Asian Research Journal of Arts & Social Sciences

Economic Factors and Sustainability of Rural Women’s Livelihoods in Balambala Sub-County, Garissa County, Kenya

2026-10-09T09:19:50+00:00

Rural women play a key role in ensuring household welfare and supporting local economies, especially in arid and semi-arid zones where livelihood options are limited by scarce economic resources. However, limited access to productive assets, income-generating opportunities, markets, and finance can reduce rural women's ability to sustain their livelihoods. The study focused on the influence of economic factors on the sustainability of rural women's livelihoods in Balambala Sub-County, Garissa County, Kenya. The study used a descriptive research design and a mixed-methods approach. Structured questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect data from 117 rural women selected using purposive, stratified, and simple random sampling techniques. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse quantitative data, while thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. The results showed a strong positive and statistically significant relationship between economic factors and livelihood sustainability among rural women (r = 0.746, p < 0.05). The findings suggest that financial resources, income-generating opportunities, markets, and other economic assets held by women are significant factors in livelihood resilience and the ability to cope with economic and environmental shocks. The study recommends strengthening the economic position of rural women to support livelihood resilience and sustainability in Balambala Sub-County. It calls for greater availability of financial services, savings mechanisms, entrepreneurship development, market linkages, and productive resources, particularly for women in rural and resource-scarce areas. The findings provide an empirical basis for policymakers, financial institutions, development agencies, and other stakeholders interested in designing interventions that enhance sustainable livelihood opportunities for women in northern Kenya.

Influence of Cultural and Social Factors on Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Formal and Informal Sectors in Garissa Township Sub-County

2026-10-14T06:43:03+00:00

Women’s economic empowerment is influenced not only by access to economic resources but also by the cultural and social environment within which women live and participate in economic activities. This study assessed the influence of cultural and social factors on women’s economic empowerment in the formal and informal sectors in Garissa Township Sub-County, Garissa County, Kenya. The study was motivated by the persistence of socio-cultural constraints, including gender discrimination, household responsibilities and restrictive gender expectations, alongside enabling factors such as family support and social networks. A descriptive research design employing a mixed-methods approach was adopted. The target population comprised women aged 18 years and above engaged in formal and informal economic activities in Garissa Township Sub-County. Data were collected from 303 women respondents using structured questionnaires, complemented by qualitative information obtained through key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson product-moment correlation and multiple regression analysis, while qualitative information was analysed thematically. Descriptive findings revealed high levels of agreement regarding the influence of cultural and social factors on women’s economic empowerment. Gender discrimination recorded the highest mean score (M = 4.23, SD = 0.868), followed by family support (M = 4.20, SD = 0.833), household responsibilities (M = 4.19, SD = 0.770), social networks (M = 4.14, SD = 0.722), and cultural norms supporting women’s economic participation (M = 4.06, SD = 0.919). Pearson correlation analysis established a positive and statistically significant relationship between cultural and social factors and women’s economic empowerment (r = .359, p < .001). Multiple regression analysis further demonstrated that cultural and social factors had a positive and statistically significant effect on women’s economic empowerment (B = 0.255, β = 0.242, t = 4.237, p < .001), making them the strongest predictor among the determinants examined in the study. The findings indicate that women’s economic empowerment is shaped by the interaction of supportive and restrictive social conditions. Family support and social networks can facilitate economic participation, while gender discrimination and household responsibilities can constrain women’s economic agency. The study concludes that improving women’s access to economic opportunities should be accompanied by interventions that transform restrictive gender norms, reduce discrimination, strengthen supportive household relations and expand women’s social networks. Such interventions are essential for enhancing women’s capacity to control income, participate in economic decision-making and achieve greater economic independence in both formal and informal sectors.

Associations of Social and Emotional Adjustment with Educational Adjustment among Koraga Adolescents in Kasaragod, Kerala: A Cross-Sectional Study

2026-10-15T13:39:28+00:00

This cross-sectional study examined associations of social and emotional adjustment with educational adjustment among 103 adolescents from the Koraga community in Kasaragod District, Kerala, India. Participants were selected by convenience sampling and completed a self-developed, self-report questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics and three adjustment domains. The sample included 42 males (40.8%) and 61 females (59.2%); 85 participants (82.5%) lived in nuclear families. Emotional adjustment and educational adjustment were positively correlated (r = .196), as were social adjustment and educational adjustment (r = .250). Assuming two-sided Pearson tests and 103 complete pairs, approximate nominal p values were .047 and .011, respectively. Both correlations were small and were not adjusted for confounding or multiple comparisons. The findings concern questionnaire-based educational adjustment rather than objectively measured academic achievement. Convenience sampling, self-report measurement, incomplete documentation of questionnaire properties and the cross-sectional design constrain interpretation. The findings indicate associations within the surveyed adolescents and support further culturally contextualised research rather than causal conclusions.

Knowledge and Awareness of Adequate Maternal Nutrition among Pregnant Women in Garissa Township, Kenya

2026-10-16T03:52:07+00:00

Maternal nutrition is critical to maternal health, foetal development, and pregnancy outcomes, particularly in arid and semi-arid settings affected by food insecurity and limited access to nutrition services. This study assessed knowledge and awareness of Adequate maternal nutrition among pregnant women in Garissa Township, Kenya. Guided by the Health Belief Model and Social Ecological Model, the study adopted a pragmatic paradigm and descriptive research design within a mixed-methods approach. The target population comprised 4,589 pregnant women, from whom a sample of 355 respondents was selected using stratified and systematic random sampling, while key informants were purposively selected. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. A pilot study was conducted in Wajir County. Validity was established through expert review, triangulation, and member checking, while reliability was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha coefficients of 0.823 for knowledge and awareness of maternal nutrition and 0.785 for the overall study instrument. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. Analysis of 282 valid responses showed moderate to relatively high maternal nutrition knowledge and awareness, with mean scores ranging from 3.55 to 3.78. Knowledge and awareness were positively and significantly associated with nutritional practices (r = .411, p < .01). The findings indicate that maternal nutrition knowledge is associated with appropriate dietary practices, although gaps remain in practical knowledge of nutrient-rich foods and supplementation. The study recommends strengthening culturally responsive antenatal nutrition education and community-based nutrition awareness interventions, with an emphasis on locally available nutritious foods, micronutrients, and the correction of cultural misconceptions.

Ownership Structure and FR Integrity: Evidence from a Developing Country

2026-10-16T12:02:38+00:00

This study examines the relationship between ownership structure and financial reporting (FR) integrity among non-financial firms listed on the Nairobi Securities Exchange. Specifically, it considers managerial, institutional, and foreign ownership. The study adopts a quantitative design using 42 firms observed from 2019 to 2024, yielding 252 firm-year observations. FR integrity is assessed using the Beneish M-Score, and the hypotheses are tested with a probit regression model. The descriptive results indicate that approximately 30.56% of the sampled firm-years are classified as potential financial statement manipulators based on the Beneish threshold. The regression results show that managerial ownership and institutional ownership have negative and statistically significant associations with the M-Score, indicating higher FR integrity as these ownership proportions increase. In contrast, foreign ownership has a positive and statistically significant association with the M-Score, indicating lower FR integrity. Firm age is positively associated with the M-Score, whereas firm size is negatively associated with it. Overall, the findings indicate that ownership structure is associated with differences in FR integrity among the sampled firms. The results have practical implications for corporate governance and ownership arrangements in developing capital markets. The study is limited by its reliance on the Beneish M-Score as the measure of FR integrity; future research may consider alternative measures and additional ownership dimensions.

Marital Status Diversity and Organisational Performance in Star-rated Hotels in Coastal Kenya: A Mixed-methods Study

2026-10-16T12:14:47+00:00

This study examined the association between employees’ marital status diversity and their ratings of organisational performance in star-rated hotels in Kenya’s coastal region. A mixed-methods design was adopted, drawing on questionnaire responses from employees and semi-structured interviews with operational managers in 11 hotels in Kilifi, Mombasa and Kwale counties. Of 201 questionnaires distributed, 197 were completed (98.01%); 13 managers were purposively selected for key-informant interviews. A five-item, four-point agreement scale assessed perceived contributions associated with marital and family circumstances, and a six-item questionnaire scale assessed respondent-rated organisational performance. The five-item perception scale had a reported Cronbach’s alpha of .781, and the organisational-performance scale had an alpha of .910. Pearson correlation and simple linear regression showed a positive association between the two questionnaire scores (r = .713, p < .001; B = .859, standardised β = .713; R² = .509). Interviews illustrated managers’ and employees’ reported views concerning dependability, scheduling flexibility, resilience, teamwork and occasional family-related strain. The results describe an association between self-reported perceptions; they do not establish an impact of objectively measured marital status diversity on verified hotel performance. Given the cross-sectional design, shared-source measurement and unassessed within-hotel clustering, causal and hotel-level interpretations are not warranted. The findings suggest the value of fair scheduling and non-discriminatory consideration of individual circumstances rather than assumptions about workers based on marital status.

Perceived Effectiveness of Community Policing Initiatives in Sustaining Public Safety in West 'B' District, Urban West Region, Zanzibar

2026-10-16T12:28:12+00:00

Community policing is intended to strengthen public safety by promoting collaboration between law-enforcement agencies and local communities. This study examined the perceived effectiveness of community policing initiatives in West 'B' District, Urban West Region, Zanzibar. A cross-sectional case-study design, predominantly qualitative and supported by descriptive summaries, was used. The study involved 64 respondents from Kisauni, Kiembesamaki, and Magogoni wards. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews and three focus-group discussions, with qualitative material analysed thematically and coded responses summarised using frequencies and percentages where available. Respondents commonly identified neighbourhood patrols, community meetings, police-community events, joint patrols, and neighbourhood-watch activities. The coded summaries indicated predominantly positive perceptions of the visibility of initiatives, their contribution to public safety, police-community relationships, and community participation. These findings should be interpreted as perceptions rather than causal estimates of crime reduction because the study did not use a pre-post comparison, control area, or inferential test of changes in crime. The results suggest that continued community engagement, regular communication, trust-building, and systematic monitoring may strengthen the sustainability of community policing in the district.

Nationality Diversity and Organizational Performance of Star-Rated Hotels in Coastal Region, Kenya

2026-10-17T08:09:13+00:00

This study examined influence of nationality diversity on the organizational performance of star-rated hotels in the Coastal Region. Guided by Social Identity Theory, the research used a pragmatic mixed-methods approach. The study population comprised 421 employees and 13 operational managers across 11 selected hotels in Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties. A planned sample of 201 employees was selected proportionately across hotels, and 197 questionnaires were returned (98.01%); 13 operational managers were purposively selected as key informants. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation and simple linear regression were reported alongside interview evidence. On a four-point response scale, the unweighted average of five questionnaire-item means concerning perceived contributions of nationality diversity was 3.552. Employee-reported scores for this construct were positively associated with their organisational performance scores (r = .713, R² = .508; unadjusted F(1, 195) = 201.403, p < .001; B = 0.870). Managers described opportunities for knowledge exchange, multilingual service and adaptation to guest preferences, while acknowledging communication challenges. These associations should be interpreted cautiously: the predictor measured perceptions rather than observed nationality composition, self-report items may overlap, and the reported model does not account for within-hotel clustering. The findings identify a positive pattern of employee perceptions and suggest that inclusive intercultural practices warrant further investigation with objective diversity and hotel-performance measures.

Quantitative Study of Family Emotional Climate as a Correlate to Psychological Well-being of Secondary School Students in Delta Central Senatorial District, Nigeria

2026-10-17T11:53:53+00:00

Adolescents' psychological well-being may be associated with the emotional conditions of their family environments. This study examined the relationship between family emotional climate and psychological well-being among Senior Secondary Two students in public secondary schools in Delta Central Senatorial District, Nigeria. A correlational research design was employed, guided by one research question and one null hypothesis. The study population comprised 17,915 students, and the reported sample included 375 students selected through random and stratified sampling procedures. Data were obtained using a questionnaire incorporating a Family Emotional Climate Rating Scale and a Psychological Well-Being Rating Scale, comprising 20 and nine retained items, respectively. Validity was evaluated through expert review and factor-analytic procedures, while Cronbach's alpha coefficients were 0.71 and 0.72 for the respective scales. Pearson's product–moment correlation was used to examine the association, and linear regression tested the hypothesis at the 0.05 significance level. The findings showed a weak positive relationship between family emotional climate and psychological well-being (r = 0.17). Regression analysis indicated a statistically significant association (F(1, 373) = 10.441; p = 0.001), with R² = 0.027. Thus, family emotional climate was associated with a small proportion of the observed variation in psychological well-being. These findings suggest that family relationships and emotional support merit consideration in school counselling and parent-engagement initiatives. However, the correlational design does not permit causal interpretation.

Health and Hygienic Condition among Adolescent Girls of Khadia Tribe: A Study in Mayurbhanj District of Odisha, India

2026-10-17T14:26:51+00:00

Adolescent girls in rural and tribal communities may encounter challenges related to menstrual knowledge, hygienic practices and reproductive-health awareness. This study examined the health and hygiene conditions of adolescent girls belonging to the Khadia community in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed. Data were collected from 100 respondents who had attained menarche using a structured questionnaire and summarised using frequencies and percentages. Of the respondents, 45% reported menarche before the age of 10 years, while 70% had not received information about menstruation before menarche. Friends and peers were the most frequently reported information source (37%), followed by teachers (30%). Sanitary pads were used by 49% of respondents, both cloth and pads by 28%, and cloth alone by 23%. Although 50% reported changing menstrual materials more than once daily, disposal practices varied, including disposal in rivers, open areas and forest settings. Inadequate awareness of reproductive health and menstrual hygiene was reported by 80%. Stomach pain was the most frequently reported menstrual symptom (35%), and irregular menstruation the most frequently reported health problem (30%). Various restrictions related to menstruation were reported, although only 5% regarded menstruation as impure. The findings indicate gaps in menstrual preparedness and reproductive-health awareness within the study group. Age-appropriate education, reliable counselling and context-sensitive support for menstrual hygiene may help address these needs.

Digital Transformation and the Reconstruction of Social Space in Madagascar

2026-10-10T12:44:43+00:00

Digital transformation is changing the ways in which information, services, economic transactions, and social relations are organised in Madagascar, but these changes are occurring within pronounced spatial and socioeconomic inequalities. This structured narrative review examines how digital infrastructure and digital practices are associated with the reconstruction of social space in Madagascar, with particular attention to urban-rural differences, device and internet access, mobile-network expansion, education, employment, health, civic participation, and everyday social interaction. Peer-reviewed literature was integrated with primary statistical and policy sources from the Institut National de la Statistique, UNICEF, the Autorité de Régulation des Technologies de Communication, the World Bank, the Ministry of Public Health, and other authoritative institutions. The evidence shows rapid growth in mobile connectivity alongside persistent inequalities in material access and effective use. National survey data indicate marked differences in internet access by residence, while household possession of mobile telephones varies substantially by location, education, and employment characteristics. Telecommunications-regulator reports show a sharp rise in mobile-internet subscriptions and data traffic, but subscription-based indicators cannot be interpreted as counts of unique users. These patterns are consistent with a socio-spatial reading that combines Castells' network perspective, Lefebvre's production of space, and van Dijk's emphasis on unequal material and skills-related access. Digital technologies therefore expand the range of spaces through which social and economic activity can occur without eliminating the importance of place, infrastructure, income, education, and institutional capacity. The review concludes that Madagascar's digital transformation is best understood as an uneven process of spatial extension and reorganisation rather than as a uniform transition to an integrated digital society.