This master thesis attempted to research the kinds of socio-economic dynamics of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) on rural communities in Kenya. To do this, the Kenyan branch of the SNV...Show moreThis master thesis attempted to research the kinds of socio-economic dynamics of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) on rural communities in Kenya. To do this, the Kenyan branch of the SNV Netherlands Development Organisation hosted me to analyse the impacts of three SNV-initiated PPP projects focusing on the fields of agriculture, dairy and water management. Research was conducted directly in the field by interviewing twenty different smallholder farmers who are using products or services of one of the five different analysed SNV business partners taking part in the PPP projects. The history of PPPs in Africa and particularly Kenya was summarised while simultaneously elaborating as to why PPPs are an increasingly more prevalent means of development in the country. My methodology was then outlined including information about the relevant Kenyan counties and the different SNV PPPs and business partners. The results of the twenty different interviews were then detailed and critically discussed showing the strengths and shortcomings of the collected data while highlighting key findings. It was found that the farmers I interviewed were primarily very pleased with the products and services they were using through SNV’s PPP projects, being fairly hesitant in sharing any critiques or points of improvement. Upon further analysis this could have been due to shortcomings in my methodology meaning that it is important to always critically evaluate gathered qualitative data before coming to a definitive conclusion since various unintended consequences could still negatively impact rural communities even though interviewed farmers remain positive. For future research there is room for improvement by looking into different factors that may introduce bias into data gathering, requiring adjustments to the methodology, as well as increasing the sample size of conducted interviews. Additionally, future interviews should include questions about specific quantitative figures in order to have a clear manner to measure changes in production and income.Show less
AIM: It is the aim of this study to understand how and why South Sudanese women living in refugee settlements in Adjumani look for treatment in regard to Tuberculosis (TB), by answering the main...Show moreAIM: It is the aim of this study to understand how and why South Sudanese women living in refugee settlements in Adjumani look for treatment in regard to Tuberculosis (TB), by answering the main question ‘What are the health beliefs and health-seeking behaviour within the South Sudanese community in Adjumani district in regard to Tuberculosis?’. The sub-questions focus on different factors that influence health-seeking behaviour and health beliefs. METHODS: Focus group discussions (FGDs) (15) and individual interviews (3) with South Sudanese women were held in different refugee settlements in the Adjumani district in Northern Uganda. These were transcribed and analysed through ‘open’, ‘axial’ and ‘selective’ coding. Also, respondents were asked to draw something TB related, to make a visual interpretation of their knowledge about TB. By using Seale’s (2008) scheme, factors that influence health beliefs and health-seeking behaviour were formulated to answer the main question. Additionally, the district TB focal person was interviewed. RESULTS: The main health beliefs were that TB is a contagious disease which is mainly transmitted through sharing a cup with an infected person and that it is curable. Still, in more than half of the FGDs respondents said TB is caused by other factors (such as heavy work or fear) and in about one third of the FGDs no respondents mentioned the early symptoms of TB. In more than half of FGDs respondents said they would isolate someone with TB. The health-seeking behaviour of the respondents was commendable, since all respondents sought to find treatment when necessary. However, the majority would end up looking for treatment at a private clinic or a distant health facility, since the closest health facility would not provide them with medicine or the treatment they were expecting. In one in five of the FGDs a respondent mentioned self-treatment in the form of finishing old medication or using local herbs. The main factors that influence health beliefs about TB in this study are body perception, perception of susceptibility, supernatural beliefs, levels of education and familiarity with TB. The main factors that influence health-seeking behaviour are experiences with health care in Uganda, distance to the health facility, familiarity with TB, compliance and identity. CONCLUSION: To conclude, even though the health beliefs and perceptions about TB among the South Sudanese women were often different from medical or professional points of view, the health seeking behaviour was very much present and the South Sudanese women were willing to find treatment whenever they considered it necessary. Nevertheless, due to bad experiences with the health facilities, which was mainly about frequent drug-stock-outs, bad attitude of health workers, lay-professional rivalry and inappropriate testing machines, the South Sudanese mothers believe that the district’s health facilities are often unable to make a proper diagnosis. With the insecurity of how the conflict in South Sudan will continue, it will be important for the district to more strongly monitor the spread of TB and include the perspective of the South Sudanese community in order to understand why and where people look for treatment. Recommendations for the district health office and for future research were formulated.Show less
This research was designed to identify and critically examine social-economic conditions of IDPs in 10 informal settlements in Abuja, Nigeria. Data were collected mainly in the face-to face...Show moreThis research was designed to identify and critically examine social-economic conditions of IDPs in 10 informal settlements in Abuja, Nigeria. Data were collected mainly in the face-to face interviews, observations and informal discussion group. The results show that IDPs in informal settlements are vulnerable and live in very poor conditions. The most alarming data is that some of them have not received any kind support from the Government in years. For this reason, it is important to fill the gap of knowledge in this field in order to provide authorities and other actors (NGOs and international organization) updated data.Show less
