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Clinical characteristics, anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers, and inflammatory markers in individuals with post-COVID-19 condition in Kenya: a cross-sectional study
(PeerJ, 2024) Theuri, Martin; Ndombi,Eric M.; Thamaini,Peris; Ogutu,James Opiyo; Onsongo,Lister; Madete,June K.; Ofula,Victor; Gitau,Samuel; Mwangi,Gladys; Okemo,Paul
Background: Post-coronavirus disease 2019 (post-COVID-19) is associated with
considerable morbidity and reduced quality of life. However, studies characterizing
the post-COVID-19 condition in Kenya are limited. This study aimed to determine
the prevalence of post-COVID-19 condition and determine the clinical
characteristics, anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers, and concentrations of inflammatory
markers of individuals with post-COVID-19 condition in Kenya.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Kenyatta
University Health Unit, Kenya. Demographic and clinical data were collected using a
questionnaire. The serum levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, interleukin 6 (IL-6),
and C-reactive protein (CRP) were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent
assays. Independent samples t-test was used to compare the anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG,
IL-6, and CRP levels between the participants with and without post-COVID-19
symptoms. The case definition for post-COVID-19 condition was persistence of
acute COVID-19 symptoms or emergence of new symptoms 3 months after COVID19 diagnosis, symptoms lasting for ≥2 months, and absence of any other etiological
basis to explain the symptoms.
Results: A total of 189 volunteers were recruited in this study (median age: 21 years,
range: 18–71 years; male, 49.2%). Forty participants reported having had at least one
COVID-19 positive diagnosis in the past, of which 12 (30%) complained of postCOVID-19 symptoms. Significant differences in the number and duration of
symptoms were observed between the individuals with and without post-COVID-19
symptoms (t-statistic = 2.87, p = 0.01; t-statistic = 2.39, p = 0.02, respectively).
However, no significant differences in serum levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG, IL-6,
and CRP were observed between the two groups (P = 0.08, 0.9, and 0.28,
respectively).
Financial Risk Hedging and Financial Performance of Commercial Banks Listed in Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya
(Journal of Finance and Accounting, 2025-01) Mohamud, Ahmed Mohamed; Kimutai, Carolyne; Kariuki, Grace
In Kenya, financial institutions play a vital role in economic development by facilitating investments through receiving and lending funds, but they face market-driven financial risks that impact their performance, including a decline in Return on Assets over the past decade. This study aimed to determine the relationship between financial risk hedging techniques and the financial performance of Kenyan commercial banks listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE). The study's specific objectives included forward contract, future contract, currency diversification of currencies, and swaps hence bank size is used as moderating variables. The agency theory, profit maximization theory, and enterprise risk management theory supported the study, providing a theoretical foundation for exploring the relationship between financial risk hedging and the financial performance of publicly traded commercial banks in Kenya. A descriptive correlational approach was adopted to target all publicly traded commercial banks in Kenya, with a census conducted to ensure comprehensive coverage. Secondary data was collected annually over a five-year period (2017–2021) from publications by the Nairobi Securities Exchange and the respective commercial banks, utilizing a structured data collection form. Diagnostic tests, including normality, multicollinearity, heteroscedasticity, and stationarity, were performed, confirming that the data met the required assumptions for analysis. The data was subsequently transformed to ensure that regression analysis could be conducted without producing spurious results. Descriptive statistics were summarized using means and standard deviations, while correlation and regression analyses were employed to test the hypotheses and draw meaningful 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, and they had significant relationship. The regression study revealed a strong positive link between risk hedging and financial success, indicating a noteworthy correlation. Forward and future contracts were revealed to be risk-hedging approaches with significant effects on commercial bank financial performance, implying that currency diversification and swaps had a positive and significant effect on financial performance. Size had a strong favorable impact on the link between risk hedging and financial performance. The study recommends that bank executives and stakeholders should adopt robust risk management approaches and diversification strategies to enhance financial performance and stability in the banking sector. The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) should regulate high-risk financial hedging products and require banks to disclose their use of financial derivatives, while the government should create supportive policies to promote these tools, ultimately strengthening financial institutions and fostering economic growth.
Soil Conservation Technologies for Sustainable Crop Production in Kipkelion, Kericho County, Kenya
(European Journal of Education Studies, 2025) Cherono, Bett Maureen
Kenya depends on agriculture to feed its entire population, with maize as its staple food. However, this has been affected by increased climate change, evidenced by erratic rainfall, which has a direct effect on soil sustainability. This paper investigates soil conservation technologies for sustainable crop production in Kipkelion Constituency, Kericho County, Kenya. A cross-sectional research design using a descriptive approach was used in addressing the research question. The study targeted 394 respondents who included farmers, agricultural extension officers, and county officials, from whom data was collected through questionnaires, observation, and focus group interviews. Out of 394 questionnaires, 350 were returned for analysis. Data was processed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), with descriptive and inferential statistics used to interpret results. From the study findings, the most commonly adopted soil conservation technique was strip cropping, with 56.6% of farmers showing a likelihood to practice it, while the least used method was no-tillage, with 64% of farmers indicating an unlikelihood to adopt this practice. Other techniques included improved tillage, conservation agriculture, and terracing. Legislative structures had a significant positive impact on the adoption of these technologies, as shown by a multiple regression analysis (F = 78.745, p = 0.000). The study noted a challenge of high investment costs and lack of technical support that necessitates greater involvement of agricultural extension officers to help farmers adopt soil conservation methods effectively. The study emphasizes the need for increased governmental and institutional support in promoting soil conservation practices, particularly by providing financial and technical assistance to farmers.
Credit Risk Management and Profitability of Commercial Banks in Nairobi City County, Kenya
(International Academic Journal of Economics and Finance, 2025-03)
The connection between credit risk management and profitability in Kenyan commercial banks is a significant issue, as the financial health and profitability of these institutions have been adversely affected by elevated non-performing loans. Thorough credit assessments and strong risk mitigation strategies are necessary for preventing defaults and maintaining stability; however, they can also result in decreased lending and lower revenue from interest income. The Kenyan banking sector faces a delicate balance between managing credit risk and maintaining profitability, which is further complicated by the country's fluctuating economic growth rates and political uncertainties that can exacerbate credit risk, leading to higher provisions for loan losses and reduced profitability. Lending remains the main purpose of commercial banks, making it the main cause of credit risk. Therefore, it is crucial for banks to reduce their exposure to credit risk in order to ensure their continued operation. The aim of this research was to analyse how credit risk management impacts the profitability of commercial banks in Nairobi City County, Kenya. Its main goal is to determine how credit approval, collateral policies, credit limitations, and solvency impact the profitability of commercial banks in Nairobi City County, Kenya. It was based on four theories: adverse selection theory, asymmetric information theory, credit risk theory, and lending credibility theory. Descriptive research design was utilized. The target group consisted of the 38 commercial banks located in Nairobi City County of Kenya according to the Central Bank of Kenya Report (2023). A census was conducted due to the population being fewer than 100 individuals. A questionnaire was used to collect primary data, while a data collection sheet was used for secondary data. The analysis was assisted by a multiple regression model. Various assessments were conducted, such as autocorrelation, heteroskedasticity, multicollinearity, normality, and stationarity tests. Data analysis involved the use of descriptive statistics as well as multiple regression analysis. The findings revealed significant insights into the components of credit approval, with borrower character and collateral being crucial factors. Regarding collateral policies, a strong belief in the link between asset quality and profitability emerged; highlighting that high-quality collateral enhances bank profitability. In terms of credit restrictions, there was a strong consensus on the importance of borrower payment history in determining credit eligibility, with stringent restrictions seen as a means to improve profitability by reducing default risks. The study concluded that that effective credit approval processes significantly enhance the profitability of these banks. Given the positive effect of credit approval on profitability, it is recommended that the management of commercial banks implement comprehensive credit approval processes that rigorously assess borrower character and financial history. While this study examined the impacts of credit approval, collateral policies, credit restrictions, and solvency on profitability, future research could investigate the interaction effects of these factors in greater detail.
Relationship between Dispositional Optimism and Academic Achievement of Form Two Students in Nyandarua County, Kenya
(Nextgen Research Publication, 2024-09) Kamau, Anne; Kinai, Theresia; Mugambi, Doyne
Persistent poor academic achievement in national examinations among pupils from public primary schools in Nakuru County has been considerably unsatisfactory and detrimental to the learners due to loss of educational and life rewarding opportunities. Educational research within the county with regard to the consistent huge failure rate in the past decade has majorly attributed the huge failure to school-related environmental factors. This is while little attention has been paid to psychological domains of the learners in this county. To address the continuous decline in performance, the study focused on dispositional optimism, an individual difference variable, that is considered to be key in influencing academic achievement of learners. The study was based on dispositional optimism theory. The study adopted convergent parallel mixed research design. The target population was 50750 standard eight pupils enrolled in all the 747 public primary schools in the county while the accessible population was 1364 class eight pupils from 16 public primary schools. The study sample comprised of 400 standard eight pupils selected from 16 public primary schools. Stratified and simple random which are probability sampling procedures and purposive sampling which is a non-probability sampling procedure were used in the selection of the schools and the participants. Questionnaires and interview guide were used to collect data. A pilot study was conducted among 30 class eight pupils to establish the validity and reliability of the research instruments. The study used both descriptive and relevant inferential statistical procedures to analyze the data. The results showed that dispositional optimism and academic achievement had a moderate, positive and significant correlation, r (366) = .31, p < .05. Qualitative results also revealed that high dispositional optimism was associated with high academic achievement and vice versa. The study recommends that teachers should be encouraged to build the capacity of the pupils in the primary schools so that they can be more optimistic in their academic endeavors for better achievement in academics.