Digital Commons Network^™

Validation Of The Swahili Version Of The International Prostate Symptom Score At A Private, Nonprofit General Hospital In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Miten Patel, Masawa Klint, Philip Adebayo, Authar Ali, Jasmit Shah, Ali Akbar Zehri

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background:

Accuracy in translating the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) into different languages is essential to ensure that it is comparable to the original version and acceptable to the target population. We aimed to develop and validate a Swahili version of the IPSS (sIPSS).

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 53 patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms to the Aga Khan Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, from April through December 2018. We enrolled 53 patients with confirmed benign prostatic hypertrophy and 32 control patients with suspected or confirmed urolithiasis. We assessed the face validity and discriminative validity …

Exploring Stakeholders’ Views On The Implementation Of The Re-Entry Policy Of 1994 On Teenage Mothers: A Case Study Of A Mixed Public Secondary School In Kisumu East Sub-County., Jane Aoko Ogola

Master of Education

School girls in Kenya face myriad challenges among them teenage pregnancy. In 1994, the Kenyan government introduced the re-entry policy to give girls who get pregnant a chance to return to school after delivery to finish their schooling. Even after the introduction of the re-entry policy, many girls who fall pregnant do not return to school after they give birth. This study sought to explore the views of the stakeholders on the implementation of the Re-entry Policy of 1994. The study was carried out in one mixed day secondary school in Kisumu East Sub-County. Qualitative case study was used. Data …

Use Of Songs In Teaching And Learning Ionic Bonds: A Case Of A Secondary School In Vihiga County, Kenya, Daniel Omollo Odhiambo

Master of Education

Factoring learner engagement during chemistry lessons is key if conceptual understanding is an objective. In Kenya however, the gradual decline in chemistry mean scores, coupled with evidence from studies, reveal disengagement in chemistry among learners. One of the most cited causes of this disengagement is the domineering teacher-centred teaching pedagogy. This action research studied how science content songs can be used to enhance engagement and interest in ionic bonding among high school learners in Kenya. The study, which was conducted in a mixed double-streamed secondary school, involved two collaborating teachers and 65 students, out whom, 8 participated in a focus …

Exploring Ict Adoption In Teaching And Learning Of Science: A Case Of Senior Teachers In Homa-Bay Sub County, Kenya, David Ochieng Odhiambo

Master of Education

The high potential conferred to ICT in the 21st century has necessitated its integration in teaching and learning of science. The COVID 19 endemic has even increased the need to embrace ICT to reach learners away from educational institutions. Technological skills are necessary to solve daily life problems in this digital age. Many literatures have depicted age as positively correlated with ICT adoption. It is imperative that all teachers irrespective of age employ ICT to effectively enhance transfer of knowledge. This study, anchored on diffusion innovation theory, examined adoption of ICT among senior science teachers, aged 45 years and above, …

Exploring Tutors’ Pedagogical Practices In The Teaching And Learning Of Mathematics Education: A Case Of Three Primary Teachers’ Colleges In Eastern Uganda., Geofrey Mabonga

Master of Education

The major purpose of this study was to explore tutors pedagogical practices in the teaching and learning of mathematics education in primary teachers colleges in Uganda. This study employed qualitative research approach. That being the case, Qualitative approach was based upon the interpretive constructivist underpinnings whose aim was to explain the phenomenon from the subjective reasoning based on participants’ opinions, realities, meanings, attitudes, and motivations that lie behind their social behaviour. This study used case study research design. A total of twelve (12) respondents participated in this study. These included six (6) Mathematics Tutors and six (6) Student teachers. Tutors …

Exploratory Study On The Teaching Of Reading In Lower Primary Classes: A Case One Government Primary School In Kocheka Sub County, Uganda., Kulwenza Rachael

Master of Education

Reading is an important aspect of the literacy development of children in the early years of education. Studies have indicated that if children are not given a strong foundation of basics of reading at early stages, it is probable that they might fail to read in the later stages. Therefore, study aimed at exploring the teaching of reading in lower primary classes in one public primary school in Kocheka sub-county, Uganda. It was a single case study that adopted a qualitative research approach targeting six teachers, two from every lower class, one head teacher, and one District Inspector of Schools …

Exploring Teachers’ Questioning Practices During Teaching And Learning Of Mathematics: A Case Study Of A Secondary School In Taita Taveta County, Kenya, Caroline M. Makato

Master of Education

This study explored teachers’ questioning practices during teaching and learning of mathematics in form two: a case of a secondary school in Mwatate sub-county, Kenya. Despite the importance attached to questioning in causing class interactions and stimulating mathematical thinking, questioning may be underutilized during teaching and learning mathematics. Studies on teachers questioning practices seem to have also been neglected in the Kenyan context. This gap in mathematics pedagogy was the focus of the study. The study aimed at establishing the level of questions teachers ask during teaching and learning mathematics, the characteristic features of mathematics teachers’ questioning practices and the …

Enhancing Learners’ Reading Comprehension Skills Using Multimodality In A Form Two Classroom In A Public Secondary School In Taita Taveta County: An Action Research., Lilian Mandilla

Master of Education

In the recent past, rapid technological advancements coupled with the increasing learner diversity as a result of social, economic, political, and cultural factors have completely altered the meaning process. The use of multiple representations of educational content would therefore, appropriate these learner differences and the multiplicity of text. A considerable body of knowledge indicates that multimodality provides affordance to multiple means of representation, expression, perception, and engagement thus promoting active learning. Numerous studies in the English language continue to indicate that multimodality is used in the teaching and learning of varied aspects of the English language. Based on other studies …

The Role Of Street-Level Bureaucrats In The Implementation Of The 100% Transition Policy For Deaf Students: A Case Of Principals In Secondary Schools For The Deaf In Kenya, Geoffrey Owino Ochieng

Master of Education

The designing and passing of a good policy do not guarantee the intended success if the execution at the end of the policy’s chain is not oriented towards the proposed objective. The success or failure of an education policy can be attributed to the modus operandi preferred by the principals who are charged with the responsibility of the implementation task at the end of the policy chain, given the role the principals play as the government agent and their proximity to the policy’s clientele. The 100% transition policy ought to boost all children including deaf students' access to quality and …

Accessibility Of Mathematics Examinations To Students With Hearing Impairment: A Case Study Of A School For The Deaf In Nyeri County-Kenya, Peter Mwangi Kabethi

Master of Education

The objective of this study was to establish the extent to which mathematics examinations are accessible to students with HI. The study adopted a qualitative approach via a case study design. The participants included the principal, Head of the mathematics department, teachers, and students from Clifftop school for the deaf. Purposive sampling was used to select the 5 students with HI and 3 mathematics teachers. Data was collected through focus group discussion (FGD) with students and teachers separately and classroom observation. In addition, the principal and the head of the mathematics department were interviewed to ascertain the general accessibility of …

Exploring How The Head Teachers As Street-Level Bureaucrats Influence The Implementation Of Competency-Based Curriculum In Kenya., Gordon Odhiambo Okumu

Master of Education

Policy reform initiatives in Kenya, including educational policy reforms, fail to achieve their intended objectives. Written and intended policies are of excellent standards, but they fail to achieve their goals because of implementation pitfalls. The purpose of this study was to explore how the headteachers as Street-Level Bureaucrats (SLB) influence the implementation of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) policy. The study employed a case study approach for in-depth inquiry of the problem. A concurrent mixed-method design where the researcher collected both QUAL and Quan data for analysis. Descriptive statistics was used to describe quantitative data while narrative thematic and descriptions for qualitative …

Effectiveness Of Hands-On Activities To Develop Chemistry Learners’ Curiosity In Community Secondary Schools In Tanzania, Esther Kibga, John Sentongo, Emanuel Gakuba

Institute for Educational Development, East Africa

Learners’ curiosity is among the affective domains of learning that has a great potential to take learning to higher levels and meet the demands of the 21st-century teaching and learning process. This paper assesses how hands-on activities performed using learning materials from learners’ immediate environment can enhance learners’ curiosity in chemistry lessons. Observing students’ hands-on activities during chemistry lessons enabled researchers to monitor the development and expression of curiosity in the actual learning environment. The study involved 169 senior three chemistry students purposively selected from three intact science classes in three community secondary schools from Dar es salaam, Tanzania. We …

Exploring Teachers’ Use Of The Inquiry-Based Framework In Teaching English Language In The International Baccalaureate Programme: A Case Of A Private Primary School, In Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania., Shazma Mehboob Jaffer

Master of Education

Inquiry-based learning is a lauded approach in the teaching of English language. However, studies based on some IB PYP Schools indicate that teachers still face challenges in the teaching of English, using the inquiry approach, whereas learners face difficulties in reading, writing and problem solving. This case study, therefore, explored how English teachers used the inquiry-based framework in the teaching of English language at the IB PYP School, in Tanzania. Six teachers from Grade one to six along with the former PYP Coordinator participated in this study. The data collection methods used included interviews, observations and document analysis. Data from …

Exploring How Teachers Deal With Students’ Errors In Mathematics: A Case Of A Secondary School In Siaya County, Kenya., John Robert Owala Ouko

Master of Education

Making errors in mathematics during learning by students is a common occurrence in our classrooms. Errors signal gaps in students’ understanding, competencies or knowledge that require to be addressed. Teachers employ a wide range of approaches to identify these gaps to provide interventions. The purpose of this study was to explore how teachers deal with students’ errors in mathematics during teaching and learning inside and outside the classroom in a secondary school in Siaya County, Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to understand how teachers identify, communicate and follow up on students’ errors and the challenges that teachers faced while following …

Performance In Mortality Prediction Of Saps 3 And Mpm-Iii Scores Among Adult Patients Admitted To The Icu Of A Private Tertiary Referral Hospital In Tanzania: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Nadeem Kassam, Eric Aghan, Samina Somji, Omar Aziz, James Orwa, Salim Surani

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background: Illness predictive scoring systems are significant and meaningful adjuncts of patient management in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). They assist in predicting patient outcomes, improve clinical decision making and provide insight into the effectiveness of care and management of patients while optimizing the use of hospital resources. We evaluated mortality predictive performance of Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS 3) and Mortality Probability Models (MPM0-III) and compared their performance in predicting outcome as well as identifying disease pattern and factors associated with increased mortality.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients admitted to the ICU of …

F-Wave Parameters And Body Mass Index In Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Philip Adebayo, Rose E. Mwakabatika

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background: Severe carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) readily lends itself to both clinical and electrophysiological recognition. The uncertainty sometimes is in identifying and quantifying motor involvement in mild and, perhaps, in moderate CTS. Our study aimed to evaluate F responses in mild and moderate CTS and determine the contribution of BMI to the F-wave parameters.

Methods: A retrospective review of the clinical and electrophysiological data of patients with CTS seen at the clinical neurophysiology laboratory of Aga Khan Hospital, Dar es Salaam, between 1 August 2017 and 31 July 2019 was retrieved. Carpal tunnel syndrome was graded according to the …

Learning From Changes Concurrent With Implementing A Complex And Dynamic Intervention To Improve Urban Maternal And Perinatal Health In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, 2011-2019, Brenda Sequeira Dmello, Ziada Sellah, Grace Magembe, Natasha Housseine, Nanna Maaløe, Thomas Van Den Akker, Dan W. Meyrowitsch, Timothy Mushi, Mangalu Masweko, Dorcas Jidayi, Jos Van Roosmalen, Hussein Kidanto

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Introduction Rapid urbanisation in Dar es Salaam, the main commercial hub in Tanzania, has resulted in congested health facilities, poor quality care, and unacceptably high facility-based maternal and perinatal mortality. Using a participatory approach, the Dar es Salaam regional government in partnership with a non-governmental organisation, Comprehensive Community Based Rehabilitation in Tanzania, implemented a complex, dynamic intervention to improve the quality of care and survival during pregnancy and childbirth. The intervention was rolled out in 22 public health facilities, accounting for 60% of the city’s facility births.

Methods Multiple intervention components addressed gaps across the maternal and perinatal continuum of …

Effective Monitoring Of Diabetic Patients On Progressive Chronic Kidney Disease Among Patients Attending Diabetic Clinic At Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania, Gudila Valentine Shirima, Paschal Ruggajo, Obadia Venance Nyongole, Francis Furia, Kimu Marko Njiku

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background:

Diabetic Kidney Disease is a complication of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) following the natural history of diabetes. Worldwide up to 40 % of patients with diabetes mellitus will develop Diabetic Kidney Disease. Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative (KDOQI) guidelines recommends monitoring for proteinuria, blood sugar, renal functions and blood pressure in the patients with DM so that progression to complications including renal failure is prevented. Our study aimed to audit on effective monitoring of progressive chronic kidney disease among patients attending diabetic clinic at Muhimbili National Hospital.

Material and methods:

This was a retrospective clinical audit which included patients who …

Smart Watch Detection Of Supraventricular Tachycardia (Svt): First Case From Tanzania, Nadeem Kassam, Omar Aziz, Eric Aghan, Samina Somji, Hanifa Mbithe, Mustaafa Bapumia, Robert Mvungi, Salim Sarani

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Smartwatches like the Apple Watch have been on the rise worldwide and their use is gaining popularity in developing countries. Their ability to detect dysrhythmias is well documented. Present practice discourages the use of these devices as a diagnostic tool. Nevertheless, atypical findings from these devices should be clinically investigated. This case demonstrates an eventual diagnosis of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) based on an Apple watch alert which was subsequently confirmed by electrophysiological evaluation.

Seroprevalence Of Hepatitis B Virus Infection, Anti-Hcv Antibodies And Hiv And Knowledge Among People Who Use Drugs Attending Methadone Therapy Clinic In Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study, Semvua B. Kilonzo, Daniel I. W Gunda, David C. Majinge, Hyasinta Jaka, Paulina M. Manyiri, Fredrick Kalokola, Grahame Mtui, Elichilia R. Shao, Fatma Bakshi, Alex Stephano

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background: Methadone therapy clinics have been recently introduced in Tanzania, aiming at reducing risk behaviors and infection rates of viral hepatitis and HIV among people who use drugs. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence, associated factors and knowledge level of these conditions among people who use drugs attending a methadone clinic in Tanzania.

Methods: We enrolled 253 People who using drugs receiving Methadone therapy. Clinical data was retrospectively collected from the medical records and face-to face interviews were conducted to determine the behavioral risk factors and respondents’ knowledge on viral hepatitis and HIV.

Results: An overall …

Prevalence Of Incidental Prostate Carcinoma Among Patients Undergoing Turp For Benign Prostatic Enlargement, Isaac H. Mawalla, Masawa Nyamuryekung’E, Authar Ali, Aidan Njau, Philip Adebayo, Ali A. Zehri

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background: Incidental prostate cancer is detected by histological examination of resected biopsy tissue that has been previously diagnosed as benign. It has the potential for progressing to become a disease necessitating active treatment. There is paucity of data on detection of incidental prostate cancer in Tanzania. A study done in northern Tanzania among the urban public sector revealed an alarming detection rate of 21.71%. We aimed to establish the prevalence of incidental prostate cancer among men surgically treated for benign prostate enlargement with considered normal range of prostate specific antigen.

Methods: This was a retrospective hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted to …

Students’ Attitudes Towards Learning Chemistry Using Mobile Phone Simulations: A Case Of Two Secondary Schools In Dar Es Salaam Region., Ahmed Mbaruku Nyenga

Master of Education

Students’ attitudes have significant influence on their academic achievement in life. While at a younger age, they show keen interest towards scientific concepts, they grew in teenage years with a declining curiosity and will to take up science subjects. This has been due to abstract content overload for which a student needs sequential understanding as new concepts are built on older ones. Although technology has presented us with simulation applications in mobile phones, which would bring back the exciting nature of learning that children experienced with toys and video games at a tender age, efforts in terms of studies to …

Prevalence And Severity Of Malnutrition In People Living With Hiv On Chronic Haemodialysis In Dar Es Salaam., Hanifa Mbithe

Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine

BACKGROUND: Human immunodeficiency virus is still a global burden more so in sub-Saharan Africa. Chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease are important comorbid conditions that are prevalent in HIV-infected individuals. Patients who are HIV positive and on hemodialysis have triple risk factors for development of malnutrition (i.e. Human immunodeficiency virus, chronic kidney disease, and haemodialysis). Malnutrition greatly impacts these patient’s morbidity and mortality and thus the great need to address this gap which will improve their prognosis. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence and severity of malnutrition in people living with HIV on chronic …

Exploring How Formative Assessment Rubric Is Used In Schools To Support Teaching And Learning: A Case Study Of One Primary School In Kenya., Jacqueline Bahati Atak

Master of Education

Kenya implemented a new curriculum, CBC, due to the flaws experienced by the 8-4-4 system. The realization was made possible by borrowing ideas from countries with success anecdotes in CBC across the globe. A key component of the curriculum design book, the formative assessment rubrics, is a new concept especially in rural public primary schools, Kenya that have limited resources, infrastructure, and teachers. With just over five years of operation, opportunities and challenges are expected in its adoption. However, there is scant literature about the use of rubrics in primary schools in Kenya and therefore, this study sought to explore …

Defying The Gendered Norm; A Case Of Girls’ Successful Enrollment, Participation And Achievement In Science Subjects In A Public Secondary School In Taita Taveta County, Kenya, Alice Machocho Mwang'ombe

Master of Education

The 21st century requires learners that are critical thinkers, problem solvers, creative and innovators. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as a discipline demands logical thinking, engagement and exploration which results in the equipping of learners with these essential skills. In reality, however, STEM is perceived as difficult to master and in particular gender stereotyping prevail whereby science is constructed as male and masculine discipline. Research on women and STEM primarily reports women in science from a negative stance, from negative perception to science or high prevalence of gender stereotypes that affect female access to science. These studies uphold a …

Exploring The Use Of Gamification In The Teaching And Learning Of English Grammar In A Private Secondary School Classroom In Mombasa County, Lydia Nasike Nabangi

Master of Education

Grammar is fundamental to language. Historically, approaches to teaching English grammar have undergone many changes. However, there is much disagreement as to the effectiveness of different approaches for teaching English grammar to learners since they view English grammar as boring. The world of education is today confronted with the demands of instilling digital literacy and twenty-first-century skills to all learners to function properly in the emerging fourth industrial revolution. Embracing gamification is unavoidable, especially with the emergence of millennials, whose lives are greatly influenced by digital technology and who prefer to study in a fun, engaging, and motivating environment. Thus, …

Exploring The Role Of Literature In English Second Language Acquisition To Promote Speaking Competencies: A Case Of Public Secondary Schools In Moshi Rural – District., Violet Magessa William

Master of Education

The ever-changing demands of English second language learning have impacted many language scholars to find ways that will best address the teaching of English as a second language. The shifting demands require powerful English language teaching approaches that require interactive; learner-centered techniques that transform knowledge into powerful but adaptive forms that can address the lofty demands of the modern classroom. This study, therefore, aimed at finding intervention on English language acquisition in developing learners' comprehensive speaking skills by utilizing literature as a pedagogical resource, it has driven interest among scholars who pioneer its usefulness for possessing a communicative language approach …

Conflict Management Approaches Practiced By Public Heads Of Secondary Schools And Teachers In Hai District, Daniel Samwel Maeda

Master of Education

This study examined the conflict management approaches practiced by heads of schools, teachers, and student leaders in Hai District, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. The study's objectives were to examine secondary school heads' skills and knowledge in conflict resolution, to examine school heads' conflict resolution approaches, and assess the effectiveness of school heads' conflict resolution strategies. The study employed a qualitative approach, with data gathered through interviews, focus group discussions (FGD), and document analysis. Three different school heads, as well as three discipline teachers, were interviewed. The FGD included six student leaders, two from each of the three schools. The document analysis …

The Use Of The Flipped Classroom Approach In The Teaching Of English In A Public Secondary School In Nairobi County, Kenya: An Action Research Study, Ovin Nyakango Nyarango

Master of Education

Flipped Classroom approach is a new pedagogic approach that leverages educational technology to replace passive learning, which is commonly associated with lecture method of teaching, with active learning, in which students are responsible for producing meaning and finding connections using the content supplied outside of the classroom. The purpose of this action research was to see how the flipped classroom may be used to teach and learn English at a Kenyan public secondary school. Data was collected through document analysis, semi structured interviews, focus group discussions, reflective conversations and lesson observations. Findings from the study indicate that using of the …

Exploring The Use Of Concrete Materials In Teaching And Learning Of Fractions In Grade Three: A Case Study Of A Public Primary School In Homa-Bay County, Kenya, Ouma Patrick Okoth

Master of Education

Learners who struggle with mathematics may have difficulties in comprehending the core ideas in mathematics. The concrete-representational-abstract (CRA) instructional sequence of teaching allows teachers to assist pupils in making sense of numbers and the mathematical concepts they represent. The use of concrete materials is critical in the teaching of mathematics to young children; they are the major instruments that early childhood teachers use to train young learners in their mathematics classes today. To encourage the use of concrete materials in mathematics instruction, this research investigates how mathematics teachers use concrete materials in the teaching and learning of mathematics, as well …