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Evaluation of the Relationship between Perceived Social Support and the Prevalence of Postpartum Depression (PPD) among Young Mothers at Thika Level Five Hospital, Kiambu County, Kenya
(EANSO, 2026-01) Mwongera, Megan Kanja; Musili, Phelista Marura
A considerable percentage of women experience postpartum depression (PPD), commonly known as the "baby blues," which is characterised by mood swings, episodes of crying, heightened anxiety, and disruptions in sleep patterns. PPD is a more severe condition that lasts longer after a mother has delivered compared to normal ‘baby blues’, which is less severe and lasts for a short time after delivery. Based on these revelations, this study sought to examine the relationship between PPD and Perceived Psychosocial Support from significant others, family members and friends among young women aged between 20 and 30 years at Thika Level Five Hospital in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study utilised a correlational research design and the Social Cognitive theory. The target population was 400 mothers at the hospital, from which a sample of 120 young mothers was chosen using purposive sampling. Data collection was done by use of a questionnaire. A pilot study was conducted in Ruiru Level Four hospital in Kiambu County. The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the relationship between perceived psychosocial support and PPD. The study found that all three forms of perceived social support were significantly and negatively associated with PPD among young mothers. The study concludes that perceived social support plays a crucial protective role against PPD among young mothers. The findings of this study have far-reaching implications for mothers, their social circles, and mental health practitioners, providing important insights into the genuine experiences of mothers who have recently given birth. As a result, this information offers pertinent individuals with an enhanced comprehension of how to efficiently attend to and assist mothers who are demonstrating indications of PPD.
Conformity to the Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative among Tier Two Health Care Facilities in Nairobi City County
(EANSO, 2025-01) Matheka, Judy Mwikali; Orago, lloys; Mugo, Judy
The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), founded on ten steps to successful breastfeeding, was introduced to promote exclusive breastfeeding globally. However, over time, factors such as limited commitment by health officials have hindered the achievement of its objectives. This study evaluated the extent of conformity to the BFHI’s ten steps, assessed the level of knowledge among health care workers (HCWs), and identified institutional factors influencing compliance within tier two health care facilities (HCFs) in Makadara and Embakasi East SubCounties, Nairobi City County. A cross-sectional, analytical, mixed-methods study was conducted between March and May 2021 across public, faith-based, and private HCFs. A total of 142 HCWs participated through semi-structured questionnaires, while 30 facility heads were interviewed in-depth. Additionally, six focus group discussions (FGDs) with mothers were held to validate HCWs’ responses. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS version 23.0. Findings revealed that 80% of HCWs in public facilities could mention at least one step of the BFHI policy, compared to 74% in faith-based and 46% in private facilities. Only 26.3% of all HCWs reported having received formal training on the breastfeeding policy. The designation of HCWs significantly influenced conformity levels. Overall, tier two HCFs demonstrated partial adherence (70%) to BFHI standards. Inadequate and irregular training, coupled with limited access to educational materials, were identified as major barriers to full implementation. These findings underscore the need for continuous, structured BFHI training programs and equitable distribution of breastfeeding education resources across all facility types. Strengthening institutional capacity and staff engagement will be essential to achieving full compliance and sustaining the goals of the BFHI in Kenya.
Compliance with Ethical Standards by Civil Servants and the Effectiveness of Public Services in the Context of the Government of Bomet County (Kenya)
(EANSO, 2026-01) Chepkoech, Helen; Minja, David
The challenges associated with ethical lapses in public service delivery are increasingly becoming evident in Kenya and globally. The enforcement of ethical standards within public service is, therefore, a critical issue that significantly impacts the effectiveness and efficiency of government operations and service delivery. Ethical breaches not only undermine public trust but also hinder the overall development and well-being of a country. This study aimed to determine the effect of the enforcement of ethical standards on public service delivery by Bomet County Government in Kenya. The study objectives were to examine the effects of compliance with laws, regular monitoring of employees, and the implementation of ethics training programs on public service delivery in Bomet County, Kenya. Institutional Theory and Agency Theory guided the research. A descriptive research design was adopted. The research targeted 165 employees. The research used a statistical technique to determine the sample size of 120 respondents. A stratified sampling technique was used to pick the study respondents. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected and analysed. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilised to analyse the quantitative data, while thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. The findings revealed that compliance with laws, regular monitoring and implementation of ethics training programs among employees had a positive and statistically significant effect on public service delivery as indicated by a p-value of 0.002, 0.002 and 0.004, respectively. The study concluded that compliance with laws promotes transparency and accountability among employees. Regular monitoring of employees enhances adherence to standards and prompt correction of deviation, while implementation of ethics training programs positively influences service quality by fostering ethical behaviour and professionalism among staff. The study recommended that the government should strengthen and enforce national-level ethical frameworks and codes of conduct across all public institutions. This includes harmonising anti-corruption policies, establishing a centralised ethical oversight unit, and conducting regular monitoring and audits to ensure adherence to public service values.
Usimulizi kama Kipengele cha Muundo Unavyojitokeza kwenye Diwani ya Akiba ya Wema Iliyohaririwa na Timothy Arege
(EANSO, 2026-01) Muthoni, Reuben Wahome; Muriithi, Jesse Joseph
Utafiti huu ulichunguza usimulizi kama kipengele cha muundo kwenye Diwani ya Akiba ya Wema ambayo imehaririwa na Timothy Arege. Malengo ya utafiti huu yalikuwa pamoja na kubainisha sauti za usimuliaji na viwango vya usimulizi vinavyotumika katika Diwani ya Akiba ya Wema iliyohaririwa na Timothy Arege, Kuonyesha nafasi ya wakati katika usimulizi wa hadithi kwenye diwani hii, kudhihirisha uwasilishaji wa usemi na fikra za wahusika katika uendelezaji wa hadithi. Utafiti huu uliongozwa na nadharia ya Naratolojia ambayo ilianzishwa na mwasisi Plato na baadaye kuendelezwa na wengine kama: Propp (1968), Claude (1970), Barthes (1975), Todorov (1977), Genette (1980), Bal (1999) na Fludernik (2009). Nadharia hii hutumika kuchunguza jinsi matukio hufuatana kwenye hadithi fulani. Utafiti huu ulichunguza usimulizi kwa nadharia hii kuegemea mwelekeo wa Genette (1980). Vigezo vya nadharia hii vilivyozingatiwa ni sifa za muundo wa usimulizi na vipengele vyake kuzingatia uamilifu au uhusiano uliopo kiwakati na kiusemi. Utafiti ulikuwa umejikita maktabani ambapo, vitabu, majarida, tasnifu na makala ambayo yanahusu usimulizi yalisomwa. Mbinu ya usampulishaji makusudi ilitumika katika kukusanya data iliyotokana na waandishi tofauti kuhusu usimulizi. Asilimia 40 ya sampuli kuhusu usimulizi ilitumika kwenye hadithi ambazo ni 13 hivyo hadithi 5. Mafungu yanayoonyesha fikra za wahusika na miundo mbali mbali ya hadithi mahsusi yalidondolewa kwenye sampuli ya hadithi tano zilizochaguliwa.
Resilience and Resistance: Women’s Agency in Aidoo’s Our Sister Killjoy and Ousmane Sembene’s Xala
(EANSO, 2025-05) Barasa, Remmy Shiundu
This paper provides a comparative examination of women’s agency and intertextuality in Ama Ata Aidoo’s Our Sister Killjoy and Ousmane Sembène’s Xala, focusing on their roles within post-colonial African societies. The analysis explores how both authors portray the struggles of African women against the backdrop of cultural, social, and colonial oppression. In her work, Aidoo presents Sissie, a young Ghanaian woman who navigates the complexities of colonialism, diaspora, and migration. Sissie’s journey from Ghana to Europe exposes her to racial discrimination and cultural dislocation, highlighting her struggle for identity and agency. Conversely, Sembène’s work satirizes the power dynamics and polygamy in post-colonial Senegal through the character of El Hadji, a businessman whose impotency symbolizes his moral and societal corruption. The women in Xala reflect varying degrees of submission and resistance to patriarchal norms, with characters like Rama showing a nascent challenge to these structures. Both West African novels use interior monologues and flashbacks to depict the protagonists' inner conflicts and societal constraints. While Aidoo’s Sissie actively confronts and critiques the racial and cultural prejudices she encounters, the women in Sembène’s narrative are primarily portrayed within the confines of traditional and neocolonial expectations. The paper argues that despite these differences, both works underscore the persistent patriarchal subjugation and the nuanced ways African women navigate and resist these constraints. The comparative analysis reveals a shared theme of women's resilience and the therapeutic power of female solidarity, illustrating a progression from traditional subjugation to modern self-assertion in the face of ongoing patriarchal oppression. The study concludes that while resistance methods differ, Aidoo and Sembène emphasize the critical need for women's agency in overcoming the multifaceted challenges of post-colonial African societies.