http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/7412 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 10:41:39 GMT 2026-04-28T10:41:39Z http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/168231 Navigating socio-ecological and institutional barriers to antiretroviral therapy adherence Muhenje, O.; Olungah, C. O.; Omia, D. O.; Ondondo, R. O.; Waswa, P.; Lusambili, A Background: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) pandemic remains a major global health issue, with 40.8 million people affected at the end of 2024. In Sub-Saharan Africa, Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) coverage reached 74%, though adherence remained challenging, particularly among youth due to poverty, stigma, and weak health systems. Aim: This paper explored socio-ecological and institutional barriers to ART adherence among young men and women aged 18–24 living in Kibra, Nairobi’s largest informal settlement. Methods: The study utilized phenomenological research design to explore lived experiences within social contexts to uncover hidden structural barriers using qualitative methods. In-depth interviews (n = 25), key informant interviews (n = 10), participant diaries (n = 25), structured clinic and home observations (n = 25), and case narratives (n = 10). Participants were purposively selected. Data were analyzed thematically using deductive and inductive coding in NVIVO 14. Results and discussion: Barriers emerged at individual, socioeconomic, and health system levels. These included limited ART knowledge, pill burden, comorbidities, food insecurity, stigma, violence, and negative healthcare provider attitudes. Addressing these requires multi-level interventions that go beyond medical treatment to tackle structural and social determinants of health. Mon, 01 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/168231 2025-09-01T00:00:00Z http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/168230 A pilot study of alcohol and substance use, mental health symptoms and social vulnerabilities among youth in Nairobi’s informal settlements Musyoka, C. M.; Byansi, W; Mutavi, T.; Mbwayo, A.; Kyalo, D. N.; Mulwa, A.; Mathai, M. Alcohol and Substance Use (ASU) and mental ill-health among youths is today a global public health concern especially among the urban poor. This pilot study examined the prevalence, patterns and mental health associations of ASU among youths in urban slums. Baseline cross-section data were collected from 94 participants aged 15–24 in two informal settlements in Nairobi. Descriptive statistics analyzed demographic, substance use and mental health variables. Bivariate analyses of associations between ASU scores, sociodemographic factors and mental health symptoms were done. Seventy-eight per cent of participants reported having used alcohol in the preceding 3 months, while 68% and 35% respectively reported cannabis and tobacco use. Concerning frequency of use, 43% used alcohol while 47% used cannabis frequently. Alcohol use was associated with age, depressive symptoms and socio-economic independence. Tobacco use was more common among participants with depression, anxiety and low education levels. Cannabis use was higher in participants living independently, with depression, anxiety and stress and in men. In conclusion the study found prevalent ASU associated with multiple sociodemographic and psychological vulnerabilities. These findings may reflect sample characteristics not generalizable to the population, but they provide preliminary evidence for the need of future studies of integrated preventive interventions. Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/168230 2025-11-01T00:00:00Z http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/168229 An analysis of some errors made in writing Chinese characters by learners at the University of Nairobi Rotich, J. X.; Oduor, J. A.; Wotsuna, C. N. A. The present study investigated some of the errors made in writing standard Chinese characters by Year 1 to Year 4 undergraduate students at the Confucius Institute, University of Nairobi (UoN), Kenya. One of the authors, who teaches at the Institute, observed that learners experienced considerable difficulty in writing Chinese characters. This observation motivated the study, which sought to identify the types of errors made, explore their possible causes, and propose pedagogical solutions. Although none of the learners were native speakers of Chinese, they had the advantage of being instructed by several native speakers of the language. Each participant was issued with a questionnaire to provide personal details and was further required to write a short essay. All responses were produced using Chinese characters and were subsequently analyzed for writing errors. The analysis revealed two major categories of errors: errors in sentence structure and errors related to the writing of strokes within characters. The present paper focuses specifically on errors associated with stroke writing. The findings indicate that learners committed significantly more errors of stroke omission than stroke addition. The strokes most frequently added were piě (ノ), héng (一), diǎn (丶), and shù (丨), while the strokes most commonly omitted included piě (ノ), héng (一), diǎn (丶), shù (丨), and tí (㇀). Errors of stroke omission accounted for 73.7% of the total errors, whereas errors of stroke addition constituted 26.3%, making omission errors almost three times more frequent than addition errors. In addition, two radicals were omitted in some instances. These errors may be attributed partly to the learners’ level of proficiency in Chinese. However, the high frequency of stroke omission errors appears to stem primarily from an inadequate understanding of the correct stroke order in character writing, coupled with insufficient practice. Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/168229 2026-02-05T00:00:00Z http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/168228 Chinese Language Education in Kenya: A Case Study of Confucius Institute at the University of Nairobi. Gikonyo, P.; Kathina, M. M.; Otieno, F. O.; Ooko, M. A. Background/purpose. Cultural strategy is an important part of China's global strategic framework. As China becomes more involved on the global stage, its national strategic interests expand to all corners of the world. One way China has accomplished this is by promoting and propagating the Chinese language in many countries' educational systems. Kenya's education system integrated Chinese language teaching and learning in 2019. It is critical to assess the importance and strategic impact of cultural soft power on Kenya's social, political, and economic development. Materials/methods. This paper employs questionnaires, interviews, observations, participatory methods, and a literature review approach to elucidate discussions, recommendations, and conclusions. Results – Few studies have examined the impact of the Chinese language in Kenya, particularly on Kenyans' socio-economic well-being. However, no major study has examined the status, progress, and future aspirations in teaching and learning Chinese language and culture in Kenya. Conclusion. To achieve the intended results and make the advancement of Chinese language teaching and learning more relevant to people's needs, a clear language policy is required to guide the reorganization, evaluation, and adjustment of its operationalization. Sun, 01 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/168228 2025-06-01T00:00:00Z