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Recent Submissions

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    Adolescent Self-Esteem in Selected Schools in Accra, Ghana: Examining Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Determinants
    (African Journal of Clinical Psychology, 2026) Fianko-Larbi, Theresah; Chang’orok, Susan; Yugi, Philemon
    Self-esteem is a fundamental developmental need that can significantly influence academic success, peer interaction, long-term mental outcomes, and future accomplishments of adolescents. Using a descriptive research design, and purposive sampling, the influence of socio-demographic variables, including age, gender, living conditions and number of relatives, on the self-esteem levels of 416 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15 years in selected schools within the Krowur Municipality, Accra, Ghana was evaluated using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Overall, 37.8% (157) of the adolescents exhibited low self-esteem, which is higher than 1/3 of the entire respondents. Results from the study revealed that self-esteem was dependent on adolescent age, in which early adolescents were found to have high self-esteem compared to those in their mid-adolescence. Furthermore, the adolescent males showed high esteem levels with a prevalence of 33.7% compared to their female (25.6%) counterparts. Adolescents living with their mothers alone exhibited a higher prevalence of low self-esteem (46.3%), which is attributed to the stigma associated with the absence of fathers among adolescents in the Krowur Municipality. Gender and age were statistically significant determinants of self-esteem (p<0.002 and p<0.016 respectively). Thus, females were more likely to report low self-esteem and also low self-esteem increased with age. The results of this study can be used to guide the development of school and community-based programs aimed at enhancing self-esteem among adolescents in low-income countries.
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    Prevalence and Correlates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder among Teachers in Bandit-Prone Areas of Baringo County, Kenya
    (9th annual International Conference, Kirinyaga University, 2026) Cherui, Rodgers Gowon; Waiyaki Winnie
    Banditry in Baringo County, Kenya, poses severe security challenges, affecting social and educational systems. This study investigates the prevalence and correlates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among teachers in these conflict-affected areas, guided by Frustration-Aggression Theory. A mixedmethods design was used to collect quantitative data from 384 teachers using PCL-5 and DASS-21 instruments, complemented by qualitative interviews. Results indicate high PTSD prevalence across intrusion (98.96%), avoidance (90.10%), negative cognition/mood (94.53%), and arousal/reactivity (95.31%) clusters, with 87.25% meeting criteria for probable PTSD. Themes of professional identity erosion, persistent trauma responses, and psychosocial strain emerged. The study emphasizes the need for traumainformed interventions, institutional safety measures, and policy support to safeguard teacher welfare and educational stability.
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    AI Against Smishing in Kenya: Culturally Adapted SMS Scam Detection for Digital Trust.
    (International Conference on Technology Management, Operations and Decisions (ICTMOD), 2025) Mursi, Japheth Kiplang'at; Mwarika, Salim; Nach, Hamid; Bukusi, Naomi
    Kenya’s mobile-financial ecosystem, driven by MPesa and a mobile penetration rate above 133%, has advancedcommerce and financial inclusion but also exposed users to SMSbased scams exploiting linguistic diversity, cultural trust, andpsychological manipulation. Existing fraud-reporting mechanisms such as keyword filtering and manual reporting, remain reactiveand inadequate against these evolving threats. To fill this gap, thisstudy develops a culturally adapted, machine learning–drivenapproach to SMS scam detection tailored to Kenya’s multilingualenvironment. Using a crowdsourced dataset of 738 SMS messages (427 scams, 311 legitimate), XGBoost achieved 83.8% accuracywith strong precision and F1-scores, while Logistic Regression offered superior recall (91.8%) in detecting fraudulent content. SHAP analysis revealed urgency cues, code-switching features,and social proof language as the most influential predictors ofscams. The proposed model, designed for integration via APIs intoUSSD platforms, enables real-time detection and fosters user confidence through explainable alerts. This study provides ascalable, context-aware framework for fraud prevention inmobile-first economies and actionable insights for telecom operators, fintech platforms, and policymakers seeking to strengthen digital trust
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    Mitigation of Antimicrobial Resistance in Dorper Sheep Manure Using Black Soldier Fly Larvae: Insights from Shotgun Metagenomic Profiling
    (9th annual International Conference, Kirinyaga University, 2026) Dembede, Steve Ephraim; Kiari, Muriithi; Bett, R.; Kibegwa, F.
    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a critical global health challenge, with livestock manure acting as a significant reservoir for antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARBs) and resistance genes (ARGs). In Kenya and other low- and middle-income countries, untreated manure is widely applied in agriculture, accelerating the spread of resistance across soil, water, and food systems. This study evaluated the efficacy of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL; Hermetia illucens) in mitigating AMR in Dorper sheep manure using shotgun metagenomic profiling. A controlled experimental design was employed involving three treatments: untreated manure, manure treated with BSFL for 10 days, and post-treatment incubated manure. High-throughput Illumina MiSeq sequencing and bioinformatics analyses were used to assess microbial diversity, community structure, and resistome dynamics. Findings revealed that BSFL treatment significantly restructured microbial communities, reducing Proteobacteria while increasing Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes, indicating enhanced stabilization. Microbial diversity increased following treatment and incubation. Resistome analysis showed a mixed response: reductions in aminoglycoside, fluoroquinolone, and sulfonamide resistance genes, but persistence or enrichment of tetracycline and β-lactam resistance genes. Notably, zoonotic pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella enterica, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa declined in relative abundance after treatment. The study concludes that BSFL bioconversion partially mitigates AMR by altering microbial ecology and reducing key resistance determinants, though it does not achieve complete elimination. Integrating BSFL treatment with post-processing strategies is recommended to enhance biosafety. These findings contribute to sustainable manure management practices within a One Health framework.
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    Integrating Knowledge-Sharing Ecosystems and Financial Support for Agricultural Value Addition: An Assessment of The Nyota Fund Among Young Mango Farmers in Kenya
    (9th annual International Conference, Kirinyaga University, 2026) Kimote, Zipporah; Wasike, J.; Mageto, V.; Mutunga, D.; Kyallo, J.
    Youth participation in agribusiness is increasingly positioned as a strategic lever for structural transformation, rural industrialization, and inclusive economic growth in developing economies. In Kenya, mango production presents significant opportunities for value addition, export diversification, and agro-processing-led development. However, young farmers continue to face multidimensional constraints, including limited access to financial capital, insufficient technical expertise, weak institutional coordination, fragmented extension systems, and inadequate integration into structured knowledge-sharing networks. While youth-targeted financial instruments such as the Nyota Fund have been introduced to enhance enterprise development, limited empirical research examines how embedded knowledge-sharing ecosystems within such funding mechanisms influence agricultural value addition outcomes. Grounded in Knowledge Management Theory, Social Capital Theory, and Innovation Diffusion Theory, this study conceptualizes value addition as an outcome of the dynamic interaction between financial capital, knowledge flows, institutional linkages, and collaborative learning systems. Employing a qualitative case study design complemented with document analysis and stakeholder interviews, the study evaluates training frameworks, extension support mechanisms, mentorship structures, digital knowledge platforms, peer-learning arrangements, and market linkage systems accessible to young mango farmers benefiting from the Fund. The study advances theoretical understanding by reframing financial support initiatives as integrated knowledge ecosystems rather than standalone funding instruments. It further proposes a systems-based model linking financial inclusion, knowledge exchange, innovation adoption, and market integration. The findings are expected to inform evidence-based policy reforms aimed at strengthening youthcentered agribusiness financing frameworks, enhancing value chain competitiveness, and promoting sustainable agro-industrial development in Kenya and comparable contexts.