Masters Theses

RELATIONSHIP MARKETING AND CUSTOMER LOYALTY AMONG DEPOSIT-TAKING SACCOS IN WESTERN KENYA

2024-06-01T00:00:00Z

RELATIONSHIP MARKETING AND CUSTOMER LOYALTY AMONG DEPOSIT-TAKING SACCOS IN WESTERN KENYA Akinyi, Vivienne

RELATIONSHIP MARKETING AND CUSTOMER LOYALTY AMONG DEPOSIT-TAKING SACCOS IN WESTERN KENYA

2024-06-01T00:00:00Z

RELATIONSHIP MARKETING AND CUSTOMER LOYALTY AMONG DEPOSIT-TAKING SACCOS IN WESTERN KENYA Akinyi, Vivienne

UTILIZATION OF HIV/AIDS CLINICAL CARE AND SUPPORT SERVICES AMONG HIV-INFECTED ADULTS IN BARINGO COUNTY, KENYA

2023-08-01T00:00:00Z

UTILIZATION OF HIV/AIDS CLINICAL CARE AND SUPPORT SERVICES AMONG HIV-INFECTED ADULTS IN BARINGO COUNTY, KENYA Otara, Danvas Nyachio The burden of HIV/AIDS in Baringo County is highest among Adults (>18 years), with over 40% of hospital beds occupied by HIV-related illnesses. Despite the majority of HIV/AIDS clients being enrolled in care programs, care interruptions (dropouts) and loss of follow-up remain major challenges with unclear reasons for defaulting. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate HIV/AIDS care and support service utilization among HIV infected adults in Baringo County, examining the relationship between client uptake, attitudes, accessibility and utilization of services. It also examined the impact of stigma and discrimination on service utilization. The study was conducted in Baringo County among HIV-infected adults enrolled in Comprehensive care centers using an analytical cross-sectional study design. A total of 580 study participants were randomly recruited u ng Fisher et al.'s (1998) formula from four purposefully selected sub-counties. Besides, an interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 with Inferential statistics (Univariate and bivariate) analyses conducted at a p = 0.05 significance level. Whereas, qualitative data was transcribed and analyzed thematically. Ethical clearance was sought from the Institutional Scientific and Ethics Review Committee at Masinde Muliro University (Ref No: MMU/COR: 403012 Vol 6 (01), the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) (Ref No: 963149), the Baringo County Government Department of Health (REF: BCG/HS/RES/01/VOL.1/07), and informed consent from participants. A total of 519 (89.5%) out of a sample size of 580 took part in the study. The Study found 50.7% HIV care uptake, with 80% deterred by a lack of knowledge and high transportation costs (72.3%). The majority of participants (90.6%) had positive attitudes towards HIV care and support services, but utilization was unfavorable due to low knowledge of available services (p = 0.001), fear of ARV drug use when the spouse is watching (p< 0.0001), and long distances to clinics (p 0.0001). Besides, statistically significant factors affecting the accessibility of clinic services were difficulty obtaining services (p < 0.0001), and long distance to clinics (p 0.0001), with clients unlikely to use them. HIV-related stigma and discrimination were found to negatively impact participants' utilization of services, with participants feeling ashamed to attend clinics (p<0.0001) and others judging them when seen attending clinics (p<0.0001), leading to low utilization rates with higher odds found in each case. In conclusion, the study found 50.7% of HIV-infected adults in Baringo County consistently utilize HIV care and support services, with higher education, community support services, counseling, and family support promoting utilization of services. However, factors like low socioeconomic status, long distances, high travel costs, and poor medication perception were associated with poor attitudes towards utilisation of services. Additionally, location optimization and clinic opening on holidays and weekends improve accessibility. Whereas, PLHIV were found to internalize the stigma and bigotry they face, contributing to a negative self-image and lower levels of utilization. The study recommends to the MOH increase HIV/AIDS care utilization through decentralization of services to the community or low-tier facilities, stigma reduction, integration of HIV care with other services, and scaling up services in under-resourced areas.

UTILIZATION OF CULTURE IN PEACE-BUILDING AMONG THE POKOT AND MARAKWET COMMUNITIES OF ELGEYO MARAKWET AND BARINGO COUNTIES, KENYA

2024-06-01T00:00:00Z

UTILIZATION OF CULTURE IN PEACE-BUILDING AMONG THE POKOT AND MARAKWET COMMUNITIES OF ELGEYO MARAKWET AND BARINGO COUNTIES, KENYA Pundo, Michael Odhiambo Sustaining peace is essential for the advancement of any nation or region, and it also fosters cohesion among individuals from various cultural and religious backgrounds. Cultural practices and festivals, while sometimes contributing to conflicts, also hold significant potential as tools for peace-building among the Pokot and Marakwet communities. The persistent conflict between these communities has resulted in loss of life, displacement, and trauma, and traditional response by security agencies alone has proven insufficient in addressing the root causes of the conflict. Therefore, there is a compelling need to explore the role of cultural practices and festivals in contributing to and managing these conflicts, with the aim of fostering lasting peace at the grassroots level. The general objective of this study was to examine the utilization of cultural practices and festivals in peace-building among the Pokot and Marakwet communities of Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo counties in Kenya. The specific objectives were to interrogate the nature of cultural practices and festivals among the Pokot and Marakwet, Kenya; Assess the effectiveness of cultural Practices and Festivals as Peacebuilding Mechanisms among the Pokot and Marakwet; and Examine the challenges and opportunities faced in using cultural practices and Festivals as Peacebuilding strategy. Research questions complement the research objectives. The study had both policy and academic justifications. The study was anchored on a theoretical framework guided by the principles of Conflict Transformation Theory. The research employed a descriptive research design. The study was conducted in Tiaty Sub-County of Baringo County and Marakwet East Sub-County of Elgeyo Marakwet County, both found within the volatile Kerio Valley region. Senior police officers (Sub-County Police Commander), Assistant County commissioners, sub-county administrators, MCAs, Religious leaders and Chiefs. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), including Faith-Based Organizations with study specifically targeting World Vision Kenya (WVK), Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) and the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission. The population also included opinion leaders such as elders and peace committee members. Moreover, the study involved selecting a sample comprising 384 individuals who were heads of households. Data collection was conducted through questionnaires, interview schedules, and focus group discussions, supplemented by the use of secondary data sources. The quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package of Social Science (SPSS) version 25, producing descriptive statistics represented as percentages and frequencies. Meanwhile, the qualitative data underwent content and narrative analysis. The quantitative findings were presented through tables, charts, and graphs. The findings indicated that several prevalent cultural practices in the study area included oath-taking rituals (muma) 66.5% of respondents), witchcraft, also known as (Muma/Mutaat)(87.3%), cleansing ceremonies (Barpara) (77%) of respondents, and consulting traditional seers through methods like throwing shoes or viewing sheep intestines (91.1% o). Furthermore, the research revealed that these cultural activities were effective in contributing to peace-building efforts, with practices like marriage (77.94%), oath-taking (58.8%), respect for elders (69.1%), negotiations (86.8%), traditional pacts (97.1%), and the traditional role of women as mothers (73.5%) all playing a positive role in promoting peace. However, various conflicts were exacerbated by factors such as banditry (75.4%) and the ready availability of small arms and light weapons (97.1%). Despite these challenges, peace-building initiatives led by religious leaders and faith-based organizations have yielded positive results, even in the face of issues like banditry, low levels of literacy, and limited educational attainment. In conclusion, the study underscores the critical role of cultural practices and festivals in the peace-building process between the Pokot and Marakwet communities. As a recommendation, the study advocates for the formal adoption and utilization of these cultural practices and festivities as strategic tools for promoting peace in Kerio Valley.