UNAM Gā-aisib Repository (University of Namibia)
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An assessment of the socio-economic impacts of communities’ relocations: A case of the Nkurenkuru peri-urban area, Kavango west region, Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Development StudiesAt a global level, the neglect of rural farming communities, spurred by insufficient
support and accelerated by urban expansion and land reform policies, has led to a surge
in significant community relocations. This phenomenon, trigger profound
socioeconomic impacts that disrupt communities' access to essential resources,
education, healthcare, housing, and employment opportunities. Amid this backdrop,
the study critically investigates the socioeconomic effects of relocation, particularly
focusing induced urban expansion on peri-urban communities in Nkurenkuru,
Namibia. The study used a qualitative research design, and face-to-face interviews
were carried out with 16 respondents who have experienced relocation in the area, and
four key informants from the constituency. This provided a well-rounded perspective
on the effects of relocation on households and the decision-making and
implementation processes surrounding it. The Livelihoods Framework theory was
used to interpret the findings, whereas thematic analysis was used to identify patterns
and generate themes from the qualitative data, thus aiding in the explanation of the
study's findings. The findings revealed that before relocation, the respective
community members were involved in a lot of socio-economic activities for their
livelihoods on the land such as crop and livestock farming. However, the relocation
led to worsened living conditions and reduced access to vital services, with a
significant drop in household income, financial stability, and food security being
experienced. Based on these findings, the study advises future urban planning
decisions to consider the potential socio-economic repercussions of relocation by
underscoring the importance of including communities and stakeholders in the
process. Recommendations are given for improved community engagement, wider
access to essential services, and inclusive stakeholder communication to ensure the
welfare of the affected communities. This study substantially adds to the
understanding of peri-urban relocation issues shedding light on the specific challenges
faced by these communities, thereby contributing to a comprehensive understanding
of the multifaceted dynamics of community relocations worldwide. The study
highlights a clear need for governments to recognise and address the numerous
negative effects associated with displacement, ranging from diminished living
conditions to a lack of access to essential service
Modelling and analysis of a photovoltaic system for a local business in Windhoek, Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Renewable EnergyPhotovoltaic (PV) technology generates electricity from light. There are two types of
PV technologies in the market: traditional monofacial solar cells, which capture light
on their front side, and emergent bifacial solar cells, which capture light on both their
rear and front sides. Studies focusing on the performance of bifacial solar modules
in Windhoek have not yet been conducted, so their potential advantages in this loca tion are unknown. The study aimed to model and evaluate the PV systems based on
monofacial and bifacial silicon (Si) technologies. This feasability study was conducted
for a business in Windhoek, Namibia. The evaluation was conducted by assessing the
specific yield, performance ratio criteria, and the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE)
for the systems modelled within the same specified location using the PVsyst soft ware. The systems are a bifacial single-axis tracking PV system, a bifacial fixed-tilt
PV system, a monofacial single-axis tracking PV system, and a monofacial fixed-tilt
PV system, all with similar technical parameters. The results showed that the en ergy production of the single-axis tracking bifacial system is higher than that of the
monofacial system; however, there is no statistically significant difference between the
two. On the other hand, the fixed-tilt bifacial PV system significantly outperforms the
fixed-tilt monofacial PV system. Additionally, the single-axis tracking monofacial PV
system has the shortest payback period of 3 years, 2 months with an ROI of 35.62%,
while the fixed-tilt bifacial PV system has the longest payback period of 3 years, 8
months and an IRR of 31.50%. The system that performs the best financially is the
single-axis tracking monofacial PV system with an LCOE of N$ 0.85/kW
An educational programme for nurses to facilitate cardiac rehabilitation of patients who had heart valve repair or replacement surgery in Namibia
No full textA dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Nursing scienceHeart valve disease is a critical global public health issue, contributing to
cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. It serves as an indication for heart
valve repair and replacement surgeries, which are invasive procedures that can
potentially compromise patients’ quality of life. Therefore, patients who have had
heart valve surgery require cardiac rehabilitation to prevent potential complications
and to improve patients’ quality of life. Recognizing the need for enhanced post surgery care, there is a compelling need for the development of an educational
programme for nurses to facilitate cardiac rehabilitation of patients following heart
valve surgery. This initiative not only would improve the patient’s quality of life but
also provide support to caregivers in their roles. The study was aimed at the
development of an educational programme for nurses to facilitate the cardiac
rehabilitation of patients who have had a heart valve repair or replacement surgery at
the Windhoek Central Hospital’s Cardiac Unit. The objectives of the study were to:
describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of nurses regarding the cardiac
rehabilitation of patients after heart valve surgery, explore and describe the challenges
experienced by nurses when providing cardiac rehabilitation services to patients after
heart valve surgery, explore and describe patient’s experiences of recovery and coping
after heart valve surgery, explore and describe caregivers’ experiences in providing
support and care to family members after heart valve surgery. The study followed a
structured approach with four distinct Phases: Phase one was a situational analysis
comprising four objectives, Phase two was about conceptual framework development
based on Dickoff’s theory of practice-oriented; Phase three, was about the educational
programme development and Phase four was about the programme implementation,
evaluation, and validation. A sequential explanatory mixed method design was
employed, encompassing quantitative data collection and analysis in Phase One to
determine nurse’s knowledge, attitudes, and practices in cardiac rehabilitation. This
was followed by qualitative data collection and analysis on the challenges experienced
by nurses when providing cardiac rehabilitation services, patients' experience in
recovery and coping, and caregivers’ experiences in supporting and caring for family
members after heart valve surgery.
Quantitative data were collected using self-administered questionnaires from a sample
of twenty-three (23) nurses, out of the total study population of twenty-nine (29)
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nurses. Data were analysed using the Statistical Software Program SPSS (version 27).
The descriptive statistics analysis, Fisher’s exact test, to describe the association
between demographic characteristics and variables of knowledge, attitudes, and
practices was performed. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth individual
face-to-face semi-structured interviews using an interview guide for all three (3)
objectives. A non-probability, purposive sampling method was used to select
participants, resulting in a total of ten (10) nurses, twelve (12) patients, and eight (8)
caregivers who consented to and participated in the study. Data collection continued
until data saturation was achieved. Qualitative data were analysed using Tesch’s eight
steps of coding. The quantitative findings show that the majority of nurses, 20 (87%),
had a high level of knowledge, with only 3 (13%) having average knowledge about
CR. Similarly, the majority of nurses, 21 (91.3%), displayed positive attitudes while
only 1 (4.3%) had a negative attitude. However, the findings on practices indicated
that only half of the nurses, 13 (56.5%), showed good practice, while 8 (34.8%) had
average practice, and 1 (4.3%) had poor practice in cardiac rehabilitation. Despite the
high level of knowledge, respondents displayed a lack of knowledge specifically about
the indications, benefits, phases, and core components of cardiac rehabilitation. In the
qualitative findings, regarding nurses’ challenges, two main themes and eleven (11)
subthemes highlighted the challenges experienced by nurses in delivering cardiac
rehabilitation interventions and their opinions on the importance of rehabilitation
programmes after heart valve surgery. Regarding patients’ experiences, two main
themes and nine subthemes emerged indicating the challenges patients experienced
(physical, emotional, psychological, and social factors) during recovery and coping
after heart valve surgery as well as challenges regarding the support and care from
nurses and family members after heart valve surgery. Regarding caregivers’
experiences, two main themes and eight sub-themes emerged regarding the emotional
disturbances and demand for care, along with varying experiences regarding the
support and care provided by healthcare providers. Based on these findings,
recommendations were put forth among others to the Ministry of Health and Social
Services (MoHSS) for the development of a cardiac rehabilitation programme for
nurses, improvement of nursing practice, as well as recommendations on future
research in this are
Psychosocial effects of COVID-19 pandemic on 2020 intake of public health and nursing students at University of Namibia Oshakati campus, Oshana region, Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Public HealthThe research project motivation is to determine the psychological and social
repercussions of COVID-19 pandemic on 2020 intake of public health and nursing
students at Oshakati campus of University of Namibia, in Oshana region, Namibia and
identify their coping strategies against psychosocial effects. A project approach of
qualitative in nature was implemented for conducting the study through a
phenomenological study design. Seventeen (17) participants were selected
purposefully from 156 targeted population of public health and nursing students. The
data of the research were collected through a recorded comprehensively interviews of
face-to-face and field notes, manually analysed, and interpreted. Study findings
indicated that psychological and social effects are interrelated aspects which can
influence one another in connection with COVID-19 pandemic. The study finding
shows that stress, anxiety, loneliness, and depression are major psychological effects
due to COVID-19 pandemic measures and online study. Poor social interaction and
financial crisis are social effects which contributed to psychological effects as well.
Findings further shows that self-management (physical activities, hobbies, adhere to
regulations, and staying positive), spiritual (religious) and social support (from family
members, friends, and health professionals) was coping mechanisms to overcome
psychosocial effects of COVID-19 pandemic. The study recommended that the
university should establish a policy that addresses the most effective strategies for
managing and strengthen psychosocial support services to students, to maintain
educational continuity and students’ wellbeing during pandemic. It also recommended
that effectively engage in physical activities and positive attitude facilitate students to
maintain normal life over the journey of pandemi
Effects of acc deaminase-producing plant growth-promoting bacteria from myrothamnus flabellifolius (welw.) On wheat growth under drought stress
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in MicrobiologyThe rise in global population compounded by global climatic patterns continue to
drastically aggravate arid regions with susceptibility to various abiotic stress
conditions. This situation impacts agricultural sustainability, further compromising
food security. However, plants growing in hostile environments have become well
adapted to their habitats, employing strategies to mitigate the impacts of drought
stress by mutualistic association and interaction with 1-aminocyclopropane-1-
carboxylate (ACC) deaminase plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB). This study
was therefore, designed to isolate, characterize and identify bio-prospective ACC
deaminase PGPB associated with Myrothamnus flabellifolius (Welw.), a Namibian
desert-adapted plant. A total of 52 isolates of bacteria were isolated from M.
flabellifolius of which 33 underwent molecular identification using 16S rRNA, acdS,
and nifH gene sequence alignment, and 29 were further characterized for plant
growth promoting (PGP) traits. Ten different genera namely Bacillus (12),
Pseudomonas (6), Cupriavidus (5), Enterobacteriacea (2), Kosakonia (3),
Agrobacterium (1), Klebsiella (1), Staphylococcus (1), Enterobacter (1) and
Cellulosimicrobium (1) were identified, with Bacillus as the most abundant genera
(36.4%). Isolates were selected for their ability to produce ACC deaminase and other
PGP traits, and drought tolerance evaluated using four different polyethylene glycol
(PEG) 6000 concentrations. From the 29 isolates that were characterized and deemed
positive for ACC deaminase, the highest ACC deaminase activity value was
exhibited by Bacillus licheniformis (R13) 0.0013 ± 0.01 mM of α-ketobutyrate. The
highest drought tolerance at 30% PEG 6000 was exhibited by Staphylococcus
hominis (LB3) and Bacillus licheniformis (R13), 0.52 ± 0.37 and 0.35 ± 0.18
respectively. Three ACC deaminase-producing strains, coupled with PGP traits and
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drought stress tolerance, Kosakonia sp., Cupriavidus metallidurans, and
Pseudomonas sp. were selected and evaluated for their response to improve wheat
(Triticum aestivum L.) germination and early growth under drought stress. Proline
levels and enzymatic activity were evaluated on seedlings. Seed treatment with
Kosakonia sp. strain displayed significant growth enhancement (P<0.005) in various
growth parameters evaluated under drought stress conditions in contrast to
Pseudomonas sp. C. metallidurans and the control. Proline levels significantly
differed across categories of bacterial isolate treatments (P<0.01), with Kosakonia
sp. treated seeds exhibiting the highest level of proline per fresh weight (29.5
µmoles/g) and Pseudomonas sp. exhibiting the lowest (6.5 µmoles/g). There was no
significant difference in levels of proline produced during various PEG-induced
drought conditions. Enzymatic activity (α-amylase) was significantly influenced by
bacterial treatments with the control significantly reducing the enzymatic activity in
contrast to other treatments. This study showed that reducing water potential
decreases germination percentage (GP) and various growth parameters. Additionally,
bacterial isolates such as Kosakonia sp. have the potential to promote growth and
serve as potential microbes in the development of effective bioinoculants for
sustainable agricultural crops in arid regions. The study is the first report on
prospective microbes from M. flabellifolius inhabiting Namibi
Evaluation of titania-based thin films fabricated via the aqueous spray method for applications as anti-soiling coatings on solar cell cover glass
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Renewable EnergyThe growing demand for sustainable energy has made solar energy essential in the world
energy transition. To maximize power output, solar PV systems must operate effectively.
However, factors like soiling on the solar cell cover can reduce efficiency and overall
power output. Traditional cleaning methods are typically expensive and labor-intensive,
therefore emphasizing the need for simpler, cost-effective solutions like anti-soiling
coatings. This study investigates the structural, optical, and photocatalytic properties of
aluminum (Al), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) doped titanium dioxide (TiO₂) thin films
prepared via an aqueous spray method. Aqueous precursor solutions were formulated by
mixing Ti⁴⁺ complexes with Al³⁺, Zn²⁺, or Cu²⁺ complexes, with molar percentages varying
from 0% to 10%. The results from UV-vis spectroscopy indicated that doping significantly
enhanced the optical properties of TiO₂ thin films, with Al, Zn, and Cu-doped films
showing higher transmittance than undoped TiO₂. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed that
all samples retained the anatase phase of TiO₂ without secondary phases of the dopants.
Photocatalytic degradation tests revealed that 6% Cu-doped TiO₂ exhibited the highest
degradation rate of 28% for methyl orange (MO), while 8% Al-doped and 2% Zn-doped
films showed optimal activity at their respective levels. These findings suggest that doping
TiO₂ thin films at appropriate doping concentrations can enhance their optical properties
and photocatalytic efficiency, making them promising candidates for anti-soiling
applications on solar cell cover
Mathematics teachers’ preparedness in implementing the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Advanced Subsidiary curriculum level
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Education (Mathematics Education)Since Namibia's independence in 1990, the education system has undergone significant
reforms including the implementation of the Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate
Advanced Subsidiary (NSSCAS) curriculum in 2021. Despite these reforms, Mathematics
performance in the Ohangwena region remains notably poor. This study investigated the
preparedness of Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Mathematics teachers in implementing the
NSSCAS curriculum in five selected secondary schools within Ohangwena region,
focusing on three research questions: 1) What is the level of readiness of AS Mathematics
teachers in implementing the NSSCAS curriculum? 2) What factors influence the
teacher’s preparedness? 3) What strategies can enhance teachers’ effectiveness? Using a
qualitative research approach with a descriptive case study design, the study involved a
focus group discussion with 16 participants, supplemented by non-participant
observations and document analysis for data triangulation. The findings reveal that,
although teachers have a general understanding of the NSSCAS curriculum, they
encounter significant challenges such as inadequate training, insufficient teaching
resources, limited lesson time, and the lack of continuous professional development. To
address these issues, the study recommends comprehensive training programs, improved
resource allocation, curriculum adjustments to better align lesson time with curriculum
demands, and the establishment of a robust monitoring and evaluation framework. These
recommendations are crucial for enhancing teacher readiness, ensuring effective
implementation of the NSSCAS Mathematics curriculum, and improving Mathematics
education quality and student learning outcome
Ready or Not? Preparedness of pre-service EFL teachers to inclusive education: A cross-cultural comparative study from Türkiye, Kazakhstan, and China
No full textThis quantitative study aims to fill this gap by revealing findings regarding perceptions, attitudes, and
knowledge in inclusive education from pre-service EFL teacher education contexts
from three countries, Türkiye, Kazakhstan, and China, in a cross-cultural way. Based
on this aim, we addressed the following research questions in our study: Is there a
significant difference among pre-service EFL teachers’ competency levels, perceptions,
and attitudes regarding inclusive education?This study tried to investigate pre-service English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teachers’
preparedness for inclusive education from a cross-cultural perspective. We used a quantitative
survey design and collected the data in a cross-sectional way from three Asian countries: Türkiye,
Kazakhstan, and China. We implemented a questionnaire measuring knowledge, attitudes, and
perceptions of pre-service EFL teachers regarding inclusive education to 694 pre-service EFL
teachers. We utilized the Kruskal Wallis test and Tamhane›s T2 test to analyze the quantitative
data of the groups in a comparative way. We found cross-cultural differences among the
countries concerning inclusive education. The perceptions subscale scores of pre-service EFL
teachers in Kazakhstan are significantly higher than those of pre-service EFL teachers in China.
The attitude subscale scores of pre-service EFL teachers in Türkiye are significantly higher than
those of the pre-service EFL teachers in China, while the scores of the pre-service EFL teachers
in Kazakhstan are significantly higher than the scores of the pre-service EFL teachers in China.
The knowledge subscale scores of pre-service EFL teachers in Türkiye are significantly higher
than those of pre-service EFL teachers in Kazakhstan, while the knowledge scores of pre-service
EFL teachers in China are significantly higher than the scores of pre-service EFL teachers in
Kazakhstan. Based on these results, we discussed the place of inclusive education in pre-service
EFL education from a cross-cultural perspectiv
Determinants of financial inclusion among the youth in Namibia: A logit model analysis
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Applied Statistics and DemographyFinancial inclusion (FI) aims to ensure equal access to affordable financial services for all
members of society, particularly marginalized groups such as women, youth, and low income individuals. The study seeks to identify the drivers of FI among young people in
Namibia based on a cross-sectional design, using secondary data from the 2017 Namibia
Financial Inclusion Survey (NFIS). A Logit model is employed to examine the
determinants and barriers of financial inclusion, whereas a descriptive analysis is utilized
to explore their macro-level differences. The overall results of the model showed that there
is a positive relationship between age, income, and financial inclusion while location,
remittance, saving, and health status had a negative relationship with financial inclusion.
The study demonstrates that the age and income of an individual have a significant
positive impact on financial inclusion (p<0.05). Specifically, as individuals’ age or their
income increases, the likelihood of being financially included rises. Furthermore, the logit
regression results have shown that location, remittance, saving, and health status are
inversely related with financial inclusion (p<0.05). The study recommends expanding
financial services to rural areas and urbanizing more regions in Namibia through
infrastructure development to enhance financial inclusion among the youth and the
development and implementation of youth-focused policies aimed at enhancing income generating opportunitie
Evaluation of the effect of parental presence on anxiety among paediatric patients during induction of general anaesthesia at Intermediate Hospital Oshakati: A cross-sectional quasi experimental trial
No full textA thesis in partial fulfilment for the requirements for the Degree of Master of Medicine (Anesthesiology, Critical care and Pain management)Introduction: Parental presence reduces children’s anxiety, improve the anaesthetic
induction and has been shown to increase parental satisfaction This study
investigated the impact of parental presence on preoperative anxiety and cooperation
among paediatric patients undergoing general anaesthesia induction.
Methodology: A cross-sectional quasi-experimental trial was conducted at
Intermediate Hospital Oshakati, involving 104 pediatric patients aged 2 to 10 years
undergoing elective minor and major operations. Anxiety levels were assessed using
the Modified YALE Preoperative Anxiety Score (mYPAS) in both the waiting area
and theatre, while induction compliance was measured using the Induction
Compliance Checklist (ICC). Statistical analysis included Welch's t-test and Chi Square Test, with a critical significance level of 0.05.
Results: Results indicated that parental presence during induction significantly
improved pediatric cooperation (p<0.001) and reduced anxiety levels in the theatre (p
< 0.001. Moreover, notable differences in anxiety levels and compliance were
observed between different age groups. Younger children (2 to 5 years) displayed
higher anxiety levels in the theatre compared to older children (6 to 10 years) with P value 0.004. Interestingly, no significant differences in anxiety levels or compliance
were found between patients undergoing minor and major surgeries.
Conclusion: The study underscores the significance of considering both parental
presence and age when managing anxiety and promoting cooperation in pediatric
patients undergoing inhalational induction. Age also plays a role, with younger
children experiencing higher theatre anxiety.
Recommendations: The findings suggest promoting parental presence, developing
age-specific strategies, and providing pre-operative education to alleviate anxiety and
enhance cooperation among pediatric patient