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Pupal Prodictivity of Larval Habitats of Aedes Aegypti in Msambweni, Kwale County, Kenya
(Springer, 2023)
Accurate identification of larval habitats of Ae. aegypti is considered an essential step in targeted control; of this important vector of several arboviruses including dengue and chikungunya viruses. This study determined Ae. aegyptiproductivity in selected larval habitats in Msambweni, Kwale County, Kenya. A total of 664 potential larval habitats were identified and classified based on their use and material into seven habitat types including: buckets, drums, jerrycans, pots, small domestic containers (SDC), tires and others during the habitat census survey. All Ae. aegypti immatures in 83 representative larval habitats were counted daily for 30 consecutive days during a wet and a dry season. All pupae were removed and allowed to emerge in the laboratory. Of 664 larval habitats examined at baseline, 144 larval habitats (21.7%) were found to be infested with Aedes aegypti larvae. 71% of the pupae were collected from tires and pots combined, which together accounted for 17% of the habitats. In contrast, buckets and SDC represented 55% of the total habitats, but only had an infestation rate of 11.8%, with just 13.5% of the pupae found in them. Multivariate analysis showed that only habitat type and the habitat to being movable were associated with pupal abundance. During the 30-day daily pupal production studies, only a few of the habitats harbored pupae persistently. In the wet season, pupae were collected from 28% (23/83) of the larval habitats. In the dry season, only 12% (10/83) of the habitats were ever found with pupae during the 30-day sampling period, with three habitats (all drums) accounting for 80% (293/365) of all the pupae collected. The results of the multivariate modelsfor the risk factors for pupal productivity showed that habitat type, placing of larval habitats in the backyard, larval habitats without purpose and rain water were significant predictors of larval habitat productivity during the wet season.Although the multivariate model for habitat type did converge, habitat type and large size larval habitats were the only significant predictors during the dry season. Drums, pots and tires were sources of more than 85% of Ae. aegypti pupae, reinforcing the ‘key containers concept’. Targeting these three types of habitats makes epidemiological sense, especially during the dry season.
Demystifying Mathematics: Handling Learning Difficulties in Mathematics among Low Achievers in Kenyan Schools
(Journal of Language, Technology & Entrepreneurship in Africa, 2022) Njoroge, G.
Mathematics is a compulsory subject in both primary and secondary schools in Kenya. However, learners’ poor performance in the subject in Kenya national examinations year in year out remains a serious concern for teachers of Mathematics, parents, curriculum developers, and the general public. This is particularly worrying because of the importance attached to the subject in national development hence the need to find out what could be affecting learning of Mathematics in Kenyan schools. The research on which this paper is based sought to examine the factors that influence performance in Mathematics in Kenyan schools; identify the characteristics of Mathematics learning disabilities; determine how the learners with such learning disabilities can be assessed and identified and interventions for these difficulties implemented. A case study was undertaken on class six learners in a primary school in Nairobi County. The tools used for the research were: classroom observations and an Individualized Education Program (IEP) developed by the teachers with the help of the researcher. This paper therefore highlights the findings from the research, discusses the implications of the findings and suggests the way forward as far as teaching, learning and assessment of Mathematics in Kenyan schools is concerned. Perhaps with the application of the right interventions, poor performance in Mathematics in the national examinations in Kenya will be a thing of the past.
Genome-Wide Identification of GASA Gene Family in Ten Cucurbitaceae Species and Expression Analysis in Cucumber
(MDPI, 2022) Zhang, K; Hu, Y; Yang, D; Yan, C; Li, N; Li, Z; Njogu, M. K; Wang, X; Jia, L
Gibberellic acid-stimulated in Arabidopsis (GASA), a unique small molecular protein of plants, plays an essential role in plant growth and development. The GASA family genes have been identified and studied in many plants. However, the identification of GASA gene family in Cucurbitaceae species has not been reported yet. Therefore, in this study, based on the available genome information on the Cucurbitaceae species, the GASA family genes in 10 Cucurbitaceae species including cucumber (Cucumis sativus), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), melon (Cucumis melo), pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata), wax gourd (Benincasa hispida), sponge gourd (Luffa cylindrica), bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria), bitter gourd (Momordica charantia), chayote (Sechium edule), and snake gourd (Trichosanthes anguina) were identified with bioinformatics methods. To understand the molecular functions of GASA genes, the expression pattern analysis of cucumber GASA family genes in different tissues and stress responses were also analyzed. The results showed that a total of 114 GASA genes were identified in the 10 Cucurbitaceae species, which were divided into three subfamilies. Synteny analysis of GASA genes among cucumber, Arabidopsis and rice showed that nine cucumber GASA genes were colinear with 12 Arabidopsis GASA genes, and six cucumber GASA genes were colinear with six rice GASA genes. The cis-acting elements analysis implied that the cucumber GASA genes contained many cis-elements associated with stress and hormone response. Tissue-specific expression analysis of cucumber GASA family genes revealed that only the CsaV3_2G029490 gene was lowly or not expressed in all tissues, the CsaV3_3G041480 gene was highly expressed in all tissues, and the other seven GASA genes showed tissue-specific expression patterns. Furthermore, nine cucumber GASA family genes exhibited different degrees of regulatory response under GA, abiotic and biotic stresses. Two cucumber GASA genes, CsaV3_3G042060 and CsaV3_3G041480, were differentially expressed under multiple biotic and abiotic stresses, which indicated that these two GASA genes play important roles in the growth and development of cucumber.
Molecular characterization of wood ear mushrooms [Auricularia sp.] from Kakamega Forest in Western Kenya
(CREAM, 2016-01-01) Onyango BO, Mbaluto CM, Mutuku CS and Otieno DO
Mushrooms of the genus Auricularia, generally termed wood ear mushrooms are in high demand in Western Kenya due to their numerous medicinal and nutritional properties. Interventions to characterize and conserve the native wood ear mushrooms are necessary to mitigate possible extinction of this valuable bio-resource. Currently, the species richness and bio-geographical relatedness of the Kenyan native wood ears is not fully elucidated. This study used molecular sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and the 28S nuclear ribosomal large subunit (nLSU) genes in species delimitation of six strains of wood ear mushrooms native to Kakamega Forest. Phylogeny of both the ITS and nLSU gene regions showed that three strains clustered with Auricularia delicata while the other three strains clustered with Auricularia polytricha at bootstrap support values of above 97%. An intragenomic dichotomy appeared to occur in the Auricularia delicata strains based on the genetic distance of the nLSU gene sequences. The wood ear mushrooms identified from the Kakamega Forest strains were Auricularia delicata and Auricularia polytricha and not Auricularia auricula as previously reported. This rich biodiversity needs further exploration to widen the nutritional and medicinal base of the rural populace who depend on the mushrooms through conservation, cultivation and commercialization activities.
Effects of Compensation on Job Satisfaction Among Secondary School Teachers in Maara Sub - County of Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya
(Science Publishing Group, 2015-01-01) Mary Makena Muguongo, Andrew T. Muguna, Dennis K. Muriithi
Compensation plays an important role in determining employees’ job satisfaction. According to Bozeman & Gaughan (2011), the perception of being paid what one is worth predicts job satisfaction. Teachers in Kenya have always downed their tools lamenting about their compensation which raises concern about their job satisfaction. However it is not clear the influence compensation has on teachers job satisfaction to cause the many stand offs. This study therefore sought to establish the effects of compensation on job satisfaction among Secondary school teachers in Maara Sub- County Tharaka Nithi County Kenya. The objectives of the study were to determine the effects of both financial and nonfinancial compensation on job satisfaction. The study employed a descriptive survey research design. Stratified random sampling was used to select a sample size of 214 teachers drawn from the target population of 474. Responses were collected through administration of questionnaire. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire was enhanced through a pilot study carried out in three schools in Meru South Sub-County. To ensure the validity of the instruments, both face and content validity was used. Data collected was categorized coded and then tabulated using SPSS. The qualitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, means frequency tables and percentages. The hypotheses were tested using chi-square. The study established that the basic pay, allowances and work environment affects teachers’ job satisfaction to a great extent. The research concluded that teachers were highly dissatisfied with all aspects of compensation that they receive. The study recommends that the government reviews the teachers’ compensation to commensurate the services rendered. It is hoped that the findings of this study could assist the education planners in formulating compensation policies that would enable teachers to achieve job satisfaction.
SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS OF TREATMENT AND COUNSELING IN A CO INFECTION MODEL OF HIV/AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS AND MALARIA
(https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335635468, 2016-02-01) Ochieng Ombaka
This study presents a co infection deterministic model defined by a system of ordinary differential equations for HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. The model is analyzed to investigate the potential impact of counseling and treatment on disease progression by carrying out sensitivity analysis of the reproduction number with respect to counseling and treatment. The sensitivity indices of the reproduction numbers RH, RHM, RHT and RHMT with respect to treatment and counseling for the HIV/AIDS individuals showed that counseling is the most sensitive pa- rameter in controlling the co infections.
Modeling and Forecasting Kenyan GDP Using Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) Models
(Science Publishing Group, 2016-04-13) Musundi Sammy Wabomba, M’mukiira Peter Mutwiri, Mungai Fredrick
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the market value of all goods and services produced within the borders of a nation in a year. In this paper, Kenya’s annual GDP data obtained from the Kenya National Bureau of statistics for the years 1960 to 2012 was studied. Gretl and SPSS 21 statistical softwares were used to build a class of ARIMA (autoregressive integrated moving average) models following the Box-Jenkins method to model the GDP. ARIMA (2, 2, 2) time series model was established as the best for modeling the Kenyan GDP according to the recognition rules and stationary test of time series under the AIC criterion. The results of an in-sample forecast showed that the relative and predicted values were within the range of 5%, and the forecasting effect of this model was relatively adequate and efficient in modeling the annual returns of the Kenyan GDP. Finally, we used the fitted ARIMA model to forecast the GDP of Kenya for the next five years.
An Empirical Analysis of Commercialization of Smallholder Farming: Its Inclusive Household Welfare Effects
(Journal of Economics & Commerce Management, 2016-04-18) Mustapha M. Wasseja, Samwel N. Mwenda, Musundi Sammy, Jerobon Josephine, Pascal Ochieng
This paper assesses the potential impact of commercialization of agriculture on household welfare of farmers in eastern Kenya under the Mwea rice scheme. The study consists of cross-sectional data collected with structured survey questionnaires. Stratified sampling was adopted with each of the four zones in the District forming a stratum. The number of respondents was 368 selected conveniently with the help of the National agriculture advisory services officers. The causal relationship and impact of commercialization on welfare were estimated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and regression analysis. The analysis results revealed significant positive relationship between commercialization and household welfare, with key variables of market access and internal farming activities positively and significantly contributing to improved household incomes and farm outputs. The regression result further predicted a 16.9% improvement in household welfare if farmers actively worked on improving market access and internal farm activities like fertilizers and pesticides. It’s therefore recommended that farmers work on all aspects that can improve on their farm outputs and also get links to both nearby and far markets. Formation of saving schemes will help them pool resources to buy inputs like tractors, lobbying central and local governments for infrastructure in the districts and negotiating better output prices. All this will help improve farmers’ household welfare and standards of living in this area.
Social Construction of Gender in Gikuyu Community as Portrayed in Narratives, Songs and Proverbs
(International Journal of Arts and Commerce, 2015-08-08) Elizabeth Wanjiru,Colomba Kaburi
This research seeks to uncover gender power relations in Gikuyu community through the analysis of narratives, proverbs and songs. The study reveals that narratives were significant in social construction of gender in traditional Gikuyu community, and in doing so, they evaluated women’s political and social capacities negatively. In addition, the traditional knowledge from proverbs contributed to inequalities and discrimination in social construction of gender. Proverbs reveal a hierarchy between men and women, which enhances male rule over women; visible through the many positive qualities ascribed to them as opposed to the negative qualities attributed to women. Like with narratives and proverbs, this study has revealed that songs have the capacity to communicate the superiority of men and demean women in a patriarchal society. The study concludes that Gikuyu oral literature played a major role in social construction of gender, most often skewed towards favouring the male figure.
Effects of UV light in Mechanical properties and production of Vitamin D2 in Mushrooms.
(Chuka University, Division of Academic, Research and Student Affairs, 2015-10-05) Paul Kamweru,Tindibale Edward
The semi-arid regions of Kenya have few crop enterprise options with the increased climate variability. Livelihoods could be improved through white sorghum production which has comparative advantage over other crops. One of the major constraints of white sorghum production is bird damage on the grain from milk or dough stage. A two seasons study was set up at Katumani (Machakos), Kampi Mawe (Makueni) and Ithookwe (Kitui) to delimit bird damage levels when a trap crop like millet was incorporated in the farm. The results showed that the highest bird infestation was recorded at Katumani plots where Serirus reichonowi cumulatively reached over 2,000 individuals at two sites in a month. It was noteworthy that the Quelea quelea species was not in Katumani. The second highest bird infestations was at Kampi by Q. quelea with a month‘s cumulative level of 842. Grain yield loss was highest at Katumani (99-100%), corresponding to the high bird infestation level. The second highest yield loss occurred at Kampi (60%) which had also the second highest bird numbers. Exploring the possibility of early harvest of sorghum grain as the birds feed on millet indicated that this would be at the crop physiological maturity of the grain stage. The highest yield achieved due to effect of millet as a trap crop was at Ithookwe (19.3 t ha-1) with less than 10% grain loss compared to Katumani with 100% loss. At the two sites of Ithookwe and Kampi, it was possible to grow sorghum for real economic benefits in the presence of millet to fetch between US$ 3,860 and US$ 4,740 within 3 months. This justifies why farmers should grow sorghum intercropped with millet in the semi-arid lands even in the presence of the menace of bird damage
Impact of Attitudinal Adaptation on Academic Achievement among Students: A Comparative Study of Boys and Girls in Boarding Secondary Schools in Meru County, Kenya
(International journal of Education and Research, 2015-08-08) Grace Gatune Muriithi ,Veronica Karimi Nyaga & Hillary K. Barchok
Academic achievement among secondary school students in Kenya is important because this determines future chances for advancement in life in terms of career options, further studies and sociopolitical appointments in the society. Hence, there is need to examine factors that may influence academic achievement among secondary school students in the country for which adapation in school is key. Consequently, this study sought to examine the impact of interpersonal adaptation on academic achievement among secondary school students with special emphasis on comparing boys and girls in boarding secondary schools in Meru County in Kenya. The study employed the descriptive survey research design on a sample size of 384 students, school counsellors and deputy principals in boarding secondary schools in Meru County. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect the required data. Descriptive and inferential statistics such as means, standard deviations and t-test statistic were used to analyze the data with the aid of the Scientific Package for Social Sciences version 20.0. Data analysis results revealed that although interpersonal adaptation impacted positively on academic achievement, there were no significant differences in the impact between boys and girls in boarding secondary schools. Thus, to improve and sustain academic achievement among secondary school students, measures need to be put in place to enhance interpersonal relationships among students as well as between students and school staff, school administrators, relatives and parents.
RECONSTRUCTIONIST ANALYSIS ON THE RELEVANCE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL CURRICULUM CONTENT IN PROMOTING NATIONAL COHESION AMONG STUDENTS IN MACHAKOS TOWN SUB-COUNTY, KENYA
(International Journal of Education Research, 2015-10-10) Ruth Mutunge Mwanzia,George Mungiria Muthaa,Fredrick O. Ogola
Education is the primary means of promoting national cohesion, international cooperation as well as socio-economic development. Through school curriculum, education enables a country to achieve its needs and aspirations. Despite the comprehensive school curriculum, the country is faced with ethnic divisions, religious intolerance and violence and this raises concern on relevance of the school curriculum content in promoting national cohesion. The objective of this study was to investigate the relevance of secondary school curriculum content in promoting national cohesion. The study was based on the ideals and principles of a school curriculum as advocated by reconstructionism philosophy. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. A sample size of four hundred and nine (409) respondents comprising of three hundred and sixty (360) student leaders, Forty eight (48) teachers and Sub-County Quality Assurance and Standards Officer (QASO) was used for the study. Purposive sampling was adopted to select the respondents. Questionnaires and interview schedule were used for data collection. The study established that the secondary school curriculum content gave the students little opportunity to reflect critically on issues affecting national cohesion which is attributed to lack of practical skills on issues related to national cohesion. The study recommends a review on secondary school curriculum content to reflect on emerging issues on national cohesion and integration. The findings of the study will provide critical information to all the educational stakeholders on the important role that the secondary school curriculum content plays in promoting harmonious living in the society.
Current status of fodder production, conservation and marketing in the arid and semi-arid lands of Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya
(African Journal of Agricultural Research, 2016-04-29) Levi Mugalavai Musalia, Gilbert Abura Odilla, Onesmus Munene Nderi and Viona Muleke
The purpose of the survey was to document the current status of fodder production, conservation and marketing in the arid and semi-arid land (ASAL) Divisions of Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. The survey covered specifically Nkondi, Igambang’ombe and Tharaka Central divisions. A sample of 74 livestock farmers selected through stratified random sampling was engaged in the study. The study adopted a descriptive research design and data was collected using a structured questionnaire to obtain farm level information from livestock farmers. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Chi-square statistics was used to test the relative significance between land owned and fodder production. The majority of the respondents (68%) owned between 1 and 6 acres. The results indicated that most farmers did not grow fodder crops. The main type of fodder produced by farmers in the study area was Napier grass (cultivated by 10% of the respondents). Although a number of livestock farmers grew napier grass, it was not adequate for marketing and conservation. The results further indicated that only 1% of the respondents grew fodder on a piece of land between 1 and 3 acres thus implying that the amount of fodder grown was too little and could not cater for the livestock feeds required. There was a significant association between land sizes and fodder production (p < 0.05). Thus preference was given to crop cultivation due to limited land and approximately 80% of the respondents conserved maize stalks and other crop residues for their livestock. Fodder production, conservation and marketing were very low despite the high potential for its production and the possibility of becoming an income generating enterprise. The study therefore recommended for outreach programmes to train farmers on fodder production, conservation and marketing through Chuka University in collaboration with the area extension agents.
Demystifying negativism of Cartha Edulis (miraa) and focusing on its religious, socio-economic and educational significance: a case of Meru north region in Meru county, Kenya
(2015-01-01)
There have been conflicting views regarding Cartha edulis (miraa) effects. Miraa is a plant that when consumed affects human psychological and physiological functioning and, therefore, falls under the category of abusive drugs. The National Campaign against Drug Abuse Authority and other scholars have confirmed these effects. Whereas there are numerous negatives emanating from miraa farming, trade and consumption, there are also immense religious, social and economic benefits derived and associated with it. This study assessed the impact of miraa on religious, socio-economic and educational spheres of the society in Meru North. It was motivated by conflicting views of miraa farmers and traders, who also happen to be churches members located within the study area, and the alleged trade income used for social and economic developments. The study used ex-post facto design and targeted accessible population of elders, farmers, traders, church members and pastors. A sample size of 34 persons was interviewed using questionnaires and observation schedules for elders, farmers, traders, church members and pastors. There are both positive and negative contributions brought about by miraa farming and trade. Although the negatives outweigh the positives in terms of both short and long-term intangible damages to individuals, family and society, there are strong social, religious and economic attachments to miraa. Miraa has assumed political dimension as the community elects leaders based on expected protection of the trade by them. Exclusive focus on negatives has overshadowed potential financial, social, educational, religious, cultural and medicinal values. Miraa creates a contextual foundation for communication based on diverse perceptions. However, the negative implications of miraa, which greatly affect consumers, marriage, schools and churches, cannot be ignored. One wonders if it can serve a better purpose and value if handled properly among the community where it is grown.
DIVORCING GRACIOUSLY AND REMARRYING HONOURABLY: AN AFRICAN CHRISTIAN CHURCH RESPONSE
(International journal of Contemporary Applied Researches, 2018-04-04) DAVID NYAGA BURURIA
To the Christian community marriage is a mysterious miracle. Therefore, the thought of a divorce is intolerable, unattainable and unrealistic to the majority. However, this miracle of two human beings becoming one should not be seen as starting or happening at the altar but during the living relationship that moves through a series of distinct phases. These phases are psychological, emotional, consummation and maturation. To believe that the two are meant for each other and what God has joined together nothing should put asunder, is absolutely valid, but may not make sense in today’s rational world. In the first place, God may not have anything to do with the coming together. An error in selection of mates could have occurred, and so incompatibility which may require termination and selecting again. Errors may be due to both human and environmental factors. This study sought to show that the commonly held notion that love is blind may not be factually proved and the errors in marriage may be human and environmental. The high rates of marriage separation, divorce and re-marriages show that there are occasions when both divorce and re-marriage are desirable even among Christians.
Improving Technical Education for Human Resource Training for the Realization of Vision 2030: A Case of Technical Training Institutes
(2015-01-01) George Muthaa
The Kenyan Governments’ vision 2030 plan seeks to make Kenya a middle level industrialized nation and improve the economic and social status of its citizens. The realization of this vision will be achieved with adequate human resource at the technology, technician and artisan levels of skill training. Technical Training institutions (TTIs) are charged with the responsibility to train technicians and artisans. Concerns have been raised on the quality and quantity of the graduates coming out of these training institutions. The current study sought to investigate strategies that should be put in place to enhance the training in TTIs. A descriptive survey research design was used for this study with heads of academic departments and students as respondents. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used for data collection. The study established that training was conducted with inadequate teaching staff and obsolete equipments. The study recommends that adequate staff should be hired in training institutions and programmes put in place to upgrade the skills and knowledge of trainers in light of changing technology. Training facilities in the training institutions should urgently be upgraded.
Effects and the Possible Remedies of Students’ Truancy in Secondary Schools in Meru South Sub County, Kenya
(2015-11-25) Benjamin Mugambi Kanga,Nelson Jagero
Truancy is deliberate absence from school on the part of learners without the knowledge and consent of parents or absence of learners from school for which no reasonable or acceptable excuse is given. Truancy is a major challenge in Kenyan secondary schools. Truancy may have adverse affect on students, the school and the society at large. The purpose of this study was to establish effects and the possible remedies of secondary school students’ truancy in Meru South District, Kenya. The study elicited views from principals, class teachers, counseling teachers and form two students, purposive and simple random sampling method was used to select 298 Form 2 students 8 Principal 8 counseling teachers and 8 class teachers. Questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was analyzed quantitatively and presented using frequency distribution table, bar charts and percentages. The study identified the effects of truancy as poor academic performance for the truants, their class and school, wastage of learning time, dropping out of school, poverty to the individual and family in future, involvement in delinquent behavior, family instability, social maladjustment and insecurity in the family. The suggestions for the remedies truancy were strengthening of peer, joint, group and individual counseling in secondary schools, involving parent and the surrounding school community in developing attendance and anti truancy policies, effectively monitoring of the truants, creating a friendly school culture, developing attractive coRcurricular activities, holding regular motivation talks, organizing career guidance right from when students are in Form 1 and helping the students set and remain focused on clear goals in live.
Effects of Imprisonment on Depression among Female Inmates in Selected Prisons in Kenya
(IISTE, 2015-11-01) John Mwithalii Kamoyo, Hillary K. Barchok, Beatrice M. Mburugu & Veronica K. Nyaga
This study examined the effects of imprisonment on depression among female inmates in selected prisons in Kenya. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. A sample of 295 respondents was randomly selected to participant in the study. The study utilized semi structured questionnaires, interview schedules and observation guides to collect the desired data. The reliability of the instruments was estimated using Cronbach Alpha Coefficient. The instrument yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.857. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. The findings of the study indicated significant effects of imprisonment on depression among the female inmates. The study recommended reevaluation of the prisons’ physical, psychological and social environments to root out depression trigger factors. There was also need for recruitment of professional counselors to counsel the psychologically disturbed inmates. This would conveniently be achieved through partnership with religious institutions and non-governmental organizations that provide such services.
MARTIN MURIITHI
(2014-11-01)
Saving is a key component in any development endeavor as it is believed to be the surest way of increasing income and boosting productivity in an attempt to break through the vicious cycle of poverty. A number of studies have demonstrated that the investment and retirement saving behaviors of women and men differ. However, inconsistencies in findings exist in the few studies conducted on the differences in general saving behaviors between men and women. The purpose of this study was to establish gender differences in saving culture with a special bias on SACCO members. Specifically, the study aimed at assessing the influence of income levels on saving culture; evaluate the effect of marital status on saving culture and establish the influence of age on saving culture of SACCO members in Nyandarua County. The research adopted a descriptive survey design and targeted all business and agricultural based SACCO members and officials in Nyandarua County. 18 SACCO officials and 375 SACCO members were sampled using purposive and stratified random sampling respectively. The researcher collected data using structured questionnaires. A descriptive analysis of the data after processing involved computing mean, mode and median with the help of Statistical Package of Social Sciences Software (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel and presented in frequency tables and charts. Marital status of the respondents was found to be statistically significant in terms of the annual saving. The result implies that a change in marital status will affect the annual savings negatively. The researcher is 99.952% confidence that the change in marital status will negatively have an impact on annual saving. The researcher recommends nurturing of marriage institution as a way of protecting saving culture among women and men members of the SACCO in Nyandarua County.
Determination of Infant and Child Mortality in Kenya Using Cox-Proportional Hazard Model
(Science Publishing Group, 2015-09-10) Daniel Mwangi Muriithi, Dennis K. Muriithi
One of the Millennium Development Goals is the reduction of infant and child mortality by two-thirds by year 2015. To achieve this goal, efforts need be concentrated at identifying cost-effective strategies as many international agencies have advocated for more resources to be directed to health sector. One way of doing this is to identify the important factors that affect infant and child mortality. This study is necessary because, Infant and child mortality is one of the most important sensitive indicators of the social economic and health status of a community. This is because more than any other age group of a population, infants and children survival depends on the socioeconomic condition of their environment. This study addresses factors affecting infant and child mortality in Kenya. The main objective of the paper is to determine the effect of socioeconomic and demographic variables on infant and child mortality. Childhood mortality from the, KDHS 2008-09 data, was analyzed in two age periods: mortality from birth to the age of 12 months, referred to as “infant mortality” and mortality from the age of 12 months to the age of 60 months, referred to as “child mortality”. Data from Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS 2008-09) was collected by use of questionnaires, after carrying out a two-stage cluster sampling design. The Cox regression survival analysis was used to compute relative risk of the socioeconomic and demographic variables, on infant and child mortality. The study revealed that the socioeconomic and demographic factors affect both infant and child mortality. The relative risks were higher for infant’s mortality as compared to child’s mortality. The place of birth has the greatest impact on infant mortality. The study recommends policy makers and programme managers in the child health sector to formulate appropriate strategies to improve the situation, of children less than five years in Kenya, by creating awareness on these factors and improving on them.

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