International Research Journal of Rongo University

EXPLORING THE TAPESTRY OF ADOLESCENT ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This paper explores adolescent alcohol consumption in Kakamega County, Kenya, employing a socio-ecological perspective rooted in Bronfenbrenner's theory. The study, a cross-sectional survey, combines qualitative and quantitative data to understand the prevalence, patterns, and predictors of alcohol consumption. Findings reveal a significant prevalence of alcohol consumption among adolescents, with a focus on heavy episodic drinking. Individual-level factors, particularly gender and place of residence, emerge as significant predictors. Despite the model's statistical significance, it explains only a small proportion of the variance, indicating the influence of other factors. The paper highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions considering socio-ecological factors to address the complex tapestry of adolescent alcohol consumption in Kakamega County.

DIGITAL METAMORPHOSIS

Neville Lukaya, Taji Isindu Shivachi, Zedekia Opondo Sidha — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study explores the impact of digitalization on employment content within the public service, with a focus on Kisumu County, Kenya. The global trend of integrating digital tools and systems into public services has reshaped job profiles, work environments, and employment relations. Kisumu County provides an interesting case study, representing a devolved government unit at the forefront of adopting digital technologies. Digitalization of public services is a global phenomenon, reaching 176 countries by 2018. However, a significant digital divide persists, mainly affecting less developed countries due to unequal access to information technology and low digital literacy. The study sought to investigate the effects of digitalization on the employment environment in Kisumu County. The study concentrates on three key aspects: employment content, interpersonal relationships at the workplace, and interactions of public servants with service recipients. Conducted in Kisumu County, the study applied a mixed-method approach with 384 participants. Data collection methods include questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. The analysis comprises SPSS for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative insights. Findings reveal a varied utilization of digital platforms across departments, with finance-related and administrative tasks demonstrating higher integration. However, manual processes persist in revenue collection, especially in the field. Respondents acknowledge the advantages of digitization, such as efficiency gains, but highlight challenges like system drops, power outages, and inadequate user training. While Kisumu County showcases significant digitalization in specific areas, there's a need for a more inclusive approach. The study recommends spreading digitization across all service sectors, implementing comprehensive training programs, ensuring access to digital tools, and investing strategically in digitization enablers. The study recommends that the Kisumu County government should expand digitization efforts across all service delivery sectors; implement targeted training programs to equip government employees with essential digital skills; ensure access to digitization enablers, such as data plans for all employees, and invest in power backup systems to enhance service continuity during power failures.

INFLUENCE OF COMMUNITY-LEVEL FACTORS ON ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KAKAMEGA COUNTY, KENYA

Fri, 12 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The alcohol abuse issue in Kenya poses significant challenges to health, the economy, and national security, particularly in the Western region where there is the highest prevalence of alcohol consumption among adolescents in Kenya, standing at 42.5%. This paper explores the social phenomenon of alcohol consumption, specifically examining community-level factors influencing adolescents in Kakamega County. While theoretical frameworks like Bronfenbrenner's theory suggest a link between social factors and alcohol use, empirical evidence in Kakamega County is lacking. The current study, rooted in both positivism and post-positivism, employed a mixed-methods approach involving a cross-sectional survey to quantitatively describe community factors and alcohol consumption among adolescents in Kakamega County. Adopting Max Weber's definition, community-level factors are considered as elements of social values and norms adhered to over time within the community. Despite theoretical reasoning highlighting the connection between social factors and alcohol use, a gap exists in empirical evidence in Kakamega County. The primary aim of this paper was to determine the influence of community-level factors on alcoholism in the region. The study, encompassed three sub-counties in Kakamega, sampled 381 respondents from a total adolescent population of 41,373. Employing questionnaire and interview methods, the research found that community-level factors exhibited a positive association (p-value 0.023) with alcoholism among adolescents. The regression coefficient suggested a predicted increase in the log odds of alcohol consumption with a one-unit rise in community factors. However, this association was deemed insignificant at a 95% confidence interval (p-value 0.826). In conclusion, community-level factors may not be the most effective predictors of alcoholism; instead, other factors, particularly individual-level factors, play a more crucial role. The study emphasizes the need for heightened attention to individual and family-level factors, while also acknowledging the role of community-level factors, such as advertisements, availability, and affordability of alcohol, after adolescents have been influenced by individual factors. This nuanced understanding is vital for developing targeted interventions and policies to address alcohol consumption among adolescents in Kakamega County and similar contexts.

AGILE COMMUNICATION CHANNELS FOR ENHANCING ADOPTION OF EXTENSION SERVICES

Johanes Makodiah, James Abila, Jerry Agalo — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Many governments and multi-national agencies have directed a lot of resources towards improving agricultural extension communication but without coordinated, responsive, and audience-focused agricultural extension channels, these efforts have gone to waste. The main objective of this study is to examine the agility of communication channels for enhancing the adoption of agricultural extension services. The study examined the appropriateness, and interactivity of channels; A total of 279 farmers selected from Migori and Homa Bay Counties were interviewed to share their experiences on the agility of channels used during extension services in the production of orange fleshed sweet potatoes. The study population consisted of farmers who participated in Accelerated Value Chain Development (AVCD) project which was implemented by International Potato Centre (CIP) in the two counties in 2017 and 2018. The respondents were identified using systematic random sampling. Quantitative data collection was conducted by use of mobile phone application, Kobocollect. It was established that there was channel agility in terms of venue appropriateness (49%) and the impact of training received (90%) by farmers. There was average interaction agility whereby face to face engagement recorded (48%) most of the time and (49%) half the time. Emerging channels interaction agility was observed in the use of digital platforms (mobile invitation) for meetings at (52%) and inclusion of channel interaction through demonstration was high at (61%). This implies that there is average channel appropriateness and interaction. The extension officers of government and NGOs can use this knowledge of the sensitive, flexible, iterative nature of communication channels to vary their approaches as they communicate during their extension programmes.