Josephine Gitome - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Josephine Gitome
International journal of arts, recreation and sports, Jan 24, 2024
The current study sheds light on the role of church affiliation in shaping sexual attitudes and b... more The current study sheds light on the role of church affiliation in shaping sexual attitudes and behaviour. Not enough was known about how Christianity can influence the construction of values and beliefs that discourage risky sexual behaviour among adolescents at universities in Kenya. Little was understood on the role of church affiliation explaining variation in adolescent sexuality among Christian communities at universities. Spirituality is an understudied subtype of religiosity yet it may explain patterns of sexual behaviour. Most studies that have examined the relationship between sexual behaviours and religiosity have focused on sexual intercourse. These studies have not examined other sexual behaviour choices, like internet sex. Methodology: Using a mixed-methods design, the relationship between church affiliation and sexual behaviour was examined. In quantitative analysis, a stratified probability sample of (n=176 students) who attend regular prayer sessions in three universities: the Kenyatta University (KU) Main Campus, the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Karen Campus, and the Daystar University was used. Qualitative interviews were conducted with university administrators, chaplains, and other church workers. Undergirding the study was the social identity theory, which articulates the idea of people seeking to gain membership and acceptance in any social group. Findings: The findings suggest church affiliation has a significant effect on sexual attitudes, values, and behaviour. There seems to be an interaction between extrinsic and intrinsic religiosity, with frequent church attendance appearing to induce more conservative sexual beliefs, attitudes and behaviour. Church affiliation had a significant effect on sexual behaviour choices, which includes internet sex and cohabitation and extreme sexual activities.
Jumuga journal of education, oral studies, and human sciences, Jan 8, 2023
The aim of this research article is to draw a comparative analysis of Aembu and the Anglican Chur... more The aim of this research article is to draw a comparative analysis of Aembu and the Anglican Church's rites of passage for child socialization. This is geared towards bringing forth responsible people in the society. Its main objective is to interrogate the relationship between African and Anglican Church's rites of passage for child socialization. The overall goal is to come up with Afro-Christian mores for instilling moral virtues in children, and eventually prepare them for their future roles as adults. In the indigenous society, transitional rites of passage served as important tools for child socialization. This was meant to instill moral values among the Aembu youths. In our contemporary society, some adolescents face moral issues which often call for intensive child socialization from home and Church circles, hence the justification for this research article.
International Journal of Pregnancy & Child Birth
Respectful maternity care is where women are accorded the freedom to make informed choices, prote... more Respectful maternity care is where women are accorded the freedom to make informed choices, protects them from any form of harm and harassment, provides continuous support during labour and child birth and also upholds their privacy, confidentiality and dignity. Previous studies have demonstrated that any care deemed to disrespect the woman may henceforth determine her care seeking behaviour. In the lacuna created by some forms of disrespect of women of child bearing age in the healthcare system, some women may seek alternative care from traditional birth attendants, who are neither skilled nor able to promptly recognize, manage or refer complications arising during pregnancy, labour, child birth and puerperium. Globally, the high maternal mortality rate is associated with preventable complications which occur during pregnancy, labour, child birth and the puerperium, with those who encounter near misses or who narrowly survive death, end up suffering lifelong disability which affect...
Journal of Pastoral and Practical Theology (JPPT)
The study’s objective was to analyse the use of social media in evangelisation. The study employe... more The study’s objective was to analyse the use of social media in evangelisation. The study employed a descriptive research design to seek information from various congregants. Interview guides, observation schedules, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and questionnaires were used to collect data. The clergy and lay leaders were interviewed, and the congregants of different age groups filled out questionnaires. Key informants were selected by the use of a purposive sampling technique coupled with stratified random sampling. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis, whereas descriptive quantitative data analysis was performed in SPSS 21. The results indicated that social media had been used for evangelisation through ICT tools such as mobile phones and computers. However, the use of social media for evangelisation has been faced with various challenges, including lack of internet connectivity, misuse of social media by non-Christians through posting of pornographic materials ...
European Scientific Journal, ESJ
The paper addresses Kenya’s development challenges in maternal health care with a specific focus ... more The paper addresses Kenya’s development challenges in maternal health care with a specific focus on the impact of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) and female genital mutilation (FGM) among the refugees. It purposes to achieve four objectives: to discuss the persistence of FGM among Somali women in Ifo Refugee Camp, to establish the hospital process of providing maternal health care to mothers who have gone through FGM; find out the level of preparedness of the midwives to handle mothers with religio- cultural concerns such as prayer, non-involvement of male nurses and how the practice of FGM contributes to the preference of TBA by mothers. The study assumes that midwives’ training may not have effectively addressed FGM, a social-cultural sensitive issue affecting childbirth and care. Secondly, the specific support of midwives in refugee camps contexts remains limited. A qualitative research approach was used in the study, involving Snowballing sampling method, in-depth interviews...
Kenyatta University, Apr 1, 2018
The aim of this article is to outline the Pastoral marital programmes among Redeemed Gospel Churc... more The aim of this article is to outline the Pastoral marital programmes among Redeemed Gospel Church (RGC) Embu County, Kenya, which the church utilizes to help her members to address marital challenges. In our contemporary society, many marriages; Christian and non-Christian alike, face marital challenges which often call for a pastoral intervention from the pastoral leadership, especially among Christians. The article used the structural functional theory in its theoretical framework. Qualitative approach was the determinant design that was applied. The article reveals that there are marital challenges among RGC Christian families in Embu County despite RGC having established pastoral marital programmes that are ironically meant to address the challenges therein. The article concludes that there is an urgent need to revisit and adequately reconstruct the methodology in teaching pastoral marital programmes with the sole aim of finding better ways of addressing the test.
Students in secondary schools are still in the age of rapid physical, social, psychological and p... more Students in secondary schools are still in the age of rapid physical, social, psychological and physiological developments. These developments are accompanied with variety of changes which if not well attended to lead to indiscipline which can negatively affect concentration on studies. In this paper, it is argued that there is a correlation between students’ discipline and performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary School Education (KCSE). In Kenya, the Ministry of Education (MOE) collaborates with the stakeholders to ensure that students are cognizant of the correlation between discipline and performance in KCSE. The core business of the stakeholders as noted in the paper is to inculcate attitudes, skills, knowledge and understanding that value discipline among students. It is further argued that the stakeholders’ withdrawal from achieving the objectives of education lead to indiscipline among students and thus violating the schools’ rules and regulations. The paper utilizes th...
Kenya's population has been on the increase, and more than 15 million people are poor and liv... more Kenya's population has been on the increase, and more than 15 million people are poor and live in rural Kenya. Of these, 70% are women, who are particularly vulnerable because they do not have equal access to social economic assets thus widening economic gap and rising poverty levels that erode self-esteem and growth in education, health, food security and employment. Most of the poor people are farmers who, apart from growing crops for subsistence, majority of them also keep livestock as a major source of farm income and manure. Proper feeding of the animals is a critical input in productivity as feeding alone accounts for about 40% of production cost or more depending on the sources of feeds and feed ingredients. The available feeds used by farmers including plant residual and napier grass do not meet all the needs of the cattle kept by most farmers which compromises the productivity of the animals leading to low income for the farmer. In order to improve and empower the small...
Acta Scientific Women's Health, Feb 1, 2024
Caesarean section (CS) is the most commonly performed obstetrical surgery for life-saving and pre... more Caesarean section (CS) is the most commonly performed obstetrical surgery for life-saving and prevention of delivery complications. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a Caesarean section rate of between 10 and 15% as an acceptable level. However, studies have suggested that African women have an aversion for CS preferring vaginal delivery to caesarean section even when there is need to address basic obstetric complications; they perceive CS as being dangerous to the mother and baby. The inadequate use of CS in African countries has been identified as a key factor in the continuing high rates of maternal and perinatal morbidity in the region. In light of non-acceptance of CS among women in many developing countries, this study sought to explore gendered differentiated attitude towards CS among Somali Refugees who seek the services of Traditional birth attendants (TBA) in Dadaab. A qualitative case research design was employed with Ten Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), 3 pregnant women, 2 men and 2 refugee safe mothers who were Purposively selected from IFO refugee camp in Dadaab, Kenya. Additional responses were sought from 10 Nurses and 15 mothers in Red Cross hospital in IFO camp. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and personal observations. The study found that both men and women were reserved about CS expressing fear of death. Women also avoided CS due to fear of facing rejection from their husbands, psychological and emotional trauma of being stigmatized by the community; men felt that their conjugal rights were restricted if their women went through CS. They also indicated that TBAS are fellow women who help mothers to deliver at home, while in hospitals CS is done by men which is against the Somali culture. These findings indicate that there are many perceptions about CS among refugee community and thus need for programs to increase community understanding of CS as a method of delivery. The findings may also be a valuable process indicator for identifying the gaps in obstetric care that can be used for advocating improvements for healthcare. Background Cesarean section (CS) is the most commonly performed surgery in obstetrical care. It can be life-saving and is also a highly effective procedure for preventing delivery complications. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended a Caesarean section rate of between 10 and 15% (average 12.5%) as an acceptable level. This recommendation has formed the basis on which Caesarean rates have been considered normal, low or high [1]. WHO in 2015 further stated that every effort should be made to provide CS to women in need, rather than striving to achieve a specific rate. Despite recommendation by WHO studies have revealed that Caesarian section have continued to increase in an unprecedented manner. Studies shows that in many cases cesarean section is not always necessitated by medical reasons but lack of awareness, false beliefs and behaviors determine the method of delivery, i.e. giving priority to cesarean delivery roots in psychological, social, and cultural factors [2]. In addition [3] in many societies, cesarean has converted to a cultural issue and more than half of the women choose cesarean delivery voluntarily. Each year 1.5 million childbearing women have cesarean deliveries, and this population continues to increase [4]. A global survey conducted in 2012 showed that there was a CS rates of 19.8 % in Japan and 32.8 % in USA while in a report of 2011 the average CS rate of 18 European Union member states was 26.8% [5]. The rise in CS rates in middle-income countries, such as Argentina and Paraguay, has been found to be faster in recent decades than that in high-income countries. The CS rates in large Chinese cities with populations over 100 million rose from 10.12% to 63.0% between 1993 and 2008 [5]. In south Africa there has been a trend of increasing frequency, acceptance, and popularity of Cesarean sections. Noting that Eighty
Research on humanities and social sciences, 2018
The World has devotedly committed to ending HIV and AIDS epidemic by 2030. However, the latest gl... more The World has devotedly committed to ending HIV and AIDS epidemic by 2030. However, the latest global data demonstrate among other challenges an increase in new HIV infections. In 2015 there was an increase of new HIV infections from 1.8 million to 2.4 million, an average of 2.1 million. In light of this challenge of increasing new HIV infections, a scrutiny on the effectiveness of HIV prevention strategies and measures is important. Abstinence, fidelity and condom use are among the strategies that have been lauded to prevent further transmission of HIV infections. However, the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) stance and repression of condom use by her adherents bars the positive strides of preventing the spread of HIV. This paper addresses the possible grounds for review of the RCC negative stance on condom use. This is premised on the famous Pope John Paul II’s culture of life theology that upholds not only the sanctity of human life but also the intrinsic value and dignity of the huma...
European Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 2021
Statement of Problem: Family planning is a determining factor in the maternal health care choices... more Statement of Problem: Family planning is a determining factor in the maternal health care choices for Somali pregnant mothers in Dadaab Refugee camps. Research has revealed that during delivery, the Somali mothers prefer the services of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) to those of midwives in hospitals. The preference for TBAs is borne of the belief that when women deliver in hospitals, they could be subjected to family planning against their will. The contention is that Islam and socio-cultural practices of the Somali community do not advocate family planning. The purpose of this paper is to discuss Islam’s position on family planning in order to explain the response of the Somalis of Dadaab refugee camps on family planning. Methodology & Theoretical orientation: The paper is derived from a qualitative study that involved snowball sampling, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs). These methods brought out family planning as a determining factor in the mother’s ch...
This article looks at challenges of parenting teenagers among African Christians in Nairobi Kenya... more This article looks at challenges of parenting teenagers among African Christians in Nairobi Kenya. Christian religion anchors parental guidance on the Bible. Parents are therefore expected to play a leading role in molding their teenage children into upright, morally sound adults. The onset of secular FM stations broadcasting programs that appear to portray parents as weak undermines parental ability to be role models for their children. The study utilizes Cultivation theory in analyzing how FM radio programs have created a common worldview among teenagers.
Societies have struggled with the problem of sexual immorality for ages. Christian doctrines hold... more Societies have struggled with the problem of sexual immorality for ages. Christian doctrines hold that sex is only permissible withing the christian marriage set up. Promiscuity is strictly prohibited. In Nairobi, Christians have to contend with a new trend in some FM radio broadcasting that appears to legitimize sexual immorality among teenagers and even among married couples. This message has been warmly received by teenagers to the detriment of parents as well as societal leaders.
Borderless Higher Education for Refugees, 2021
The purpose of this study was threefold. First, to find out the pastoral counseling given to adol... more The purpose of this study was threefold. First, to find out the pastoral counseling given to adolescents in selected Nairobi churches. Second, to assess the element(s) of African indigenous counseling techniques already incorporated in the pastoral counselling techniques. Third, to examine the sources of guidance utilized by adolescents. Through purposive sampling method, seven churches in Nairobi from the main denominations in Kenya were selected for research. These are the Consolata Shrine Westlands.The Kings Church Githurai Kimbo, The African Church of The Holy Spirit (ACOHS) Pumwani, Chrisco City Church, Kenya Assemblies of God (Bahati), Riruta Baptist Church, African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) Dandora and the Salvation Army Kibera. Basic methods ofact finding were utilized. The subject respondents included adolescents, pastoral workers, parents of adolescents and key leaders of sampled churches. In total, a sample of 160 respondents were interviewed from p...
International Journal of Pregnancy & Child Birth
Access to skilled birth attendance is critical in improving maternal and newborn health. However,... more Access to skilled birth attendance is critical in improving maternal and newborn health. However, in low resource settings, rural and refugee camps, professionally trained staff are often in short supply hence women tend to rely on traditional birth attendants (TBAs) for delivery. Despite knowledge that a health care facility delivery is safer, many women from low resource environments continue to seek for the care of TBAs. In order to understand the care provided to refugee women during pregnancy and after birth, in a refugee camp, a study was conducted in Ifo Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya. The aim of this article therefore, is to document findings on participants’ perspectives on pre and post-natal care provided to women in refugee camps during pregnancy and after birth. This was a qualitative study conducted in Ifo refugee camp in Dadaab Kenya. Nine participants were purposively selected for the study to give their perspectives on the role of TBAs in providing caregiving support t...
Dialogues in Human Geography
This dialogue begins with the question of ‘contraction’ and explores how this embodied concept ma... more This dialogue begins with the question of ‘contraction’ and explores how this embodied concept may help expand our thinking on reproductive geographies. Following our interlocutors’ lead, we think with (and against) Jane Bennett and her work on dilation here. We go on to think about these contractions in relation to various ‘contracts’ – not least those forged between researcher and participant. Here we delve into questions of what a ‘non-participatory action research’ contract might look like. We then conclude by taking seriously the following question: why is there still a prevailing whiteness in reproductive geographies?
Dialogues in Human Geography
Within a context of intensifying global displacement, the experience of birthing across borders i... more Within a context of intensifying global displacement, the experience of birthing across borders is becoming a reality for many. We catch incomplete glimpses of these realities through countless media snapshots of pregnant bodies in dinghies crossing seas or slung with metallic emergency-blankets. Despite their prevalence, these birthing experiences have not been adequately accounted for in the scholarship on reproductive geographies. In this article, we argue that this relative absence is not a mishap but reflects a deeper geographical bias. The present article seeks to address this gap and has three main aims: first, to provide a deeper understanding of heterogenous reproductive lives, especially as they relate to questions of displacement and precarious citizenship. Second, to offer new participatory and creative methods for understanding these reproductive lives in contexts of acute but also protracted violence. Third, to develop a conceptual language of ‘contraction’ to help gra...
International journal of arts, recreation and sports, Jan 24, 2024
The current study sheds light on the role of church affiliation in shaping sexual attitudes and b... more The current study sheds light on the role of church affiliation in shaping sexual attitudes and behaviour. Not enough was known about how Christianity can influence the construction of values and beliefs that discourage risky sexual behaviour among adolescents at universities in Kenya. Little was understood on the role of church affiliation explaining variation in adolescent sexuality among Christian communities at universities. Spirituality is an understudied subtype of religiosity yet it may explain patterns of sexual behaviour. Most studies that have examined the relationship between sexual behaviours and religiosity have focused on sexual intercourse. These studies have not examined other sexual behaviour choices, like internet sex. Methodology: Using a mixed-methods design, the relationship between church affiliation and sexual behaviour was examined. In quantitative analysis, a stratified probability sample of (n=176 students) who attend regular prayer sessions in three universities: the Kenyatta University (KU) Main Campus, the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Karen Campus, and the Daystar University was used. Qualitative interviews were conducted with university administrators, chaplains, and other church workers. Undergirding the study was the social identity theory, which articulates the idea of people seeking to gain membership and acceptance in any social group. Findings: The findings suggest church affiliation has a significant effect on sexual attitudes, values, and behaviour. There seems to be an interaction between extrinsic and intrinsic religiosity, with frequent church attendance appearing to induce more conservative sexual beliefs, attitudes and behaviour. Church affiliation had a significant effect on sexual behaviour choices, which includes internet sex and cohabitation and extreme sexual activities.
Jumuga journal of education, oral studies, and human sciences, Jan 8, 2023
The aim of this research article is to draw a comparative analysis of Aembu and the Anglican Chur... more The aim of this research article is to draw a comparative analysis of Aembu and the Anglican Church's rites of passage for child socialization. This is geared towards bringing forth responsible people in the society. Its main objective is to interrogate the relationship between African and Anglican Church's rites of passage for child socialization. The overall goal is to come up with Afro-Christian mores for instilling moral virtues in children, and eventually prepare them for their future roles as adults. In the indigenous society, transitional rites of passage served as important tools for child socialization. This was meant to instill moral values among the Aembu youths. In our contemporary society, some adolescents face moral issues which often call for intensive child socialization from home and Church circles, hence the justification for this research article.
International Journal of Pregnancy & Child Birth
Respectful maternity care is where women are accorded the freedom to make informed choices, prote... more Respectful maternity care is where women are accorded the freedom to make informed choices, protects them from any form of harm and harassment, provides continuous support during labour and child birth and also upholds their privacy, confidentiality and dignity. Previous studies have demonstrated that any care deemed to disrespect the woman may henceforth determine her care seeking behaviour. In the lacuna created by some forms of disrespect of women of child bearing age in the healthcare system, some women may seek alternative care from traditional birth attendants, who are neither skilled nor able to promptly recognize, manage or refer complications arising during pregnancy, labour, child birth and puerperium. Globally, the high maternal mortality rate is associated with preventable complications which occur during pregnancy, labour, child birth and the puerperium, with those who encounter near misses or who narrowly survive death, end up suffering lifelong disability which affect...
Journal of Pastoral and Practical Theology (JPPT)
The study’s objective was to analyse the use of social media in evangelisation. The study employe... more The study’s objective was to analyse the use of social media in evangelisation. The study employed a descriptive research design to seek information from various congregants. Interview guides, observation schedules, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and questionnaires were used to collect data. The clergy and lay leaders were interviewed, and the congregants of different age groups filled out questionnaires. Key informants were selected by the use of a purposive sampling technique coupled with stratified random sampling. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis, whereas descriptive quantitative data analysis was performed in SPSS 21. The results indicated that social media had been used for evangelisation through ICT tools such as mobile phones and computers. However, the use of social media for evangelisation has been faced with various challenges, including lack of internet connectivity, misuse of social media by non-Christians through posting of pornographic materials ...
European Scientific Journal, ESJ
The paper addresses Kenya’s development challenges in maternal health care with a specific focus ... more The paper addresses Kenya’s development challenges in maternal health care with a specific focus on the impact of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) and female genital mutilation (FGM) among the refugees. It purposes to achieve four objectives: to discuss the persistence of FGM among Somali women in Ifo Refugee Camp, to establish the hospital process of providing maternal health care to mothers who have gone through FGM; find out the level of preparedness of the midwives to handle mothers with religio- cultural concerns such as prayer, non-involvement of male nurses and how the practice of FGM contributes to the preference of TBA by mothers. The study assumes that midwives’ training may not have effectively addressed FGM, a social-cultural sensitive issue affecting childbirth and care. Secondly, the specific support of midwives in refugee camps contexts remains limited. A qualitative research approach was used in the study, involving Snowballing sampling method, in-depth interviews...
Kenyatta University, Apr 1, 2018
The aim of this article is to outline the Pastoral marital programmes among Redeemed Gospel Churc... more The aim of this article is to outline the Pastoral marital programmes among Redeemed Gospel Church (RGC) Embu County, Kenya, which the church utilizes to help her members to address marital challenges. In our contemporary society, many marriages; Christian and non-Christian alike, face marital challenges which often call for a pastoral intervention from the pastoral leadership, especially among Christians. The article used the structural functional theory in its theoretical framework. Qualitative approach was the determinant design that was applied. The article reveals that there are marital challenges among RGC Christian families in Embu County despite RGC having established pastoral marital programmes that are ironically meant to address the challenges therein. The article concludes that there is an urgent need to revisit and adequately reconstruct the methodology in teaching pastoral marital programmes with the sole aim of finding better ways of addressing the test.
Students in secondary schools are still in the age of rapid physical, social, psychological and p... more Students in secondary schools are still in the age of rapid physical, social, psychological and physiological developments. These developments are accompanied with variety of changes which if not well attended to lead to indiscipline which can negatively affect concentration on studies. In this paper, it is argued that there is a correlation between students’ discipline and performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary School Education (KCSE). In Kenya, the Ministry of Education (MOE) collaborates with the stakeholders to ensure that students are cognizant of the correlation between discipline and performance in KCSE. The core business of the stakeholders as noted in the paper is to inculcate attitudes, skills, knowledge and understanding that value discipline among students. It is further argued that the stakeholders’ withdrawal from achieving the objectives of education lead to indiscipline among students and thus violating the schools’ rules and regulations. The paper utilizes th...
Kenya's population has been on the increase, and more than 15 million people are poor and liv... more Kenya's population has been on the increase, and more than 15 million people are poor and live in rural Kenya. Of these, 70% are women, who are particularly vulnerable because they do not have equal access to social economic assets thus widening economic gap and rising poverty levels that erode self-esteem and growth in education, health, food security and employment. Most of the poor people are farmers who, apart from growing crops for subsistence, majority of them also keep livestock as a major source of farm income and manure. Proper feeding of the animals is a critical input in productivity as feeding alone accounts for about 40% of production cost or more depending on the sources of feeds and feed ingredients. The available feeds used by farmers including plant residual and napier grass do not meet all the needs of the cattle kept by most farmers which compromises the productivity of the animals leading to low income for the farmer. In order to improve and empower the small...
Acta Scientific Women's Health, Feb 1, 2024
Caesarean section (CS) is the most commonly performed obstetrical surgery for life-saving and pre... more Caesarean section (CS) is the most commonly performed obstetrical surgery for life-saving and prevention of delivery complications. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a Caesarean section rate of between 10 and 15% as an acceptable level. However, studies have suggested that African women have an aversion for CS preferring vaginal delivery to caesarean section even when there is need to address basic obstetric complications; they perceive CS as being dangerous to the mother and baby. The inadequate use of CS in African countries has been identified as a key factor in the continuing high rates of maternal and perinatal morbidity in the region. In light of non-acceptance of CS among women in many developing countries, this study sought to explore gendered differentiated attitude towards CS among Somali Refugees who seek the services of Traditional birth attendants (TBA) in Dadaab. A qualitative case research design was employed with Ten Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), 3 pregnant women, 2 men and 2 refugee safe mothers who were Purposively selected from IFO refugee camp in Dadaab, Kenya. Additional responses were sought from 10 Nurses and 15 mothers in Red Cross hospital in IFO camp. Data was collected through in-depth interviews and personal observations. The study found that both men and women were reserved about CS expressing fear of death. Women also avoided CS due to fear of facing rejection from their husbands, psychological and emotional trauma of being stigmatized by the community; men felt that their conjugal rights were restricted if their women went through CS. They also indicated that TBAS are fellow women who help mothers to deliver at home, while in hospitals CS is done by men which is against the Somali culture. These findings indicate that there are many perceptions about CS among refugee community and thus need for programs to increase community understanding of CS as a method of delivery. The findings may also be a valuable process indicator for identifying the gaps in obstetric care that can be used for advocating improvements for healthcare. Background Cesarean section (CS) is the most commonly performed surgery in obstetrical care. It can be life-saving and is also a highly effective procedure for preventing delivery complications. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended a Caesarean section rate of between 10 and 15% (average 12.5%) as an acceptable level. This recommendation has formed the basis on which Caesarean rates have been considered normal, low or high [1]. WHO in 2015 further stated that every effort should be made to provide CS to women in need, rather than striving to achieve a specific rate. Despite recommendation by WHO studies have revealed that Caesarian section have continued to increase in an unprecedented manner. Studies shows that in many cases cesarean section is not always necessitated by medical reasons but lack of awareness, false beliefs and behaviors determine the method of delivery, i.e. giving priority to cesarean delivery roots in psychological, social, and cultural factors [2]. In addition [3] in many societies, cesarean has converted to a cultural issue and more than half of the women choose cesarean delivery voluntarily. Each year 1.5 million childbearing women have cesarean deliveries, and this population continues to increase [4]. A global survey conducted in 2012 showed that there was a CS rates of 19.8 % in Japan and 32.8 % in USA while in a report of 2011 the average CS rate of 18 European Union member states was 26.8% [5]. The rise in CS rates in middle-income countries, such as Argentina and Paraguay, has been found to be faster in recent decades than that in high-income countries. The CS rates in large Chinese cities with populations over 100 million rose from 10.12% to 63.0% between 1993 and 2008 [5]. In south Africa there has been a trend of increasing frequency, acceptance, and popularity of Cesarean sections. Noting that Eighty
Research on humanities and social sciences, 2018
The World has devotedly committed to ending HIV and AIDS epidemic by 2030. However, the latest gl... more The World has devotedly committed to ending HIV and AIDS epidemic by 2030. However, the latest global data demonstrate among other challenges an increase in new HIV infections. In 2015 there was an increase of new HIV infections from 1.8 million to 2.4 million, an average of 2.1 million. In light of this challenge of increasing new HIV infections, a scrutiny on the effectiveness of HIV prevention strategies and measures is important. Abstinence, fidelity and condom use are among the strategies that have been lauded to prevent further transmission of HIV infections. However, the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) stance and repression of condom use by her adherents bars the positive strides of preventing the spread of HIV. This paper addresses the possible grounds for review of the RCC negative stance on condom use. This is premised on the famous Pope John Paul II’s culture of life theology that upholds not only the sanctity of human life but also the intrinsic value and dignity of the huma...
European Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 2021
Statement of Problem: Family planning is a determining factor in the maternal health care choices... more Statement of Problem: Family planning is a determining factor in the maternal health care choices for Somali pregnant mothers in Dadaab Refugee camps. Research has revealed that during delivery, the Somali mothers prefer the services of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) to those of midwives in hospitals. The preference for TBAs is borne of the belief that when women deliver in hospitals, they could be subjected to family planning against their will. The contention is that Islam and socio-cultural practices of the Somali community do not advocate family planning. The purpose of this paper is to discuss Islam’s position on family planning in order to explain the response of the Somalis of Dadaab refugee camps on family planning. Methodology & Theoretical orientation: The paper is derived from a qualitative study that involved snowball sampling, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs). These methods brought out family planning as a determining factor in the mother’s ch...
This article looks at challenges of parenting teenagers among African Christians in Nairobi Kenya... more This article looks at challenges of parenting teenagers among African Christians in Nairobi Kenya. Christian religion anchors parental guidance on the Bible. Parents are therefore expected to play a leading role in molding their teenage children into upright, morally sound adults. The onset of secular FM stations broadcasting programs that appear to portray parents as weak undermines parental ability to be role models for their children. The study utilizes Cultivation theory in analyzing how FM radio programs have created a common worldview among teenagers.
Societies have struggled with the problem of sexual immorality for ages. Christian doctrines hold... more Societies have struggled with the problem of sexual immorality for ages. Christian doctrines hold that sex is only permissible withing the christian marriage set up. Promiscuity is strictly prohibited. In Nairobi, Christians have to contend with a new trend in some FM radio broadcasting that appears to legitimize sexual immorality among teenagers and even among married couples. This message has been warmly received by teenagers to the detriment of parents as well as societal leaders.
Borderless Higher Education for Refugees, 2021
The purpose of this study was threefold. First, to find out the pastoral counseling given to adol... more The purpose of this study was threefold. First, to find out the pastoral counseling given to adolescents in selected Nairobi churches. Second, to assess the element(s) of African indigenous counseling techniques already incorporated in the pastoral counselling techniques. Third, to examine the sources of guidance utilized by adolescents. Through purposive sampling method, seven churches in Nairobi from the main denominations in Kenya were selected for research. These are the Consolata Shrine Westlands.The Kings Church Githurai Kimbo, The African Church of The Holy Spirit (ACOHS) Pumwani, Chrisco City Church, Kenya Assemblies of God (Bahati), Riruta Baptist Church, African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) Dandora and the Salvation Army Kibera. Basic methods ofact finding were utilized. The subject respondents included adolescents, pastoral workers, parents of adolescents and key leaders of sampled churches. In total, a sample of 160 respondents were interviewed from p...
International Journal of Pregnancy & Child Birth
Access to skilled birth attendance is critical in improving maternal and newborn health. However,... more Access to skilled birth attendance is critical in improving maternal and newborn health. However, in low resource settings, rural and refugee camps, professionally trained staff are often in short supply hence women tend to rely on traditional birth attendants (TBAs) for delivery. Despite knowledge that a health care facility delivery is safer, many women from low resource environments continue to seek for the care of TBAs. In order to understand the care provided to refugee women during pregnancy and after birth, in a refugee camp, a study was conducted in Ifo Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya. The aim of this article therefore, is to document findings on participants’ perspectives on pre and post-natal care provided to women in refugee camps during pregnancy and after birth. This was a qualitative study conducted in Ifo refugee camp in Dadaab Kenya. Nine participants were purposively selected for the study to give their perspectives on the role of TBAs in providing caregiving support t...
Dialogues in Human Geography
This dialogue begins with the question of ‘contraction’ and explores how this embodied concept ma... more This dialogue begins with the question of ‘contraction’ and explores how this embodied concept may help expand our thinking on reproductive geographies. Following our interlocutors’ lead, we think with (and against) Jane Bennett and her work on dilation here. We go on to think about these contractions in relation to various ‘contracts’ – not least those forged between researcher and participant. Here we delve into questions of what a ‘non-participatory action research’ contract might look like. We then conclude by taking seriously the following question: why is there still a prevailing whiteness in reproductive geographies?
Dialogues in Human Geography
Within a context of intensifying global displacement, the experience of birthing across borders i... more Within a context of intensifying global displacement, the experience of birthing across borders is becoming a reality for many. We catch incomplete glimpses of these realities through countless media snapshots of pregnant bodies in dinghies crossing seas or slung with metallic emergency-blankets. Despite their prevalence, these birthing experiences have not been adequately accounted for in the scholarship on reproductive geographies. In this article, we argue that this relative absence is not a mishap but reflects a deeper geographical bias. The present article seeks to address this gap and has three main aims: first, to provide a deeper understanding of heterogenous reproductive lives, especially as they relate to questions of displacement and precarious citizenship. Second, to offer new participatory and creative methods for understanding these reproductive lives in contexts of acute but also protracted violence. Third, to develop a conceptual language of ‘contraction’ to help gra...