International Journal of Professional Practice

Influence of Disability Diversity Policy Implementation on Service Delivery among Chartered Universities in Kenya

2024-10-11T09:01:50+00:00

Diversity entails embracing and recognizing the contribution of people with differences in education background, perspectives and experiences. Organizations have realized that they can attract and retain competent employees by embracing diversity. In Kenya, a diversity policy has been developed to guide the public institutions on the management of diversity at the workplace. The policy outlines the management of diverse workforce, such as persons with disability and ethnicity. However, there remains a notable research gap concerning the effect of diversity policies on service delivery in the universities. This study aimed at determining the influence of disability diversity policy implementation on service delivery in Chartered Universities in Kenya. The study was guided by the Social Identity theory, self-categorization and SERVQUAL model. Descriptive survey research design was adopted. The target population comprised eight Chartered universities in Kenya (both private and public) which were purposively selected; comprising 15,545 administrative staff and full-time lecturers. A sample size of 390 was drawn using the Yamane (1967) formula. Data was collected using questionnaires. Both validity and reliability of the research instruments were ensured. Inferential and descriptive statistics were adopted in the analysis. The findings of the study indicated that universities have a strong affirmative action policy for persons with disability. The study concluded that disability policy implementation established a positive and statistically significant effect on service delivery among chartered universities in Kenya. It recommends university management to collaborate with organizations dedicated to persons with disabilities, and to utilize accessible recruitment channels such as sharing job opportunities in braille, so as to attract individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, universities ought to enhance the accessibility of their premises by expanding the provision of assistive and supportive devices. The findings have implications to human resource practitioners in universities in enhancing quality service delivery by implementation of diversity policies.

Effectiveness of Lazarus’ Multimodal Therapy in Treatment of Burnout Symptoms, Compassion Fatigue and Compassion Satisfaction

2025-03-19T09:37:08+00:00

Critical care nurses globally face significant psychological distress due to prolonged trauma exposure, excessive workloads, and limited mental health support. These challenges reduce their ability to sustain Compassion Satisfaction (CS) and manage Burnout Symptoms (BOS) and Compassion Fatigue (CF), contributing to high staff turnover and compromised patient care. This study assessed the effectiveness of Lazarus’ Multimodal Therapy (MMT) in addressing BOS, CF, and CS among nurses at the Critical Care Unit (CCU) of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 78 nurses divided into treatment and control groups. A social demographic questionnaire and the Professional Quality of Life Scale (Pro-QOL v5) were used to assess BOS, CF, and CS at baseline, midline, and end line. Only the treatment group received MMT. Analysis using ANOVA at a 95% confidence interval via SPSS 29.0 revealed significant improvements in CS at baseline (p = .003), midline (p = .032), and end line (p = .021); BOS at midline (p = .022) and end line (p = .018); and CF at baseline (p = .012), midline (p = .007), and end line (p = .007). MMT effectively reduced BOS and CF while increasing CS. Participants in the treatment group experienced reduced emotional exhaustion and depersonalization, along with enhanced professional fulfillment. The study concluded that MMT is a highly effective intervention for improving the psychological well-being of critical care nurses. It recommends that healthcare administrators incorporate MMT into wellness programs and training, allocate resources for regular psychological assessments, and that nursing curricula include MMT to foster resilience. Government health agencies should also develop supportive mental health policies to enhance nurses’ well-being and improve healthcare delivery.

Hypertension Occurrence and Associated Risk Factors in HIV Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy in Nairobi County, Kenya

2025-05-13T09:25:06+00:00

Due to advances in antiretroviral treatment, the incidence of HIV infection has declined in recent years. However, cardiovascular illnesses continue to be the primary cause of death and morbidity among HIV-positive individuals, accounting for 10% of all deaths that are not related to AIDS. The paper aimed to determine occurrence and risk factors associated with hypertension among HIV patients on antiretroviral treatment in Nairobi County. The study adopted a cross-sectional design, and a sample size of 552 respondents. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the area, and systemic random sampling was used to select participants. Structured questionnaires were used to collect data, which was analyzed using excel and SPSS. Results indicated (64.86%) female and 35.69% male participants. About 55.43% participants were married, 61.41% had informal jobs, 43.48% had attained elementary school level, and 99.64% identified as Christians. Accordingly, 14.52% of people had elevated blood pressure, and 85.48% recorded normal blood pressure. About 44.21% of people were overweight/obese as indicated by their waist circumference and BMI findings, and 24.64% were at risk because of their elevated waist circumference. The risk of hypertension is substantially higher among respondents 46 years and older than in respondents under 25 years (p = 0.008) at 95%CL. A higher waist circumference is linked to a higher risk of hypertension (p = 0.012), family history (p=0.021) Cl, whereas a person's chance of developing hypertension is higher when their heart rate remains constant than when it changes slightly (p = 0.036). In conclusion, advancing age, female gender, increase in waist circumference, overweight/obesity and family history were predictors for hypertension in this study. The study recommended Nairobi health service to integrate hypertension and HIV services; to give health education to patients and care givers and promote lifestyle modification; and the Ministry of Health (MoH) to formulate integration policies.

The Effect of Multi- Months Scripting on Health Care Workers’ Performance at HIV/AIDS Outpatient Clinics in Nairobi County, Kenya

2025-05-17T09:32:58+00:00

Healthcare workers (HCWs) shortage is a challenge facing health systems managers worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) projects a shortfall of 10 million HCWs by 2030, mostly in low-income countries. The shortage leads to high workload, poor HCW performance and undesirable patient outcomes. Implementation of Multi-Months Scripting (MMS) WHO guidelines reduces patient load in HIV/AIDS outpatient clinics. The study aims to demonstrate to policymakers, Health Systems Managers (HSMs), HCWs, and stakeholders that implementation of MMS results in improved HCWs performance. The study established the effects of MMS implementation on HCW's performance. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study through self-administered questionnaire applied to 128 HCWs sampled through Multi-stage sampling, in 20 clinics. Descriptive, bivariate, and ordinal logistic regression analysis was done. The findings indicated that 56% of respondents were females, 89% had served for 6-15 years, 99% were aware of MMS guidelines, 98% received supportive supervision and 90% received training on MMS. Majority, 94 % agreed MMS clients were compliant and had high retention. However, 48 % sited HIV commodities stock-out 6 months prior to the study, 98% observed reduction in HIV clients due to MMS, reduced waiting time, and improved performance; while 93% had more time with clients. Bivariate analysis revealed significant correlation between HCW performance and MMS guidelines awareness (0.334), client compliance (0.225); and a weak correlation (-0.599) with capacity development. There was no significant correlation (0.041) between MMS commodities flow and HCW performance. Ordinal logistic regression revealed the most significant influencer of HCW performance was client compliance, MMS guidelines awareness, and HCWs capacity development in that order (Sig.002, .011, and .014 respectively). The study concluded that implementation of MMS guidelines resulted in improved HCWs performance. It recommends policymakers, HSMs, HCW and stakeholders to revise service delivery guidelines to accommodate MMS implementation for improved HCW performance and patient outcomes.

Analysis of empathy of digital institutional repository service provision at selected universities in Meru County

2025-06-28T11:23:23+00:00

Postgraduate students consult institutional repository services continuously in course of doing their research and scholarship journey. The provision of digital institutional repository services in libraries is therefore, expected to be professional, with customer-centred orientation. Careful consideration ought to be made to ensure the needed repository services are readily available. In these circumstances, empathy is showcased by the perceived usefulness of repository services through allowing virtual and multiple accessibility. In spite of that, post-graduate students detaching from accessing IR services continue to become common. This article aimed to assess the empathy of digital institutional repository service provision at selected universities in Meru County. Using the SERVQUAL model, the study adopted convergent embedded research design of mixed methods. The target population was 910 respondents; comprised students and library heads of sections. Purposive sampling and simple random sampling techniques were used in drawing a sample size of 101 respondents, which comprised 10 head of section-librarians, and 91 post-graduate students. Data was collected by means of questionnaires and interview schedule for the students and the librarians respectively. The reliability of research instruments was ascertained using Chrobach alpha coefficients. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS, and then computed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while the qualitative data was analysed thematically. The findings of the study indicated that, empathy level in the institutional repository was satisfactory. Empathy was supported by staff: listening keenly to student’s needs, offering timely solutions where needed, integrity, openness, honesty, work ethics, code of conduct and also short procedures for retrieving information materials in the repository. However, results indicated lack of notifications when new documents are published, and failure of the repository website to remind a student on previous searches. Consequently, system librarians in collaboration with universities’ ICT manager should add retrieval and notification features in the DSpace software.

Assessment of University Librarians’ ICT Skills and Competencies for Use of AI in the Provision of Information Services in Kenya

2025-06-28T11:22:38+00:00

Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in university libraries has resulted in automation of previously manual processes. Consequently, librarians need to upgrade their Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) skills and competencies to stay relevant. This study aimed to assess the ICT skills and competencies of librarians in Kenyan university libraries for adopting AI in the provision of information services. The objectives were to examine the ICT competency level of librarians in Kenyan university libraries, sources of ICT skills, and challenges in acquisition of ICT skills. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, and a mixed methods approach. The target population was seven (7) university librarians and 33 library Heads of Sections (HOSs). Using census and purposive sampling techniques respectively, seven (7) university librarians and 33 HOSs respectively were sampled. Questionnaires were used to collect data from the HOSs, and interview schedules for university librarians. Quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) through descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The study established that majority of the staff had high competence in basic, and intermediate ICT skills, but moderate competence in advanced ICT skills. On-the-job training, workshops and seminars were the most preferred methods for acquiring ICT skills, and lack of AI expertise, insufficient budgets and technological obsolescence were challenges in acquisition of ICT skills. The study concluded that the librarians had inadequate skills for adoption of AI. The study recommends that university libraries should invest in the training of their staff in advanced ICT skills, libraries and other educational institutions should provide training programs to improve the library staffs' proficiency in AI technologies, and universities’ management should support the training programs for library staff. This study guides AI-focused capacity building for librarians by identifying skills gaps in university libraries.

Unlocking Library Potential

2025-06-28T11:23:01+00:00

In contemporary learning environments, effective library user education is crucial for enhancing undergraduate students' engagement and perception of library services. The world has witnessed rapid technological advancements, information digitization and increased availability of e-resources. Effective participation of the new library clientele in user education has become increasingly crucial in enabling students to navigate and utilize library resources. Despite these advancements, the university libraries in Meru County, Kenya, have experienced suboptimal usage, potentially due to students' perceptions of the library. The study investigates the role of undergraduate students’ participation in library user education programs on the perceptions of library. The study was conducted in Meru County, focusing on two chartered universities: Kenya Methodist University (KeMU) and Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST). The study used descriptive survey design to collect data. The target population was 6138 first-year undergraduate students enrolled in the 2023/2024 academic year. The study employed stratified sampling techniques based on academic schools, and used the Krejcie and Morgan table to determine the sample size, which was 364 students. The researcher purposively sampled a total of 12 out of 46 library staff. Data was collected using questionnaire and interview schedule for the library staff. The study employed descriptive statistics, such as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations. The findings of the study indicated moderate participation in user education sessions. The correlation analysis revealed that the extent of students' participation in library user education has a substantially strong linear positive relationship in the assessment of university libraries in Meru County (p-value < 0.05, r=0.740). The study concludes that library user education significantly enhances student perception of library services. The study recommends the university library managers to aggressively integrate thorough, interesting, and easily available library user education programs into the general student orientation and academic development projects.