Journal Articles

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://repository.rongovarsity.ac.ke/handle/123456789/7

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 730

Does Financing Diversification Matter?
(3-07) Mulwa, Jonathan Mwau
Financial sector liberalization in Kenya and the far world has created an enormous spectrum from which Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (Saccos) can raise finances from. This has coincided with a period of good performances for a number of Saccos. However, there is no certain indication of a link between the good performance and the financing diversification; it is not clear whether those Saccos who have diverse financing sources perform any better than those who rely on their members’ savings. This paper therefore sought to establish the effect of financing diversification on the performance of Saccos by answering the question; does financing diversification affect the performance of a Sacco? The study used a descriptive correlational design with the study population being all Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (KUSCCO) member Saccos registered in Kakamega County. Data was collected from a key informant in every Sacco using a questionnaire and analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive analysis was done to identify any trends and dispersions in the data while Karl Pearson’s zero order coefficient of correlation was used to determine the nature of relationship between financing diversification and Sacco performance. Regression analysis was done to model the relationship between financing diversification and Sacco performance. The study found out that financing diversification had a significant positive effect on Sacco performance. The study has, however, recommended further researches to establish the risk implications of financing diversification on Saccos.
Investigations on decomposition of foliage of woody species using a perfusion method
(1992) Nyamai, Daniel
The time for half of the total oxidizable carbon to be converted into C02 and other gaseous products (t1/2) was studied for five tree species used in agroforestry. The study was conducted in a perfusion system with continuous aeration, and moisture content maintained at field capacity. This method was found to be suitable for studies of the initial stages of tree foliage decomposition. The overall rate was in the decreasing order: Leucaena > Calhandra > Gliricidia > Prosopis > Cassia. Decomposition started rapidly and then decreased rapidly for 2 to 3 weeks followed by a gradual decrease which continued for the remainder of the time. The time for 50 per cent of total oxidizable carbon to decompose was about 19 days for Leucaena, 30 days for Calhandra and Gliricidia, while Prosopis and Cassia took more than 30 days. Leucaena released the largest quantity of total N into the perfusing solution while Cassia gave the l
Integrity of 130 kDa polypeptide of Bacillus thuringiensis var israelensis delta-endotoxin in K-S defined (sporulation) medium
(ICIPE, 1992) Otieno-Ayayo, Z. Ngalo; Chipman, David M; Zaritsky, Arieh; Khawaled, Kamal
The status of pesticide usage in East Africa
(Research Gate, 1994) Mbakaya, Charles; Ngowi, Aiwerasia Vera
The assumption proposed by Gallo in 1984 that the cause of AIDS is infection with HIV was founded on the correlation between detection of antibodies to this virus and the onset of AIDS. This view became generally accepted, and today it is still the foundation stone of HIV-related measures for the prevention and treatment of AIDS. However, although unanimously rejected by AIDS researchers to date, Duesberg vehemently opposed this opinion, suggesting that AIDS is caused by drugs and malnutrition and that HIV is only a passenger pathogen (Duesberg, 1988; 1994; Lindermann, 1994). Earlier, it was reported that zinc deficiency was becoming a reality in the UK and the problem might be worse in developing countries, yet zinc deficiency and AIDS symptoms were similar and that micro-nutrient zinc had anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer properties, for reasons that were only poorly understood then (Bryce-Smith, 1989).
The Impact of Human Activities on Epibenthic Bivalve Communities
(1997-10) Owuor, J. B. Okeyo; Wangila’, B.C.C.; Priscillah, N. Boera
A total of 17 bivalve species belonging to 13 families were collected and identified in Malindi and Mombasa Marine National Parks; and Kanamai from Oct.'97 to Mar.'98. Bivalve fauna showed low densities (2/m2), and low diversity. Modiolus auriculatus and Pinna muricata were the most represented. There was a significant difference in species diversity between Malindi and Mombasa reef flats at p>0.10. Shallow lagoons had very low-density and diversity as compared to sea grass and reef flat zones. This was attributed to the high deposits of shell, coral, and sand. Swimming, gogeling/scuba diving, walking/trampling and turning of rocks were identified as the main forms of human activities causing disturbance to the bivalves. Frequencies of occurrence of these activities varied in the three areas with Kanamai exhibiting the highest. Trampling had the most notable im- pact and was used to show the impact of human activities on the most vulnerable species. Results show that the distribution of bivalve fauna in the protected and unprotected areas is density independent and is not only influenced by human activities and management strategy but rather by other biological and environmental factors such as substrate type, tide range and wave activity. Human activities however affect those bivalves with fragile shells such as Pinna muri- cata, through trampling resulting in injury and/or death. Presence of man affects the routine activ- ities of the others such as Tellina flavum, Anadara antiquata, Tridacna squamosa and Codakia punctata. Therefore spreading out of human activities within the marine parks is rec- ommended to reduce their impacts. These activities should be spread out into the reserves and unprotected areas.
Maturity of Freshmarket Sweet Corn with Directseeded Plants, Transplants, Clear Plastic Mulch, and Rowcover Combinations
(1999) Aguyoh, Joseph Nyamori; Taber, Henry G.; Lawson, Vince
Impact of agro-industrial activities on the water quality of River Nyando, Lake Victoria Basin, Kenya
(2002) Raburu, P. O.; Owuor, J. B. Okeyo
The impact of agro-industrial activities on the water quality within River Nyando, Lake Victoria Basin was studied at different hierarchical levels between August 1997 and June 1999. Triplicate water samples were collected on a monthly basis from various stations ranging from the source to the mouth of the river and analyzed for selected physical and chemical water quality parameters using standard analytical methods. Statistical analysis was performed using MINITAB and STATISTICA computer packages. Agricultural land use was found to be the major factor contributing to changes in water quality. Salinity and pH varied at river basin scale, turbidity, TDS and conductivity at catchment scale, while DO, alkalinity and pH at subcatchment and river reach scale. The nutrient loads increased downstream. Anthropogenic sources contribute to high levels of nutrients within the basin. The changes recorded in water quality along the river were comparable to the modified Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) and Nyando Habitat Evaluation Index (NHEI) derived for the river during the same period of study. Findings of this study can be used to design measures for mitigating and monitoring environmental impacts arising from agro-industrial activities within the Lake Victoria Basin. The study recommends a comprehensive Nyando River Basin Management Programme to address the multiple issues environmental within the basin.
Enduring toxicity of transgenic Anabaena PCC 7120 expressing mosquito larvicidal genes from Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. israelensis
(National Library of Medicine, 2003) Otieno-Ayayo, Z. Ngalo; Manasherob, Robert; Miaskovsky, Rina; Ben-Dov, Eitan; Boussiba, Sammy; Zaritsky, Arieh
Persistence of biological control agents against mosquito larvae was tested under simulated field conditions. Mosquito larvicidal activity of transgenic Anabaena PCC 7120 expressing cry4Aa, cry11Aa and p20 from Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. israelensis was greater than B. thuringiensis ssp. israelensis primary powder (fun 89C06D) or wettable powder (WP) (Bactimos products) when either mixed with silt or exposed to sunlight outdoors. Reduction of Bactimos primary powder toxicity was at least 10-fold higher than Anabaena’s after mixing with silt. In outdoors experiments, Bactimos WP remained toxic (over 30% mortality of 3rd instar Aedes aegypti larvae) for 2–4 days only, while transgenic Anabaena’s toxicity endured 8–21 days.
Interference of large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis) with snap beans
(Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Weed Science Society of America, 2003) Aguyoh, Joseph Nyamori; Masiunas, John B.
Field experiments were conducted to determine the effect of large crabgrass densities of 0.5 to 8 plants m-1 of row and emergence time on snap bean yield. Large crabgrass was planted either along with snap beans (early) or when the first trifoliate leaf of snap beans was opening (late). Observed yield loss ranged from 46 to 50%, and predicted yield loss ranged from 53 ? 29.3% to 63 + 18.3%. Relative leaf area was correlated to snap bean yield (r2 = 0.88 to 0.92). The relative damage coefficient (q), an indication of the competitiveness of large crabgrass with snap bean, was 1.65 ? 1.03 and 1.26 ? 0.72 for early- and late-emerging large crabgrass, respectively. Early-emerging large crabgrass reduced snap bean biomass 10 to 28% and snap bean pod numbers 44 to 60%, depending on the density. Because of intraspecies com- petition, leaf area index and number of seed for large crabgrass were reduced with increasing density. Emergence of > 2 plants m-1 of large crabgrass with snap beans should be controlled to avoid significant yield loss
Micronutrient Zinc Deficiency as a Possible Co-factor in the Transmission and Progression of HIV/AIDS in Kenya
(2004) Mbakaya, Charles; D Bulimo, Wallace; Jumba, Isaac; Nyambaka, Hudson Nyabuga
Thirty-four HIVIAIDS patients at various stages of disease progression volunteered to manage their ealth using a nutritional supplement that contained several micronutrients that included a 15 mg daily dose of elemental zinc. This initial publication only focuses on trends in the serum zinc levels and the observed biochemical changes following intervention, considering the critical role this trace element plays in human immunity. At baseline and after 30 months of follow-up, the patients' serum zinc levels were determined as was their clinical status. Four women who were found to be HIV negative at baseline and who had lost their husbands to HIVIAIDS et they had regularly had un-protected sex ' Y+ with them, had a mean serum zinc level of 116.2 -32.7 mcg1100 ml. The serum zinc levels of asymptomatic, moderately symptomatic and severely symptomatic HIVIAIDS patients in the cohort reduced from baseline to post intervention levels of 92.5512.1 to 78.0 2 8.2 mcg1100 ml (P = 0.056); 81.92 17.6 to 73.2 5 12.2 mcg1100 ml (P =0.267) and 72.7+ 8.0 to 66.8 2 14.3 mcg1100 ml (P = 0.022), respectively, all being far below the mean serum zinc level of 120.0 + 22.0 mcg1100 ml reported in normal control subjects in Western literature. For all patients combined, the serum zinc levels fell from 79.2 2 14.5 to 71.0 5 13.0 mcg1100 ml (P= 0.016) notwithstanding that the patients had used zinc supplements at recommended daily allowances (RDA) over a period of 30 months. Notably, micronutrient zinc sufficiency plays a key role in promoting cell-mediated immunity and it is probably partly due to this reason that the high-risk women in this study, who also had comparably high serum zinc levels, remained negative for HIV antibodies despite repeated exposure to the virus. Thus, from this preliminary data that shows HIVIAIDS patients to be deficient in zinc in a manner consistent with their status of disease progression and considering that this trace element is recognized to possess antiviral and antibacterial properties, it is now apparently evident that zinc supplementation may play a key role in the fight against HIVIAIDS not only in Kenya but also in other African countries where this disease has reached epidemic proportions against a background of rampant malnutrition.
Shifts in the food of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.) in Lake Victoria, Kenya
(African Journal of Ecology, 2004) Njiru, M.; Owuor, J. B. Okeyo; Muchiri, M.; Cowx, I. G.
Studies of the food of introduced Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.) with respect to size, habitat and season were conducted between November 1998 and October 2000 in Kenyan waters of Lake Victoria. Stomach contents of 1980 specimens collected by demersal trawl and seining were analysed. Nile tilapia originally known to be herbivorous, feeding mostly on algae has diversified its diet to include insects, fish, algae and plant materials. The major diet of fish <5 cm total length was zooplankton whereas bigger fish included a wider range of food items in their diet. There was spatial variation in diet with insects and algae dominating in the gulf and open water habitats respectively. There was no seasonal variation in the food items ingested and diel feeding regime indicated that O. niloticusis a diurnal feeder. The shift in diet could be due to ecological and environmental chan- ges in Lake Victoria, which have been associated with changes in composition and diversity of fish and invertebrate fauna, emergence and dominance of different flora including water hyacinth Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms-Laub., and algae communities. The feeding habit of O. niloticus is discussed in the context of changes occurring in the lake.
Interaction of Insects and Weeds in a Snap Bean Agroecosystem
(2004) Aguyoh, Joseph Nyamori; Masiunas, John B.
Abstract.Integrated weed management strategies maintain sub-threshold levels of weeds. The remaining weeds may impact the feeding and habitation patterns of both potato leafhoppers and bean leaf beetles in a snap bean agroecosystem. The objective of our study was to determine the effect of interference between snap beans (Phaseolus vulgarisL.) and either redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexusL.) or large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis L.) on populations of potato leafhopper [Empoasca fabae (Harris)] and bean leaf beetle [Cerotoma trifurcata (Forster)]. Plots were seeded with redroot pigweed or large crabgrass at either the same time as snap bean planting (early) or when snap bean had one trifoliate leaf open (late). The weed density averaged two plants per meter of row. Bean leaf beetle populations, snap bean pod damage, and leaf defoliation were lower in weed-free plots compared to those with either early emerging pigweed or crabgrass. Leafhopper nymphs and adults were 31% to 34% less in plots with crabgrass emerging with snap beans compared to those in weed-free snap bean plots. Thus, the effect of sub-threshold densities of pigweed and crabgrass on insect pests in snap bean varied depending on the species and should be considered when deciding to integrate weed management approaches.
Evaluation criteria for the district health management information systems: lessons from the Ministry of Health, Kenya
(2005) Odhiambo-Otieno, George; Odero, Wilson
Background: The District Health Management Information Systems (DHMISs) were established by the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Kenya more than two decades ago. Since then, no comprehensive evaluation has been undertaken. This can partly be attributed to lack of defined criteria for evaluating them. Objective: To propose evaluation criteria for assessing the design, implementation and impact of DHMIS in the management of the District Health System (DHS) in Kenya. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in three DHSs in Kenya: Bungoma, Murang’a and Uasin Gishu districts. Data was collected through focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and documents’ review. The respondents, purposely selected from the Ministry of Health headquarters and the three DHS districts, included designers, managers and end-users of the systems. Results: A set of evaluation criteria for DHMISs was identified for each of the three phases of implementation: pre-implementation evaluation criteria (categorised as policy and objectives, technical feasibility, financial viability, political viability and administrative operability) to be applied at the design stage; concurrent implementation evaluation criteria to be applied during implementation of the new system; and post-implementation evaluation criteria (classified as internal – quality of information; external – resources and managerial support; ultimate – systems impact) to be applied after implementation of the system for at least three years. Conclusions: In designing a DHMIS model there is need to have built-in these three sets of evaluation criteria which should be used in a phased manner. Pre-implementation evaluation criteria should be used to evaluate the system’s viability before more resources are committed to it; concurrent (operational) - implementation evaluation criteria should be used to monitor the process; and post-implementation evaluation criteria should be applied to assess the system’s effectiveness.
Implementing a community-based health management information system in Bungoma district, Kenya
(2005) Odhiambo-Otieno, George
The development of community-based health management information systems in developing countries is not well documented. This paper reports how a Community-based Health Management Information System (CHMIS) in Bungoma, Kenya, was started and used to generate information through sources at the community level. The CHMIS had several constraints and limitations like inadequacy of qualified and dedicated community volunteers to run the CHMIS, lack of skills to handle quantitative information, lack of incentives and supervisors for community health workers and inadequate financing of the information resource centres. Despite these, the article highlights a CHMIS model that embraces key requisites of PHC: equity, empowerment and effectiveness. Two important principles can be drawn from the Bungoma CHMIS. First, although DHS staff may assist communities in conceptualizing, designing, implementing and utilizing the CHMIS, the community must use the system to make its own decisions. Second, communities must see a benefit to themselves in operating a CHMIS. The basic premise to be adopted in the development of any CHMIS model is that it should be designed with a focus on improving the health status of the community.
Institutional pluralism, access and use of wetland resources in the Nyando Papyrus Wetland, Kenya
(Academic journal, 2005) Nasongo, A. A Serena; Zaal, Fred; Dietz, Ton; Owuor, J. B. Okeyo
Wetlands support livelihoods of communities living around them as in the Nyando Papyrus Wetland in Kenya. The Nyando Papyrus Wetlands provide multiple resources hence there are multiple uses and users who often overlap spatially and seasonally causing conflicts. More claims are being exerted on these wetland resources from different sides and institutional levels with different actors. The actors involved refer to various legal systems and mechanisms, and frequently create new hybrid law as in the case in the Nyando papyrus wetlands. These institutions, in various degrees of transformation, still have an important role in determining how resources are used. The objective of this study is to find out about the institutions affecting wetland resource use in the past and in the present and to determine the dynamics of specific natural resource-related institutions in four sub-locations in the Nyando Papyrus Wetlands, Kenya. The study shows that there is legal pluralism in the Nyando Wetlands, which requires synergy for sustainable livelihoods in the local communities and for ecosystem management.
Managing records at higher education institutions: a case study of the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg Campus
(South African Journals.of Information management., 2005-03) Chinyemba, A.; Ngulube, P.
Penn, Pennix and Coulson (1994:2) and King (1997:656) pointed out that many business transactions depend on the proper creation and maintenance of recorded information. The medium on which the recording of information could be done may be paper, microfilm, audiotapes, videotapes, photographs, slides, or any computer-readable medium, such as computer tapes or disks, compact disks and optical disks. Gold (1995:1) characterized an organization's management of its records as the 'corporate ... secret weapon' and 'the winning strategy' that give the organization the competitive edge. Yet few organizations, including universities, pay attention to the management of this corporate resource. Despite the fact that universities are continually being called upon to function in a businesses-like manner in order to be self-sustaining and to remain competitive, they overlook the enormous advantages that proper records management practices could contribute to the achievement of their objectives (Mnjama 2002:34; Procter 2002:49). Recently, the Council on Higher Education (2000:20) pointed out that higher education information systems in South Africa were inadequate. Proper records management could help universities to manage their information, efficiently fulfil their mandate, protect them from litigation, preserve their corporate memory, and foster accountability and good governance. The information contained in university records needs to be managed according to a methodical approach in order to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the universities in carrying out their mission. As universities carry out their mission they create various records. The core business of universities is learning, teaching, research and community development. The University of KwaZulu-Natal, in articulating its mission, states that it is 'committed to academic excellence, innovation in research and critical engagement with society' (University of KwaZulu-Natal 2005). Carrying out these activities produce records, which provide evidence that the University is carrying out its statutory functions. If such records are not properly managed or misplaced, then valuable evidence would be lost forever. Proper management means establishing systematic controls at every stage of the record's life cycle, in accordance with established principles and accepted models of records management. The University of Melbourne (2001) defines records management as the capturing and maintaining of accurate, complete, reliable and useable documentation of activities of an organization in order to meet legal, evidential, accountability and social/cultural requirements. Records pass through several phases in their life cycle. The primary purpose of a records management programme is to monitor records, regardless of type or format, to ensure that they pass efficiently, and at a minimum cost, through the creation, use, inactive storage and disposal or permanent retention phases (Djorka and Conneen 1984:22). In addition to facilitating the achievement of the University's mandate, the management of records at the University of KwaZulu-Natal is key to fulfilling the requirements of the Promotion of Access to Information Act No. 2 of 2000 (PAIA) (South Africa 2000) and facilitating the smooth running and integration of the merged universities of Natal and Durban-Westville. The merger is likely to bring about a lot of changes in relation to how the new institution would be run. As Ngulube (2004a:23) points out: 'Change brings uncertainty, but records make decision making during uncertainty possible. Changes that are not informed by reliable information are likely to be unsustainable, unjustifiable and lacking transparency.' In this regard, properly managed records may foster accountability, transparency and good governance in the University of KwaZulu-Natal, which resulted from the merged institutions. Furthermore, the passing of PAIA by the South African government makes the management of university records of great importance. The Act gives the public the right of access, upon request, to records held by public or private bodies, to the extent that a requested record is required for the exercise or protection of rights (Currie and Klaaren 2002:1). Compliance with the requirements of the Act means that the University must have in place a comprehensive records management programme that maps all the records of the University (Currie and Klaaren 2002). In this light, the proper management of university records at a South African institution becomes very important. Universities might find themselves in an embarrassing position if requested records are not found as a result of poor records systems where, as Taylor (2000:240) notes, litigation by aggrieved parties cannot be ruled out. Recently, a former University of Durban-Westville student made a court application demanding to see his examination scripts (UKZN rejects marks allegations 2004). Although, the student eventually lost his case at the Pietermaritzburg High Court, the case demonstrates the possibly consequence of not providing information timeously. Organizations that manage their records well reap immediate benefits in terms of being able to utilize all available information resources for competitive advantage. Kemoni and Wamukoya (2000:125) state that effective records management systems provide information required for the proper functioning of organizations, including universities. On the other hand, poor records management can be risky to organizations. Djorka and Conneen (1984:22) summarize the consequences of poor records management as follows: '[I]n an institution where paperwork is poorly managed, the flow of records through the life cycle is retarded, chaotic, or non-existent. Records and the information they contain are difficult to retrieve, and costly duplication of paperwork is a frequent occurrence. The net effect of poor management is a decrease in the efficiency of the institution and an inflation of its operating costs.'
Evaluation of existing District Health Management Information Systems A case study of the District Health Systems in Kenya
(International Journal of Medical Informatics, 2005-05-10) Odhiambo-Otieno, George
Introduction: This paper discusses some of the issues and challenges of implementing appropriate and coordinated District Health Management Information System (DHMIS) in environments dependent on external support especially when insufficient attention has been given to the sustainability of systems. It also discusses fundamental issues which affect the usability of DHMIS to support District Health System (DHS), including meeting user needs and user education in the use of information for management;and the need for integration of data from all health-providing and related organizations in the district. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in three DHSs in Kenya. Data was collected through use of questionnaires, focus group discussions and review ofrelevantliterature, reports and operational manuals ofthe studied DHMISs. Results: Key personnel at the DHS level were not involved in the development and implementation of the established systems. The DHMISs were fragmented to the extent that their information products were bypassing the very levels they were created to serve. None of the DHMISs was computerized. Key resources for DHMIS operation were inadequate. The adequacy of personnel was 47%, working space 40%, storage space 34%, stationery 20%, 73% of DHMIS staff were not trained, management support was 13%. Information produced was 30% accurate, 19% complete, 26% timely, 72% relevant;the level of confidentiality and use of information at the point of collection stood at 32% and 22% respectively and information security at 48%. Basic DHMIS equipment for information processing was not available. This inhibited effective and efficient provision of information services. Conclusions: An effective DHMIS is essential for DHS planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation activities. Without accurate, timely, relevant and complete information the existing information systems are not capable of facilitating the DHS managers in their day-today operational management. The existing DHMISs were found not supportive of the DHS managers’ strategic and operational managementfunctions. Consequently DHMISs were found to be plagued by numerous designs, operational, resources and managerial problems. There is an urgent need to explore the possibilities of computerizing the existing manual systems to take advantage of the potential uses of microcomputers for DHMIS operations within the DHS. Information system designers must also address issues of cooperative partnership in information activities, systems compatibility and sustainability. © 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Aquaculture Strategy For Restoration of Threatened Lake Victoria Fishes
(The East African Community, 2006) Maithya, Jacob
The endemic Oreochromis variabilis and L. victorianus are among Lake Victoria’s most threatened fish species whose population sizes are on the decline. This study, carried out between August 2000 and April 2001, aimed at characterizing the ‘refugia’ ecosystems of O. variabilis and its growth performance in small water bodies (SWBs), developing artificial spawning techniques and characterizing existing morphological and genetic variation of extant populations of L. victorianus in order to bring the species under aquaculture as a restoration strategy. Studies of O. variabilis were carried out by comparing its growth performance in stocked semi-intensive and modified extensive closed systems in different ecological zones within the Lake Victoria basin. Growth in O. variabilis evaluated as average growth rates, was satisfactory in both systems and eco-zones, even in areas with extreme environmental gradients. The isometric characteristics of O.variabilis estimated by formula W = aL b were better than those of wild populations in the ‘refugia’ ecosystems in each respective eco-zone. Multivariate analysis of morphological data showed that there was reasonable differentiation between L. victorianus populations from different drainages, with the southern populations being most distinct. Majority of the variation in L. victorianus was within populations (91.3%), with an overall FST of 0.08846 for all loci. For effective aquaculture and conservation, fish breeders should use local fish material for their stocking programs; yet ensure that different age classes form part of their brood-stock. L. victorianus was spawned artificially using intramuscular injection of Clarias gariepinus pituitary extracts (C.g.PE) and Human chorionic gonadotropin (HcG) to induce ovulation. Successful inducement of ovulation occurred only in trials with C.gPE. Fertilization rates in breeding experiments for L. victorianus averaged 86% and hatching percentages 70%. This study indicates the viability of the two species for culture in the basin. More hope is therefore raised for expansion on the farming practices in the basin. Such a fisheries production can provide 75% of the animal protein requirements of the poor rural households and guarantee continued survival of the species within the basin. Stocking of small water bodies for increased fish production enhances further, the integrated resource use and management of the endemic but threatened Lake Victoria fish stocks.
Changes in population characteristics and diet of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (L.) from Nyanza Gulf of Lake Victoria, Kenya: what are the management options?
(Tylor&Francis, 2007-11-26) Owuor, J.B. Okeyo; M. Muchiri; M. van der Knaap; I. G. Cowx
Length frequency data collected from 1998 to 2001 from commercial landings was used to estimate asymptotic length (L∞), growth coefficient (K), mortality (Z, F, M), growth performance index (φ ) and exploitation rate (E) of Oreochromis niloticus from the Nyanza Gulf of Lake Victoria, Kenya. Studies on the diet of O. niloticus collected by demersal trawl and seining between 1998 and 2000 were also conducted. Length frequency data were analyzed using the FISAT software (an FAO-ICLARM Stock Assessment Tool package). The L∞ had a mean value (±S.D) of 58.78 ± 2.42 cm TL, K of 0.59 ± 0.05 yr−1, Z of 2.16 ± 0.40 yr−1, M of 1.00 ± 0.06 yr−1, F of 1.12 ± 0.34 yr−1, E of 0.48 ± 0.11 and φ of 3.31 ± 0.04. Length at first entry into the fishery (L50) was observed at 26.18 ± 12.50 cm TL. Recruitment occurred throughout the year, with two peaks corresponding with the rainy seasons. A comparison with previous studies in the gulf indicates that O. niloticus is now caught at a smaller mean size, whereas K, Z, and M have increased. Fish appeared to become sexually mature at a smaller size. Nile tilapia originally known to be herbivorous, feeding mostly on algae, has diversified its diet to include insects, fish, algae and plant materials, all being important food items. The changes in population characteristics and diet of O. niloticus are discussed in context of changes occurring in the lake and its surroundings.
Nutritional status and morbidity among HIV/AIDS-affected children aged 6-9 years in Suba district, Kenya
(WFLPublisher, 2008) Were, M.Gertrude; Omo, Ohiokpehai; Kimiywe, Judith; Mbagaya, M.Grace; Owuor, J.B. Okeyo; Joyce Kamau; Dorcas Mbithe
The HIV/AIDS pandemic continues to claim lives and render many children orphans. More than 3 million people died from AIDS including half a million children. In Sub-Saharan Africa, it is estimated that 12 million children have been orphaned by HIV and this number is set to increase. HIV/ AIDS orphaned children suffer malnutrition which adversely affects their health. Objective of this study was to establish the magnitude of underweight, stunting and wasting as indicators of malnutrition among HIV/AIDS-affected school children aged 6-9 years in Suba district. A cross- sectional research design was used and setting included Lambwe, Sindo and Ong’ayo primary schools in Suba district. A total of 150 children were sampled from HIV/AIDS-affected households. Anthropometric measurements and guided questionnaires were the main tools of data collection. Data was analyzed using SPSS and the Nutri-survey computer software programs. Of the children 8.8% were underweight, 13.3% stunted and 7.6% wasted. Cereals formed the main part of the childrens’ diet, fish was the most consumed protein and vegetable and fruit consumption was low. Total kilocalories taken were 41% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance. The most reported illnesses which were also confirmed by the doctor’s clinical assessment were malaria (16%), upper respiratory infections (6.1%) and skin infections (8.0%). Primary education was completed by 67.4% of mothers, while only 1.2% had post secondary education. The average monthly maternal income was Ksh 1,550 ($ 24.2). Food security was reported to be low as 64.6% of the households purchased food three months after harvest. HIV/AIDS-affected children suffered underweight, stunting and wasting with morbidity, poverty, low educational and occupational status of the parents/guardians cited as probable determinants. Interventions should therefore focus on improved agricultural production, innovative poverty alleviation methods and education.

Browse

Browsing Journal Articles by Issue Date