Assessment of Career Development on Employee Performance in Private Health Sector in Isiolo County

Developing employees for future positions enables organizations to develop and place employees in positions compatible with their career interests, needs, and goals. However, most previous studies on career development did not focus on the private sector. It is against these that the study sought to assess the influence of career development on employee performance in the private sector in Isiolo County, Kenya. The study was anchored under social exchange theory: job embeddedness theory and burnout theory of engagement. The study adopted a descriptive survey design that targeted 397 private medical practitioners in Isiolo County. Stratified and basic random sampling methods were used to choose the population sample of 199 respondents. A standard questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were calculated using test-retest methods on a sample pilot of 20 medical practitioners chosen from private hospitals in Isiolo County. They were not included in the main study and computed using the alpha coefficient of Cronbach and supervisor guidance. The study established an alpha coefficient of 0.831. A mixed-method approach was used to collect both Qualitative and quantitative data Frequencies, means, and standard deviations were given by descriptive analysis. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to base inferential statistics. ANOVA was used as inferential tools to evaluate the relationship between the study variables with the help of IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS) version 24. Descriptive results indicated a majority of the employees strongly agreed that there are coaching and mentorship programs for career development (M=4.50, SD=1.229). However, there were mixed reactions to the existence of a well-established career path planning aligned with personal goals and interests in the organization where most of the employees remained neutral (M = 3.36, SD = 1.215). With a regression analysis established an R squared of 62.1%, the study suggested another study to establish the other factors that contribute 37.9% to employee performance in the private health sector in Isiolo County.

Demographic and Economic Predictors of Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening among Women in Isiolo County, Kenya

PURPOSE: To determine the demographic and economic factors associated with cervical cancer screening among women in Isiolo County, Kenya. METHODOLOGY: A community based cross-sectional study. The study included 444 women aged 15-65 years drawn from six community units in Isiolo County. Multistage cluster sampling was used to draw a sample from the community units and household levels. Data was collected using a questionnaire administered by a research assistant. The questionnaire consisted of the demographic and economic factors associated with uptake of cervical cancer screening. Descriptive statistics, cross tabulations and multivariate logistic regressions were used in data analysis. FINDINGS: Among the 444 eligible women 81(18.2%) had ever been screened for cervical cancer. The significant determinants of screening included residence (OR=0.012, CI 95% [0.002-0.06] P-p<0.001); education (OR=0.31, CI 95% [0.107-0.895] p<0.05); Occupation (OR=0.142, CI 95% [0.031-0.66] P-Value=0.013); and perception by the respondents that screening is expensive (OR=0.112 CI 95% [0.04-0.309] P-Value<0.001). CONCLUSION: Uptake of cervical cancer screening at Isiolo county is significantly low. This study identified the demographic factors of screening as area of residence and education level. Occupation and the respondents’ opinion that screening is expensive were found to reduce chances of screening among the women. Many of the participants however expressed their willingness to be screened if the service was offered for free. Intensifying health education and community awareness is recommended to equip the women with accurate information regarding cervical cancer and screening.

Incidence of Brucella infection in various livestock species raised under the pastoral production system in Isiolo County, Kenya

Background We implemented a longitudinal study to determine the incidence of Brucella infection in cattle, camels, sheep and goats that were being raised in a pastoral area in Isiolo County, Kenya. An initial cross-sectional survey was implemented to identify unexposed animals for follow up; that survey used 141 camels, 216 cattle, 208 sheep and 161 goats. Sera from these animals were screened for Brucella spp. using the Rose Bengal Plate test (RBPT), a modified RBPT, and an indirect multispecies Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (iELISA). Results of RBPT and iELISA were interpreted in parallel to determine seroprevalence. A total of 30 camels, 31 cattle, 22 sheep and 32 goats that were seronegative by all the above tests were recruited in a subsequent longitudinal study for follow up. These animals were followed for 12 months and tested for anti-Brucella antibodies using iELISA. Seroconversion among these animals was defined by a positive iELISA test following a negative iELISA result in the previous sampling period. All seropositive samples were further tested using real-time PCR-based assays to identify Brucella species. These analyses targeted the alkB and BMEI1162 genes for B. abortus, and B. melitensis, respectively. Data from the longitudinal study were analysed using Cox proportional hazards model that accounted for within-herds clustering of Brucella infections. Results The overall incidence rate of Brucella infection was 0.024 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.014–0.037) cases per animal-months at risk. Brucella infection incidence in camels, cattle, goats and sheep were 0.053 (0.022–0.104), 0.028 (0.010–0.061), 0.013 (0.003–0.036) and 0.006 (0.0002–0.034) cases per animal-month at risk, respectively. The incidence rate of Brucella infection among females and males were 0.020 (0.009–0.036) and 0.016 (0.004–0.091), respectively. Real-time PCR analyses showed that B. abortus was more prevalent than B. melitensis in the area. Results of multivariable Cox regression analysis identified species (camels and cattle) as an important predictor of Brucella spp. exposure in animals. Conclusions This study estimated an overall brucellosis incidence of 0.024 cases per animal-months at risk with camels and cattle having higher incidence than sheep and goats. These results will inform surveillance studies in the area.

Relationship between Change Management and the Implementation of the Human Resource Information System in Isiolo County Government, Kenya

Purpose: To establish the relationship between change management and the implementation of the human resource information system in Isiolo County Government, Kenya. Methodology: This study was conducted in Isiolo County. Descriptive research design was used by the study to collect a total of 654 Employees of the county government of Isiolo who were the target population. The study employed stratified random sampling to select 30% of the employees in each stratum to obtain a sample of 196 employees of the county government. Data was collected using questionnaires. Data was then analyzed through SPSS version 23. The overall results were presented through inferential statistics such as regression, correlation and descriptive statistics frequencies and percentages. The data was presented using tables. Results: The study found out that there is a relationship between change management and the implementation of the human resource information system in Isiolo County Government, Kenya. Change management had an R value of 0.791 and R square value of 0.627. This indicated that change management influenced 63% on implementation of HRIS. The other 37% remaining were determined by other factors. This indicated that change management was part of a key ingredient towards implementation of HRIS. It was found that change management had a relationship with implementation of HRIS. Unique contribution to theory, policy and practice: The study concluded that even though change management was necessary to effectively implement HRIS some employees did not feel the need for change management. This was because the employees felt that they were okay with the current system and norms. The leadership did not articulately involve them in the vision attainment hence the main reason of employees not seeing the bigger picture. Therefore, the management should be more open minded and communicate frequently with the staff on where exactly the county was headed and what was needed to attain its vision and goals. Once the employees understand and internalize these things, it would motivate them to put effort so as to be part of realizing the vision.

Influence of Islamic Auto Financing Instruments on Financial Performance of Commercial Banks in Isiolo County Kenya

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore the influence of Islamic auto financing instruments on financial performance of commercial banks in Isiolo County Kenya. Methodology: This study used descriptive research design. The respondents were customer service officers and loan officers in the ten commercial banks in Isiolo County. They were be selected using census method. Data collection was done using closed-ended questionnaires and secondary data collected through analysis of report from 2017 to 2020. To ensure validity and reliability, pre-testing of questionnaires was done at Kenya Commercial Bank in Meru town. Coded data in SPSS 24.0 computer program analyzed quantitative and qualitative data using the descriptive statistics such as mean, percentage and standard deviation. Multiple regression was used to test hypothesis of the study. Tables, graphs and detailed explanations were used to present the final results of the study. Results: Options had a statistically significant relationship with financial performance. The respondents agreed that the lending terms of Islamic automobile financing have attracted diverse clients (mean of 4.78). However, in comparison with other statements, the respondents did not tally that having sharia committee in disbursing car loans had enabled clients have confidence with the automobile loans (mean of 3.83). The R value was 0.862 and R-square of 0.743. This indicated that Islamic auto financing instruments’ level of contribution towards financial performance was 74.3%. The Durbin- Watson value was 1.969. This value lied between 0 and 2 hence indicating that there was a positive correlation between auto financing instruments and financial performance. The significance value was 0.000 which was below 0.05 hence Islamic Auto financing instruments had a significant influence of financial performance. In addition, the respondents did not tally that having sharia committee in disbursing car loans had enabled clients have confidence with the automobile loans. This proved that the confidence that clients had on auto financing, was not purely on the nature and process of administration of the financing but also due to reliability. Unique contribution to theory, policy and practice: The study recommends that auto financing should be provided reliably by ensuring all client concerned are amicably handled by the banking staff. The various car loan officer should be trained on good customer service to as to ensure they sell well their products without necessarily losing new clients. The bank management should also diversify auto financing to cater for all categories of vehicles for expansion of their client base.

Draft Genome Sequence of Enterococcus faecalis 1351, Isolated from a Mastitis-Affected Camel in Isiolo County, Kenya

ABSTRACT Enterococcus faecalis causes mastitis disease in livestock, leading to massive economic losses. Sequencing of isolates obtained from resource-poor regions will facilitate the design of novel sensitive diagnostics and efficacious vaccines. We announce the draft genome of E. faecalis strain 1351, which was obtained from a camel in Isiolo County, Kenya.