Gidraph G Wairire

Sero-epidemiology of Peste des petits ruminants virus infection in Turkana County, Kenya

BackgroundPeste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a contagious viral disease of small ruminants. Serum samples from sheep (n = 431) and goats (n = 538) of all ages were collected in a cross-sectional study in Turkana County, Kenya. The objective was to estimate the sero-prevalence of PPR virus (PPRV) infection and associated risk factors in both species.PPRV competitive enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (c-ELISA) analysed the presence of antibodies in the samples. All analyses were conducted for each species separately. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to the data to assess the relationship between the risk factors and PPRV sero-positivity. Mixed-effect models using an administrative sub-location as a random effect were also fitted to adjust for possible clustering of PPRV sero-positivity. Intra-cluster correlation coefficients (ρ) that described the degree of similarity among sero-positive responses for each species in each of the six administrative divisions were estimated.ResultsGoats had a significantly higher sero-prevalence of 40% [95% confidence interval (CI): 36%, 44%] compared to sheep with 32% [95% CI: 27%, 36%] (P = 0.008). Combined sero-prevalence estimates were heterogeneous across administrative divisions (n = 6) (range 22% to 65%) and even more across sub-locations (n = 46) (range 0% to 78%). Assuming that PPRV antibodies are protective of infection, a large pool of PPRV susceptible middle age group (>6 months and < 24 months) in both species was estimated. This was based on the low sero-prevalence in this group in goats (14% [95% CI: 10%, 20%]) and in sheep (18% [95% CI: 13%, 25%]). Regression analysis returned significant risk factors across species: in sheep - vaccination status, age and administrative division; in goats - sex, age, administrative division and sex*age interaction. The intra-sub-location correlation coefficients varied widely across divisions (range <0.001 to 0.42) and across species within divisions.ConclusionsBiological, spatial and socio-ecological factors are hypothesized as possible explanations for variation in PPRV sero-positivity in the Turkana pastoral ecosystem.

Educating for the Global Agenda: Internationally relevant conceptual frameworks and knowledge for social work education

In this article, we discuss the capacity of social work educational programs to prepare graduates to contribute to the human, social and environmental challenges outlined in the Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development. The educational sector must play a lead role through training and research. Using examples from Kenya and the United States, we argue more curriculum emphasis on such areas as social and economic development, human rights, and social integration is required. The article concludes with recommendations for strengthening curriculum and dialogue on the globally relevant concepts identified in the Global Agenda.

The changing status and growth of social work education worldwide: Process, findings and implications of the IASSW 2010 census

The dramatic growth in social work education is documented in the International Association of Schools of Social Work’s 2010 census of institutions offering at least one degree program in social work. The census gathered data on program structure, personnel, student enrollment and curriculum from 473 respondents in the five IASSW regions. Half of the respondents reported requiring course content in social work history, values or ethics, and 20 percent of required courses are taught by non-social work educators. The expansion of social work programs is indicative of social work’s untapped potential for delivering social justice content on the international stage.

Economic Losses Associated With Peste Des Petits Ruminants In Turkana County Kenya

Peste des petits ruminants is a major economic disease affecting the pastoral herders in Kenya, with outbreaks in Turkana County having devastating effects on the Turkana livelihoods. Turkana County is a region associated with natural and manmade disasters, poor infrastructure and insecurity. There is limited essential data on livestock diseases and economic analysis. This study has attempted to estimate the direct economic loses occasioned by outbreaks of Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) based on perceived loss of benefits experienced by the Turkana people. Parameters for the analytical model were derived from secondary data, informal interviews and focused group discussions using participatory epidemiology methods. Results shows that losses due to PPR were estimated at US

The Challenges of Maintaining Social Work Ethics in Kenya

19.1 million and mortality of small stock due to PPR constituted the greatest economic loss valued at US

Gifted and talented education: Some social work implications in emerging approaches for children’s rights in Kenya

16.8 million being 88% of the total losses. Other losses due to lost milk and weight loss constitute approximately 12% of the total losses. PPR has serious economic impacts on pastoral livelihoods, and previous estimation of PPR losses in Kenya was grossly undervalued. This study strengthens the basis for developing a system for the economic assessment of livestock diseases in areas with scanty data based on parameters derived from participatory epidemiology approaches for use in the mathematical model.

Participatory risk assessment of Peste des petit ruminants: Factor analysis of small ruminants’ pastoral management practices in Turkana district, Kenya

Little research has been published that is specifically relevant to professional social work ethics in Kenya. This paper seeks to address this gap in the literature. One of the major challenges is maintaining professional social work ethics, which are predominantly Western-based, in an African cultural context. This paper argues for an Afrocentric approach, specifically proposing Ubuntu as a helpful concept that could guide the development of professional social work ethics that are relevant to African contexts. The Kenyan context is documented, including the challenges faced in social work education and practice in Kenya. While the paper is primarily theoretical, the overall argument is informed by two teaching cases, one of which highlights the ethical challenges experienced by social workers in Kenya, the other demonstrating creative engagement with cultural traditions and practices. It is concluded that: the concept of Afrocentricity supports a move beyond knowledge accumulation to knowledge-informed action as part of ethics for social workers; more social work-led research in Kenyan and other African contexts is desirable, but if international knowledge can be made relevant to the needs and cultures of African people this may also be useful.

Developmental social work in South Africa and Kenya : some lessons for Africa

This article analyses the social work implications in programmes and initiatives that address the rights of children in Kenya. The analysis is drawn from three case studies of organizations that promote child rights in Kenya, namely Compassion International (Kenya), Chosen Children of Promise (CCP) and Equity Group Foundation of the Equity Bank. These agencies are making notable efforts to identify needy children and assist them to access education in appropriate institutions through the provision of scholarships and other forms of assistance. The research notes the lack of clear government policy for gifted and talented children’s education and the positive role that social workers could play in the promotion of child rights in Kenya. This article makes a contribution to the awareness of policies for gifted and talented children in Kenya.