Masters Theses

WORK-LIFE BALANCE PRACTICES, ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AND EMPLOYEE COMMITMENT OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS IN WESTERN REGION KENYA

2025-11-01T00:00:00Z

WORK-LIFE BALANCE PRACTICES, ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AND EMPLOYEE COMMITMENT OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS IN WESTERN REGION KENYA Mwinami, Sande Jackson Work-life balance initiatives have been shown to positively impact employees' well-being and integration, with commitment emerging as a key factor for successful work-life integration. However, despite the presence of work-life balance practices, employee commitment remained a challenge for managers in the public sector. The role of organizational culture in moderating the relationship between work-life balance practices and employee commitment had not been fully explored. This study investigated the influence of work-life balance practices on employee commitment, with organizational culture as a moderating factor, among county administrators in the Western Region of Kenya. Specifically, the study examined the effects of flexible working arrangements, welfare programs, leave programs and remote working on employee commitment. Additionally, it assessed the moderating role of organizational culture in these relationships. Guided by Spillover Theory, Enrichment Theory, Segmentation Theory and Facilitation Theory, the study adopted both descriptive and correlational survey designs. Data were collected from county administrators in selected counties such as Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia and Bungoma using semi-structured questionnaires and interview guides. The study used census to collect data where the target population was 198.Pilot study was conducted in Trans Nzoia County. Validity was tested using construct and content validity while reliability was tested using Cronbach Alpa. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviations) and inferential statistics, with Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Simple linear, multiple regressions and hierarchical regression. The findings revealed that flexible working arrangements (B = 0.261, p=0.000), welfare programs (B = 0.655, p= 0.000), leave programs (B = 0.638, p=0.000), and remote working (B = 0.723, p=0.000) all had significant positive effects on employee commitment. However, when organizational culture was introduced as a moderating factor, none of these practices showed a statistically significant effect, indicating that organization culture did not moderate the relationship between work-life balance practices and employee commitment. These results suggested that work-life balance practices were key drivers of employee commitment, but enhancing organizational culture alone was not sufficient to improve this relationship. This finding is expected to benefit stakeholders, including county and national governments, researchers, and human resource professionals, by providing insights into strategies that could enhance employee commitment in the public sector. To improve commitment effectively, county administrations might need to look beyond these practices and consider other aspects of the organizational environment, such as leadership, communication, career development, or job security, which could have a more profound effect on fostering employee engagement and loyalty.

DETERMINATION OF OPTICAL, ELECTRICAL, STRUCTURAL, AND MORPHOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF MAPbI3 PEROVSKITE FILMS FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC APPLICATIONS

2025-11-01T00:00:00Z

DETERMINATION OF OPTICAL, ELECTRICAL, STRUCTURAL, AND MORPHOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF MAPbI3 PEROVSKITE FILMS FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC APPLICATIONS ABOK, SILAS ODHIAMBO The study presents a combined analysis of optical, electrical, structural, and morphological properties of methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) thin films as solar cells. Four MAPbI 3 samples were prepared and characterized via UV Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and current-voltage (JV) measurements. Based on the optical analysis, it was established that an onset of absorption was sharp around 1.6 eV and that the coefficients of absorption (> 104 cm-1) verified the direct bandgap nature of MAPbI 3. Tauc plot extrapolation gave average optical bandgap values of 1.515 eV and this complies with most appropriate range of single-junction solar cells. The highest value of power conversion efficiency of 13.91 % was observed in the electrical characterization in a forward scan with moderate hysteretic losses that are ion migration and interfacial charge accumulation effects. It was established in the structural analysis that there was a prevalent (110) orientation as well as good crystallinity but larger values of FWHM at the higher Miller indices indicated localized lattice strain and smaller grain domain size. Morphological analysis yielded an average grain size of 196±36nm which were uniform and favorable to efficient charge transport and effective recombination. The large grain circularity and solidity also pointed to the excellent film quality that was attained by optimization of spin-coating thickness with a two step thermal annealing procedure. These results confirm the suitability of MAPbI3 regarding the usage of thin-film solar cells and elaborate on the significance of processing conditions towards the tailoring of film properties and thus the overall device performance. The study contributes to the body of knowledge regarding the determinants that contribute to enhancing efficiencies, as well as stability in perovskite-based Photovoltaics.

Utilization of Family Mid upper Arm Circumference Tape for Early Detection of Child Malnutrition in Nomadic Communities - Turkana South, Kenya.

2025-11-01T00:00:00Z

Utilization of Family Mid upper Arm Circumference Tape for Early Detection of Child Malnutrition in Nomadic Communities - Turkana South, Kenya. EKAI, ESEKON BENEDICTO Malnutrition remains a major public health concern in Turkana South Sub-County, Kenya, where children from nomadic pastoralist communities often present at health facilities with advanced stages of undernutrition. The Family-led Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (F-MUAC) screening approach is promoted as a community-based strategy for early detection and referral of malnutrition cases. However, evidence on its uptake and utilization in this context has been limited. This study assessed the utilization, coverage and key determinants of F-MUAC use among caregivers in Turkana South. A cross-sectional mixed-methods design was employed, involving quantitative data from 244 caregivers of children aged 6–59 months selected through simple random sampling and qualitative data from six focus group discussions. Quantitative tools included structured questionnaires and F-MUAC demonstrations, qualitative data explored perceptions and contextual barriers. A 100% response rate was achieved with most respondents being women (97.95%), married (92.21%) and engaged in livestock rearing (26%) or petty trade (25%). About 70.5% of caregivers reported screening their children in the two weeks prior to the survey while 29.5% had not used the tape consistently. Knowledge of malnutrition was significantly associated with F-MUAC utilization (OR = 6.05, p < 0.001). However, technical measurement errors were common, strongly linked to incorrect tape placement (OR = 203.85) and misalignment of the reading window (OR = 136.55) (p < 0.001). Mistrust in the tool due to discrepancies with facility-based readings was noted by 5.3% of respondents. Undernutrition prevalence remained high particularly among children aged 6–24 months (19.5%) compared to those aged 25–59 months (15.2%). The study shows that family led F-MUAC screening improves early detection and promotes community ownership of child health. While the approach reduces the burden on overstretched health systems and lowers screening costs, its utilization depends on the household’s ability to act on referrals. Economic empowerment is therefore crucial not only to create time for screening but also to support access to care. Linking F-MUAC with income-generating activities and broader livelihood programs can enhance its uptake and impact. Integrating F-MUAC into routine outreach, harmonizing home and facility tools and ensuring policy-level support can foster a more resilient and inclusive nutrition response in fragile, underserved areas.

STABILITY OF SELECTED BIOCHEMICAL ANALYTES IN STORED SERUM SPECIMEN AT KERICHO COUNTY REFERRAL HOSPITAL, KENYA

2025-10-01T00:00:00Z

STABILITY OF SELECTED BIOCHEMICAL ANALYTES IN STORED SERUM SPECIMEN AT KERICHO COUNTY REFERRAL HOSPITAL, KENYA Ngetich, Erick Kiprotich Accurate and reliable medical laboratory test results are essential for correct patient diagnosis and management. Pre-analytical variables, including samples storage, can adversely affect the reliability of medical laboratory results. Add-on tests, alongside unprecedented delays in testing, require that serum samples are stored in a manner that maintain their integrity and optimally preserve the various analytes. To ensure accurate results from stored samples, the determination of the stability of the analytes under various environmental conditions and storage periods is important in informing acceptable sample handling and storage. This study aimed at evaluating the stability of selected biochemical analytes in relation to storage time, exposure of light and temperatures to determine the maximum storage period at which accurate and reliable results can still be obtained at the Kericho County Hospital laboratory. Samples drawn from twenty healthy volunteering adult participants, randomly picked from the local population, were processed and analysed at baseline, then set of aliquots was made into 16 sterilized tube and stored at 2- 8℃, -20℃ and other different environmental condition, expose light and other kept in the dark, in batches marked for analysis on the 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th days for aliquots refrigerated and frozen, for environmental condition was analysed at 2, 4, 8 and 24 hours. The data was coded and analysed on SPSS version 22. The statistical significance of the difference in the determined analyte concentrations in comparison to baseline levels was evaluated using student paired T-test and Wilcoxon rank test. From the findings, alkaline phosphate, creatinine, and aspartate aminotransferase were found to be stable up to 28 days in the refrigerated and frozen, with mean percentage differences less than calculated reference change value of 16.48%, 35.97% and 42.25% respectively. Sodium, total and direct bilirubin, were however unstable, as their mean percentage difference was more than the calculated reference change value of 2.16%, 0.657% and 1.14%. Urea and glucose showed stability at 2-8℃ for up to the 14th day, while potassium and chloride were only stable in refrigerated serum up to the 7th day. Freezing improved the stability of all the analytes except bilirubin, alanine aminotransferese and sodium. Chloride, creatinine, glucose, potassium, sodium, urea, alkaline phosphates, alanine aminotransferese and aspartate aminotranferese were stable up to 24 hrs when serum sample left at room temperature as their calculated reference change value were 4.54%, 35.97%, 13.14%, 10.89%, 2.16%, 32.15%, 16.48%, 42.25% and 42.52% were less than mean percentage difference respectively only total and direct bilirubin were only stable for 4hrs and 2 hrs. respectively as their mean percentage difference of 0.48 and 0 were less than calculated RCV of 0.675 and 1.14. When serum samples were exposed to light and other aliquots kept in the dark, only total and direct bilirubin were unstable with reference change value of 1.14% and 0.675% respectively. Total bilirubin was only stable for 4 hours with calculated reference change value of -0.48% which is less than reference change value when serum samples were exposed to light but kept in the dark it was stable for 8hrs. This study recommends immediate analysis of serum for sodium, bilirubin, and alanine aminotransferese , which should never be part of add-on tests, and freezing of the samples when analysis is delayed for the other analytes. The findings of this study will help policy makers to make good decisions on health sectors on which laboratory equipment to procure in terms of refrigerators and freezers.