Papers by Samwel O Mwanda
Small-scale farming plays a crucial role in poverty alleviation and hunger reduction in line with... more Small-scale farming plays a crucial role in poverty alleviation and hunger reduction in line with the first Millennium Development Goal (MDG). New rice technology was introduced in Kenya in 2003 to boost production, fill up the national rice deficit and improve food security. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that the adoption of the new rice technology remains below targets. The main reason cited by farmers for laxity is financial constraints, which impedes infrastructural development and acquisition of necessary inputs and equipment. However, no comprehensive study has ever focused on the relationship between farmers' profile and the outcome of formal credit requests. Consequently, this study was conducted to identify and explain factors influencing the outcome of applications for formal credit by small-scale rice farmers in Chakol Division of Teso District. Farmers were identified through registers compiled and maintained by the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) and traced to their homes. Both quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques were use to analyze the data. The study found that the outcome of applications for formal credit was significantly related to gender, marital status, education level, income, type of land tenure, land size, farming experience and number of previous credit requests. Abstract-Small-scale farming plays a crucial role in poverty alleviation and hunger reduction in line with the first Millennium Development Goal (MDG). New rice technology was introduced in Kenya in 2003 to boost production, fill up the national rice deficit and improve food security. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that the adoption of the new rice technology remains below targets. The main reason cited by farmers for laxity is financial constraints, which impedes infrastructural development and acquisition of necessary inputs and equipment. However, no comprehensive study has ever focused on the relationship between farmers' profile and the outcome of formal credit requests. Consequently, this study was conducted to identify and explain factors influencing the outcome of applications for formal credit by small-scale rice farmers in Chakol Division of Teso District. Farmers were identified through registers compiled and maintained by the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) and traced to their homes. Both quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques were use to analyze the data. The study found that the outcome of applications for formal credit was significantly related to gender, marital status, education level, income, type of land tenure, land size, farming experience and number of previous credit requests. Furthermore, binary logistic regression models indicated that the outcome of formal credit requests was influenced by income level which accounted for the highest proportion of variance at 11.3 percent. This was followed by years of experience in rice farming (9.8%), education level (8.9%), land size (7.8%), gender (6.9%), land tenure (5.6%) and marital status (3.6%). The regression models explained up to 53.9 percent of variance in the outcome of credit requests by rice farmers. The study recommends the need: to inform farmers about existing credit products, interest rates and prequalification conditions, to help clear misconceptions and myths associated with formal credit; develop innovative and flexible financing packages for small-scale rice farmers that are also gender-sensitive; initiate a comprehensive lending package that includes a training program, targeting farmers with information and skills on how to manage credit funds.
The University of Nairobi is one the public universities in Kenya that have adopted ICT services ... more The University of Nairobi is one the public universities in Kenya that have adopted ICT services in research, teaching and learning activities. Recognizing the critical contribution ICT to academic programmes in tertiary institutions in Kenya, this study investigated the impact of ICT adoption on historical research at the University of Nairobi. The study was based on descriptive design. The study used both primary and secondary data. Primary data were collected from lecturers and students through questionnaires. Secondary data were gleaned from books and journal articles on the use of ICT in academic research. Constructivist theory guided the study. The study found that ICT services have improved historical research by facilitating access to information, analysis of data and dissemination of research findings. The study recommends the need for proper training of students and lecturers on the use of ICT in research activities.
By the end of 2012, about 1.2 million Kenyans were living with the HIV virus; which is expected t... more By the end of 2012, about 1.2 million Kenyans were living with the HIV virus; which is expected to reach 1.8 million by 2015, mainly due to new infections. The age bracket 15-24 years provided opportunity for interventions such as peer education to prevent new infections and save future generations from the scourge. The aim of this study was to determine the difference between peer education club members (beneficiaries) and non-members (non-beneficiaries) in terms of behaviour change indicators, including abstinence, faithfulness to a partner, condom use and HIV testing. The study covered eight public secondary schools in Rachuonyo County, where peer education clubs had been operational for two years. The static group comparison design was applied to guide the research process, and primary data sourced from 260 beneficiaries and 212 non-beneficiaries. Club membership and class registers were used to develop sampling frames for beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries, respectively. Abstract-By the end of 2012, about 1.2 million Kenyans were living with the HIV virus; which is expected to reach 1.8 million by 2015, mainly due to new infections. The age bracket 15-24 years provided opportunity for interventions such as peer education to prevent new infections and save future generations from the scourge. The aim of this study was to determine the difference between peer education club members (beneficiaries) and non-members (non-beneficiaries) in terms of behaviour change indicators, including abstinence, faithfulness to a partner, condom use and HIV testing. The study covered eight public secondary schools in Rachuonyo County, where peer education clubs had been operational for two years. The static group comparison design was applied to guide the research process, and primary data sourced from 260 beneficiaries and 212 non-beneficiaries. Club membership and class registers were used to develop sampling frames for beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries, respectively. Systematic random sampling procedure was applied to select participants and Fisher's formula used to determine sample sizes. Quantitative analysis techniques included cross-tabulations with Chi square statistic, beta coefficients (β), and odds ratios [Exp (β)]. The study found that 27 (10.4%) beneficiaries and 8 (3.8%) non-beneficiaries were not sexually active, hence, were likely to be practicing abstinence. Controlling for gender, age, religion, orphan hood status and schooling consistency, the odds ratios indicated that beneficiaries had about 2.6 times the odds of practicing abstinence as non-beneficiaries (β = 0.946, SE = 0.189, CI = 1.78-3.73); beneficiaries were about 3.3 times as likely to practice faithfulness to an uninfected partner as non-beneficiaries (β = 1.197, SE = 0.272, CI = 1.94-5.64). Furthermore, beneficiaries had about 2.6 times the odds of using condoms consistently as non-beneficiaries (β = 0.969, SE = 0.186, CI = 1.83-3.78); and regarding HIV testing, beneficiaries had 2.1 times the odds of taking HIV test as non-beneficiaries (β = 0.764, SE = 0.181, CI = 1.506-3.061). In conclusion, the peer education project had contributed significantly to behaviour change among the secondary school youths. However, without appropriate sustainability measures, such gains may be lost easily because behaviour change has a lot to do with change in the mind-set, something that may not be achieved through a project of two years. The study recommends that peer education be integrated in school extra-curricular activities. This will require the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health to spearhead the formulation of appropriate policy guidelines and curricula, encourage professional development of teachers in peer education; and extend peer education sensitization to the community level to enable parents play a more active guidance role to sustain and scale-up the gains made through the project.
Social needs are essential components for preventing anxiety, depression and loneliness. Providin... more Social needs are essential components for preventing anxiety, depression and loneliness. Providing social needs of belongingness, self-esteem and self-acceptance and fostering resilience in children living with disabilities is likely to amount to sustained coordinated efforts to support children's psychological, social-emotional and academic development throughout early childhood and adolescent. CWD need opportunities to cultivate their skills, competences, talents, strength and social relationships, yet too often lack of proper intervention reduces their opportunities for participation. The study assessed impact of social needs on participation of Children with Disabilities (CWD) in early childhood classrooms in Starehe division in Nairobi County. Study adopted descriptive research design and targeted 5 head teachers, 35 teachers, 20 children aged 4-6 with disabilities and 20 parents of CWD. Purposive sampling and simple random sampling was used to select respondents for study. Questionnaires, observation guide and structured interview were used to solicit data. Findings revealed that teachers were not conversant with types of social needs promoting participation of CWD in ECE classes. However those teachers who effectively supported CWD social needs yielded encouraging results in inclusive learning environment. The study recommends policy for early identification on the needs for effective participation of CWD in ECE classes.
Small-scale farming plays a crucial role in poverty alleviation and hunger reduction in line with... more Small-scale farming plays a crucial role in poverty alleviation and hunger reduction in line with the first Millennium Development Goal (MDG). New rice technology was introduced in Kenya in 2003 to boost production, fill up the national rice deficit and improve food security. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that the adoption of the new rice technology remains below targets. The main reason cited by farmers for laxity is financial constraints, which impedes infrastructural development and acquisition of necessary inputs and equipment. However, no comprehensive study has ever focused on the relationship between farmers' profile and the outcome of formal credit requests. Consequently, this study was conducted to identify and explain factors influencing the outcome of applications for formal credit by small-scale rice farmers in Chakol Division of Teso District. Farmers were identified through registers compiled and maintained by the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) and traced to their homes. Both quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques were use to analyze the data. The study found that the outcome of applications for formal credit was significantly related to gender, marital status, education level, income, type of land tenure, land size, farming experience and number of previous credit requests. Abstract-Small-scale farming plays a crucial role in poverty alleviation and hunger reduction in line with the first Millennium Development Goal (MDG). New rice technology was introduced in Kenya in 2003 to boost production, fill up the national rice deficit and improve food security. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that the adoption of the new rice technology remains below targets. The main reason cited by farmers for laxity is financial constraints, which impedes infrastructural development and acquisition of necessary inputs and equipment. However, no comprehensive study has ever focused on the relationship between farmers' profile and the outcome of formal credit requests. Consequently, this study was conducted to identify and explain factors influencing the outcome of applications for formal credit by small-scale rice farmers in Chakol Division of Teso District. Farmers were identified through registers compiled and maintained by the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) and traced to their homes. Both quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques were use to analyze the data. The study found that the outcome of applications for formal credit was significantly related to gender, marital status, education level, income, type of land tenure, land size, farming experience and number of previous credit requests. Furthermore, binary logistic regression models indicated that the outcome of formal credit requests was influenced by income level which accounted for the highest proportion of variance at 11.3 percent. This was followed by years of experience in rice farming (9.8%), education level (8.9%), land size (7.8%), gender (6.9%), land tenure (5.6%) and marital status (3.6%). The regression models explained up to 53.9 percent of variance in the outcome of credit requests by rice farmers. The study recommends the need: to inform farmers about existing credit products, interest rates and prequalification conditions, to help clear misconceptions and myths associated with formal credit; develop innovative and flexible financing packages for small-scale rice farmers that are also gender-sensitive; initiate a comprehensive lending package that includes a training program, targeting farmers with information and skills on how to manage credit funds. , Paul A. Odundo, Charles M. Rambo
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Papers by Samwel O Mwanda