Browsing by Author "Atitwa, Edwine B."

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    Effects of Culture Conditions on Growth of Kefir Grains using Milk for Nutrition and Health: An Application of Response Surface Methodoly with Box-behnken Design
    (IISTE, 2018) Atitwa, Edwine B.; Koske, Joseph K; Muindi, John M.
    This combined process was successfully modeled by response surface methodology method with a Box– Behnken design. In this work, Box-Behnken Design of response surface methodology was used to investigate the effects of fat content in milk, incubation time and the number of rotations or shaking as culture conditions to for growing kefir grains using milk as culture liquid. The implementation of first order factorial experiment was based on a 3 k Box- Benhnken experimental factorial design with one replicate. Response surface methodology was adopted to express the output parameter (Size of the kefir grain) that is decided by the input parameters (Number of rotations, Time and milk fat content) which yielded the response surface models. The effects of the culture conditions on growth of kefir grains using milk was studied by use of first order model. The adequacy of the first order model was examined by use residual analysis, the normal plot, the main affects plots, the contour plot, and ANOVA statistics F-test, t-test, R , and the adjusted R. The optimization of culture conditions was achieved by the help of the steepest ascent method to locate the optimal domain and direction of growth of kefir grains. The first order model was predicted using a D-optimal criterion which was used to evaluate the growth of kefir grains. The confidence level to check the growth of kefir grain was at 95%. The data was analyzed using R statistical software and excel. Data was presented using tables and graphs. Milk fat content and number of rotations per minute had a positive effects while time had a negative effects on the growth of kefir grains using milk.
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    The optimum settings of culture conditions for optimum growth of kefir grains for nutrition and health using RSM with BBD
    (2016) Atitwa, Edwine B.; Koske., Joseph K; Mutiso, John M.
    This thesis provides the process used to optimize the growth of kefir grains for nutrition and health to yield the optimal size of the kefir grain. This combined process was successfully modeled and optimized by response surface methodology method with a Box–Behnken design. In this work, Box-Behnken Design of response surface methodology was used to optimize growth of kefir grains using fat content in milk, incubation time and the number of rotations using milk as culture liquid. The contour plots were generated to study the optimum yield and levels of culture conditions. The second-order model, was used to locate the optimum growth of kefir grains. Testing the prediction of the second order and its adequacy was verified using the I-optimality and G -optimality which was used to predict the growth of kefir gains at nearly all values of culture conditions. The statistical analysis was done using a two-way analysis of variance for fitting the data. The confidence level to check the growth of kefir grain were at 95%.Design expert was used to formulate the BBD design which yielded a class of three incomplete factorial designs which are useful for estimating the co-efficient in a second degree graduating polynomial. The optimal settings of the culture conditions were evaluated using stationery points to determine the possibilities of the response for the growth to optimal at stationery points levels. The data was analyzed using R statistical software and excel. Data was presented using tables and graphs.
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    Socio-Economic Determinants of Low Birth Weight in Kenya: An Application of Logistic Regression Model
    (Science Publishing Group, 2015-11) Atitwa, Edwine B.
    Babies born with Low-birth weight are at increased risk for serious health problems which are accompanied by disabilities and even death. The purpose of this study was to determine socio-economic factors that lead to low birth weight of children in Kenya. Data used was from Kdhs 2003 and the significant effect of socio-economic determinants on low birth weight was examined using logistic regression analysis data is categorical and continuous in nature, where predictor variables being socio-economic determinants and birth weight being dependent variable. Results indicate that out of six socio-economic factors involved in the study, four (Religion, Time Wanted Pregnancy, Marital Status and Economic Status) revealed some significant effects on the children with low birth weight. Therefore Socio-economic determinants have a significant effect on Low birth weight which suggests a strong negative associated with infant survival in Kenya independent of other risk factors. The logistic function revealed a statistically significant association between the birth weight, Religion, Time Wanted Pregnancy, Marital Status and Economic Status. Predicted probability is 11.4% low birth weight. Researcher recommends that respondents should avoid conceiving unexpectedly since it was associated with high low birth weight. Also to effectively enhance normal birth weight in Kenya, then expectant mothers should keenly focus on the socio-economic determinants by avoiding marital problems like divorce.
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    Staff Profile: Dr. Edwine Benson Atitwa
    (University of Embu, 2020-01) Atitwa, Edwine B.
    Lecturer University of Embu, Mathematics Computing and Information Technology Department Research Interests i. Management and treatment of cancer ii. Water sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) iii. Maternal and Child health iv. Non-communicable diseases v. Logistic regression vi. Optimal designs vii. Response surface methodology viii. Survival analysis ix. Epidemiology x. Box-behnken designs
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    Universal Health Coverage
    (2020-09) Osoro, Alfred A.; Atitwa, Edwine B.; Moturi, John K.
    Universal Health Coverage has attracted global attention as an ideal vehicle that will drive health care services to the individuals, families, and communities globally. Good health systems are capable of serving the needs of entire populations, including the availability of infrastructure, human resources, health technologies, and medicines. This study seeks to identify the barriers and challenges which have hindered the provision of basic health care to communities and suggest ways of addressing some of them. Literature search reviewed 40 materials which were more relevant. Results revealed that there have been disparities in the provision of healthcare. Challenges in service provision include; lack of political commitment, weak health system resulting from limited financial allocation and poor leadership, lack of adequate number of skilled human resources, equipment and supplies and poor infrastructures. For UHC to be successful, an effective and well-functioning Primary Health Care (PHC) system is essential. Thus health systems can be strengthened through financial allocation; training of skilled and well-motivated healthcare workers. Also provision of right equipment and supplies, equity in resource distribution, improvement of infrastructures to meet the needs of the people is fundamental.