Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports

Assessment of Ambient PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ Concentrations in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) Centres in High-Traffic and Industrial Areas of Nairobi City County, Kenya

Maurice Kavai, Esther Kitur — Sat, 20 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Air pollution in urban learning environments remains an important public health concern for young children, particularly where schools are located close to major roads and industrial activities. Early Childhood Development Education centres located near high-traffic roads, transport corridors, and industrial zones are especially exposed to elevated concentrations of particulate matter, which poses significant risks to respiratory and cardiovascular health. This study assessed ambient particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters of less than 2.5 micrometres (PM₂.₅) and less than 10 micrometres (PM₁₀) in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres located in high-traffic and industrial areas of Nairobi City County, Kenya. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was used. The study involved 120 ECDE children selected from six centres, with teachers, school administrators, environmental officers and public health personnel providing supplementary contextual information. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, observation checklists, key informant interviews and portable particulate matter monitors. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests, Pearson correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis in SPSS version 27. The findings showed that measured PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ concentrations exceeded the World Health Organization guideline limits in the monitored ECDE environments. Traffic-dominated locations generally recorded higher PM₂.₅ concentrations, whereas industrial locations contributed substantially to PM₁₀ exposure. Reported health symptoms among learners included coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, frequent colds and eye irritation. Particulate matter exposure showed positive and statistically significant associations with respiratory symptoms, with combined PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ exposure showing the strongest relationship. Regression analysis further indicated that PM₂.₅ exposure, PM₁₀ exposure and proximity to pollution sources were significant predictors of reported respiratory illness among ECDE children. The study concludes that ECDE learners in high-exposure urban settings may face increased health risks from sustained particulate matter exposure and recommends routine air quality monitoring, enforcement of environmental regulations, buffer zones, urban greening and public awareness interventions.

Enhancing Student Engagement and Conceptual Understanding in Class IV Science Using the 5E Inquiry-Based Model

Namkha Wangdi — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

As 21st-century learners require more active and student-centred learning experiences, Inquiry-Based Learning (IBL), particularly the 5E model, has emerged as an effective approach for enhancing student engagement, critical thinking, problem-solving skills and conceptual understanding in primary science education. This study employed a quantitative method to examine the effectiveness of the 5E IBL model in enhancing engagement and conceptual understanding in science lessons. A 5E model intervention, consisting of Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate and Evaluate phases, was implemented over three weeks with 23 Class IV students based on low achievement in science class tests. The study also analysed pre- and post-test scores, together with a post-intervention Likert-scale survey.

The survey revealed a positive shift in student attitudes. All student participants expressed positive views towards hands-on activities, with 65.2% strongly agreeing and 34.8% agreeing that practical activities make science exciting. Students preferred self-discovery learning (95.7%) over lecturing, and 100% affirmed that group work improved lesson comprehension.

In addition, the post-test results revealed improvement in academic performance. The overall class pass rate increased from 78.3% to 91.3% (≥40), and the class mean score rose to 68.2. Moreover, the failure rate dropped from 21.7% to 8.7% in the post-test. Thus, this study concludes that Inquiry-Based Learning kept students interested and helped them think critically.

Neonatal Survival and Risk Factors for Retinopathy of Prematurity among Infants Admitted in Tertiary Hospitals, Northern Tanzania

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Background: Retinopathy of prematurity is a preventable cause of childhood visual impairment, particularly among premature infants who survive after neonatal intensive care. Improved neonatal care in low- and middle-income settings may increase the number of infants at risk, making local data on survival, incidence, and associated factors important for planning screening services.

Aim: This study assessed neonatal survival, the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity, and associated neonatal and maternal factors among premature infants admitted to tertiary hospitals in Northern Tanzania.

Methods: A hospital-based prospective cohort study was conducted among premature infants with gestational age below 37 weeks and/or birth weight below 2500 g admitted to Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre and Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. Eligible infants underwent retinal examination, and findings were classified according to the International Classification of Retinopathy of Prematurity. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Fisher’s exact test to assess associations between selected risk factors and retinopathy of prematurity.

Results: Seventy premature infants were enrolled. Eleven infants died before completing 28 days of life, and the reported neonatal survival proportion was 84.2%. Retinopathy of prematurity was reported in 11 infants, representing 20.0% of the analytic sample. All affected infants had bilateral disease; nine had stage 1 disease and two had stage 2 disease. No infant developed stage 3, 4, or 5 disease, and all cases regressed completely during follow-up. Lower birth weight, neonatal infection, more than one blood transfusion, and maternal pre-eclampsia were significantly associated with retinopathy of prematurity.

Conclusion: In this cohort, neonatal survival was high and one-fifth of assessed infants developed mild to moderate retinopathy of prematurity. The findings support continued retinal screening among premature infants and careful monitoring of infants with low birth weight, neonatal infection, repeated blood transfusion, or exposure to maternal pre-eclampsia.