http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/2 2026-04-27T13:21:01Z 2026-04-27T13:21:01Z Chebelyon, Beatrice C http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/168224 2026-04-01T07:13:56Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Rethinking Geothermal Law in Kenya: Progress, Pitfalls, and the Path to Reform Chebelyon, Beatrice C

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Mwakio, Caroline W http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/168223 2026-03-30T09:24:31Z 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z

The Prevalence of Depression and Intimate Partner Violence Against Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic at Kenyatta National Hospital Mwakio, Caroline W Background: The incidence ofIPVis high in Africa while depression is a major concern in developing countries. Mental health and women's well-being are still a major challenge in Kenya. Problem Statement: There is a paucity of published scientific literature on depression and IPV in pregnant women in Kenya. Broad Objective:To determine the association of depression and IPV in pregnant women. Specific Objectives: 1). to determine the prevalence of depression among pregnant women attending the ANC and 2). todetermine the prevalence of IPV among pregnant women in the same study group Methodology: A cross-sectional analytic quantitative design was used to recruit a sample size of 324 ANC patients at KNH, Nairobi. Systematic random sampling was used to select the respondents. The Sociodemographic, Depression and IPV Data collected through the use of a structured questionnaire, PHQ-9 and WHO IPV instrument. SPSS used for statistical analysis. Results presented in tables, charts and narratives. Results: The prevalence of antenatal depression was (91) 29%; prevalence ofIPV was (52) 16%. There was an association between antenatal depression and IPV (p = 0.033). Discussion: This study's findings revealed that exposure to spousal violence during pregnancy is a risk factor for antenatal depression. Conclusion: In Kenya, women are at risk of developing antenatal depression and experiencing IPV in pregnancy, both leading to detrimental health efIe~ts. Recommendations: 1). Provision of GBV and SRH follow up care services at the ANC. 2). Free IPV services to be implemented to completion by KNH and Ministry of Health. 3). Involving mass media,in disseminating GBVRC information. 4). Psychological interventions to be implemented such as marital therapy for couples and interpersonal therapy for unmarried women experiencing IPV. 5). Need to increase regular assessments of mental illnesses in Primary Health Care Setting.

2015-01-01T00:00:00Z Ngetich, Mercy C http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/168222 2026-03-24T07:33:54Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Pastoralists’ Perceptions and Socio-economic Impact of Abortions in Flocks of Goats and Sheep in Isiolo, Kenya Ngetich, Mercy C Abortions in ruminants have far-reaching impacts globally. They do not only affect the level of productivity in livestock but also create impacts associated with challenges in animal welfare and public health. Livestock keepers who depend on animals as their main source of livelihood are often affected when abortions occur in their herd of livestock. The aim of this study was to investigate perceptions of pastoralists on abortions in flocks of goats and sheep and their associated socio-economic impacts in Kinna, Isiolo County. The study utilized participatory epidemiology approaches for data collection including semi-structured interviews; proportional piling; pairwise ranking, and impact matrix scoring. Data were collected from eight groups of pastoralist from Kinna, in Isiolo County through focus group discussions. Both qualitative and quantitative data which were collected were summarised using thematic analysis and descriptive measures. The pastoralists reported experiencing abortions/stillbirths events in their flocks of sheep and goats. Tick-borne diseases were ranked as the most common diseases perceived to cause abortion events in flock of sheep and goats. The participants emphasised that abortions were not just isolated animal health problems, but were considered as critical issues that directly affected their economic stability and emotional well-being. The direct costs which were incurred due to measures taken to prevent or control infection and disease outbreaks were estimated to cost 4,000 KSH per flock per month. Besides the direct financial outlay, participants also reported that occurrence of abortion in flocks of sheep and goats resulted in significant losses in productivity and sources of livelihood including additional cost of treatment, decreased milk production, higher mortality and decreased fertility in flocks. Pastoralists reported that they often handled aborted foetus/contents and retained placentas with their bare hands as well as feeding aborted materials to dogs or they would throw them away in nearby bushes. These farm-level practices do not only pose health risks to people who are in contact with the infected flocks of sheep and goats but they also increase the risk of exposure to infection for the other animals that are grazed on pastures or farms that are connected to these systems. The results also showed a lack of awareness by pastoralists regarding potential health risks associated with poor sanitary practices. These findings provide evidence and support the need for continuous disease surveillance and help to inform policies on resource allocation for the implementation of disease control strategies to mitigate the impact of diseases and reproductive problems on livestock

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z Ndambuki, Merceline N http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/168221 2026-03-24T07:27:18Z 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z

Effects of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Postbiotics on Growth Performance, Haematological Parameters and Disease Resistance in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis Niloticus) Fingerlings Ndambuki, Merceline N The use of antimicrobial feed additives and chemical substances in aquaculture systems to promote fish growth, prevent diseases, and treat infections has led to increased antibiotic resistance in infectious bacteria. Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation postbiotics (SCFP) are eco-friendly alternatives to antibiotics, which have shown strong potential for improving sustainability and enhancing aquaculture productivity. This research assessed the effect of dietary SCFP supplementation on growth performance, haematological parameters, and susceptibility to disease infection in Nile tilapia fingerlings. A feeding trial of 55 days was conducted at the Department of Veterinary Pathology fish-holding unit, University of Nairobi. Monosex tilapia fingerlings weighing 6.79 ± 0.11 g, were purchased from a commercial hatchery. A basal diet containing 30% crude protein and 3000 Kcal of digestible energy (DE) per kilogram was formulated and used in this trial. SCFP was added at 0g(control), 2g, 4g, and 6g per kilogram of feed to make four dietary treatments. The fingerlings were weighed and randomly assigned to the four diets containing different levels of SCFP. Each diet was fed to a group of 25 fish replicated 3 times to make 75 fish per treatment in a completely randomized experimental design. Water temperature and dissolved oxygen levels were maintained at 28ºC and above 4.5 ml/liter, respectively. Water quality parameters (dissolved oxygen, temperature, total ammonia, and pH) were monitored daily to ensure to make sure they were within the optimum range. The fish body weights and lengths were measured every 10 days to assess growth and feed utilization. The remaining 30 fish per treatment were subjected to a challenge experiment where twenty were injected intraperitoneally with Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria at a concentration of 0.5×108, while the other 10 fish were untreated controls. All the fish were fed on their allocated diets at 3% body weight thrice daily and monitored every day for 12 days for deaths and/or clinical manifestations of the bacterial disease. After the feeding trial, blood samples were collected for haematology. A post-mortem examination was conducted on surviving fish, and organ samples were taken for recovery of inoculated bacteria. Fish-fed diets containing the postbiotic had significantly higher growth compared to those fed on the control diet. Those fed on diets containing 4g/kg postbiotic (T2) exhibited higher growth performance, followed by those fed on 6g/kg postbiotic diet (T3) and 2g/kg postbiotic diet (T1). Fingerling on the diet without SCFP supplementation had significantly lower growth performance. No significant difference was found in all growth performance and feed utilization indices between T2 (4g postbiotic) and T3 (6g postbiotic). After challenge infection, SCFP-supplemented fingerlings had higher red and white blood cell counts than controls, though not significantly different. Similarly, the former had a higher survival percentage (T1=50%, T2=80%, T3=70%) than the control (30%). The clinical manifestations of the bacterial disease induced were most severe in the control group when compared to the treatment groups and comprised lost appetite, lethargy, abnormal movement, distended abdomen, skin ulcers, erosions, haemorrhages darkening, pale gills, and inflamed vents. A post-mortem examination of clinically sick fingerlings revealed ascites and enlargement of visceral organs, especially the liver and spleen. The results of this study indicate that SCFP supplementation has the potential to improve tilapia growth performance, boost protective immunity, and increase the survival of O. niloticus in the face of bacterial challenge. Future studies should explore the residual impacts of postbiotic supplementation during the fingerling stage on the growth and performance of tilapia during grow out in larger systems

2024-01-01T00:00:00Z