https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/27 2026-05-15T12:09:18Z 2026-05-15T12:09:18Z Wangamati, Cynthia Khamala Geissler, Paul Wenzel Nyambedha, Erick Otieno Prince, Ruth Jane https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6374 2025-09-12T13:08:02Z 2025-04-11T00:00:00Z

Health providers’ perspectives on effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and anti-epidemic measures on maternal health services in Nairobi, Kenya: a qualitative study Wangamati, Cynthia Khamala; Geissler, Paul Wenzel; Nyambedha, Erick Otieno; Prince, Ruth Jane The first case of COVID-19 in Kenya was confirmed in March 2020; the Kenyan government swiftly introduced measures to curb transmission, some of which negatively impacted maternal health services. Most research on the effects of COVID-19 on maternal health is from the perspectives of pregnant women and mothers. Our study explores health providers’ perspectives on the effect of COVID-19 on maternal health services in Nairobi, Kenya.

2025-04-11T00:00:00Z Ngere, Sarah Hawi Olang’o, Charles Ochola, Kennedy,et al. https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6373 2025-09-12T12:45:23Z 2025-07-08T00:00:00Z

Caregivers’ lived experiences of childhood probable pneumonia through a gendered lens in western Kenya Ngere, Sarah Hawi; Olang’o, Charles; Ochola, Kennedy,et al. Gender intersects with multiple forms of socio-cultural, economic and health system factors to influence the overall care-seeking experiences of caregivers.

2025-07-08T00:00:00Z Ngere, Sarah Hawi Olang'o, Charles Omondi Kiyuka, Patience,et al https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6372 2025-09-12T12:30:05Z 2025-08-05T00:00:00Z

Caregivers’ perceptions of childhood pneumonia in Western Kenya: a theory of practice perspective Ngere, Sarah Hawi; Olang'o, Charles Omondi; Kiyuka, Patience,et al Caregivers' beliefs about their children’s health, perceived causes of illness, and approaches to treatment significantly influence health-seeking behavior. Using Bourdieu’s Theory of Practice, we explore the influence of caregivers’ social and cultural capital within a specific social environment that shapes pneumonia perceptions. An ethnographic study, a combined mixed method qualitative study, was conducted between April and October 2024. A total of 14 in-depth interviews, 3 focus group discussions, and 11 caregivers participated in the participant observation. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using a phenomenological hermeneutic approach by reading and re-reading transcripts to identify recurrent themes and interpret the understanding of childhood illnesses, perceptions of pneumonia, and how they influence health-seeking behavior. Caregivers have reported three main causes of pneumonia: exposure to cold, hereditary factors, and pathogens. All caregivers identified exposure to cold, such as cold weather or riding motorcycles, as a cause of pneumonia. Few knew that germs could cause pneumonia, while a few believed that pneumonia was hereditary. Asthma, perceived as a hereditary condition, is also believed to cause pneumonia. However, there is confusion regarding whether pneumonia and asthma are distinct illnesses or the same condition. Regardless of the specific belief, exposure to the cold remained the most dominant and widely accepted explanation for pneumonia across all caregivers. Additionally, there was no widely recognized local terminology for pneumonia; instead, caregivers described it using literal descriptions of observed symptoms, such as coughing, chest congestion, and difficulty in breathing. Caregivers’ symptom-based interpretations reflected reliance on observable signs rather than biomedical diagnostic labels. Perceptions of pneumonia and terminologies were predominantly shaped by cultural beliefs and interactions within the social environment. To minimize the gap between biomedical and culturally mediated knowledge, culturally sensitive health education programs that emphasize the recognition of key pneumonia symptoms using locally understandable languages and concepts should be developed and initiated.

2025-08-05T00:00:00Z Ahikiriza, Allan Amooti Bukke, Sarad Pawar Naik Yadesa, Tadele Mekuriya, et al https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6371 2025-09-12T12:14:34Z 2025-01-10T00:00:00Z

The potential of natural products in metabolic disease management: a thorough exploration of the case of Uganda Ahikiriza, Allan Amooti; Bukke, Sarad Pawar Naik; Yadesa, Tadele Mekuriya, et al As Ugandans grapple with an increase in metabolic diseases, researchers are turning to their rich tradition of natural remedies. This review explores promising plants, such as Moringa oleifera, bridging the gap between the wisdom of Ugandan healers and modern science. Although these plants show potential, challenges remain. Many lack rigorous testing, standardized extracts, and long-term safety data. To unlock their true potential, a multipronged approach is needed. First, well-designed clinical trials are crucial to bringing together traditional healers and modern researchers. Imagine a Ugandan pharmacist precisely measuring a Moringa oleifera extract – this standardization ensures consistent results for future patients. Second, researchers need to delve deeper into how these plants influence the body. Finally, long-term safety studies are essential, especially when combined with medications. By following these steps, researchers can unleash the true power of Ugandan natural products. This empowers Ugandans to take control of their health. Future exploration of lesser-known plants and culturally sensitive education programs can further equip Ugandans on their way to well-being.

2025-01-10T00:00:00Z Jennifer E Lansford, Andrea Bizzego, Julio Daniel Bermúdez Chinea, Gianluca Esposito, W Andrew Rothenberg, Jeremy DW Clifton, Dario Bacchini, Lei Chang, Kirby Deater-Deckard, Laura Di Giunta, Kenneth A Dodge, Sevtap Gurdal, Daranee Junla, Paul Oburu, Concetta Pastorelli, Ann T Skinner, Emma Sorbring, Laurence Steinberg, Marc H Bornstein, Liliana Maria Uribe Tirado, Saengduean Yotanyamaneewong, Liane Peña Alampay, Suha M Al-Hassan https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6343 2025-09-10T06:54:32Z 2025-09-01T00:00:00Z

Precursors of young adults' world beliefs across cultures: A machine learning approach Jennifer E Lansford, Andrea Bizzego, Julio Daniel Bermúdez Chinea, Gianluca Esposito, W Andrew Rothenberg, Jeremy DW Clifton, Dario Bacchini, Lei Chang, Kirby Deater-Deckard, Laura Di Giunta, Kenneth A Dodge, Sevtap Gurdal, Daranee Junla, Paul Oburu, Concetta Pastorelli, Ann T Skinner, Emma Sorbring, Laurence Steinberg, Marc H Bornstein, Liliana Maria Uribe Tirado, Saengduean Yotanyamaneewong, Liane Peña Alampay, Suha M Al-Hassan Primal world beliefs (“primals”) capture individuals' basic understanding of what sort of world this is and are strongly associated with a wide range of behaviors and outcomes, yet we have little understanding of how primals come to be. This study used a data-driven machine learning approach to examine what individual, parenting, family, and cultural factors in childhood best predict young adults' beliefs that the world is Abundant, Alive, Enticing, Good, Hierarchical, Progressing, and Safe, contributing a long-term longitudinal perspective to the nascent work in developmental science on primal world beliefs (“primals”). Participants included 770 young adults from eight countries (Colombia, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Philippines, Sweden, Thailand, United States). During childhood, participants and parents reported on 76 factors available as potential predictors of primals. Factors at individual, parenting, family, and cultural levels all had some predictive value in relation to specific primals, but no single factor or cluster of factors was predictive of all primals. Developmental pathways to perceiving the world as Abundant, Alive, Enticing, Good, Hierarchical, Progressing, and Safe are not uniform. The current data-driven approach successfully unearthed several promising leads for developmentalists to probe in further research. The article can be accessed in full via:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0193397325001054#preview-section-abstract

2025-09-01T00:00:00Z Jennifer E Lansford, Laura Gorla, W Andrew Rothenberg, Marc H Bornstein, Lei Chang, Jeremy DW Clifton, Kirby Deater‐Deckard, Laura Di Giunta, Kenneth A Dodge, Sevtap Gurdal, Daranee Junla, Paul Oburu, Concetta Pastorelli, Ann T Skinner, Emma Sorbring, Laurence Steinberg, Liliana Maria Uribe Tirado, Saengduean Yotanyamaneewong, Liane Peña Alampay, Suha M Al‐Hassan, Dario Bacchini https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6341 2025-07-23T14:05:45Z 2025-04-23T00:00:00Z

Predictors of Young Adults' Primal World Beliefs in Eight Countries Jennifer E Lansford, Laura Gorla, W Andrew Rothenberg, Marc H Bornstein, Lei Chang, Jeremy DW Clifton, Kirby Deater‐Deckard, Laura Di Giunta, Kenneth A Dodge, Sevtap Gurdal, Daranee Junla, Paul Oburu, Concetta Pastorelli, Ann T Skinner, Emma Sorbring, Laurence Steinberg, Liliana Maria Uribe Tirado, Saengduean Yotanyamaneewong, Liane Peña Alampay, Suha M Al‐Hassan, Dario Bacchini Primal world beliefs (“primals”) capture understanding of general characteristics of the world, such as whether the world is Good and Enticing. Children (N = 1215, 50% girls), mothers, and fathers from Colombia, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Philippines, Sweden, Thailand, and United States reported neighborhood danger, socioeconomic status, parental warmth, harsh par enting, psychological control, and autonomy granting from ages 8 to 16 years. At age 22 years, original child participants re ported their primal world beliefs. Parental warmth during childhood and adolescence significantly predicted Good, Safe, and Enticing world beliefs, but other experiences were only weakly related to primals. We did not find that primals are strongly related to intuitive aspects of the materiality of childhood experiences, which suggests future directions for understanding the origins of primals https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.14233

2025-04-23T00:00:00Z Flavia Cirimele, Concetta Pastorelli, Marc H Bornstein, Antonio Zuffianò, Chiara Remondi, Maria Gerbino, Dario Bacchini, Laura Di Giunta, Paul Oburu, Ann T Skinner, Emma Sorbring, Laurence Steinberg, Liliana Maria Uribe Tirado, Saengduean Yotanyamaneewong, Liane Peña Alampay, Suha M Al-Hassan, Lei Chang, Kirby Deater-Deckard, Kenneth A Dodge, Sevtap Gurdal, Daranee Junla, Jennifer E Lansford https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6340 2025-07-23T13:59:13Z 2025-05-02T00:00:00Z

Prosocial behavior and school performance in the transition to adolescence: A multicultural study Flavia Cirimele, Concetta Pastorelli, Marc H Bornstein, Antonio Zuffianò, Chiara Remondi, Maria Gerbino, Dario Bacchini, Laura Di Giunta, Paul Oburu, Ann T Skinner, Emma Sorbring, Laurence Steinberg, Liliana Maria Uribe Tirado, Saengduean Yotanyamaneewong, Liane Peña Alampay, Suha M Al-Hassan, Lei Chang, Kirby Deater-Deckard, Kenneth A Dodge, Sevtap Gurdal, Daranee Junla, Jennifer E Lansford The present study explored the bidirectional longitudinal associations between prosocial behavior and school performance during adolescence in six countries (Colombia, Italy, Jordan, the Philippines, Thailand, and the United States). A total sample of 884 adolescents (T1: Mage ¼10.34years, SD¼0.69) reported their prosocial behavior, while adolescents’ mothers (N¼871) and fathers (N¼773) reported their children’s school performance over three-time points covering the transition to adolescence (from ages 10 to 16). A Random- Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Model, controlling for countries’ Human Development Index, child gender, and family SES, showed that adolescents with high levels of prosocial behavior also have high school performance on a stable basis over time. Moreover, being more pro social than usual is positively associated with higher-than-expected school performance at each time point. The implications of the interplay between prosocial behavior and school performance during the transition to adolescence in multicultural contexts are discussed. Applied Developmental Science. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2025.2498747

2025-05-02T00:00:00Z Natasha Duell, Jennifer E Lansford, W Andrew Rothenberg, Liane Peña Alampay, Suha M Al‐Hassan, Dario Bacchini, Marc H Bornstein, Lei Chang, Kirby Deater‐Deckard, Laura Di Giunta, Kenneth A Dodge, Sevtap Gurdal, Daranee Junla, Qin Liu, Qian Long, Paul Oburu, Concetta Pastorelli, Ann T Skinner, Emma Sorbring, Liliana Maria Uribe Tirado, Saengduean Yotanyamaneewong, Laurence Steinberg https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6339 2025-07-23T13:50:42Z 2025-05-07T00:00:00Z

Rubbing off on each other: Applying a developmental science perspective to variance in primal world beliefs by family and culture Natasha Duell, Jennifer E Lansford, W Andrew Rothenberg, Liane Peña Alampay, Suha M Al‐Hassan, Dario Bacchini, Marc H Bornstein, Lei Chang, Kirby Deater‐Deckard, Laura Di Giunta, Kenneth A Dodge, Sevtap Gurdal, Daranee Junla, Qin Liu, Qian Long, Paul Oburu, Concetta Pastorelli, Ann T Skinner, Emma Sorbring, Liliana Maria Uribe Tirado, Saengduean Yotanyamaneewong, Laurence Steinberg Primals are beliefs about the world’s character (e.g. good, safe, enticing, or alive) that are associated with well-being and behavioral patterns. But primals’ developmental origins remain mysterious, hampering theoretical understanding and clinical efforts to change pri mals. This preregistered study of 905 families from 11 cultural groups adopts bioecological theory to examine (1) variance in primals accounted for by individual, family, and cultural differences, (2) concordance in primals within families, and (3) mean differences in primals across cultures. Results indicate most variance in primals is attributable to individual differ ences, but significant variance also emerges due to family and cultural differences. Positive correlations between mothers’ and fathers’ primals suggest assortative mating, and positive correlations between parents’ and children’s primals suggest intergenerational transmission. Findings shed light on primals’ mysterious origins: humans do appear to somehow “rub off on each other.” Clarifying this interchange can help equip clinicians to leverage primals to improve wellbeing To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2025.2501050

2025-05-07T00:00:00Z Natasha Duell, Jennifer E Lansford, W Andrew Rothenberg, Liane Peña Alampay, Suha M Al‐Hassan, Dario Bacchini, Marc H Bornstein, Lei Chang, Kirby Deater‐Deckard, Laura Di Giunta, Kenneth A Dodge, Sevtap Gurdal, Daranee Junla, Qin Liu, Qian Long, Paul Oburu, Concetta Pastorelli, Ann T Skinner, Emma Sorbring, Liliana Maria Uribe Tirado, Saengduean Yotanyamaneewong, Laurence Steinberg https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6338 2025-07-23T13:43:16Z 2025-06-01T00:00:00Z

Positive risk taking across the world Natasha Duell, Jennifer E Lansford, W Andrew Rothenberg, Liane Peña Alampay, Suha M Al‐Hassan, Dario Bacchini, Marc H Bornstein, Lei Chang, Kirby Deater‐Deckard, Laura Di Giunta, Kenneth A Dodge, Sevtap Gurdal, Daranee Junla, Qin Liu, Qian Long, Paul Oburu, Concetta Pastorelli, Ann T Skinner, Emma Sorbring, Liliana Maria Uribe Tirado, Saengduean Yotanyamaneewong, Laurence Steinberg Around the world, adolescence is characterized by increased risk taking. Much research has focused on negative risk taking, but there is growing recognition of positive risk tak ing, which can benefit adolescent development. So far, research on positive risk taking has been limited to Western samples. This study examined a self- report scale of positive risk taking with a sample of 962 adolescents (Mage = 18.51 years) from nine diverse coun tries: China, Colombia, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, the Philippines, Sweden, Thailand, and the United States of America. There were three aims: (1) Examine the measurement invari ance of positive risk taking across countries, (2) examine whether positive and negative risk taking are distinct constructs, and (3) compare positive risk taking endorsement and perceptions of its safety and benefits across countries and sex. Results indicated that the 14- item positive risk- taking scale was invariant across all nine countries. Evidence also suggested that positive and negative risk taking were distinct constructs. Endorsement of positive risk taking varied significantly across all countries, with adolescents from China and Jordan exhibiting the lowest endorsement. Although positive risk taking was generally perceived as safe and beneficial, adolescents from Asian countries perceived positive risk taking to be less safe and beneficial than their peers from other countries. Together, findings from this study offer evidence of a promising positive risk- taking measure for cross- national use. Future research directions for identifying cultural fac tors that can help explain cross- national differences in positive risk taking are discussed. https://doi.org/10.1111/jora.70021

2025-06-01T00:00:00Z Christina Bertrand, Laurence Steinberg, Natasha Duell, Laura Di Giunta, Kenneth A Dodge, Sevtap Gurdal, Daranee Junla, Jennifer E Lansford, Paul Oburu, Concetta Pastorelli, Ann T Skinner, Emma Sorbring, Marc H Bornstein, Liliana Maria Uribe Tirado, Saengduean Yotanyamaneewong, Liane Peña Alampay, Suha M Al‐Hassan, Dario Bacchini, Lei Chang, Kirby Deater‐Deckard https://repository.maseno.ac.ke/handle/123456789/6337 2025-07-23T13:38:44Z 2025-06-01T00:00:00Z

Physical activity and two‐year change in adolescent well‐being in nine countries Christina Bertrand, Laurence Steinberg, Natasha Duell, Laura Di Giunta, Kenneth A Dodge, Sevtap Gurdal, Daranee Junla, Jennifer E Lansford, Paul Oburu, Concetta Pastorelli, Ann T Skinner, Emma Sorbring, Marc H Bornstein, Liliana Maria Uribe Tirado, Saengduean Yotanyamaneewong, Liane Peña Alampay, Suha M Al‐Hassan, Dario Bacchini, Lei Chang, Kirby Deater‐Deckard The benefits of physical activity (PA) for well- being are well known; however, studies examining longitudinal effects across diverse international samples in late adolescence are limited. This study advances prior work by combining a partial longitudinal design with a multinational sample to assess the predictive effect of PA on biennial change in older adolescents' well- being, while testing for sex differences. The sample included 903 adolescents (50.4% female) from nine countries, who completed The European Health and Behavior Survey at age 16 and the EPOCH Measure of Adolescent Well- Being at ages 16 and 18. Multilevel modeling estimated the average impact of PA on change in well- being, controlling for baseline well- being. To further interrogate the findings, an additional analysis tested the effect using relative difference scores of well- being to pro vide a direct measure of simple change. Meta- analytic techniques then captured the de gree of cross- country consistency in the estimated effect. Results indicated that more PA at age 16 significantly predicted greater EPOCH well- being at age 18, controlling for prior well- being at age 16, and that adolescent sex did not moderate this effect. The rela tive difference score analysis confirmed these results. The meta- analysis revealed no sig nificant heterogeneity in the predictive effect across countries. Findings extend previous research by demonstrating the cross- cultural consistency of PA benefits during a critical developmental transition period. They suggest that PA is a modifiable behavior that can be utilized globally to enhance adolescent well- being, though individual differences and context- specific factors should be considered in public health policies and interventions. https://doi.org/10.1111/jora.70035

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