nairobi County and Kenya in general.

A Critical Review of Winning Response Strategies to Competition of Major Supermarkets in Kenya

The purpose of the paper is to examine the response strategies major supermarkets have adopted to cope with competition within the supermarkets sector. The study covered Nairobi, Mombasa Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret cities. It aimed at establishing the response strategies adopted by major supermarkets Nakumatt, Naivas, Tuskys and Uchumi to cope with competition in an effort to maintain competitive advantage. Increased competition has led supermarkets to initiate response mechanisms to address challenges emanating from changes taking place in the environment among them competitors (new supermarkets, new entrants into the supermarkets sector like hawkers on the streets, small-micro traders operating in mini stalls and Dukas/kiosks and other retail outlets; suppliers; customers; regulatory agencies; and demographic, social, and economic conditions, changing customer needs, technology and controlling operational costs. The strategies employed by supermarkets focused on specific supermarkets winning strategies such as advertisement, sales promotion, supermarket atmospherics and reward systems (Loyalty Cards) among others. Primary data was collected using oral interview schedule and structured questionnaires targeting supermarket managers and operators of Dukas within the supermarkets environment and from the review of existing literature. Out of the forty two respondents targeted to fill in the supermarkets managers’ questionnaire, 34 filled in and returned the questionnaire for analysis. This was a response rate of 81%. Nakumatt supermarket chain had the highest proportion of respondents at 26%, followed by Tusky’s’ at 24%, while Naivas and Uchumi took the 3 rd and 4 th position respectively with 17% and 14 % response rates. Out of the a hundred questionnaires administered to Duka owners, eighty six were completed and returned. A response rate of 86% was achieved. The response rate of the two data collection instruments was very good for informing the research findings. The findings were presented using cross tabulation tables. The study findings revealed that major supermarkets within the large cities in Kenya faced various challenges emanating from the environment. Literature reviewed indicated that competition was the greatest challenge that supermarkets encountered within the retail sector. As a result, the supermarkets have had to adopt winning response strategies unique to the specific supermarket chains to cope with competition within the supermarkets sector. Some of the response strategies adopted included but were not limited to price of goods lower than the competitors, promotion, location and communication mix. Supermarkets should therefore implement winning response strategies which are specific to their supermarkets chain.

Community Mapping in Urban Informal Settlements: Examples from Nairobi, Kenya

AbstractIn the Local Agenda 21 Planning Guide, which was developed out of the United Nations Rio Conference on the Environment in 1992, community‐based mapping is identified as a best practice for locally‐based sustainability planning. According to UN‐Habitat (2012), the proportion of urban populations living in slums is highest in Sub‐Saharan Africa (61.7%); meanwhile, De Soto (2003) estimates the amount of “dead” capital at $9.3 trillion. This capital is based mainly in slums. The paper presents two community mapping projects in urban areas of Nairobi and describes the advantages and disadvantages of the different methodologies used. Second, it explores the options for slum dwellers to map the areas where they live and the benefits of such mapping. Lastly, the paper shares the authors’ visions for participatory mapping and participatory GIS, and their ideas on how to select the optimal mapping method. The authors would like to open the discussion about possible effects of community mapping on local development and unlocking the hidden potential in urban‐slum areas. Can the unlocking be achieved by acquiring spatial information about urban slums so that the inhabitants can make full use of their property? The paper discusses possible future development in the area of community mapping and invites researchers as well as practitioners to discuss whether community mapping is the key towards the sustainable development.

Satellite-based drought monitoring in Kenya in an operational setting

Abstract. The University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) in Vienna (Austria) in cooperation with the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) in Nairobi (Kenya) has setup an operational processing chain for mapping drought occurrence and strength for the territory of Kenya using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) NDVI at 250 m ground resolution from 2000 onwards. The processing chain employs a modified Whittaker smoother providing consistent NDVI “Mondayimages” in near real-time (NRT) at a 7-daily updating interval. The approach constrains temporally extrapolated NDVI values based on reasonable temporal NDVI paths. Contrary to other competing approaches, the processing chain provides a modelled uncertainty range for each pixel and time step. The uncertainties are calculated by a hindcast analysis of the NRT products against an “optimum” filtering. To detect droughts, the vegetation condition index (VCI) is calculated at pixel level and is spatially aggregated to administrative units. Starting from weekly temporal resolution, the indicator is also aggregated for 1- and 3-monthly intervals considering available uncertainty information. Analysts at NDMA use the spatially/temporally aggregated VCI and basic image products for their monthly bulletins. Based on the provided bio-physical indicators as well as a number of socio-economic indicators, contingency funds are released by NDMA to sustain counties in drought conditions. The paper shows the successful application of the products within NDMA by providing a retrospective analysis applied to droughts in 2006, 2009 and 2011. Some comparisons with alternative products (e.g. FEWS NET, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network) highlight main differences.

Perceptions on implementation of Automotive National Diploma Curriculum on its Trainees’ Preparation for Job Performance of Technical Vocational Education Training (Tvet) in Nairobi Region

This paper examines the perceptions on implementation of automotive national Diploma curriculum on its trainee’s preparation for job performance. The paper will explore the historical development of Technical Vocational Education and Training which can be traced back to the pre-colonial days. The origins of the testing and certification of technical skills in Kenya (Trade Testing System) will be explored, the challenges of the automotive technician today due to fast changes of technology and highlight of the beneficiaries of the research findings. Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) has been viewed differently both from policy and implementation viewpoints. For instance, the Australian Council for Education and Research argues that, training is a basic tool that can enhance employability among the long-term unemployed, enhances social networks and employer based programmes. At the same time it appears that concentrating on more fundamental attitude building and personal development can have an additional far-reaching effect as well as focusing on assertiveness, self-esteem, self-efficacy and confidence. Training if successful could have huge implications for reducing unemployment and maintaining employability (report by Australian Chamber and Industry, 2001). The African Union (AU) also, has a vision of “an integrated, peaceful, prosperous Africa, driven by its own people to take its rightful place in the global community and the knowledge economy.” This vision is predicts on the development of the continent’s human resources. In its Plan of Action for the Second Decade of Education (2006 – 2015), the AU recognizes the importance of TVET as a means of empowering individuals to take control of their lives and recommends therefore the integration of vocational training into the general education system. Kenya in its attempt to realize the AU vision and in ensuring the provision of training opportunity to all its citizens therefore, did a rapid appraisal on the status of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in September, 2003.It is within this framework that the Kenyan government developed a National Training Strategy (NTS) to revitalize the sector. NTS policy document outlines strategic direction focusing on the future development and aspirations of TVET in Kenya. This study concluded that the entry Mean Grade of the students for this course was fair C-. However, the results of KCSE cluster subjects needed as a strong foundation for pursuing the engineering based courses were not considered as pre requisite for admission to the diploma course which could be a contributing factor of trainees’ poor preparation for job performance at the work place. This paper recommends that the ministry responsible for TVET sector in collaboration with all stakeholders in Education and training should come up the policy guidelines on the minimum entry grades to include cluster subjects. The Current position of entry requirement without cluster of the prerequisite subject may allow trainees cope up with the curriculum content .Thus, need to review the entry requirements for automotive diploma training programme.

Tom Kariuki to head the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa

Dr. Thomas Kariuki, a Kenyan biomedical scientist, has been appointed Director of the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA), the new pan-African science funding and agenda-setting platform created by the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) and NEPAD Agency. Kariuki, a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences, is an award-winning scientist who worked at the institute of Primate Research/National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi until his appointment at AESA. He has also served as President and Board Member of a number of Africa-wide professional networks, including the Federation of African Immunological Societies, which he is the immediate past President.

Relationship between Perceptions of Inter-parental Conflicts and Involvement in Delinquent Behaviours among Selected Kenyan Adolescent Students

This study examined the relationship between adolescents’ perceptions of parents’ behaviours and their involvement in non-illegal and minor illegal delinquent behaviours in Secondary Schools, Nairobi Kenya. The study adopted a co-relational survey design. Questionnaires and a behaviour check list were used to gather data among students selected by stratified and simple random sampling. Data analysis was done by doing correlation. The findings showed that, perceived parental conflicts and non-illegal delinquent behaviours was r (.157**) = .001, p .01, and parental conflicts and generalised delinquency was r (.124) = .012, p DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2015.v5n1p25

Ischemic Cortical Stroke in a Kenyan Referral Hospital

Background: The pattern of stroke displays ethnic and geographical variations. In Sub-Saharan Africa there is scarcity of data from Eastern and Central Africa. Objective: To describe the characteristics of patients with ischemic cortical stroke in a Kenyan referral hospital. Study design and set up: Retrospective study at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi Kenya. Patients and methods: Records of adult black Kenyan patients seen with ischemic cortical stroke at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya between January 2007 and December 2011 were examined for age, sex, site, comorbidities and outcome. Only files with complete data were included. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 17.0 for Windows and presented in tables and bar charts. Results: Three hundred and seven cases of ischemic cortical stroke were analyzed. Mean age was 54.7 years, with 20.6% of cases occurring below 40 years. The male: female ratio was 1:1.2 with female predominance in all age groups. Brain regions most commonly affected were fronto-parietal (32.8%) and parietal (31.6%), while 11.6% involved extensive regions of the cerebral cortex. Predominant single comorbidities were hypertension (64.1%), smoking (19.2%), alcohol (13.4%), HIV infection (6.8%) and bacterial infections (6.8%). Multiple risk factors were implicated in 42.4% cases. Two hundred (65.1%) suffered paralysis; 70 (22.8%) clinically recovered and 37 (12.1%) died within 90 days. Conclusion: Ischemic cortical stroke occurs in young individuals in over 20% of the study population and is female predominant. Hypertension, cigarette smoking and infections including HIV are the leading comorbidities, and it causes high morbidity. Control measures comprising regulation of blood pressure, reduction of smoking and prudent management of infections should be instituted from early in life.