School of Pure and Applied Sciences
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Item Effectiveness of albendazole on soil transmitted nematodes among school children-: a case of Kakamega County, Kenya(2019-03-25) Ngonjo, T.W.; Okoyo, Collins; Simiyu, Elses; Kihara, Jimmy; Lelo, Agola Eric; Kabiru, Ephantus; Mwandawiro, CharlesBackground: Recent assessment by WHO on Soil Transmitted Nematodes (STN) point that their morbidity is still high in people mainly in children. A. lumbricoides globally infects 1.2 billion people and T. trichiura 795 million worldwide. Infections with Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus 740 million leading to 135,000 deaths per year. It became necessary to find out the effectiveness of Albendazole on soil transmitted Nematodes among school children- a case of kakamega county, kenya. Methodology: Study respondents were selected fom public primary school children in Kakamega County. A total of 731 and 665 (pre & post) children in 7 primary schools in three sub counties of Kakamega County were recruited in the study. Pre-treatment survey was done in March, 2014 and follow up in September 2014. Fecal samples were examined for the presence of STN . 14 days after treatment using Kato- Katz method. The total number of eggs were expressed as eggs/gm of feaces (epg). Pretreatment prevalence was 43.5% for Ascaris lumbricoides, 1.8% for hookworm and 0.9% for Trichuris trichiura. Results: Mean intensity of hookworm, A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infections in the pre-and post-surveys were reduced by 1.2%, 98.4% and 100% respectively. Prevalence decreased to 2.3% for Ascaris lumbricoides and 0 % for T. trichiura. Post treatment prevalence of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infections were significantly reduced by 94.8% and 100% respectively. A slight increase in hookworm prevalence was observed. However, this increase was not significant (p=0.993). Conclusion: The therapeutic efficacy of Albendazole indicated a good reduction in parasite burden. Albendazole satisfactorily reduced STN infection while for hookworm there was a non-significant increase in prevalence.Item Pervasiveness of green ICT awareness amongst Kenyan ICT personnel(2013-01) Wabwoba, Franklin; Wanyembi, Gregory W.; Omuterema, Stanley; Mutua, Stephen MakauThere has been growing concerns about the rising costs of doing business and environmental degradation world over. Green ICT has been proposed to provide solutions to the two issues yet it is not being implemented fully in developing nations like Kenya despite the availability of the technologies of doing it. The study investigated pervasiveness of green ICT awareness amongst the ICT personnel, how they perceive it to be relevant to their organisations and the drivers towards implementation of the same. The study surveyed ICT personnel in four cases using a questionnaire on a seven scale likert scale. The study established that awareness level of green ICT in Kenya is low when compared with developed nations. It also established the green ICT drivers and how ICT personnel perceived it to be relevant to their organisations. The study recommends the raising of green ICT awareness levels through aligning the ICT personnel’s capacities.Item The Impact Of Policy Changes In The Education Sector On The Development Of The Book Publishing Industry In Kenya(Unisa Press, 2009) Mbengei, Bernard; Francis, GallowayThis article explores the impact of policy changes in the education sector on the de-velopment of the book publishing sector in Kenya. The article begins by detailing the current status of the book publishing sector in Kenya. Then the interdependence between the education and book publishing sectors is highlighted. The government policies that have shaped the education system in Kenya are analysed with a view to establishing how they have affected the book publishing sector. An overview of the new school textbook policy that was introduced in 1998 is presented in order to show how it has influenced the textbook production and procurement. Then the introduction of the Free-Primary Education (FPE) is discussed because it is the most recent development in the education sector that has provided tremendous impetus to the development of the book publishing industry in the country. The challenges encountered by the Government of Kenya in implementing the FPE and those faced by the book publishers in producing books for the school market are analysed. Finally, a way forward is proposed in the form of recommendations that can contribute to positive growth and mainstreaming of the school textbook publishing sub-sector in Kenya. A literature review approach isused in which sources that include newspapers, government and institutional websites, journals, books and dissertations have been consulted.Item Faculty and students’ perspectives of online learning during COVID-19 crisis: Constraints and opportunities for Kenyan universities.(2023-04-15) Wekullo, Caroline S.; Kabindio, Brendah; Juma, IddiAt the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, all higher education institutions had to abruptly migrate from face-to-face mode of learning to virtual learning. Students and faculty members were thrown into the process of acquainting themselves with a fully virtual system. How prepared were institutions, faculty members, and students for the abrupt and massive transition to online learning? The study examined the faculty and students’ perspective of online learning during COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the study examined the perceptions of faculty and students on the preparedness of higher education institutions for online teaching and learning. The study also determined the perceptions of staff and students towards online education, constraints, and opportunities. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted at a public university in Kenya. A semi-structured interview was conducted on a total sample of 36 respondents; 24 students and 12 faculty members to capture unique, idiosyncratic and whole individual viewpoints. A conventional Content Analysis was done to determine words or concepts within the transcripts. The findings showed that the study institution, faculty members, and students were unprepared for the immediate and massive shift to online teaching and learning and had challenges using virtual technologies for teaching and learning during the lockdown. These challenges ranged from insufficient or lack of internet bandwidth, training, increased teaching and learning workloads to limited time for interactions. Based on the findings, the study suggests significant implications for higher education institution leaders, policymakers, faculty, and students. The study contributes to the existing literature by analyzing the perceptions of faculty and students about the preparedness of institutions, faculty, and students on the abrupt shift to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.Item Mechanisms Used by Academic Libraries in Kenya to Enhance Webometrics Ranking(2023-04) wamahiga, George M.Libraries essentially provide equal and fair access to information. Thus, they have a significant influence on the Webometrics ranking of universities across the world. Academic libraries affect Webometrics ranking through the generation of scientific publications and other scholarly resources. The purpose of this study was to examine mechanisms used by academic libraries in Kenya to enhance Webometrics ranking and to analyse the extent to which Webometrics ranking mechanisms in place in university libraries in Kenya have been successful. This study adopted a mixed research design. The target population included staff members of the University of Nairobi, Chuka University, and Kirinyaga University. A total of 73 staff members from the library, ICT, and research departments involved in Webometrics ranking were selected purposively. Semi-structured questionnaires were used as the data collection instruments. Quantitative data was analysed descriptively while qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. The study established that mechanisms put in place to enhance the participation of university libraries in Kenya in the Webometrics ranking include improved use and submission of e-resources as well as promotion of high-quality research in the institutions. Webometrics ranking mechanisms currently in place at the university libraries in Kenya have only been moderately successful. The findings of this study may be used by other institutions of higher learning on the mechanisms they can adopt to increase the capacities of their academic libraries so as to improve the contribution of these libraries to Webometrics and consequently to the overall ranking of the individual universities nationally and internationally.Item INFORMATION LITERACY PRACTICES AS A TOOL FOR ACCESSING AND UTILIZING INFORMATION IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KENYA(2021-04-23) Gekara, Moses Mong’are; Namande, Ben Wekalao; Makiya, Cyprian RatemoBackground of the study: Information literacy practices have been recognized as essential educational goals to judge and evaluate student’s aptitude for critical thinking, decision making and problem-solving. Inculcating information literacy skills to students is not only significant to survival but also enables them to know when they need information, how to locate information and how to use information hence success in their studies. However, the state of information literacy practices in secondary schools in Kenya has not been adequately investigated to determine their degree of effectiveness. Objective of the study: Consequently, this study aimed at investigating information literacy practices as a tool for accessing and utilizing information in secondary schools in Kenya. Methodology: The study was based on a pragmatic paradigm where both quantitative and qualitative approaches were adopted. Data was collected from a targeted population which consisted of 288 teachers, 12 school/teacher librarians and 1785 students from 12 sampled schools. Questionnaires were administered to teachers and students while an interview schedule guide was used to gather data from school/teacher librarians. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, and presented in form of tables, charts and graphs and verbatim reports. The study was important as it elicited discussions that could be used for purposes of adoption of an information literacy programme in secondary schools. Results and findings: The findings show that some information literacy practices were available in secondary schools but not effectively practiced resulting to students proceeding to institutions of higher learning without adequate information literacy skills. Conclusions and recommendations: The study concludes that information literacy is a prerequisite tool for accessing and using information in secondary schools. Information literacy skills enables students to conduct independent information search, efficiently retrieve information using modern technologies, critically evaluate their findings and effectively apply relevant information into their day to day situations. Therefore, the incorporation of information literacy practices into secondary schools’ curriculum would institutionalize information literacy in secondary schools.Item Ecological studies of the Helminth parasites of fish in Lake Naivasha, Kenya(Karatina University, 1999) Aloo, P. A.In many parts of the world, wild stocks of fish are dwindling especially in Africa where drought, pollution and over-exploitation are some of the causative factors. The continent is not spared other climatic catastrophies such as global warning with its effects on the flora and fauna (both terrestrial and aquatic). This may lead to the manifestation of diseases caused by parasitic organisms, which have been known to co-exist with their hosts. The work reported here attempted to highlight the importance of studying the ecological relationship between parasites and their hosts in their wild environments i.e. the microhabitats (fish) and the macrohabitat (the lake). This work aimed at determing the distribution of four teleostean fishes Oreochromis leucostictus (Trewavas), Micropterus salmoides (Lacepede). Tilapia zillii (Gervais) and Barbus amphigrama (Boulenger) as hosts of the parasites, to establish the occurrence and prevalence of helminth parasites in each of the four species and to determine and quantify the relationships between the helminth parasites and the teleostean hosts. The distribution of the four fish species as hosts of the helminth parasites was studied for a period of two years. The occurrence of the helminth parasites, intensity of infection in each species, prevalence of each parasite on each host, differential establishment, seasonal variation in prevalence and intensity of infection and the effects of these parasites on their hosts were determined. The effect of water chemistry on the intensity of infection was established by comparing the main Lake Naivasha which is fresh and the more saline Oloidien Bay. Statistical tests used to establish the relationship between the parasites and their hosts were the chi-square, analysis of variance, split-plot technique and regression analysis. The results showed a significant variation in the monthly distribution of the fish species within the lake (F11,32=4.07, P<0.001). Fish abundance also varied within the sampling sites with Oreochromis leucostictus being the most abundant. Depth was found to be the only single factor influencing the distribution of fish in the lake with fish numbers decreasing with depth (b=3.04; t11=4.15, P<0.01). It was established that there are four helminth parasites whose larval stages infect Lake Naivasha fishes viz: a nematode, Contracaecum sp.; an acanthocephalan Polyacanthorhynchus kenyensis, a trematode Clinostomum sp and a dilepidid cestode of the genus Amirthalingamia. A differential establishment of these parasites on the hosts was observed. (F5,2860 =14.044; P<0.001). No significant variation was observed in the monthly occurrence of the parasites (F11,132=1, P>0.05). Host specificity was also revealed among the parasites with two parasites Clinostomum and Amirthalingamia being very specific on O. leucostictus and T. zillii respectively (F15,2860=21.63; P<0.001). A strong relationship between the intensity of infection and the sex of the fish was also revealed (X2(1)=64.43; P<0.001). Although the relationship between the age of the fish and the intensity of infection with Contracaecum sp. was not significant (t4=0.425;P>0.05), the intensity of infection of O. leucostictus with P. kenyensis increased with age (t4=7.061; P>0.01). These parasites showed no harmful effects no harmful effects on their host from the observation of the relationship between intensity with Contracaecum and the condition factor of the fish (F3,33=0.02; P>0.05). In conclusion, Lake Naivasha fish species do not harbour any ectoparasites but they are infected by larval stages of four endoparasitesItem Distance librarianship in Kenyan universities(Regional Institute of Information and Knowledge Management, 2015) Murumba, Joan WakasaRationale of study – Many institutions of higher learning in Kenya are now delivering their programmes through distance learning and the library is providing support by offering information resources and services to students who are off campus. This research sought to establish the effectiveness of libraries in providing information resources and services to open and distance learners (ODLs).Item The Impact of Information Management Practices on the performance of County Governments in Central Kenya: A Case of Nyeri County(2016-04) Ngirigacha, Esther Wairimu; Kwanya, TomInformation management is critical in influencing an organisation’s ability to sustain a long-term competitive advantage. This chapter, resulting from a research study, examines the impact of information management practices on the performance of county governments in Central Kenya using the Nyeri County government as a case study. The study specifically sought to determine the information management practices used by the Nyeri County government; and establish the effectiveness of these information management practices in supporting government activities. The study was designed as a survey and targeted 82 management and administrative county staff in the six sub-county offices of Nyeri County (in Tetu, Kieni, Mathira, Othaya, Mukurweini, and Nyeri Town) and the Nyeri County governor. The study adopted census sampling design due to the small number of the potential respondents and also because this method was bound to enhance the reliability of the findings. The choice of a census design maximised the confidence level while at the same time greatly reduced the margin of error. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used as the main data collection instruments. The study found out that effective use of information management practices has enabled the Nyeri County government to be more responsive and consistent in service delivery as well and projected an image of good faith in a bid to audit and improve governance. These practices were effective mainly because they improved service delivery in the county office, and maintained convenient, secure and efficient storage and retrieval of county government information in the county government offices. The findings of this study may be used by the governors as the base upon which to review the county accountability and transparency principles and practices.Item Enhancing Organisational Performance in Kenyan Universities Through Effective Tacit Knowledge Management(2016-04) Murumba, Joan Wakasa; Kwanya, TomKnowledge is an important asset and tacit knowledge is located in the minds of people. To succeed, organisations have to make the best use of their knowledge assets. This can be achieved through diverse initiatives such as mentorship programmes, team learning and development, communities of practice, development of knowledge sharing platforms, storytelling and enhanced channels of communication. Universities, just like all the other organisations must strategically respond to the current developments in the knowledge society and specifically in the management of tacit knowledge assets. This chapter reviews literature on tacit knowledge management to unravel how universities in Kenya manage and utilise their tacit knowledge to improve organisational performance, as well as the challenges they face in this process. The authors propose a tacit knowledge management framework for consideration by universities in Kenya and beyond. The authors reviewed literature on tacit knowledge management in relation to universities in Kenya. They specifically analysed documents on the strategies for managing tacit knowledge as well as the challenges hampering their effectiveness. Well defined organisational strategies, good leadership, knowledge sharing culture, mentorship, communities of practice and customised technology are seen to be catalysts of tacit knowledge management. While, the lack of incentives and rewards, insufficient mentorship programmes and lack of recognition of human capital inhibit tacit knowledge exploitation which negatively influences organisational performance. The authors established critical contributions of tacit knowledge management on organisational performance. These findings may be used to support relevant policy development in academic institutions. Universities may also benefit by implementing or adapting the proposed tacit knowledge management framework.