POLITICAL COMMUNICATION: POLITICAL RALLY MESSAGES EFFECT ON ETHNIC INTOLERANCE AND CONFLICT AMONG VOTERS IN MIGORI COUNTY, KENYA

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish political rally messages effect on ethnic intolerance and conflict among voters in Migori County, Kenya. Materials and Methods: Descriptive research design was adopted. The study targeted a population of 388, 633 respondents made of voters from Migori County. A sample of 400 respondents was used. The sample for quantitative data was obtained using stratified random sampling method and the other section of the sample; media practitoners were non-randomly sampled. The sample for qualitative data was collected through FGDs on a purposefully selected sample. The data collection was conducted through administering of questionnaires and also Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) using a structured and pilot-tested questionnaires. Data was collected using questionnaires and FGDs. Quantitative data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences computer software package (SPSS statistics version 22). Descriptive statistics drawn include mean, and standard deviation which were presented in tables and graphs. Inferential statistics drawn include multiple regression and correlation analysis. Results: The findings revealed that there was a positive and significant relationship between propaganda, stereotype, hate messages and vernacular radio stations to ethnic intolerance and conflict among voters in Migori County, Kenya. Based on the findings, it was concluded that, there is a positive and significant relationship between political rally messages and vernacular radio stations used in this study, and ethnic intolerance and conflict among voters in Migori County, Kenya. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends to government agencies such as NCIC and Media Council of Kenya and the IEBC to consider taking measures against these political rally messages as one way to reduce ethnic intolerance and conflict among voters in Migori County, Kenya.

HEALTHCARE PROVIDER PATIENT NONVERBAL COMMUNICATIVE BEHAVIOUR ON DIABETES MELLITUS MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN SELECTED HOSPITALS IN KENYA

Purpose: To examine the effect of healthcare provider patient communication nonverbal communicative behaviour on diabetes mellitus management practices in selected hospital in Kenya. Methodology: This was a causal comparative research design study with application of quantitative methodology. The study was carried out at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) and MP Shah Hospital. Systematic random sampling was used to sample patients. 400 participants were involved in the study and comprised 313 patients at KNH and 87 patients at MP Shah Hospital studied between the months of February 2019 and November 2019. The researcher administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The results were summarized using percentages and means or medians for categorical and continuous data respectively. Comparisons were done using chi square test of association of categorical variables and independent t-test for comparison of means. Linear regression and ANOVA were used to test for associations and hypothesis between healthcare provider patient nonverbal communicative behaviour (NVCB) and diabetes mellitus management practices (DMMPs). Findings: The rating of nonverbal communicative behavior was significantly higher at MP Shah Hospital than at KNH, p=0.010. Nonverbal communicative behavior had positive significant effect on diabetes mellitus management practices in Kenya [β=0.15, (95% CI 0.03, 0.27), p=0.016] with similar outcome at KNH [β=0.20, (95% CI 0.08, 0.33), p=0.002] and not at MP Shah Hospital [β=0.03, (95% CI 0.37, 0.42), p=0.899]. Thus, the null hypothesis was rejected in Kenya; the null hypothesis was rejected at KNH; the null hypothesis was not rejected at MP Shah Hospital. Therefore, there was significant effect of NVCB on DMMPs in Kenya, at KNH and not at MP Shah Hospital. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Nonverbal communicative behaviour was responsible for improved performance in diabetes mellitus management practices among patients in Kenya and at KNH. At MP Shah Hospital, NVCB was not responsible for improvement in the DMMPs. The findings reinforce uncertainty reduction and communication accommodation theories basis in the dyadic interaction between patients and healthcare providers. Therefore, NVCB needs to be well conceptualized and incorporated at the health ministry and medical training institutions to equip medical workers with the required communication skills.

TYPE OF NEWS ON POLITICAL CORRUPTION IN SOUTH SUDAN

Purpose: The study sought to determine the type of news on political corruption by newspapers in South Sudan Method The study used descriptive research design to address the research objectives. The target population in this study was Sudan Tribune, Juba Monitor, The Dawn, Peace Day, Sudanese Online newspapers, international and local NGOs, journalists who work for the media station and lecturers and students from Juba University. The researcher identified every single element and the sampling frame was the five newspapers, also local and international NGOs, students and lecturers from Juba University Findings of the study Media houses shied away from giving priority to political corruption news for the fear of their lives, intimidation and torture. the coverage of political corruption news on a quarter of a page, hence confirming the fact that the public in South Sudan was denied the opportunity by the print media to question the government on corruption in the country Contributions Informed by the findings, the study had the following recommendation The various media regulatory policies and the constitutional rights should be implemented by the instruments of power including the police, the government and the judiciary. This would assure journalists and media houses of their freedom to access information and freedom of expression, while shielding them from intimidation, torture and killing. The legislature, in collaboration with the media regulatory bodies in South Sudan should enact laws that protected media houses and journalists, especially in the cases where they cover sensitive but important information.

INFLUENCE OF CHARACTER ROLES IN COMEDIC MOVIES ON ATTITUDES TOWARDS SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN KENYA

Purpose: This research intended to determine the influence of character roles in Comedic movies on attitudes towards sexual orientations such as lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBTs) of University students in Kenya. Comedic movies have exploited and portrayed various controversial topics including LGBTs using satire, irony, sarcasm, and stereotypes for humor purposes. The study used social learning theory (SLT) as the underlying proposition. Methodology: The study used mixed methods research design that further used a convergent parallel mixed method model to obtain quantitative and qualitative data. It targeted University students sampled from 7 main chartered public and private Universities in Nairobi County. A sample size of 467 students was used. Focus group discussions involving 30 FGDs participants were also involved. Further, content analysis of the Modern Family comedic movie containing sexual orientations contents was also done. Inferential statistics used were descriptive, correlation, regression and ANOVA analysis. Findings: The study revealed that indeed comedic movies use humor to introduce and thus influence attitudes towards sexual orientations of University students in Kenya. For instance, majority of the respondents agreed that there are more comedic movies containing positive sexual orientations character roles contents which eventually influenced the attitudes towards sexual orientations of University students in Kenya. Additionally, a majority of the respondents agreed that they are more tolerant and accepting of sexual orientations/LGBTs because of watching comedic movies containing sexual orientations. The study also noted that there is an increasing number of University students who openly admitted to be LGBTs. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: This study identified the media’s role in changing the youths’ attitudes towards sexual orientations. Evidence from media contents and societal occurrences, indicated that such sexual orientations are no longer hidden. Also, there have been increased open discussions of LGBTs plights and rights in the Kenyan media recently. Therefore, media contents in Kenya have become a ready platform through which contents with these sexual orientations have been exposed to the broader audience. However, the study also noted that this exposure has been met with diverse views splitting opinions with some opponents being homophobic.

EXAMINING THE PROMINENCE OF THE POLITICAL CORRUPTION NEWS IN SOUTH SUDAN

Purpose: The purpose of the study to examine the prominence of political corruption news by newspapers in South Sudan Method: The study used descriptive research design to address the research objectives. The target population in this study was Sudan Tribune, Juba Monitor, The Dawn, Peace Day, Sudanese Online newspapers, international and local NGOs, journalists who work for the media station and lecturers and students from Juba University. The researcher can identify every single element and the sampling frame was the five newspapers, also local and international NGOs, students and lecturers from Juba University Findings: The findings indicated that media houses shied away from giving priority to political corruption news for the fear of their lives, intimidation and torture. This further saw the coverage of political corruption news on a quarter of a page, hence confirming the fact that the public in South Sudan was denied the opportunity by the print media to question the government on corruption in the country Unique contribution to theory, policy and practice: The study had the following recommendations: The various media regulatory policies and the constitutional rights should be implemented by the instruments of power including the police, the government and the judiciary. This would assure journalists and media houses of their freedom to access information and freedom of expression, while shielding them from intimidation, torture and killing. The legislature, in collaboration with the media regulatory bodies in South Sudan should enact laws that protected media houses and journalists, especially in the cases where they covered sensitive but important information. Those who infringed on the rights of journalists and media houses should be pursued and arraigned in the court of law, where punitive action would be taken against them. This would further reaffirm journalists of their safety.

Mobile Phone Influence on Sexual Behaviour of Undergraduate Students: A Case Study of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya

Purpose: The study sought to examine the influence of mobile phone use on sexual behaviour of university students: a case study of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya. The study specifically, sought to examine the effect of characteristics of mobile phones users, uses and gratification of mobile phones and the frequency of using mobile phones on sexual behaviour of university students in Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya. Methodology: The research design that was adopted was descriptive in nature. The study also used both quantitative and qualitative data obtained from the respondents using questionnaires and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) guides. Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires while qualitative data was collected using Focus Group Discussions. The study adopted a stratified random sampling technique to select the sample size from the three strata, which are the various Faculties in JKUAT. The study then used Fisher’s formula to arrive at an adequate scientific sample size of 384 students who were targeted using convenient sampling, that is those that are ready to respond to the questionnaires and the Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). The quantitative data in this research was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics using SPSS v22.0. Results: It was concluded that male students are more likely to use protection consistently compared to female students. In addition, the findings imply that consistency in condom use is a factor that is dependent on the age of the individual. In addition, relationship status is a contributor to the behaviour of the students sexually. For those that are in serious relationships, their use of protection declines due to the build-up of emotional and intimate trust towards each other. The findings likewise indicate that the student’s usage of mobile phones correlates significantly with the consistent use of protection for safe sex. Those students who have had their phones since they joined Campus are more likely to practice safe sex. In addition, heavy users of mobile phones are likely to practice safe sex including those who browse the internet for news updates. Unique contribution to theory, policy and practice: The study recommends the media practitioners need to step up the production of morally acceptable media content and offer a platform for advertising and campaigning for sexual conduct by encouraging and stressing the use of protection. The Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education should actively involve the undergraduate students in reproductive information awareness campaigns for ensuring positive attitudes towards responsible sexual behaviour and promoting best sexual practices.

FREQUENCY OF MESSAGES AND PERCEIVED SELF-EFFICACY FOR TREATMENT AMONG PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS IN HOMA BAY COUNTY, KENYA

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to ascertain the effect of frequency of text messaging on perceived self-efficacy for treatment among people living with HIV/AIDS in Homa Bay County. Methodology: The study used a quasi-experimental design. This involved a control and an intervention group to assess the effect of the text messaging. Data was collected using an interview schedule for participants and questionnaires for key informant interview. The study triangulated quantitative and qualitative data. Results shared in this paper are for the intervention group. Spearman’s rho correlations and simple linear regression models were used to estimate the relationship between the independent variable (frequency of messages) and the dependent variable (self-efficacy), and ANOVA test was done to test the hypothesis and presented in tables and graphs. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically and narratives are provided under each section in verbatim. Findings: The desired sample size for the intervention group was 317. Out which the study achieved 77.92 percent (n=247). Frequency of messages, did not yield a statistically significant relationship on perceived self-efficacy for appointment adherence (p<0.52; CI=95 per cent). However, receiving messages on a monthly basis had a significant but relatively week, inverse relationship with perceived self-efficacy (C= -0.181; p<0.02 ;< 0.05,). Qualitative findings established the messages were not boring Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Frequency of messages may depend on other factors such as type and content of messages being sent. Individual characteristics such as the social environment, level of education and general interest of HIV information and ART adherence may also influence the frequency of messages. Mobile interventions should ensure that the right number of required messages is sent to patients for optimum utilization and achievement of the desired outcomes.

DEMOGRAPHICS AND MOBILE PHONE TECHNOLOGY USE BY UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN NAIROBI, KENYA

Purpose: This research investigated the moderating effect of demographic factors on mobile phone technology use by undergraduate public university students in Nairobi, Kenya. The objective of the research was to establish the moderating effect of demographic characteristics on undergraduate university students’ use levels of mobile phone technology. Methodology: The research used the media technological determinism theory as a theoretical framework. The target population was 246,871 undergraduate university students in six public universities in Nairobi, Kenya. The research design used was quantitative. Self-administered questionnaires were used as data collection tools. This study utilized purposive sampling to arrive at a sample size of 573 undergraduate students. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and then processed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Findings: Findings revealed that mobile phone technology use by undergraduate university students was not subject to demographic factors. The research concluded that there was no moderating effect of respondents’ demography on the relationship between undergraduate public university students and mobile phone technology use levels. Unique Contribution to Theory and Practice and Policy: Since this research focused on undergraduate university students in public universities in Nairobi, Kenya, the researcher recommends that another research could be carried among post graduate students and also among private universities to find out if demographic factors may be affecting mobile phone technology use.

PERSUASIVE COMMUNICATION: THE ROLE OF CAREGIVER CHARACTERISTICS ON ADOPTION OF ROUTINE IMMUNIZATION SERVICES OF CHILDREN AGED 0-5 YEARS IN BOMET COUNTY

Purpose: An estimated two to three million annual deaths from Vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) are preventable through immunization. Currently about 19.5 million infants miss out on routine immunization globally. The study examined the role of caregiver characteristics in persuasive communication on adoption of routine immunization of children aged 0-5 years in Bomet County – Kenya. Methodology: This study self-funded, was a cross-sectional hospital based study, employing a mixed method research design. A sample of 384 caregivers participated in the study.Cronbach's alpha and confirmatory factor analysis tests was conducted to ascertain the reliability and validity of study instruments. Chi-square test was done to establish the relationship between caregiver characteristics and adoption of routine immunization. Data was collected using interviewer administered questionnaires and KII guide. Findings: The response rate was 95.1% with majority of the respondents in the age bracket of 19-25 at 42.2% and 61.4% were married with 36.9 % of the respondents reporting to be housewives. Majority of the respondent had primary level of education at 53.7 %, followed by secondary level those had attained only primary level of education with only 8.8% having attained tertiary level of education and those who had no level of education were 1.9%. On caregiver knowledge, 93.4% did not know any vaccines given to children. However, out of those that had knowledge on the vaccines, 66.3% agreed vaccines have side effects, though majorly they were mythical. Caregiver attitude on routine immunization was found to be negative. Unique contribution to theory, practice, and policy: The optimal model indicated that for every unit of Caregiver characteristic, the value of adoption changed by 0.386. The study concluded that caregiver characteristics had positive influence on adoption of routine immunization. The study recommended that routine immunization messages be made frequently available, targeted and tailored to the caregivers. Secondly, the community should be involved in advocacy towards adoption of routine immunization, to create ownership and adoption sustainability. Additionally, health workers should be motivated towards good practices in Healthworker-client communication specifically, persuasive communication to build trust from the caregivers. Contribution to practice and policy: Adoption of the study findings by the policy makers, will contribute to achieving the recommended 90%, fully immunized coverage. This in turn will reduce vaccine preventable diseases both in the study area and can be generalizing to settings with similar challenges in adoption of routine immunization.

INFLUENCE OF CULTURAL DYNAMICS ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MEDIA FRAMING AND THE PERCEPTION OF OBESITY AMONG MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN IN NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA

Purpose: To assess the moderating influence of cultural dynamics on the relationship between media framing and the perception of obesity among middle-aged women in Nairobi County, Kenya. Methodology: This study applied the one-group pretest-posttest experimental design. In the one-group pretest-posttest experimental design all study participants provided with the same treatment and assessment. The researcher therefore, collected data using the pre-and posttest questionnaires. The treatment administered was a television program titled Slimpossible, which showcased middle-aged Kenyan women suffering from the stigma of obesity who were participating in a competition to lose their weight. The multi-stage cluster sampling technique was applied in this study. Out of the target population of 1848 participants, the study sample was 317 academic female staff found in three public universities in Nairobi County, Kenya. In this research study, the analysis applied descriptive statistics and the inferential analysis tools such as the Factor analysis (The Keiser-Meyer –Olkin (KMO) test), Pearson’s correlation coefficient and regression analysis (logical regression). Findings: The study sought to assess the moderating influence of cultural dynamics on the relationship between media framing and the perception of obesity among middle-aged women in Nairobi County, Kenya. Therefore, the finding also brought about interactions between cultural dynamics and the independent media frames in connection to the perception of obesity. It was concluded that the perception of obesity from the African culture and Western culture was different. The respondents had positive outlook on middle-aged obese women opposed to the dictates of Western culture. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: In terms of contribution to theory, this study emanated from the cross-cultural communication theory. The theory recognizes the value of culture and how it relates to people’s perception on obesity. Hurn and Tomalin (2013) opined that some of the most strategic researchers in the field of cross-cultural communication include Edward Hall, Mildred Hall and Geert Hofstede in the 1950s.