Exploration of gender norms and socialization among early adolescents : the use of qualitative methods for the global early adolescent study

Purpose: The Global Early Adolescent Study (GEAS) was launched in 2014 with the primary goal of understanding the factors in early adolescence that predispose young people to subsequent sexual risks, and conversely, those that promote healthy sexuality across different cultural contexts. The present article describes the methodology that was used for the first phase of GEAS, which consisted of conducting qualitative research to understand the gendered transitions into adolescence and the role that gender norms play within the key relationships of adolescents. Researchers from each of the sites that had completed data collection were also elicited for their feedback on the key strengths, challenges, and lessons learned from conducting research among 11- to 14-year-old adolescents. The purpose of this article is to present the description of each of the methods that were used in GEAS, as well as the researchers' perspectives of using the methods among early adolescents in their sites. Methods: The GEAS is being implemented through a collaboration of university and nongovernmental institutions from 15 cities: Assiut (Egypt) Baltimore (U.S.), Blantyre (Malawi), Cape Town (South Africa), Cochabomba (Bolivia), Cuenca (Ecuador), Edinburgh (Scotland), Ghent (Belgium), Hanoi (Vietnam), Ile-Ife (Nigeria), Kinshasa (DRC), Nairobi (Kenya), New Delhi (India), Ouaga-dougou (Burkina Faso), and Shanghai (China). Approximately 30 in-depth interviews among adolescents and 30 in-depth interviews with their parent/guardian were conducted at each site, with adults and adolescents interviewed separately. To build trust and increase engagement among the adolescent participants, we used two different visual research methods: (1) timeline exercise which was small group based and (2) the Venn diagram exercise which was conducted individually and used at the start of the in-depth interview. Results: The visual aspects of both the timeline and the Venn diagrams not only helped to produce data for the purposes of the study, but also were a successful way of engaging the adolescent participants across sites. While the narrative interviews produced extremely rich data, researchers did notice that there were a few challenges among the younger adolescents. Challenges were related to the length of the interview, comprehension of questions, as some of the questions were either too abstract or asked adolescents about an experience they had not yet had and therefore could not address or articulate. Conclusions: Conducting the first phase of GEAS revealed important insights for research with participants who are in this developmental phase of early adolescence. Methods that involve greater engagement and those that are visual were shown to work well irrespective of the cultural setting

Influence of Plant Health Clinic Advisory Services on Potato Production among Smallholder Farmers in Molo Sub-County, Kenya

Potato is one of the most widely cultivated crops in Kenya and a crucial source of income and food. Despite the importance, potato production has been constrained by pests and diseases resulting in low yields and returns among the smallholder farmers precise those in Molo Sub-County. Plant health clinic advisory services are extension services that benefit farmers in terms of changes in knowledge, skills and management of crop pests and diseases leading to production improvement. Although are considered important mechanism in solving plant health problems, not much is known about their influence on potato production. This study sought to determine the influence of plant health clinic advisory services on potato production among smallholder farmers in Molo Sub County, Kenya. The study used a cross section survey design. The accessible population of the study was 6000 smallholder potato farmers and 10 key informants. Simple random sampling was used to select a sample of 152 respondents from four wards and purposive sampling for key informant. Data collected were analyzed using frequency tables, percentages and multiple regression analysis. Frequency of contact with adviser, use of advisory services, usefulness of plant health clinic services and type of advisory information access were found to have statistically significant influence on potato production p = 0.000, p = 0.000, p = 0.007 and p = 0.000 respectively with R2 = 0.618. The study recommendation is that the Ministry of Agriculture in the study area should enhance the provision of plant health clinic advisory services to potato farmers in the area. This could help in the identification of possible areas of intervention in utilization and access so as to improve potato production

UTILIZATION OF VISUAL AND REALIA INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS IN ENHANCING ACQUISITION OF PRE-READING SKILLS AMONG PRESCHOOL LEARNERS IN NAROK COUNTY, KENYA

Early childhood education, also referred to as preschool education is essential to children’s social, physical, emotional, and cognitive growth. Learning can be made more effective when the teachers have the right instructional materials. The study was guided by the following research questions: how were visual instructional materials utilized in teaching pre-reading skills among preschool children? and how were realia instructional materials utilized in the teaching of pre-reading skills among preschool learners? The study adopted a descriptive survey design and data was collected using questionnaires, interviews, and observation schedules. The findings of the study revealed that visual instructional materials for teaching pre-reading skills were available but not adequate in most of the schools, hence affecting the effective teaching of pre-reading skills among the learners. The study further established that most preschools lacked adequate realia materials for teaching pre-reading skills. It was concluded that Preschool teachers should attend relevant workshops, seminars, vocational and teacher professional development courses, to acquire pedagogical skills, besides effective utilization of Visual and Realia instructional materials in teaching pre-reading skills to preschool learners. Emphasis should be on pedagogical content knowledge.  Article visualizations

Effectiveness of Audio Instructional Materials in Enhancing Acquisition of Pre-Reading Skills Among Pre-School Learners in Narok County, Kenya

The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of audio instructional materials in enhancing the acquisition of pre-reading skills among preschool learners. The objectives of the study were to establish the: effectiveness of audio instructional materials in enhancing acquisition of pre-reading skills and effectiveness of teacher’s pedagogical skills in enhancing acquisition of pre-reading skills among preschool learners. The study adopted a descriptive survey design to collect the required data. The target population was 294 Pre School teachers in Narok County. The sample size was 166 respondents selected using purposive and simple random sampling methods. Data was collected using questionnaires and observation schedules. Reliability and validity of the instruments was computed to ascertain the appropriateness of the instruments in collecting data and to ensure that the instruments provide consistent data. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics while qualitative data was analysed and presented as per the emerging themes. The findings of the study revealed that the instructional materials were not effectively used in enhancing acquisition of pre reading skills among preschool learners. Audio instructional materials were least effectively used in most of the schools. Teachers indicated that they used their skills to develop their own instructional materials to assist in enhancing acquisition of pre-reading skills among the preschool learners. The results indicated that instructional materials facilitate acquisition of pre reading skills among the learners. The findings of the study shall be beneficial to the preschool teachers, instructional materials developers, policy makers in the education sector and other researchers. Key Words: Audio Instructional Resources, Pre-Reading Skills, Preschool Learners, Teachers’ Pedagogical Skills. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/15-12-08 Publication date: December 30th 202

MEDIATING ROLE OF ENTREPRENEURIAL ORIENTATION ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN KEY FIRM FACTORS AND THE PERFORMANCE OF COFFEE COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN KENYA

Purpose: To evaluate the mediating role of entrepreneurial orientation on the relationship between key firm factors and the performance of coffee cooperative societies in Kenya. Methodology: This study adopted a descriptive research design. The population of the study was 1052 small holder coffee factories in Kenya. The research was done in the entire country which was divided into 18 strata from where 283 factories were sampled and studied. The sampling was multistage sampling which combined simple random sampling and stratified sampling methods. Results: The regression results revealed that firm level factors had a positive and significant effect on entrepreneurial orientation. In addition, entrepreneurial orientation had a positive and significant effect on performance of coffee cooperative societies in Kenya. The influence of the firm level factors on performance was insignificant in the presence of the mediating variable, entrepreneurial orientation. The hypothesis results revealed that entrepreneurial orientation affect the relationship between firm level factors and performance Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that factories should be proactive in business practices. They should also be risk takers and be innovative. They should practice autonomy and be competitively aggressive in business. This would serve to improve their performance

EFFECT OF LEVEL OF COFFEE PRODUCTION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF COFFEE COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN KENYA

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of level of coffee production on the performance of coffee cooperative societies in Kenya. Methodology: This study adopted a descriptive research design. The population of the study will be 1052 small holder coffee factories in Kenya. The research was done in the entire country which was divided into 18 strata from where 283 factories were sampled and studied. Results: The regression results revealed that level of coffee production had a positive and significant effect on performance of coffee cooperative societies in Kenya. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that the cooperative societies should work hard so as to improve the level of their coffee production. This will boost their performance

Perceived Effect of Pubertal Developmental Body Changes on Academic Achievement Among Public Primary School Pupils in Sagana, Kirinyaga West Sub-County, Kenya

Pupils in puberty face several challenges that affect their academic achievement. Academic achievement of pupils is also affected as boys and girls in puberty perform dismally. Puberty is a developmental stage for a human being characterized by increased changes in bodies of the young people. The body changes are manifested in emotional, physical and attitude changes that affect their academic performance. During the onset of this period, many young people attending school become affected posing potential risks to optimal academic achievement. The purpose of this study was to determine the perceived effect of pubertal developmental body changes on academic achievement among pupils in Sagana, Kirinyaga West Sub-County, Kenya. This study employed descriptive survey research design that comprises both quantitative and qualitative research procedures used for obtaining information from a large population. The researcher targeted 480 respondents comprising of twelve class teachers and 468 pupils in classes six and seven in six schools. Simple random sampling technique was used to obtain a sample size of 214 pupils from the target population of 468 pupils. The researcher also used purposive technique to obtain a sample of twelve class teachers. The researcher used questionnaires for teachers and pupils as well as achievement records for pupils to collect data. Validity of the instruments was confirmed through expert judgment from the Department of Education at Chuka University. The questionnaires and achievement tests were tested for reliability. Two schools were purposively selected for testing of the instruments using split half method. With a coefficient (α=0.81), the instruments were considered reliable for data analysis. Both qualitative and quantitative data were generated. Computer programme Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 21 was used to analyse quantitative data that generated frequencies and percentages which were presented in Tables and Graphs. For qualitative data, content analysis was used to arrange data into themes. Findings indicating perceived effect of pubertal developmental body changes on academic achievement were established. Findings indicated that girls are affected more than boys in terms of academic performance. Also, the findings revealed that pubertal physical development changes are manifested differently in boys and girls with girls being affected most. This study concluded that while pubertal physical body changes occur in both boys and girls, the manifestation of the changes is more in girls than boys with boys exhibiting fewer effects. The study recommends that more strategies to help girls manage the pubertal changes should be devised as a means of improving their academic performance. The findings of this study will benefit pupils, teachers, NGOs, Ministry of Education and academicians. Perceived Effect, Academic performance, pubertal body development, body changes, primary school pupil DOI: 10.7176/JEP/10-35-11 Publication date: December 31st 201

Family Planning Priorities for Women Living with HIV and Attitudes Towards Mandatory Family Planning Use While Taking Dolutegravir

Dolutegravir (DTG) is currently the first and second line antiretroviral therapy (ART) for women living with HIV (WLHIV). However, in 2018 Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership found that DTG exposure at conception corresponded with an increase in neural tube defects. Therefore, it is important that providers work with WLHIV to ensure they are aware of how to avoid unplanned pregnancies while on DTG. Telephone interviews were conducted with women living with HIV ages 21-59. The interviews were conducted in western Kenya, at clinical sites of the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) program. Nineteen interview transcripts were coded using NVIVO 12. Domains included family planning use and shared decision making (SDM). Within these domains, three themes were used for this analysis: 1) tensions in ARV SDM and pregnancy, 2) decision making in family planning, and 3) decision making in family planning with DTG. The following three themes were discussed frequently: 1) When making decisions surrounding family planning, women preferred in person counseling and prioritized knowing the side effects of contraceptive methods; 2) WLHIV were often aware of the risk of HIV vertical transmission and valued preventing birth defects if told a medication may cause them; 3) When asked about using family planning while on DTG, WLHIV saw the benefit of preventing pregnancies. However, they did not believe family planning should be mandatory and preferred having a wide variety of contraceptive options. Understanding what factors influence women’s family planning choices may improve SDM between patients and providers. This is especially important when it comes to preventing pregnancies in women taking DTG. WLHIV often understood the importance of effective ARTs and wanted to prevent birth defects. Therefore, it is important to navigate SDM conversations such that WLHIV are given control of their own health decisions. &nbsp