Research
Female Learner Experiences in Accessing University Education in Kenya through Distance Mode: Addressing Constraints, Prospects and Policy Directions
This study assessed challenges experienced by 1,400 women distance learners in Kenyan public and private universities. A cross-sectional survey design with quantitative and qualitative approaches guided the research process. Quantitative analysis yielded descriptive statistics and severity scores; while qualitative data were transcribed, clustered into nodes and explored for emerging themes. The results showed that about 77% of the participants believed that irregular and unsystematic supply of course materials disrupted learning continuity and was considered the most severe challenge experienced by learners. Whereas, 66.9% identified the turnaround time for assignments as a problem affecting study plans, 60.7% noted that compulsory submission of assignments was a key challenge. The study recommends the need for institutions to: establish a supervisory system, linking learners with administration to ensure a consistent supply of reading materials; computerize student information system to improve administrative effectiveness; develop a master plan for tutorials; and standardize the turn-around time for assignments.
Factors Influencing the outcome of Formal Credit Requests by Small-Scale Rice Farmers in Teso District, Kenya
Small-scale farming plays a crucial role in poverty alleviation and hunger reduction in line with the first Millennium Development Goal (MDG). New rice technology was introduced in Kenya in 2003 to boost production, fill up the national rice deficit and improve food security. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that the adoption of the new rice technology remains below targets. The main reason cited by farmers for laxity is financial constraints, which impedes infrastructural development and acquisition of necessary inputs and equipment. However, no comprehensive study has ever focused on the relationship between farmers’ profile and the outcome of formal credit requests. Consequently, this study was conducted to identify and explain factors influencing the outcome of applications for formal credit by small-scale rice farmers in Chakol Division of Teso District. Farmers were identified through registers compiled and maintained by the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) and traced to their homes. Both quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques were use to analyze the data. The study found that the outcome of applications for formal credit was significantly related to gender, marital status, education level, income, type of land tenure, land size, farming experience and number of previous credit requests. Furthermore, binary logistic regression models indicated that the outcome of formal credit requests was influenced by income level which accounted for the highest proportion of variance at 11.3 percent. This was followed by years of experience in rice farming (9.8%), education level (8.9%), land size (7.8%), gender (6.9%), land tenure (5.6%) and marital status (3.6%). The regression models explained up to 53.9 percent of variance in the outcome of credit requests by rice farmers. The study recommends the need: to inform farmers about existing credit products, interest rates and prequalification conditions, to help clear misconceptions and myths associate
Peer Education and Behaviour Change on Hiv/Aids Prevention in Secondary Schools in Rachuonyo District, Kenya: Prospects and Policy.
By the end of 2012, about 1.2 million Kenyans were living with the HIV virus; which is expected to reach 1.8 million by 2015, mainly due to new infections. The age bracket 15-24 years provided opportunity for interventions such as peer education to prevent new infections and save future generations from the scourge. The aim of this study was to determine the difference between peer education club members (beneficiaries) and non-members (non-beneficiaries) in terms of behaviour change indicators, including abstinence, faithfulness to a partner, condom use and HIV testing. The study covered eight public secondary schools in Rachuonyo County, where peer education clubs had been operational for two years. The static group comparison design was applied to guide the research process, and primary data sourced from 260 beneficiaries and 212 non-beneficiaries. Club membership and class registers were used to develop sampling frames for beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries, respectively. Systematic random sampling procedure was applied to select participants and Fisher’s formula used to determine sample sizes. Quantitative analysis techniques included cross-tabulations with Chi square statistic, beta co-efficients (β), and odds ratios [Exp (β)]. The study found that 27 (10.4%) beneficiaries and 8 (3.8%) non-beneficiaries were not sexually active, hence, were likely to be practicing abstinence. Controlling for gender, age, religion, orphan hood status and schooling consistency, the odds ratios indicated that beneficiaries had about 2.6 times the odds of practicing abstinence as non-beneficiaries (β = 0.946, SE = 0.189, CI = 1.78-3.73); beneficiaries were about 3.3 times as likely to practice faithfulness to an uninfected partner as non-beneficiaries (β = 1.197, SE = 0.272, CI = 1.94-5.64). Furthermore, beneficiaries had about 2.6 times the odds of using condoms consistently as non-beneficiaries (β = 0.969, SE = 0.186, CI = 1.83-3.78); and regarding HIV testing, beneficia
