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Parenting Practices and Perceived Social Support as Predictors of Problem Behaviour among Form Two Students in Embu County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-10) Ngari, Evalusia Mukami
Problem behaviour in secondary schools is an issue of concern all over the world. The increase in problem behaviour among secondary school students continue to raise concern in educational and community settings. Parenting practices and perceived social support have been identified as key predictors of such behaviour. In particular, majority of secondary school students in Mbeere south sub-county, Embu County have been exhibiting problem behaviour at an alarming rate. These problem behaviour have been attributed to school factors and very little has been done on perceived social support and parenting practices which may be contributing a lot to the student problem behaviour. This study examined the extent to which parenting practices and perceived social support predict problem behaviour among secondary school students in Mbeere sub-county, Embu county, Kenya. The objectives of the study were; to determine the relationship between parenting practices and problem behaviour, to establish the relationship between perceived social support and problem behaviour and to determine the predictive model of parenting practices and perceived social support on problem behaviour. The research was anchored on social learning theory and Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory. Correlational research design was employed in this study. The study location was Mbeere South Sub-County, Embu County and the study was conducted among form two students. The target population consisted of 32 secondary schools and 8822(5302 boys and 3520 girls) form two students. The sample size of the study was 383(199 boys and 184 girls). Purposive sampling, simple random sampling, stratified and proportionate sampling were used to select the schools and the respondents. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the quantitative data. A pilot test was conducted using 38 form two students from a secondary school in Mbeere South Sub-county to assess the validity and reliability of the research instruments. This school was excluded from the actual study. Descriptive, inferential statistics, Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient and Multiple were used to analyze the data. The results of this study indicated that there was a negative and significant relationship between parenting practices and problem behaviour (r=-0.46, p<.05), perceived social support and problem behaviour (r=-0.65, p <.05). The results from multiple regression analysis indicated that parental practices are the best predictors of problem behaviour since they had the highest predictive index of (β=-0.45) followed by perceived social support which had the least predictive index (β= -0.33). The equation for predicting problem behaviour from parenting practices and perceived social support was found to be significant (F (3, 271) = .00 P <.05). In addition, the sub-scales of the two independent variables were found to have a significant predictive weight on problem behaviour. The study recommends the ministry of education should establish parent-school partnership and that teachers should strengthen school based social support system so as to help the students deal with problem behaviour.
Saliva and Blood Glucose Parametric Analysis among Individuals Attending Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital in Nairobi County, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Njogu, Duncan Ndegwa
Diabetes mellitus occur due to defect in glucose metabolism. It is characterized by the body’s inability to regulate blood glucose. Abnormally high glucose in the blood is poisonous to the body organs and can lead to its failure and subsequent death. Two thirds of diabetes cases in Africa remain unrecognized. The objective of this study was to determine the level of saliva glucose, analyze the relationship between saliva glucose and blood glucose and describe the association between glucose in saliva and HbA1c. A cross sectional study with a sample size of 105 volunteers at Kenyatta university teaching referral and research hospital was conducted. Study participants were recruited using stratified and convenience sampling methods. Approximately two millilitres (2mls) of fasting and random unstimulated saliva specimen were separately collected in a universal bottle. Approximately three millilitres (3mls) of fasting and random blood samples were collected in a fluoride vacutainer. The measurements of glucose in blood and saliva specimens were done using Mindray BS 120 auto analyser. HbA1c was analysed using Clover A1c. The mean glucose levels in random blood samples of diabetic individuals was 13.49±0.61 millimole/litre whereas the random blood sample of non-diabetic individuals had a mean glucose level of 5.57±0.10 millimole/litre (p<0.001).The mean glucose levels in random saliva samples of diabetic individuals was 0.367±0.040 millimole/litre whereas the random saliva sample of non-diabetic individuals had a mean glucose level of 0.023±0.002 millimole/litre (p<0.001). A positive correlation was observed between random blood glucose levels and HbA1c (r =0.76; p<0.001) in diabetic participants. Random saliva glucose levels and HbA1c percentages of diabetic patients showed a significant correlation (r =0.48; p=<0.001). A significant correlation was observed between random blood glucose levels and HbA1c level (r =0.59; p<0.001). Random saliva glucose levels and HbA1c showed a significant positive correlation (r =0.36; p=<0.01) in non-diabetic patients. Whereas fasting saliva glucose levels of non-diabetic patients with HbA1c level was (r =0.20; p=<0.17). The study concluded that saliva has a measurable level of glucose both in fasting and at random state. However, at fasting state, the glucose level is too low. Blood glucose has a stronger positive correlation with Hba1c than saliva glucose. The relationship is stronger when samples are taken at random. Blood glucose showed a strong correlation to saliva glucose. The correlation is stronger in random samples than in fasting samples. This study recommends manufacture of Prototype test kit for saliva glucose for trial purposes. Further, saliva glucose level can be used to screen for diabetes mellitus but should not be used for glycemic control measure. Blood glucose and HbA1c are the gold standard. This study also recommends development of a formula to amplify the low glucose readings made in saliva specimen as compared to blood.
Financial Risk Hedging and Financial Performance of Commercial Banks Listed in Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Mohamud, Ahmed Mohamed
Commercial bank contributes economic growth that is the GDP worldwide but there is no clearly compounded percentage to show how much contributed by commercial banks worldwide each country has its own percentage in UK 177% GDP and USA 184% of GDP in 2021 as same as African no single percentage but each country has its own percentage like south Africa 58.6%.In Kenya financial institutions specially commercial banks play key role in economy development by contributing 47.1% growth of GDP in 2021; they receive and lend money to the investors. Due to the nature of their function’s commercial banks face financial risks that originate from the market which affects their financial performance. In the past 10 years, the commercial Banks reported decline of Return on Asset. The hedging techniques are tools used to minimize the financial risks that can affects value of firms. This study's specific goal is to determine whether financial risk hedging and Kenyan commercial banks' financial performance which are publicly traded on the Nairobi Security Exchange (NSE) are related. The study's specific objectives include forward contract, future contract, currency diversification of currencies, and swaps hence bank size is used as moderating variables. The agency theory, profit maximization theory, Modern portfolio theory, Enterprise risk management theory and capital asset pricing theory are all supporting hypotheses in the study. The study used a descriptive correlational approach to target all publicly traded commercial banks in Kenya and conducted a census. Secondary data was gathered annually over a five-year period (2017-2021) from publications by the Nairobi Securities Exchange and the respective commercial banks using a data collection form. Normality, multicollinearity, heteroscedasticity, and stationarity tests were performed as part of the diagnostic process, where hence the data collected shown normality. Means and standard deviation were used for descriptive statistics. Correlation and regression analysis were used to test hypotheses and develop conclusions. The correlation analysis revealed that using forward contracts as a hedging strategy has a strong positive and significant impact on financial performance. The futures, swaps, and currency diversifications also they had positive correlation against financial performance,hence they significantly related. The regression anaylsis was used to test the hypothesis hence the study shiown that the null hypothesis was rejected and indicated that there was strong and positive relationship between the indepedent variables; forwad contructs,future contracts swaps and currency diversifications and dependent variables which is financial performance of commercial banks. Size had a strong impact on between risk hedging and financial performance which was the larger size the higher the risk. The study suggested that the commercial bank to use on more financial derivatives as risk hedging hence it mitigates the risk and adds value to firms . the CBK Kenya and other regulatory bodies should encourage and offer more traning in financial derivatives since it indroduced recenctly that is 2019.
Remediation of Domestic Wastewater by Electro- Oxidation of Dissolved Organic Substances
(Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Kinyua, Esther Mbuci
Water pollution poses a significant threat globally, rendering vital water resources unsuitable for sustaining life. Detecting harmful substances dissolved in water can be done by observing changes in its colour, indicating the presence of pollutants like chemicals, trash, bacteria, and parasites. These contaminants alter water's appearance, affecting its clarity and overall quality. Basic methods to improve water clarity involve coagulation and settling techniques, but these can leave residues that lead to health issues. Efforts to treat wastewater have used strong oxidizing agents to eliminate pollutants, but this approach introduces secondary pollutants in treated water. Hence, there's a need for cost-effective techniques for domestic wastewater treatment. This study explores an electrochemical method to remove dissolved organic substances from water. It involves generating reactive oxidizing species at an electrode to interact with these substances. Two types of anode electrodes were used. A platinum electrode and a dimensionally stable anode (DSA) coated with iron (III) doped titanium dioxide on graphite. The incorporation of iron (III) ions within the structure and the crystal form of the material were both confirmed using SEM-EDX and XRD respectively. The experimental setup featured a two-chamber cell divided by a proton exchange membrane (PEM) made from a conducting polyaniline polymer. The polymeric material was characterized using Fourier Transformation Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The analysis confirmed the presence of conjugated bonds that can enable conduction of electricity by the organic material. The PEM was casted onto a fritz grid separating the two compartments of the cell. The setup for the oxidation process was done for the treatment of the domestic wastewater to enable a green chemistry treatment method without generating secondary pollutants. Treatment occurred in the anodic chamber where oxidizing species were generated. The platinum anode reduced oxygen from the air, while the DSA facilitated electron and holes generation through photo-oxidation, effectively degrading organic matter. Excess protons were discharged to the cathode through the casted PEM, separating the two halves of the reactor. The cell successfully purified a green leafy solution at 4.5 g/L concentration within 72 hours. Potential measurements reached a high voltage of about 105 mV within the initial 150 minutes of the oxidation process. Monitoring degradation through potential measurements and kinetics confirmed a gradual reduction in dispersed matter concentration over time. These findings illustrate the potential of this degradation process for remediating domestic wastewater, enabling its reuse at the source.
Deliberative Policy Framework and Security Management Along Kerio-Valley Region, Kenya
(Kenyatta University, 2025-11) Kibet, Benard Yegon
Over the last decades, there has been contention that insecurity within Kerio Valley
region perpetuated by community bandits is embedded on cultural beliefs, narratives,
values, metaphors and norms. The objectives of the study were to establish the effects of
integrative negotiation, argumentative approach, use of narratives and metaphors on
security management. The study was grounded on advocacy coalition framework,
negotiation theory and the punctuated equilibrium theory. This study’s philosophical
underpinning is anchored on constructivism and mixed method (descriptive and
inferential statistics). The study’s population was fifty-nine thousand, nine hundred and
thirty eight (59,938) participants drawn from National Government Administrative
Officers, elected leaders, National Security Organs’ representatives, religious
organizations, schools Teachers, community elders and household heads. The study,
linked to pragmatism, apportioned a sample size of four hundred and fifty-five
respondents through random sampling in which semi-structured questionnaires and
scheduled interviews were utilized. The pilot study comprising 10% of the sample
respondents was carried out in Laikipia and Samburu counties being the receivers of
criminal spillover from the region. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive
analysis and correlational analysis. Ethical considerations in research, respondents’
consents, confidentiality, secrecy and anonymity were guaranteed. The study obtained
written clearance to conduct research from Kenyatta University, National Commission
for Science Innovation and Technology and other relevant regulatory agencies. The
analyzed research data was presented on tables, and graphs. The study was able to obtain
a 90.11% response rate from the entire targeted sample. The correlation tests showed a
positive and significant effect of deliberative policy framework on security management.
The multiple regression showed that argumentative approach, integrative negotiation,
metaphors and narratives had positive and significant effect on the security management
at a rate of 31.44%, 48.24%, 27.50% and 1.32% respectively. The study recommends that
deliberative policy framework as a negotiation process involving security management in
Kerio Valley region be regulated. The regulations ensure a mediated process where
professionals and other community elites only serve an advisory role and do not infringe
on the rights of other stakeholders.