UNAM Gā-aisib Repository (University of Namibia)
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Assessing the relationship between foreign investment flows and foreign exchange reserves in Namibia
No full textThesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of science in economicsThe purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between foreign
investment flows (FIF) and foreign exchange reserves (FER) in Namibia for the
period of 32 years, from 1991 to 2022, using exchange rate (EXR), real interest
rate (RIR), and political stability (POLSTB) as the control variables. The study
sought further to determine the nature of the relationship between the variables,
as well as the direction of causality. To attain these objectives, the study used
macroeconomic time series data and analysed them using various econometrics
tools in EViews software, version 9. In detail, the study conducted a unit root
test and found the data stationary at mixed orders [I(0) and I(1)]. Thus, the study
employed the bound test of cointegration to measure whether the variables are
cointegrated in the long-run. The results reveal that a long-run exists between
the variables. Therefore, the study applied the ARDL-ECM model to estimate
the short-run and long run relationships between the variables. In that light, the
results indicate a negative but not statistically significant relationship between
EXR and FER in both lags. Against that, the results show a positive but
insignificant relationship between RIR and FER, as well as between POLSTB
and FER in both lags. Additionally, the results also reveal a positive
relationship between FIF and FER, which is significant in lag 2, unlike in lag
1. Finally, the study employed the unrestricted Granger causality test to
establish the direction of causality between the variables. The results indicate a
unidirectional causality from EXR to FIF, while the rest of the variables are
independent of each other. Based on the results, the study recommends that
policymakers should enhance foreign investment policies aimed at attracting
and retaining foreign investment flows, sustain political stability by
implementing effective governance and institutional reforms, and diversify of
reserves management to mitigate risks and maximise returns. Finally, the study
suggests future research to examine the dynamic impacts of monetary and fiscal
policy, assess the effects of global economic trends such as commodity price
volatility, and analyse the impact of regional integration agreements on foreign
exchange reserve
Assessing the potential of Spirulina Platensis as a protein source and its effect on feed intake, growth performance, carcass yield, internal organs sizes and meat quality of boschveld and potchefstroom koekoek chicken breeds
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of masters of science in agriculture (Animal science)The potential of Spirulina platensis (SP) as a protein source to replace soybean meal and
its effect on feed intake, growth performance, carcass yield, internal organ sizes and
meat quality was determined. A 12 weeks feeding trial was conducted using 72 unsexed
Boschveld and Potchefstroom Koekoek chickens. The chickens were fed with
commercial starter crumbles from day 1 to week 4. At week 5 of age, the chickens were
randomly assigned to one of four dietary treatments which were as follows; 0%SP,
5%SP, 10%SP and 15%SP of dried Spirulina platensis powder as a replacement of
soybean meal, with six replicates per treatment and three per breed. The feeding
experiment excluding brooding period lasted for 12 weeks. Feed intake data were
collected daily, and live weights were taken weekly for growth performance. The results
showed that feed intake responded negatively to increase in Spirulina inclusion level.
Chickens on treatment 0%SP had higher weights (P˂0.05) which was not affected
(P˃0.05) by the breed. The breed significantly affected (P˂0.05) average daily gain
(ADG) where BV had a higher ADG compared to PK. The feed conversion ratio was
highest (P˂0.05) in chickens on diet 10% SP; with a mean value of 1.03 and the lowest
in 0% SP with the value of 0.98. Birds on diet 0%SP recorded the highest (P<0.05)
protein efficiency ratio PER (0.91) while those on diet 15%SP had the least PER (0.57).
The results showed that dietary treatment x breed interactions did not (P˃0.05) affect the
gizzard, spleen, heart, liver and intestines weights and carcass yield. However, the breed
of the chicken affected the spleen size, in which Potchefstroom Koekoek chickens
recorded heavy spleen weight (P˂0.05) than Boschveld. Treatment diets significantly
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influenced (P˂0.05) breast muscle and thigh weight of the chickens. The treatment diets
affected (P˂0.05) the coliform and Lactobacillus counts of the cecum. The coliform
counts decreased significantly with an increase in Spirulina inclusion in the diet while
Lactobacillus counts increased significantly with increasing level of Spirulina in the
diet. The inclusion of Spirulina in the grower diet did not (P˃0.05) influence the meat
physiochemical quality of the chickens but compromised some eating quality parameters
such as flavor and initial and sustained juiciness. A prominent chicken flavor (P˂0.05)
was recorded in chickens fed the control diet while chickens fed Spirulina had less
chicken flavor. In conclusion, increasing Spirulina level in the diets negatively affected
feed intake, body weights, PER, breast muscle and thigh weights and chicken flavor of
the meat. Increasing Spirulina in the diets also resulted in high FCR, increased
Lactobacillus counts and reduced coliforms. Based on these results, it is therefore best if
only up to 5% Spirulina can be included in the diets for indigenous chickens. However,
Spirulina was found to have high protein content but its inclusion at high levels
negatively affected feed intake, meat flavor and acceptability of the meat. There is need
to further investigate lower inclusion levels of Spirulina platensis and their effect on
chicken production parameters and meat qualit
Exploring pyschological effects of COVID-19 on life skills teachers in Windhoek: Experiences and coping strategies
No full textA mini thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Clinical PsychologyThe COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the global education system,
with teachers facing significant challenges. The present study, specifically, explored
life skills teachers’ pandemic experiences, coping strategies, and the psychological
effects on their lives. A mixed-method research design was used to investigate the
psychological effects of COVID19 on life skills teachers in Windhoek, Khomas
Region, Namibia. Data was collected through a semi-structured and online
questionnaire from 17 life skills teachers in Windhoek. Data was analysed using
Google Forms Data Analytics. The findings revealed a significant impact on the
teachers' mental health, with stress, anxiety, and depression being common
experiences.
However, the teachers demonstrated resilience through various coping strategies,
such as seeking social support, practicing self-care, and adopting positive attitudes.
The study further found that teachers used various strategies to cope with the
pandemic, such as personal resources, and organizational assistance as key
influencers on their coping mechanisms. To mitigate the psychological effects of the
pandemic on teachers, it is recommended that schools and policymakers provide
adequate support and resources. This may involve formally promoting self-care
practices, offering access to mental health services, and addressing organizational
factors contributing to stress, anxiety, depression and burnou
A retrospective review of the utilization of Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs in selected private community pharmacies in Namibia: 2017-2022
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Pharmacy in Clinical Pharmacyackground: Overuse of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs is a considerable global public safety concern. In Namibia, despite the rising burden of mental illnesses, there is a paucity
in data regarding the utilization of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs.
Aim: The study aimed to determine the patterns and factors associated with the utilization
of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs in community pharmacies to guide medicine policy
reforms.
Methods: A descriptive multicenter longitudinal study as per the World Health
Organisation (WHO) medicine utilization design. The consumption data on
benzodiazepines and Z-drugs were retrospectively abstracted from the Unisolv®
dispensing software in selected pharmacies over a six-year period, 2017-2022.
Consequently, key informants were interviewed to identify the drivers of the use of
benzodiazepines and Z-drugs. Data were exported to SPSS v25 for analysis of the patterns
and factors of use of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs.
Results: Of the 10 selected-pharmacies, a total of 867 168 medicines were dispensed over
the six-year review period and 2% of these were benzodiazepines and Z-drugs
(n=17 840/867 168). Benzodiazepines (BZD) were the most dispensed (56%, n=9993/17
840), mainly to male patients (53.6%). The consumption of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs
was highest with Zolpidem (6.07 DDDs/1000 population) compared to other
benzodiazepines and Z-drugs. Over 54% of the dispensing encounters of benzodiazepines
and Z-drugs were repeat prescriptions of Z-drugs. From 2017 to 2022, the consumption
of Z-drugs increased but declined for benzodiazepines. Stakeholders identify the thematic
drivers of the use of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs as irrational prescribing, marketing, and
patient drug dependency.
Conclusion: Whilst, the consumption of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs in Namibia is lower
than global estimates, there is an increase in the use of benzodiazepines and Z-drugs in
the private health sector. There is a need for a regulatory framework and an education
strategy to empower pharmacists’ led interventions towards safe use of new
benzodiazepines and Z-drugs in the community pharmacie
A pragma-dialectical approach in television talk show argumentation: A case study of the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation’s one-on-one discourse
No full textA dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of philosophy in English studiesThis study investigated the argumentative discourse of the Namibian Broadcast
Corporation (NBC) One-on-One talk show interviews between the host and a guest.
Although the interviews present different guests per sitting, the host is an NBC
employee assigned to the interview segment and is couched within the theoretical
explications of pragma-dialectical theory of argumentation (van Eemeren, 2017). The
pragma-dialectical theory of argumentation is fundamentally a broad spectrum of
the study of linguistics that has, through its development and growth, shifted its
interest and focus from abstractions of formal logic to a more structured interest in
pragmatics. This theory has since been more concerned with pragma-dialectics
encompassing the rules of argumentation, strategic manoeuvring, and effectiveness
through reasonableness. The discourse in argumentation varies in a range of how
influential political figures represent or defend their points of view on the issue at
hand. Specifically, the study represented a qualitative establishment of television
show discourse, and it was primarily focused on investigating the patterns of pragma dialectics in which the host of the talk show and the guest strategically manoeuvred
to resolve differences of opinion. In the same vein, the study investigated whether
the resolution of the differences of opinion was achieved and how effectiveness and
reasonableness played any role in the process of the arguers' attempt to defend their
standpoint on issues under discussion. The data was collected from archived audio
recordings transcribed into readable text files. The topics of the talk show discussions
covered were on issues pertaining to Namibia’s social, economic and political
spheres. The analysis employed the pragma-dialectical method to evaluate the data.
The findings, on one part, demonstrated that three turn-taking strategies played a
vital role in the argumentative discourse in the following ways: the arguers (especially
the host) used the turn-holding strategy in order to maintain and prolong their
window of talking. This was more prevalent in the repetitive use of "but", and "and".
The arguers also used turn-claiming as a strategy by interjection and conjunctions
such as “but!”, “really!’ and “Oh!” Turn-yielding strategy was also used but rarely.
The arguers decided to give up their turn to talk when deemed necessary and when
they seemed to have exhausted their stance in opinion. This benefitted the opponent
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in the argument by rendering them more time to express and defend their standpoint
at certain issues. The findings further reflected that, through the constellation of
argumentative moves displayed by the arguers, argumentative patterns were
employed through their typology of standpoints, a difference of opinions,
argumentative schemes and argumentative structure. It was also observed that the
arguers strategically manoeuvred at every stage of the discussion to maintain their
standpoint; in this regard, argumentative patterns came up as a result of strategic
manoeuvring. By trying to observe the importance of being effective and
reasonableness, the arguers still strategically manoeuvred. Although there are
numerous pragma-dialectic studies on talk shows, the study concluded that there
was a need for improvement in journalistic communication skills between One-on One talk show in terms of strategic manoeuvring and adhering to the rules that apply
in every argumentation stage. It is recommended that further studies should be
carried out directed towards communication skills in television shows, especially in
situations where non-native English speakers struggle to express their opinions and
fail effectively to defend their viewpoints due to language barriers and poor
argumentation strategie
Hearing health in Lesotho: An investigation into knowledge, understanding and attitude towards hearing loss
No full textThis study being anchored on the framework of HBM, and the
objective of this study was to investigate the knowledge,
understanding and attitude towards persons with hearing
loss and hearing aid users in Lesotho.This study investigated hearing health in
Lesotho based on the knowledge, understanding and
attitudes of Basotho people in tertiary institutions towards
hearing loss and hearing aid users. The Health Belief
Model framed the study. Data generation in the study was
achieved through a mixed method approach using both a
closed-ended structured questionnaire administered to 272
participants and a semi-structured interview with 6
respondents who were randomly selected from the 272
participants who responded to the closed-ended
questionnaire. Data generated were analysed using
descriptive (frequency count, simple percentage, mean and
standard deviation), and inferential statistics (Chi-square)
at p < 0.05. Also, a thematic analysis was used to analyse
the transcribed semi-structured interviews. The findings
showed that participants had a good understanding and
knowledge of hearing health in relation to the implications
of excessive noise and wax in the ear which may lead to
hearing difficulties, as well as the need for ear checks at
accredited ear clinics/centres; however, they still engage in
risky hearing healthcare behaviours. Participants also had a
higher negative attitude towards hearing loss as a condition
but necessarily towards individuals with hearing loss. An
association was identified between knowledge about
hearing health and hearing in the study. Another
association was recorded between gender and attitude
towards persons with hearing loss and hearing aid users.
Appropriate recommendations were made with respect to
the finding
Rodent species composition, abundance, richness, and diversity amongst different habitats in two villages in the Mukwe Constituency, Kavango East region of Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of science (Biology)Rodents are habitat bio-indicators because their population dynamics respond to
changing environmental and habitat alteration such as environmental disturbances.
Some rodent species such as Mastomys natalensis are agricultural pests and have
caused a lot of damage to crop harvests and peoples’ belongings. Additionally, rodents
serve as vectors for deadly diseases which they can transmit to humans. The aim of
this study was to examine variations in the rodent species composition, abundance,
richness and species diversity amongst different habitats (fallow land, less disturbed
land and in the houses) in Bagani and Diyogha village, in the Mukwe Constituency.
Trapping was conducted over a period of twelve months using PVC live traps, for three
consecutive nights in each habitat. A total number of 285 rodent captures were
recorded in 16,272 trap nights; comprising of five different rodent species, which were
Mastomys natalensis, Gerbilliscus leucogaster, Thallomys paedulcus, Saccostomus
campestris and Steatomys pratensis. A Kruskal-Wallis H test showed that there was
no statistically significant difference in rodent species abundance amongst the three
habitats in Bagani (χ2 = 1.665, df = 2, p = 0.4101), and Diyogha (χ2 = 1.715, df = 2, p
= 0.3978). Whereas the same test has also revealed that there was a statistically
significant difference in the rodent species richness between the fallow land (SR = 4)
and the less disturbed land (SR = 2) as well as the less disturbed land (SR = 2) and
houses (SR = 3) in Bagani (χ2 = 10.81, df = 35, p = 0.0026), and between the fallow
land (SR = 2) and houses (SR = 3) in Diyogha (χ2 = 12.18, df = 35, P = 0.001).
Additionally, the test revealed that there was no significant difference in the rodent
species diversity amongst the three habitats in Bagani (χ2 = 2.551; df = 35, p = 0.147),
however, there was a significant difference in the rodent diversity amongst the habitats
in Diyogha (χ2 = 4.97; df = 35, p = 0.029). Dunn’s post hoc test was used for all the
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parameters to further explore the differences within the habitats. It showed that there
was a significant difference in the rodent species richness between the fallow land and
the less disturbed land (p = 0.006) as well as between less disturbed land and the houses
(p = 0.001) in Bagani. Whereas in Diyogha, there was a significant difference in the
species richness between the fallow land and the houses (p = < 0.002). Lastly, the post
hoc test showed a significant difference in rodent species diversity between the fallow
land and the houses (p = 0.0084). An HCA based on a Bray Curtis Similarity Index
showed that there was a 30% and a 22% similarity in the rodent species composition
amongst the three habitats in Bagani and Diyogha, respectively. The Spearman’s
correlation (Rs) test revealed that rodent species abundance was weakly positively
correlated with the rainfall (r= 0.146, n = 12, p = 0.650) and relative humidity (r =
0.403, n = 12, p = 0.193), however, the temperature (r = -0.05, n = 12, p = 0.87) had a
negative influence on the rodent numbers in Bagani. Furthermore, in Diyogha, all three
weather parameters had positive correlations to the rodent numbers during different
seasons or months. The following study revealed that the different habitats in both
villages did not influence the rodent species abundance. A similar study to the current
one should be conducted for a period longer than two years in order to compare the
influence climatic variables have on the rodent numbers in both Bagani and Diyogha
village. However, the study should use a capture-mark-recapture (CMR) technique
instead of euthanizing the rodent
Factors influencing the effectiveness of monitoring and evaluation systems: a case study of USAID HIV clinical services technical assistance project by Intrahealth Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of master of public healthBackground:Worldwide, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems have proven to
be fundamental to successful project management. Many researchers cited them as a
critical component in meeting organizational objectives. Aim:The study aimed to
establish the factors that influenced the effectiveness of monitoring and evaluation
systems for projects using the USAID Clinical Technical services Assistance project
(UTAP) as a case study. To gain an in-depth understanding of the topic this study
applied the convergent parallel mixed method design. Methods:During this process,
the researcher concurrently conducted the qualitative and quantitative data collection
and analysis, although the two sections were analyzed independently.Results:The
findings revealed a high percentage of the respondents, 23.0% (17) agreed that training
determines the effectiveness of M&E systems of UTAP project, 21.6% (16) agreed
that availability of staff influences the effectiveness of M&E systems, 18.9% (14)
strongly agreed that utilization of tools and techniques influence the effectiveness of
M&E systems and 14.9% (11) strongly agreed that competency of M&E staffs
influences the effectiveness of M&E systems. Objective two sought to analyze the
factors associated with the effectiveness of UTAP’s monitoring and evaluation system
with the statement that training in M&E was important in enhancing the effectiveness
of M&E with a mean score of 4.20. The respondents also answered that well-trained
staff members better understand the program and tools and implement the accurate
data collected. With a correlation coefficient of 0.710, the third objective's findings
demonstrate a strong positive relationship between the technical capacity of the M&E
team and data quality. This relationship was intended to examine the impact of project
budget allocation for M&E, technical capacity, and data quality on the effectivness of
UTAP's monitoring and evaluation system. This suggests that the effectiveness of data
quality for the UTAP project will rise if organizations leverage the technical capacity
of their M&E teams. Additionally, a positive correlation (r = 0.806) has been found
between budget allocation and the technical capability efficacy of the M&E
team.Conclusion: This suggests that the process of monitoring and evaluating projects
will grow if funding are easily and sufficiently available. The study's findings
demonstrated a relationship between M&E effectiveness and budget allocation,
technical capability, and data qualit
Analysis of malaria transmission dynamics in human and mosquito populations
No full textA mini-thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of master of science in applied mathematicsThis mini-thesis presents a deterministic mathematical model for the spread of malaria
in human and mosquito populations. The human population is divided into four com partments while mosquito population is divided into three compartments. Suscepti ble humans can be infected when they are bitten by an infected mosquito, they then
progress through the exposed, infected, recovered before going back to the susceptible
class. Susceptible mosquitoes can be exposed to the disease and once they are exposed,
they can be infected, and remain infected until they die. Basic reproduction number,
R0 was established and used to determine whether the disease dies out or persists in the
population. It was shown that the disease-free equilibrium point is locally asymptoti cally stable when R0 1. Quantitative analysis of the model
was carried out to confirm the findings from qualitative analysis. Result obtained indi cate that the findings of quantitative analysis correspond to the findings of qualitative
analysis. It was proven qualitatively that R0 < 1, which corresponds to the results of
the sensitivity analysis, that was carried out quantitatively. It was recommended that
future work can be done to investigate the stability of the endemic equilibrium poin
Examining the asymmetric effects of fish exports on economic growth in Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in fullfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of science in economicsThe main aim of this study was to investigate the asymmetric effects of fish exports on
economic growth in Namibia. To achieve the main objective, the study used quarterly
data from the 2008Q1 to 2020Q4 and employed the Nonlinear Autoregressive
Distributed Lag (NARDL) Bounds testing approach for cointegration. The Augmented
Dickey Fuller and Phillips Perron tests were applied to examine the order of integration
of variables while the vector error correction (VEC) causality technique was used to test
for Granger causality. Suitability of NARDL method was confirmed by unit root test
results which showed mixed order of integration where some variables were stationary
in levels and others were integrated of the first order. Furthermore, the results found
evidence of cointegration among variables under study and rejected the null hypothesis
of no long run asymmetry between economic growth and fish exports. Therefore, this
study presents evidence of long and short run asymmetry between fish exports and
economic growth at 5%. Moreover, study results present evidence of unidirectional
causality from positive of fish exports shocks (FX_POS) to gross domestic product
(GDP) and no evidence of causality from negative shocks of fish exports (FX_NEG) to
growth was observed. In the long run, the results showed that FX_POS positively
impacts growth at 1% significance level while in the short run FX_POS positively
impacts growth at 5%. Also, the second lag of FX_POS positively impacts output at 1%
significant level. At the same time, results showed that FX_NEG has an insignificant
impact on growth in the short and long run.
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In the final analysis, this study posits that fish exports in Namibia can be stimulated by
improving infrastructure and port facilities as well as improving transportation networks
to ensure efficient and timely transportation of fish products from processing centres to
port