Wajir County Research Articles

Socio-Economic Factors and Youth Participation in Community Based Projects in Wajir County, Kenya

Purpose: This study focused on socio-economic factors influencing youth participation in community based projects in Wajir County. Specifically the study was anchored on the following specific objectives; Level of Education, Governed policy and Cultural practice
 Methodology: The researcher adopted a descriptive survey design. The study focused the on 900 registered youth groups operating across Wajir County. Simple random sampling Technique was employed to select the study sample. A sample of 171 respondents participated in the study. Data was collected by use of questionnaires distributed via drop and pick method. Quantitative data was scrutinized by use of descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive statistics included mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentages. The data was presented in form of tables, graphs, and pie charts. Correlation analysis was used to expose the strength of the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Regression analysis was employed to expose the relations relationship between the level of Education, Governed policy and Cultural practices and youth participation in community development projects in Wajir County, Kenya
 Results: Results highlighted a significant positive relationship between the dependent variables and the independent variable. Specifically, the study revealed that; Education is the biggest and the most sustainable catalyst towards youth participation and inclusion in community projects; Age for obtaining ID; Patriarchal social systems and lack of political good are the major setbacks of youth involvement in community development projects; Cultural practices such as FGM, ‘Negotiated democracy’ are anti-youth progress thus, responsible for the low youth participation in community development projects; On the contrary the study found that the youth in Wajir county affirmed themselves as a change force unlike their elders view
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: the study recommended that; both the national and county governments work together towards the global goal of universal education; that the Government relooks on the Age of obtaining ID’s with a view to lowering the number of years required. This is to give the youth identity thus securing an earliest opportunity to participate in both economic and democratic processes such as elections promoting youth inclusion. The government should up its game on advocacy in regard to youth inclusion and in development.

Factors Affecting Access to Healthcare Systems for Children under Five Years with Disability in Low Resource Setting: A Case Study of Wajir County Referral Hospital, Kenya

Background: Children with disabilities face inequalities in accessing healthcare systems, particularly in low-resource settings. The situation is particularly dire in Kenya, where disability is still widely viewed as a curse or a punishment, and where many traditional healers claim to have the ability to cure disabilities. As a result, many children with disabilities in Kenya frequently have unmet special healthcare needs. Understanding the challenges faced by differently-abled children under five years old in accessing healthcare in low-resource settings is crucial to developing more responsive and effective healthcare systems for this population. Methods: In this hospital-based cross-sectional study, we aimed to investigate the factors affecting access to healthcare for disabled children under five years old in Wajir County, Kenya. We used a simple random sampling technique to recruit 69 caregivers of disabled children, who were interviewed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Ethical approval was granted by the KNH/UON Ethical Committee. We used descriptive and inferential statistics, including chi-square tests, to analyze the data using SPSS version 25.0. Results: The majority of the caregivers were women (75.4%). We found that several factors were significantly associated with healthcare accessibility, including the belief that disability was caused by demon possession (p=0.019), reliance on traditional healers for the treatment of disabilities (p=0.034), accessibility of healthcare facilities (p=0.034), distance to the health facility (p=0.042), perceived differential treatment of disabled children (p=0.047), medical costs (p=0.028), lack of access to physiotherapist services (p=0.008), and difficulty in getting appointments suitable for the child (p=0.015). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that children with disabilities in Wajir County face significant barriers in accessing healthcare services, which are compounded by socio-cultural beliefs and economic challenges. A more coordinated, collaborative, and multidisciplinary approach is needed to improve healthcare access for this vulnerable population. Policymakers, healthcare providers, and caregivers should work together to address the identified barriers and ensure that disabled children under five years old have access to the healthcare services they need to thrive.

Stakeholder Involvement in the Implementation of Solid Waste Management Policies in Wajir Municipality, Wajir County, Kenya

Stakeholder Involvement in the Implementation of Solid Waste Management Policies in Wajir Municipality, Wajir County, Kenya

The Impact of Al-Shabab Terror Activities on Kenya-Somalia Boarder Security: A Case of Wajir County

The Impact of Al-Shabab Terror Activities on Kenya-Somalia Boarder Security: A Case of Wajir County

The Power of Stakeholders’ Security Plan Implementation in Security Management Outcomes: Lessons from Public Secondary schools in Mandera County, Kenya

Security issues as academic and professional responsibility began after the post-World War II. It was generally regarded as a sub study of International Relations and until the time of the Cold War, it was a field of education propelled by the Anglo-American thoughts. In NEP schools are functioning without teachers, counting Mandera where the investigate was carried out. This was catapulted by the Mandera bus ambush by the Al Shabaab. Thus, the current study explored the power of stakeholders’ security plan implementation in security management outcomes with empirical lessons drawn from Public Secondary schools in Mandera County, Kenya. The study was guided by the Stakeholders’ Theory and the Securitization Theory using mixed methodology. The study targeted a population of 17,756 subjects with a sample size of 738. Two pairs of questionnaires were used to collect data from teachers and learners while interviews were used for principals, education officers, and BoM chairs. An observation checklist was also used to collect data on security management outcomes. The research instruments were piloted in 2 schools in Wajir County. The instruments were validated by experts in educational planning and management while test-retest technique was embraced to ascertain reliability for each of the questionnaire item yielding a Cronbach’s Coefficient Alpha of at least 0.700. Numerical facts were scrutinized in descriptive and inferential statistics using tables, occurrences, %s, and Chi-square. Non-numerical facts were offered by thematic scrutiny in narrating format. The study found that the schools knew what the government wanted from them in terms of giving a specific manual to all institutions. It was seen that the schools should know about the set guidelines to secure their learners. The study recommends that the safety committees should be put in place in schools and their functionality.

Human Impacts Onland Use and Land Cover Change in Lagha Bor Catchment, Wajir County, Kenya

Human Impacts Onland Use and Land Cover Change in Lagha Bor Catchment, Wajir County, Kenya

Effects of Land Use and Land Cover Change on Catchment Water Balance in Lagha Bor Catchment, Wajir County Kenya

Effects of Land Use and Land Cover Change on Catchment Water Balance in Lagha Bor Catchment, Wajir County Kenya

Morbidity, Mortality Patterns and Factors Associated With Mortality among Neonates Admitted in Wajir County Referral Hospital

Background: Neonatal morbidity and mortality is a global burden despite management measures that has been developed. Approximately 75% of all newborn deaths occur in the first week of life. In 2018 alone, around 2.5 million neonates died globally as a result of preventable causes such as prematurity, complications at birth, infections, and congenital abnormalities. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine neonatal morbidity and mortality patterns, and factors associated with mortality among neonates admitted in Wajir County Referral Hospital. Methodology: A hospital-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among all neonates admitted to the New Born Unit of the WCRH from 01 January 2019 to 31 December 2020. A consecutive sampling technique based on the inclusion criteria was used. A data abstraction tool was used to extract data from the medical records of neonates admitted to the New Born Unit of the hospital. Results: A total of 615 neonates were included in the study. There were 336 (54.6%) male and 279 (45.4%) female neonates. Almost all the deliveries 566 (92.0%) were performed at the health facility with a minority of about 49 (8%) delivered at home. The home deliveries and referrals admissions from tertiary hospitals together were 66 (10.7%). Neonatal morbidity included birth asphyxia 335 (54.5%), neonatal sepsis 144 (23.4%), 57 (9.3%) meconium aspiration syndrome and 52 (8.5%) low birth weight/preterm. Overall mortality in 2019 at the health facility was 45 (12.97%) and in 2020, 35 (13.06%) presenting no significant difference. The deaths that occurred in the first 24 hours of life was 36 (45%). Bivariate and multivariate analysis produced a significant association between the factors associated with neonatal mortality. The multivariate analysis with day of admission (OR 2.872, 95% CI 1.293, 6.375), Sex, (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.0.627, 1.66) and Birth weight, (OR 0.936, 95% CI 0.423, 2.068) at p<0.05. The logistic regression model was statistically significant, χ2(7) = 20.770, p <0.001. The model explained 27% (Nagelkerke R2) of the variance in discharge outcome and correctly classified 87% of cases. The male gender were 1.02 times more likely to die than females while the place of delivery was 0.572 times likely to result in death. Conclusions: Birth asphyxia was found to be the leading cause of admission, followed by neonatal sepsis and meconium aspiration syndrome respectively. The leading cause of death was birth asphyxia and neonatal sepsis. The mortality rate at the facility was 13%. Neonatal fatality of the newborns admitted to NBU is high in Wajir County. Since majority of the deaths are from preventable causes, this offers chances to improve newborn survival. Key Words: Morbidity, Mortality, Neonates, Asphyxia

Fiscal Transfer n Intergovernmental Relations: A Case of Wajir County, Kenya

The declaration of the constitution 2010 was proposed to change the predominant socio-political plan in Kenya. The constitution expects to achieve fiscal changes by evenhanded dispersion of assets to advance improvement strategies and administrations that are customized to local needs. Different laws and strategies, for example, the Public Finance Management Act of 2012 and the County Government Act of 2012 means to ensure, advance and authorize the execution of these standards in the 47 counties Regardless of all these changes, fiscal transfer has been facing challenging issues in the devolution cycle in Kenya, creating broad discussions among different partners especially between the devolved units and national government. This study aimed at exploring the effects of fiscal transfers on intergovernmental relations in Wajir County, with the aim of providing sustainable recommendations on the research topic at hand. The study objectives were to assess the impacts of the amount allocated, timely disbursement, procedure of and national government fiscal control measures on intergovernmental relations in Kenya. This study depends on the theory of fiscal decentralization by that analyzes the channels through which fiscal decentralization influences intergovernmental relations and the fiscal control theory. The survey utilized descriptive research design and target targeted region government officials and chosen officials from Wajir County and the staff of Wajir County. The primary data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Quantitative data was analyzed using clear measurements which incorporated; rates, frequencies, mean and standard deviation. For qualitative data, it got analyzed using thematic analysis. The study found out that resource allocated, timely disbursement of resources and procedure of allocation of resources significantly affected fiscal transfers on intergovernmental relations in Wajir County. On the other hand, national government fiscal control measures had an insignificant effect on the intergovernmental relations in Wajir County. The study recommends that county governments and the national government should look for ways of ensuring adherence to policies and also come up with mechanisms of developing new policies regularly, Resource allocation to various activities should be enhanced and that the health departments should allocate significant amounts to non- recurrent expenditure, amount of resources should be improved through regular trainings and Governance structures should be established with a clear chain of command and they should incorporate all the stakeholders involved.

PRINCIPALS PERCEPTION OF FACTORS CONTRIBUTION TO STUDENTS POOR PERFORMANCE IN CHEMISTRY IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN WAJIR COUNTY, KENYA

Purpose: Chemistry has been identified as a key science subject and its importance in the logical and innovative development of any country has been widely detailed. The performance of students in chemistry among secondary schools in Kenya has remained poor for many years. The purpose of our study is to establish principal's perception of factors contribution to student's poor performance in chemistry in public secondary schools in Wajir County, Kenya. Methodology: The paper used a desk study review methodology where relevant empirical literature was reviewed to identify main themes and to extract knowledge gaps. Findings: Poor performance in Chemistry in Wajir County can be attributed to: The teaching methods used in most lessons were mainly teacher-centered; hence do not provide opportunities for students' participation to enhance learning, lack of motivation of teacher also contributes, to poor performance in chemistry and negative attitude of the students towards the subject especially towards the practical paper hence lack of interest in performing well in the subject especially in practicals. Unique Contribution to Theory and Practice: The study recommends that the principal must foster processes that are in support of the empowering teachers in order for them to influence the students positively. Therefore, the principal can influence the students positively by motivating the teachers' efforts

Relationship between Discipline and Academic Performance of Secondary School Students in Habaswein Sub-county Wajir County

Aim of the Study: This study explored on the relationship between student discipline and academic performance of secondary school students in Habaswein Sub-County. The research design adopted in this study was a survey research design. The target population was 1251 teacher and students, which comprised of 7 deputy principals, 7 guidance and counseling masters, 70 teachers from each school and 1167 secondary school students in Habaswein sub-county. The study purposively sampled 231 respondents.
 Tools: Data for the study was collected using semi structured questionnaires. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics using frequencies and percentages while qualitative data were categorized according to themes.
 Results: It was found that drug abuse is adversely affects academic performance of secondary school students in Habaswein Sub-County since it is characterized with absenteeism. The study reveals that students strikes (p<0.01) had a significant relationship with academic performance of secondary school students in Habaswein sub-county (r=0 .426), absenteeism (p<0.01) had significant relationship with academic performance of secondary school students in Habaswein sub-count (r= 0.444), the relationship between bullying and academic performance of secondary school students in Habaswein sub-county (p<0.01) is significant (r =0.422) and drug abuse(p<0.01) had a significant relationship with academic performance of secondary school students (r= 0. 361). The study concludes that; school strikes are detrimental to the academic performance of school in Habaswein sub-county, absenteeism has a very high disastrous effect on academic performance among secondary schools in Habaswein sub-county, drug abuse adversely affects academic performance of secondary school students in Habaswein sub-county, and bullying hamper academic performance of secondary school students in Habaswein sub-county.

Policy Implications of Gum Opoponax and Myrrh Harvesting to the Livelihood of Rural Communities in Wajir County, Kenya

Policy Implications of Gum Opoponax and Myrrh Harvesting to the Livelihood of Rural Communities in Wajir County, Kenya

Impacts of two-year multisectoral cash plus programs on young adolescent girls\u2019 education, health and economic outcomes: Adolescent Girls Initiative-Kenya (AGI-K) randomized trial

BackgroundEarly adolescence is a critical window for intervention when it is possible to lay a foundation for a safe transition to adulthood, before negative outcomes occur. The Adolescent Girls Initiative–Kenya randomized trial tested the effects of combinations of interventions for young adolescent girls in two sites – the Kibera informal settlement in Nairobi and rural Wajir County in the Northeastern region.MethodsThe interventions included community dialogues on the role and value of girls (violence prevention), a conditional cash transfer (education), weekly group meetings for girls with health and life skills training (health), and training and incentives for financial literacy and savings activities (wealth creation). Participants were randomized to one of four study arms: 1) violence prevention only, 2) violence prevention and education, 3) violence prevention, education and health or 4) violence prevention, education, health and wealth creation. An intent-to-treat (ITT) analysis was conducted using longitudinal data to estimate the impact of each combination of interventions and various sensitivity analyses conducted addressing potential attrition bias and multiple hypothesis testing concerns.ResultsIn Kibera, the education conditional cash transfer had small effects on grade attainment but larger impacts on completion of primary school and the transition to secondary school in the most comprehensive arm; the health intervention improved sexual and reproductive health knowledge and condom self-efficacy; and the wealth intervention improved financial literacy and savings behavior. In Wajir, the education conditional cash transfer increased school enrollment and grade attainment, and the wealth intervention improved savings behavior.ConclusionsThe results indicate that when trying to improve a range of outcomes related to adolescent wellbeing for young girls, a multisectoral intervention with components addressing household economic constraints is a promising approach.Trial registrationTrial Registry: ISRCTN, ISRCTN77455458. Registered 24/12/2015 - Retrospectively registered.

Persistence and Changing Distribution of Leishmaniases in Kenya Require a Paradigm Shift.

Background Leishmaniases present a major global public health problem, being responsible for between 40,000 and 50,000 deaths annually. The resultant morbidity affects the economic productivity and quality of life of individuals in endemic regions. As zoonotic disease(s), leishmaniases have become persistent with intermittent transmission and a tendency to disappear and reemerge, straining the fragile healthcare infrastructure in Kenya. There is a need to better understand disease(s) dynamics in Kenya. Objectives of the study. The status of leishmaniases in Kenya was reviewed to refocus and influence the attention of the scientific community and intervention strategies/policies on this persistent public health problem. Methodology. Electronic and manual literature were searched for relevant scholarly peer-reviewed published articles on leishmaniases. Literatures were obtained from PubMed, Medline, EBSCO, Host, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Findings. The diseases are reported to be persistent as emerging and reemerging within and outside traditional endemic regions. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has maintained restricted foci in Nyandarua, Baringo, Nakuru counties, and Mount Elgon area in Bungoma County. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was most prevalent with cases in Baringo, Turkana, West Pokot, Isiolo, Kitui, Meru, Machakos, Marsabit, and Wajir counties. New VL cases/foci reported in formerly nonendemic regions/beyond traditional foci of Garissa and Mandera counties. Diagnostics, management, and control strategies have remained unchanged even in the face of changing disease epidemiology. Conclusion Leishmaniases are emerging and reemerging persistent infections in remote rural settings in Kenya. The adopted intervention strategies have not been effective over the years, and this has led to disease spread to formerly nonendemic areas of Kenya. The diseases spread have been further enhanced by population growth and movement, environmental and climate changes, and social conflicts. It is evident that without a paradigm shift in control methods, diagnostic techniques, and treatment protocols, the diseases may spread to even more areas in the country.

The Socio-Economic Environment among Pastoral Communities in West Pokot and Turkana Counties in Kenya

There are conflicts in many pastoral communities around the globe, while the Sahel region and EastoAfrica demonstrate sustained levels of inter-pastoral violent conflicts with associated potential impacts on their livelihoods. Turkana-Pokot Violence across borders, conflict is now the norm. A number of efforts have been made by various bodies to bring peace to the region. Despite the Kenya Police Reservists' disarmament and arming communities, peace building meetings, prosecuting perpetrators, declaring illicit firearms surrender amnesties, and setting up peace committees continue to prevail in the region, insecurity and violent conflict. This study was primarily utilized the Protracted Social Conflicts (PSC) theory of Edward Azar. The study adopted descriptive research design. The study was conducted in Turkana and West Pokot Counties of Kenya. A total of 434 respondents were targeted in Pokot North and Turkana South. The sample size of 130 respondents was selected from each of the two Sub Counties. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedules, and document analysis and focus group discussions. Pilot study was conducted in Wajir County to establish reliability and validity of research instruments using content analysis and Cronbach alpha respectively. Quantitative data was analyzed using the SPSS to obtain descriptive statistics and chi-square. Qualitative data was analyzed by use of themes and presented in narrative form. Quantitative data was presented in form of tables, charts and graphs. Qualitative data was presented in form of narratives and verbatim quotations. The findings of the study revealed that, the proximity of Turkana County to three international borders, namely; Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia had contributed to the proliferation of small arms through the porous borders that are not governed by the respective governments. This contributed to the availability and cheapness of small arms in Turkana County as a whole, hence the sustenance of the conflict between the two communities. Therefore, this theoretical framework was useful in anchoring the study. The study findings therefore suggested that politics, governance, peace building strategies, commercialization of raided animals and proliferation of small arms are the sustainers of conflict among the pastoral communities of Turkana and West Pokot Counties of Kenya. The next chapter presents the effectiveness of the existing conflict management system towards the conflict between the Turkana and Pokot communities.

FINANCIAL CONTROL PRACTICES AND FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY OF NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION IN GARISSA COUNTY, KENYA

Purpose: The current study sought to establish how financial control practices influences financial sustainability of Non-Governmental Organization in Garissa County, Kenya. The study specifically sought to establish how financial reporting, financial monitoring, financial audits and financial risk assessment influences financial sustainability of NGOs.
 Methodology: The study was anchored on the following theories: Agency Theory, Liquidity Trade-Off Theory, Cash Management Theory And The Rent Theory of Profitability. The study employed a descriptive survey research design and targeted 50 Non-Governmental Organizations operating in Garissa County. The unit of observation comprised of one finance manager and one operational manager from each of the NGO. Both primary and secondary data were used in the study. Structured questionnaires were used in collecting the data. The study employed both inferential and descriptive statistics to analyze the collected data. Both SPSS software and MS Excel was used in generating the statistics. The study conducted a pilot study in 10 NGOs from Wajir County to assess the reliability and validity of the data collection instrument. The results of the study were presented in form of figures and tables. 
 Results: The results of the study revealed that financial reporting, financial monitoring, financial audits and financial risk assessment impacts financial sustainability of NGOs to a positive and significant level as shown by Beta value of 0.317, 0.213, 0.447 and 0.376 respectively. This implies that increase in one unit of each of the variables results to an increase in the financial sustainability levels of NGOs with the respective beta values.
 Unique contribution to theory, policy and practice The study recommended that there is a need for the NGOs operating in Garissa County to enhance their financial reporting practices, financial monitoring practices, financial audit practices and financial risk assessment practices since the practices bears a positive and a significant effect on financial sustainability of the organization.

FACTORS INFLUENCING HIV/AIDS CLIENT SATISFACTION AT COMPREHENSIVE CARE CENTRES IN WAJIR COUNTY, KENYA

Service delivery is one of the core pillars of health systems building blocks and client satisfaction is one of the parameters that is used to assess the status of services offered in an institution. This study investigated the factors that influence HIV/AIDS Client satisfaction at the Comprehensive Care Centre’s (CCCs) in Wajir County. Specific objectives were to assess the influence of availability of HIV/AIDS testing services, availability of HIV drugs, availability of care and support system and the availability of the institutional support towards HIV/AIDS at the CCCs on clients’ satisfaction. A descriptive cross-sectional study was employed where both quantitative and qualitative data were gathered through survey questionnaires and key informant interview guide. Out of the targeted 157 clients at the sub-County and county referral hospitals about 147 positively responded, leading to a 93.6% response rate. SPSS version 24 was used to code and analyze the collected data. Chi-square and Logistic regression analysis were done to determine the relationship between and among the variables. Bivariate analysis revealed a significant relationship between client satisfaction and predictor variables. The results indicated the probability of being satisfied with services in the Comprehensive Care Centre’s was 51.3 per cent higher for people who reported availability of HIV testing services and 56.9 per cent higher for people who reported accessibility of HIV care and social support. Based on the findings, the study’s policy recommendations are hospitals management needs to ensure sufficient HIV testing services are available and accessible to patients. Further, stakeholder collaboration with hospital management is recommended for strengthening service delivery at CCCs in Wajir County.

'If she gets married when she is young, she will give birth to many kids': a qualitative study of child marriage practices amongst nomadic pastoralist communities in Kenya.

Child marriage is associated with adverse health and social outcomes for women and girls. Among pastoralists in Kenya, child marriage is believed to be higher compared to the national average. This paper explores how social norms and contextual factors sustain child marriage in communities living in conflict-affected North Eastern Kenya. In-depth interviews were carried out with nomadic and semi-nomadic women and men of reproductive age in Wajir and Mandera counties. Participants were purposively sampled across a range of age groups and community types. Interviews were analysed thematically and guided by a social norms approach. We found changes in the way young couples meet and evidence for negative perceptions of child marriage due to its impact on the girls' reproductive health and gender inequality. Despite this, child marriage was common amongst nomadic and semi-nomadic women. Two overarching themes explained child marriage practices: 1) gender norms, and 2) desire for large family size. Our findings complement the global literature, while contributing perspectives of pastoralist groups. Contextual factors of poverty, traditional pastoral lifestyles and limited formal education opportunities for girls, supported large family norms and gender norms that encouraged and sustained child marriage.

Analytical Review of the Association between Maternal Health Outcomes and Cost of Ambulance Referral Network in Wajir County, Kenya

Worldwide, every year more than half million women die in childbirth. About 99% of these maternal mortalities occur in Sub-Saharan. Majority of these deaths are attributed to delay in accessing maternal health care. In Kenya, ambulance referral services have been provided to reduce the delay in accessing maternal health care. However, their performance remains largely unevaluated. Therefore, this study was undertaken to perform analytical review of the association between maternal health outcomes and cost of ambulance referral network interventions in Wajir County, Kenya. This was a longitudinal retro-prospective time series study, specifically to determine the cost and effectiveness of ambulance referral networks on maternal health outcomes. Data was collected from ambulance logbooks, patient registers, logistics records, and maternal death surveillance records. A population of 623 records had used ambulance during referral within the county was achieved during sourcing data for this study from records. Thus, secondary data contains both quantitative and qualitative data. Data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Percentages, frequency, and mean. Inferential statistics used was chi-square. To determine effects of total ambulance cost on maternal health outcomes, multinomial regression analysis was employed. Results were presented in tables and figures. The results indicate that total ambulance cost, had significant effect at 5% level of significant. Cost of fuel per referral, and cost of equipment’s were found to affect all maternal health outcomes significantly at p<0.05. Therefore, to reduce infant and maternal mortality rate in Wajir County, the county should provide enough budget for ambulance referral networks.

Muslim men’s perceptions and attitudes on family planning: a qualitative study in Wajir and Lamu counties in Kenya

In patriarchal societies like Kenya, understanding men’s perceptions and attitudes on family planning is critical given their decision-making roles that affect uptake of contraception. Yet, most programmes mainly target women as primary users of contraceptive methods since they bear the burden of pregnancy. However, women-focused approaches tend to overlook gender power dynamics within relationships, with men wielding excessive power that determines contraception use or non-use. A qualitative study involving focus group discussions and in-depth interviews was conducted in the two predominantly Muslim communities of Lamu and Wajir counties, Kenya. Open-ended questions explored perspectives, attitudes and men’s understanding of contraception, family size, decision making on family planning and general views on contraceptive use. Thematic content analysis was used. Findings show that men in Wajir and Lamu held similar viewpoints of family planning as a foreign or western idea and associated family planning with ill health and promiscuity. They believed family planning is a “woman’s affair” that requires little or no input from men. Men from Wajir desired a big family size. There is a need for a shift in family planning programmes to enable men’s positive engagement. The findings from this study can be used to develop culturally appropriate approaches to engage men, challenge negative social norms and foster positive social change to improve uptake of family planning.