Publications

2017
Kieti D, Jones E, Wishitemi BE. Typology of Community Based Tourism. In: In Jones, E. & Wishitemi, B. E. (eds). Community Based Tourism Initiatives: Lessons for Best Practice in Sub-Saharan Africa. Eldoret, Kenya: Moi University Press; 2017. p. 45-60.
Shangani S, Operario D, Genberg B, Kirwa K, Midoun M, Atwoli L, Ayuku D, Galárraga O, Braitstein P. {Unconditional government cash transfers in support of orphaned and vulnerable adolescents in western Kenya: Is there an association with psychological wellbeing?}. PLoS ONE. 2017;12.Abstract
© 2017 Shangani et al.This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Background Orphaned and vulnerable adolescents (OVA) in sub-Saharan Africa are at greater risk for adverse psychological outcomes compared with their non-OVA counterparts. Social interventions that provide cash transfers (CTs) have been shown to improve health outcomes among young people, but little is known about their impact on the psychological wellbeing of OVA. Objective Among OVA in western Kenya, we assessed the association between living in a household that received monthly unconditional government CTs and psychological wellbeing. Methods We examined the likelihood of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and positive future outlook among 655 OVA aged between 10 and 18 years who lived in 300 randomly selected households in western Kenya that either received or did not receive unconditional monthly CTs. Results The mean age was 14.0 (SD 2.4) years and 329 (50.2{%}) of the participants were female while 190 (29.0{%}) were double orphans whose biological parents were both deceased. After adjusting for socio-demographic, caregiver, and household characteristics and accounting for potential effects of participant clustering by sub-location of residence, OVA living in CT households were more likely to have a positive future outlook (odds ratio [OR] 1.47, 95{%} confidence interval [CI] 1.08, 1.99), less likely to be anxious (OR 0.57, 95{%} CI 0.42, 0.78), and less likely to have symptoms of post-traumatic stress (OR 0.50, 95{%} CI 0.29, 0.89). We did not find statistically significant differences in odds of depression by CT group. Conclusion OVA in CT households reported better psychological wellbeing compared to those in households not receiving CTs. CT interventions may be effective for improving psychological wellbeing among vulnerable adolescents in socioeconomically deprived households.
Shangani S, Operario D, Genberg B, Kirwa K, Midoun M, Atwoli L, Ayuku D, Galárraga O, Braitstein P. Unconditional government cash transfers in support of orphaned and vulnerable adolescents in western Kenya: Is there an association with psychological wellbeing?. PLOS ONE [Internet]. 2017;12:1-15. WebsiteAbstract
Background Orphaned and vulnerable adolescents (OVA) in sub-Saharan Africa are at greater risk for adverse psychological outcomes compared with their non-OVA counterparts. Social interventions that provide cash transfers (CTs) have been shown to improve health outcomes among young people, but little is known about their impact on the psychological wellbeing of OVA. Objective Among OVA in western Kenya, we assessed the association between living in a household that received monthly unconditional government CTs and psychological wellbeing. Methods We examined the likelihood of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and positive future outlook among 655 OVA aged between 10 and 18 years who lived in 300 randomly selected households in western Kenya that either received or did not receive unconditional monthly CTs. Results The mean age was 14.0 (SD 2.4) years and 329 (50.2%) of the participants were female while 190 (29.0%) were double orphans whose biological parents were both deceased. After adjusting for socio-demographic, caregiver, and household characteristics and accounting for potential effects of participant clustering by sub-location of residence, OVA living in CT households were more likely to have a positive future outlook (odds ratio [OR] 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08, 1.99), less likely to be anxious (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.42, 0.78), and less likely to have symptoms of post-traumatic stress (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.29, 0.89). We did not find statistically significant differences in odds of depression by CT group. Conclusion OVA in CT households reported better psychological wellbeing compared to those in households not receiving CTs. CT interventions may be effective for improving psychological wellbeing among vulnerable adolescents in socioeconomically deprived households.
Mengech J, Njoroge, S Mburu, Tenge C. Water Quality and Management Practices among Parents/Guardians in Households with Children Aged under Five Years in Munyaka Slum Eldoret. Journal of Natural Sciences Research [Internet]. 2017;7(18):1-8. Water Quality and Management Practices among Parents/Guardians in Households with Children Aged under Five Years in MunyakaAbstract

Treating water at the household level has been shown to be one of the most effective means of preventing water-borne disease. Promoting household water treatment and safe storage (HWTS) ensures that vulnerable populations take charge of their own water security by providing them with the appropriate knowledge and tools. The main objective of the study was to assess household water quality management practices among parents/ guardians in household with children aged under five years. The specific objectives were; to establish socio-demographic characteristics of parents/guardians with children aged under five, to establish community’s perception and practice towards improving water quality and to determine if there is biological contamination of household water. This was a cross-sectional study of parents/ guardians in the households with children aged under- five years. Interviewer administered questionnaires were used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics of parents/guardians, level of education, occupation, income, marital status, number of children, age range of children, and household water quality management practices: training on water safety practices, place of training, major source of drinking water for children, practices for water safety and reasons for not practicing water safety.  Water samples were collected and analysed for biological contamination. Data was coded and entered using SPSS version 19. A correlation analysis was done between socio-demographic characteristics, and water quality management practice and also relationship between biological quality of water and household water quality management practices. Data were analysed and represented in tables, graphs and pie charts. A total of ninety six (96) households participated in the study. 84 (96.9%) of the respondents  were married, 56 (58.3%) had attained primary education while 47(49%) indicated they were in business or unemployed, 82 (85.4%) earned an income of ten thousand shillings or less, 50 (52%) had  two or three children. 62 (64.6%) had undergone some form of training on water safety whereby most were trained in schools. 41 (42.7%) of households practiced  boiling, 7 (7.3%)  chemical treatment, 1 (1%) hand washing before handling drinking water.  Most households 91 (94.8%) in Munyaka slum used stored water collected from eight (8) communal piped water points. The samples collected from the 8communal water points tested negative for coliform bacteria. At the household level,  10 (10.4%) samples of water  had coliform bacteria contamination above 10 counts/100ml which is not fit for drinking while 15 (16%) of water samples tested positive for E.coli. There was a strong positive correlation between socio-demographic characteristics and household water quality management practices variables whereby Pearson’s r was 0.778. There was a strong positive and significant correlation between biological quality of waterand Household water quality management practices.(r = 0.836, p= 0.000) Majority of the households in Munyaka with children aged under five years had parents/guardians who were married, had primary level of education, were either unemployed  or in business with an income of less than 10,000 Kenyan shillings. Majority of parents/guardians had received training on water safety but few practiced water treatment. Contamination of drinking water occurred during storage.

Keywords: Water quality, Household water treatment and Storage
2016
Pili NN, França SC, Kyndt T, Makumba BA, Skilton R, Höfte M, Mibey RK, Gheysen G. Analysis of fungal endophytes associated with rice roots from irrigated and upland ecosystems in Kenya. Plant and Soil [Internet]. 2016;405:371–380. WebsiteAbstract
Fungal endophytes are commonly associated with plants, and are considered an important component of crop production. They can influence plant growth and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The aim of this study was to analyse and identify endophytic fungi associated with rice roots in irrigated and upland ecosystems in Kenya, as an inventory for a future search for biological control and growth promoting agents.

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