MST-Department of Community Resource Management and Extension
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Browsing MST-Department of Community Resource Management and Extension by Author "Ondigi, Alice N."
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Item Household food insecurity and coping stategies among small scale farmers in Tharaka central division, Kenya(2012-12-04) Icheria, Beatrice Kabui; Ondigi, Alice N.; Ngige, L.W.Food insecurity is a major development problem that is caused by myriad of factors in the global, regional, national and local spheres of human life. Several efforts have been put in place to alleviate food insecurity globally, nationally and even locally. Despite these efforts, the situation continues to prevail and sometimes even increase in the contemporary human society. It is therefore imperative that food insecurity gets addressed appropriately. Small scale farmers play a vital role in food production especially through subsistent farming. However, their households are major casualties of food insecurity despite their efforts in food production. This study sought to investigate household food insecurity and coping strategies among small scale farmers in Tharaka Central Division of Tharaka South District, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to: Establish the status of household food production among small scale farmers in Tharaka Central Division; determine household food consumption patterns; establish household food sources, establish the status of household food insecurity and identify coping strategies among the households in the event of food shortage. The research design employed in the study was cross sectional descriptive survey which sought to obtain information that was to describe the existing status of household food insecurity and coping strategies among the small scale farmers. A total of351 small scale farmers' households were systematically sampled from the total population of 3631 small scale farming households in the division. Data was collected by use of structured questionnaire, observation checklist and key informant interview guide. Data analysis was done using SPSS (Version 11.5) computer software program. Frequency tables, pie charts, bar graphs and line graphs are used to present the findings of the study. Mean farmland sizes was 1.62 acres, food crops were cultivated at 95% of the total crop, the major months of adequate and inadequate food provisioning were June to August (40.5%) and October to January (30.2%) respectively. Crop loss was mitigated by planting drought resistant crops. Household dietary diversity score (HDDS) of the previous 24 hours was low (83.3%) while 50.7% had acceptable household food consumption score (HFCS) in the previous 7 days of food consumption. The primary source of maize was the market at 36.7%. Majority of households (44.7%) were food insecure, 43.3% vulnerable to food insecurity and 12% food secure. Reduction in size of meals was the major coping strategy. There were significant positive relationships between sizes of farms and sizes of farmlands (r = 0.653, p=O.OOO); between HFCS and farmland size (r=0.299, p=0.0000); significant difference between maize expected and maize harvested (t=22.927, p=O.OOO). There was also significant positive association between HDDS and HFCS ('12=13.463. df=4 and 0=0.009l. sources of maize and the statuses of household food insecurity (x~i60.895:·df= 6, p=O.OOO). Low food characterized by low HDDS, and coping strategies were not detrimental to developed through community-based participatory actions; and the GOK through implement them in all ASAL areas to alleviate household food insecurity.Item Selected socio-cultural factors influencing access to reproductive health service information among the youth In Korogocho slum of Nairobi, Kenya(2013-08-14) Omweno, Lucy Kwamboka; Ondigi, Alice N.; Kathuri-Ogola, L. N.Access to reproductive health services information by the youth has received the minimal attention given that reproductive health service information for many years has been tailored to meet the needs of the adult population. The youths have therefore been neglected partly due to cultural sensitivity that dictates what, when and how reproductive health information is transmitted to the youth. This study investigated selected socio-cultural factors influencing access to reproductive health service information in Korogocho slum in Nairobi Kenya. The objectives of the study were to establish the availability of reproductive health service information to the youth, to determine the information the youths have on reproductive health services, to examine the influence of selected socio-cultural factors on accessibility to reproductive health services information and to assess information dissemination on reproductive health services by health providers in Korogocho slum. A descriptive survey design was employed; questionnaires, focused group discussion guides and key informant interview schedules were administered on 164 with youths and 5 health facility officials (key informants) to collect data, the response rate was 91.46%. Purposive sampling was also used to include youth groups whose members were exclusively within the study‟s age bracket (18 – 25) and to select the facilities which offer reproductive health services information. Five youth groups met this criterion. Twenty percent of the respondents from each group were sampled using stratified random sampling. The members of the selected youth groups were divided into two strata: female (320) and male (502). This ensured desired proportionate inclusion of each stratum in the sample. Systematic random sampling of the second member per every ten members from each group in every stratum was done. This gave rise to a total of 164 youths (64 females and 100 males). The reliability and validity of research instruments was ensured by pre-testing and thoughtful discussions with the researcher‟s supervisors respectively. The study findings were presented in prose, tables, graphs and charts. Descriptive statistics of percentage and frequencies were used to describe the population characteristics such as demographic information, education and religion. Inferential analysis involved the use of Chi-square to cross tabulate selected independent variables to the dependent variable. Regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between the independent variables (Information the Korogocho youth have on RHSI; The influence of socio-cultural factors on accessibility to RHSI and Dissemination of RHSI) and the dependent variables (Access to reproductive health services information). With a R2 value of 0.98 the study found out that 98% of the independent variables explained access to RHSI with the remaining 2% explained by other factors. The study revealed that the youth in Korogocho had inadequate and inaccurate RHS information mostly received from the media and/or their peers. The major socio-cultural factors influencing the youth‟s access to RHS information were found to be family, religion and peer influence. The study therefore concludes that the above selected socio-cultural factors had influence on access to RHSI among the youths in Korogocho slum. The study recommended that, there is need for the youth to seek for an alternative source of information rather than relying mainly on the peers and the mediam . The government and non-governmental organizations should develop, implement and operationalize youth RHSI policies. The findings of this study are hoped to be useful to policy makers in the public health sector, religious and non-governmental organizations concerned with the welfare and development of youth in Kenya.Item Utilization and Sustainability of Water and Sanitation Services in Kibera Slums of Nairobi, Kenya(2014-03-12) Ratemo, Lenah Boyani; Ondigi, Alice N.; Ngige, L.W.The study was a survey of factors influencing the utilization and sustainability of water and sanitation services in Kibera. This research study used both cartographic and geographic information techniques to examine the spatial pattern of sanitation delivery facilities in Kibera slum of Nairobi. The research study aimed at assessing the socio-demographic characteristics, level of knowledge and attitude towards utilization, availability and accessibility of sanitation facilities. A total of 169 respondents were interviewed from Kibera slums, by means of structured and semi-structured questionnaires, observations and in depth interviews were done to elicit a better understanding of the factors and their effects on the utilization of sanitation facilities in the slum areas. Data were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively to address. the objectives of the survey. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze quantitative data. Descriptive statistical of means, frequencies and percentages were used to describe and summarize data. Cox regression analysis was performed on the data. Tables, pie charts, and graphs were used to present results. Qualitative data was analyzed using NUDIST package. The results from the study indicate a very strong relationship between, cost of using latrine from the respondent's house, time taken walking to the latrine and the satisfaction the respondents get from the latrine services. These results explain that utilization of these facilities is highly affected by these factors. In an urban population where most people live below poverty level these facilities are not sustainable with these high significances (P=O.012, P=O.026)