International Journal of Professional Practice

Climate Change News Reporting in Kenya: Journalists as Curators

Rose Agalo — 2024-09-03

The media's increased coverage of climate change has raised global climate change awareness. However, limited resources, and low access to information and scientific expertise have constrained climate change news coverage in Kenya. Competing news priorities and the perceived complexity of climate change issues have further contributed to this limitation. This study investigated the role of journalists in reporting climate change news in Kenya. The study employed a mixed research design where 50 questionnaires were administered to practicing journalists from four media houses based in Kenya; namely, NTV, Citizen TV, Nation, and Standard newspapers, who were purposively selected. Additionally, the researcher collected qualitative data from ten journalists from the 50 surveyed. Descriptive and thematic analysis was conducted to interpret the data according to the research questions. The findings revealed a shifting media landscape in climate journalism, highlighting the necessity for journalists to undergo specialized training in climate reporting. The findings of this study will contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 13 on climate action.

Level of Awareness and Utilization of Sexual and Reproductive Health Services among Adolescents in Secondary Schools in Turkana South Sub-County, Turkana County, Kenya

Abong William Lobolia — 2024-09-05

Adolescence is a time when teenagers exhibit rapid growth and development that is mainly characterized by emotional, sexual, cognitive, and physical changes. Therefore, when attention is accorded to enlighten them on these changes, they are able to cope amicably. However, there has been persistent reproductive health problems among adolescent secondary school students. The purpose of the study was to examine the level of awareness and utilization of sexual and reproductive health services among adolescents in secondary schools in Turkana South Sub-County, Turkana County, Kenya. The study used descriptive cross-sectional design. The target population was 2,748 male and female adolescents aged 15-19 years attending 14 secondary schools in Turkana South Sub County. Simple random sampling method was used to select 337 respondents, who answered to the questionnaire. The sample was between 10-30% of the population as recommended by Mugenda and Mugenda (2003) for a population below 10,000. Pilot test was conducted on 34 adolescents in Loturerei Mixed Day Secondary School in Turkana central. Cronbach alpha coefficient was used to measure reliability, while construct and content validity were ensured. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages and inferential statistics such as Chi-square were to analyze the data. Results were presented using tables and explanations. Results indicated that most respondents had little or no knowledge of adolescent sexual reproductive health programs, with only 15.58 percent of the 337 respondents acknowledging to be aware of services offered under the program. The study concluded that referrals from trusted sources, including professionals and peers, were highly effective in encouraging healthcare utilization. However, written materials and school noticeboards had limited impact, suggesting the need for more interactive and targeted awareness strategies. The study, therefore recommended a series of comprehensive awareness campaigns to sensitize adolescents on reproductive health programs and services.

Effectiveness of Training on Uptake of Continuous Professional Development among Nurses and Midwives in Clinical Practice - Meru County, Kenya

Roselyne Akinyi Odhiambo — 2024-09-05

Continuous Professional Development refers to the process by which members of a profession broaden their knowledge and competence to acquire professional qualities required in the practice. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the need for nurses and midwives is increasing. In Meru County, the Maternal Mortality Rate remains a burden. To bridge the gap between knowledge and practice, the Nursing Council of Kenya, in line with the International Confederation of Midwives, requires nurses and midwives to complete 20 hours of CPD annually, promoting continuing education programs. This study is a follow up of phase one study carried out to assess factors that influence uptake of CPD among nurses and midwives in Meru County, Kenya. The objective of the study was to assess the effectiveness of training on uptake of CPD in clinical practice. This was a quantitative study that adopted randomized controlled trial design, utilizing the participants of the phase one study. A total of 70 nurses and midwives from the sampled participants were randomly allocated to the intervention and control groups using systematic random sampling technique. Training was conducted based on the findings of the phase one study. At the beginning of the training, all the participants (n=70) did a pretest, and a post test at the close, with participants from the intervention group being trained. This enabled the researcher to assess the effect of training on participant’s knowledge and skills. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 26. Results showed great improvement in knowledge and skills with a pretest mean of 54.19% and a posttest mean of 90%. The paired t-test value was highly statistically significant (p < .001, 95% CI). To enhance a more organized and regularized way of CPD provision, the study developed a CPD Model.

Success Factors for Adopting Open Educational Resources in Blended Learning in University Libraries in Nairobi County, Kenya

Felysta Nyamusi Nyamboga — 2024-09-05

Lately, there has been a growth in blended learning (BL), augmented by the integration of Open Education Resources (OER) within this educational approach. However, the reasons that promote the use of OER in BL are uncertain in Nairobi County, Kenya. Therefore, the study sought to evaluate the factors that had a significant impact on the successful implementation of OER in blended learning. The diffusion of innovations theory, technology acceptance model, and institutional theory guided the study. A mixed method approach was utilized. The research obtained quantitative data from questionnaires, whereas qualitative perspectives were obtained from interviews. The study focused on four (4) university librarians and eighty-six (86) library staff from four institutions namely; The University of Nairobi, the Technical University of Kenya, Strathmore University, and the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. The census and purposive sampling techniques were employed. Quantitative data analysis was conducted with SPSS, while qualitative data analysis was carried out using NVivo software for content and thematic analysis. Findings indicated that key success factors for adopting educational resources in blended learning in university libraries included collaboration among stakeholders, improved accessibility to learning resources, ongoing training, positive mindset, digital technology, enhanced evaluation methods for learning resources, and institutional backing. Consistent instruction and support on copyright matters were also noted as crucial elements. Enhanced digital literacy, support from faculty and librarians, and ICT infrastructure supported OER integration. Effective OER adoption requires strong institutional leadership, dedicated resources, and continuous faculty development. Institutions need to boost funding and provide more incentives for faculty involvement in OER initiatives, while also conducting additional research to assess the effects of OER on teaching and student results.

Effect of Cash Management on Financial Performance of Level Three and Four Public Hospitals in Meru County

Doreen Kanana Kimathi — 2024-09-05

The Level three and four public hospitals focus on the provision of healthcare activities based on the recommendations of MOH. The financial success of hospitals is critical to the economic development of the country because it improves the quality of life, which in turn promotes economic growth by reducing poverty. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effect of cash management on financial performance of Level three and Four Hospitals in Meru County. The study was grounded on the cash conversion cycle theory. Descriptive survey design, which allowed the researcher to explain the variables of the study was adopted. The target population comprised fifty-three officers from all the surveyed fifty-three Level three and four Hospitals in Meru County. Questionnaires were utilized. Census method was adopted to enlist all the 53 healthcare officers. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 29. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in analyzing data, and results displayed in tables and explanations. Regression analysis was utilized to determine the association between the variables. The study found out a statistically significant (p<0.05) and positive correlation coefficient of 0.820, signifying that cash management techniques impacted the financial performance of Meru County's Level Three and Four Hospitals. Additionally, the study found out that gross profit had a mean of 4.6 and standard deviation of 0.647; a net profit of 3.72, and a standard deviation of 1.02; and ROA of 3.32 and standard deviation of 1.335. The study concluded that the high expenditures that the hospitals incur affects the distribution of financial resources. Thus, the study recommends immediate policy intervention measures from the management to ensure that institutional financial resources are appropriately used, and more revenue sourcing channels are developed. This would ensure that the hospital has enough revenue to cater for the expenditures.

Influence of Strategic Leadership on the Performance of Hospitality Companies in Maputo Province, Mozambique

Celia Antonio Boane — 2024-09-11

The drivers of strategy implementation are crucial for achieving strategic goals. The study aims to identify critical elements that contribute to enhanced performance in the Hotel industry. It examines the influence of strategic leadership on the performance of hospitality companies in Maputo Province, Mozambique, focusing on key elements that enhance hotel performance. The study, grounded in Strategic Leadership theory, utilized a descriptive survey research design. Data were collected from 10 hotels, with participants including 10 Chief Executive Officers, 10 relationship managers, 10 operations managers, 10 IT managers, and 10 strategic leaders. A total of 50 respondents were selected through simple random sampling method, and they responded to both limited-choice and open-ended questions. To ensure the validity of the research, a pre-test was conducted at Vip Grand Hotel Maputo, with one relationship manager and two IT staff. The findings were illustrated using descriptive statistics, frequency charts, and detailed explanations, while inferential statistics were analyzed through multiple regression and correlation analysis. Results indicated that strategic leadership significantly influences the performance of hospitality companies. A correlation coefficient of 0.089 was found between strategic leadership and performance, with statistical significance at a p-value of 0.05. Participants highlighted the importance of effective leadership, emphasizing that senior management must cultivate behaviors and practices that drive performance. The study concluded that effective leadership is essential for achieving customer satisfaction, profitability, market share, operational efficiency, informed decision-making, and resource management. As a result, the study recommends that hotel CEOs prioritize a culture of creativity and innovation. This can be accomplished by encouraging employees to share ideas, experiment with new approaches, and continuously improve processes, thereby enhancing overall hotel performance.

The Effect of Milimani Law Courts Organizational Culture on Knowledge Management and Governance for Effective Administration of Justice

Joyce Luvuga — 2024-09-14

Most organizations today regard knowledge as a strategic resource. However, the institutional culture in most organizations does not support the process of knowledge creation, storage, sharing and usage. This study sought to investigate the effect of Milimani Law Courts (MLC) organizational culture on Knowledge Management (KM) and governance for effective administration of justice in MLC in Nairobi, Kenya. The study targeted 180 staff members of Milimani Law Courts. Purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample of 124 respondents. The study adopted a mixed method approach. Interview schedule and semi-structured questionnaire were used to collect primary data. Quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), while qualitative data was analyzed using Thematic Content Analysis (TCA), and findings presented in Tables and figures. Results revealed that the Judiciary has attempted adoption of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) culture to improve KM and governance for effective administration of justice, through the adoption of case management systems. However, judgments are not stored in the case management systems. Additionally, findings indicated that the current staff motivation culture does not reward employees for sharing knowledge with colleagues, and that KM and governance aspects are not recognized. Consequently, knowledge creation, archiving and sharing is neglected. The study also found that the structure of various departments is not open for sharing knowledge, limiting employees’ interaction with one another. The study recommends the judiciary to adopt a culture that encourages creation and sharing of knowledge through staff rewards, use of ICT, democratic leadership style, and open spaces.