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Health-Seeking Behavior for Pneumonia Among Caregivers of Children Under Five Years at Embu Teaching and Referral Hospital, Embu County, Kenya
(International Academic Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing (IAJHMN), 2026-04) Njiru, Joy Wendo; Bett, Sarah; Githemo, Grace
Background: All over the world,pneumonia is responsible for most of the ailments and mortalities among the under five years population.(Perin et al., 2022). Recent research conducted in Kenya revealed showed there is low seeking of care among the under five years population with respiratory diseases like pneumonia as parents attempt to self-medicate the children first. Additionally, due to lack of timely and appropriate treatment, the respiratory conditions complicate leading to need for admission and longer hospital stay for pediatric patients.(Emukule et al., 2023)Study objective: To establish the determinants of health seeking behavior for pneumonia among caregivers of children under five years at Embu Teaching and Referral Hospital.Methods: This was as cross sectional study where 196 caregivers were consecutively sampled. Interviewer administered questionnaire was used.Frequencies and percentages were used for descriptive analysis.Bivariate analysis was done using chi-square test for association. Significant variables from bivariate analysis were subjected to multivariable analysis using binary logistic regression.SPSS version 29.0 was used. Results: Average age of the caregivers was 32.3 years (SD = 9.0). Of the caregivers, 51% (n=100) were aged 30 years or older.88.3% (n=173) of caregivers were female. Overall analysis of the health seeking behavior established that 70.9% (n=139) of caregivers had inappropriate health seeking behavior, while 29.1% (n=57) had appropriate health seeking behaviour. Married caregivers (aOR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.15, 10.40, P = 0.009), those with children were not referred for care (aOR = 4.33, 95% CI: 1.23, 15.21, P = 0.022), who had children aged 1-24 months (aOR = 3.86, 95% CI: 1.35, 11.06, P = 0.012) and caregivers of firstborns (aOR = 5.18, 95% CI: 1.43, 18.78, P = 0.012) were more likely to have appropriate HSB. Caregivers who had SHIF insurance cover were more likely to seek appropriate healthcare (aOR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.12, 3.13, P < 0.001).Conclusion and recommendations: There is inappropriate health seeking behavior among caregivers of children with pneumonia. Factors such as marital status, referral status, child age, and birth order significantly influence HSB for pneumonia in children. Therfore, there is need to implement interventions to focus on educating caregivers, especially those with older children, to encourage timely healthcare access.
County Financial Management Practices and Locally Generated Revenue in the County Government of Marsabit
(International Academic Journal of Economics and Finance (IAJEF), 2026-03) Malla, Qabale Dida; Gitagia, Francis
County governments in Kenya occupy a central position in promoting fiscal decentralization, delivering services, and stimulating local economic growth. They are tasked with raising locally generated revenue (LGR) to support devolved functions, complement national transfers, and strengthen fiscal independence. The viability of devolution therefore rests on the soundness of county financial management systems, which shape their ability to fund operations, provide essential services, and ensure accountability. Despite these responsibilities, counties such as Marsabit continue to experience revenue shortfalls that compromise service delivery and expose fiscal vulnerabilities. This study investigated the effect of financial management practices on LGR in Marsabit County, focusing on revenue diversification and budgetary control. Covering the period 2019 to 2024, the study was guided by Portfolio Theory and Budgetary Control Theory. A descriptive research design was employed, targeting 73 respondents consisting of 13 finance officers, 53 revenue collection officials, and 7 policymakers. A census approach was adopted to avoid sampling error and capture the perspectives of all relevant officers. Both primary and secondary data were used. structured questionnaires formed the basis of primary data, while audited financial statements and budget implementation reports provided secondary evidence. Diagnostic tests including tests for normality, multicollinearity, heteroscedasticity, autocorrelation, and linearity were performed to validate the strength of the regression model. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS, applying descriptive statistics such as means, medians, modes, and measures of dispersion, as well as inferential analysis through correlation and multiple regression. The correlation results revealed positive and significant associations between revenue diversification, budgetary control and locally generated revenue. Regression analysis showed that revenue diversification practices and budgetary control practices had positive and statistically significant effects on LGR. The study recommends that counties adopt innovative and technology-driven diversification strategies, strengthen participatory and transparent budgetary processes National oversight bodies such as the Commission on Revenue Allocation and the Office of the Controller of Budget should enhance monitoring and provide technical support to counties to institutionalize accountable and innovative financial practices.
Beyond Emergency Response: Gender, Displacement, and School Retention in Protracted Crises in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo
(Open Journal of Educational Research and Practice, 2025-12) Karanja, Wambui; Niyibizi, Jean-Baptiste Kirira; Kabamba, Patience Nijhowne
The paper analyses school retention trends in two protracted crisis situations, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), between 2015 and 2023, focusing on the intersection of gender and displacement to determine educational outcomes. Based on systematic documentary analysis of data provided by UNESCO, UNHCR, Education Cannot Wait, and national education sector reports, this paper identifies critical differences between access-oriented interventions and retention-specific issues in the context of prolonged political instability and armed conflict. In Burundi, there is a gender reversal in primary completion with girls performing better, whereas in the DRC, gender differences are still high with secondary completion at 51.4% among girls and 63.5% among boys. In both settings, displacement exacerbates educational vulnerability, as more than 300,000 Burundian refugees and 8.2 million displaced individuals in DRC experience compounding barriers to long-term schooling. The results dispute linear emergency-transition-development models, showing that protracted crises demand different analytical and programmatic strategies. This study not only provides theoretical understanding of the gender-displacement nexus in education, but also presents evidence-based suggestions to humanitarian and development actors operating at the nexus between crisis and education.
Adaptability, Scalability and Sustainability of Mhealth Projects Performance in Low and Medium-Income Countries: A Systematic Review
(Global Press Hub, 2026-03) Mutula, Martin Wambua; Sang, Paul
Mobile health (mHealth) initiatives have immense potential to revolutionize healthcare service delivery in terms of accessibility, quality, and outcomes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, the progress of mHealth initiatives in LMICs is often marred by the challenge of "pilotitis," wherein successful pilots do not result in scalable or sustainable mHealth initiatives. This independent study paper is an attempt at conducting an in-depth systematic review of recent literature (2020-2025) to explore the various interrelated factors that affect the adaptability, scalability, and sustainability of mHealth initiatives in LMICs. The overall objective is to explore the various barriers and facilitators that affect the long-term performance and institutionalization of mHealth initiatives. For the systematic review, a desktop systematic review methodology was conducted by searching various prominent databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to retrieve relevant peer-reviewed articles and systematic reviews on mHealth initiatives, scalability, and sustainability in LMICs. The results have identified a number of key challenges that can affect the scalability and sustainability of mHealth projects. These include a lack of infrastructure such as a stable electricity supply and a lack of good internet connectivity, the cost of mobile data communication, a lack of digital literacy among healthcare professionals, and a lack of compatibility with existing healthcare information systems. The study thus underscores the need to move beyond technology-focused strategies to health systems strategies in the design and implementation of mHealth interventions. Flexibility in accommodating local contexts has thus been identified as a key factor that influences the sustainability of mHealth interventions. As a result, the study has made several recommendations, including the use of context-sensitive evaluation approaches, such as the HOT-FIT-BR model, to move beyond pilot interventions to sustainable mHealth in LMICs
Executive Remuneration Structure and Corporate Firm Value Among 25 Index Listed Firms at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Kenya
(International Academic Journal of Economic and Financial Research, 2026-03) Omondi, Elvis Owino; Aluoch, Moses Odhiambo
Purpose: This study examined the effect of executive remuneration structure on corporate firm value among the 25 Index listed firms at the Nairobi Securities Exchange. The research aimed to determine how fixed remuneration, shortterm incentives, and long-term incentives influenced firm value, considering the moderating role of financial leverage. Methodology: The study adopted a quantitative research design to examine relationships between executive remuneration components and firm value. The target population comprised firms listed under the Nairobi Securities Exchange 25 Share Index over a five-year period from 2018 to 2022. Secondary data were obtained from annual reports and financial statements of the listed companies. Data were analyzed using Econometric Views (EViews) software, applying descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and panel regression. Findings: The findings indicated that longterm remuneration components had a positive and statistically significant effect on firm value. Conversely, fixed remuneration, short-term incentives, and other executive perks were not statistically significant in explaining variations in firm value. Financial leverage was found to significantly moderate the relationship between executive remuneration and firm value, with higher leverage increasing firm risk and weakening the positive influence of long-term incentives. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study contributes to corporate governance literature by providing empirical evidence on the effectiveness of executive remuneration structures in enhancing firm value in emerging markets. Practically, it reveals the importance of emphasizing long-term incentive schemes in executive compensation packages. From a policy perspective, the findings offer insights to regulators such as the Capital Markets Authority and corporate remuneration committees.