Anne Kamau

Psychosocial influences on adolescent sexuality and identity in rural Kenya

Abstract This article examines the influence of psychosocial factors on adolescent sexuality and identity in Kenya. It focuses on male circumcision, peer and parental relationships. The article is based on a study which investigated factors influencing access and utilisation of preventive reproductive health services by adolescents in Murang’a District, Kenya. Structured interviews were conducted with 113 inschool adolescents. Findings show that they lacked understanding about circumcision and maturation on physical changes they experienced. They yielded to negative peer pressure because of myths and threats following circumcision, fear of alienation, feeling like outcasts, and desire for acceptance. Despite this, adolescents were reluctant to share their sexual health concerns with their parents because of fear of parents’ suspicion.

Evaluating the impact of microfranchising the distribution of anti-malarial drugs in Kenya on malaria mortality and morbidity

In an effort to increase access to effective anti-malaria drugs to the rural poor, the Kenyan government has partnered with a local non-governmental organisation to distribute the drugs free of charge using a microfranchise system in small privately-owned rural shops. This study uses difference-in-difference to evaluate the effectiveness of the programme in increasing access to the drugs and hence on its impact on malaria morbidity and mortality. If effective, this system can be recommended for adoption in the distribution of other essential medicines to help in achieving some of the health-related millennium development goals (MDGs) in Africa and Asia. The results show that the programme has no significant impact on malaria morbidity in treatment areas, but there is an impact once treatment is defined with reference to distance to facility. The impact is however less when patients have to walk longer distances to access drugs. In addition, the programme is found to have significant spillover effects to neighbouring untreated areas. Programme impact on mortality is generally insignificant. The programme is therefore recommendable for replication with particular emphasis on putting measures to reduce distance to facility by establishing more outlets nearer to the patients.

Social Capital as a Coping Mechanism for Women Small Scale Traders in the Informal Economy in Nairobi, Kenya

Gender relations are increasingly being transformed in the informal urban economy in Kenya. Women small scale traders (WSSTs) have had to cope by neither relying on their spouses as traditionally expected nor on profit maximisation. This paper argues that social capital is at the core of WSSTs business operation as their networks are sources of social support as well as capital and credit. WSSTs control their resources irrespective of their marital status. This paper is based on primary data collected from 398 WSSTs in five urban informal settlements in Nairobi between June and August 2015 using a mixed method approach. The study found that access to credit for WSSTs was a major handicap as the requirements by the credit institutions available were too stringent for small businesses due to requirement for guarantee and collaterals. WSSTs resorted to forming groups (merry go round or chamas (67.5%), women groups (27%) and associations including SACCOs (6%).) so that, besides other benefits, including networking, they could get financial credit. While many of these groups are not registered, they are mainly involved in giving loans and credit besides offering welfare support to their members. The spouses/partners have no say in the businesses. This Paper concludes that WSSTs belong to groups (chama) for social support and also financial support. They do not revert to their spouses/partners for support. The membership of the chama serves as guarantors for WSSTs to access credit. Thus interventions targeting WSSTs should have focus on the social capital development mechanisms as entry point. Equally the emerging gender dynamics of women having full control of their resources needs to be appreciated as an important turning point in gender relations and rights.