UNAM Gā-aisib Repository (University of Namibia)
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Effectiveness information communication technology systems and its impact on organizational performance: Case of the Evangelical Lutheran Church In Namibia
No full textThe research aims to point out the types of ICT systems in place at ELCIN, their effectiveness and to make recommendations for the best possible information systems for ELCIN. The research dissertation clearly indicated the envisaged research’s objectives, aim, significance, literature review, methodology and data analysis techniques that were employed by the researcher in order to make conclusions and recommendations for the organization.This chapter evaluated the effectiveness of the current information communication technology systems in use by ELCIN and its impact on overall performance in the administration of the church. The study utilised a quantitative approach with a randomly selected sample . The findings reveal that only 14% of ELCIN staff had PCs. On ICT skills competences, the digital illiteracy rates are high with databases (illiterate= 85%, literate=0%), PowerPoint (illiterate=87%, literate =13%), and Excel (illiterate=20%, literate=20%, not sure=60%). The study further reveals that there is generally non-usage (f=27, 90%) of specialised administrative software such as Oracle, Pastel, and SAP. The research also showed that there are varied reasons for the low adoption of ICT in ELCIN that include inadequate hardware and software and low skills capacitation among others. It is therefore recommended that ELCIN sends the staff members to refresher courses in basic ICT and to strengthen the digital literacy training. Also, proper system implementation should be accompanied by appropriate expertis
Barriers to the provision of smoking cessation intervention/services: A mixed-methods study among health care workers in Zambezi region, Namibia
No full textThis article identifies and explores the perceived barriers
which prevent healthcare workers from delivering SC counselling
to patients in Zambezi region, Namibia.Over the past few years, several surveys have been conducted
regarding smoking in Namibia;
9,10,15–19 however, there has been
lack of information on the barriers towards the provision of SC
intervention in Zambezi region, therefore increasing the challenges
associated with developing prevention interventions. Knowledge
of the barriers towards the provision of SC intervention would be
essential in the design and implementation of SC strategies.
Therefore, the aim of the current study was to contribute to knowl edge gaps on the identification of barriers which prevent HCWs
from delivering SC therapy and treatment to patients in Zambezi
region, Namibia. To our knowledge, this is the only study explor ing the barriers that prevent HCWs in Zambezi region from engag ing in SC with patients.
The study outcomes presented an understanding of the regular
perceived barriers that prevent HCWs in Zambezi from delivering
SC intervention to their patients who smoke. The main outcomes
of this study were divided into three separate categories namely;
structural, healthcare workers and patient-based barriers
Modelling school principals’ soft skills with sustainable administrative effectiveness
No full textThis study explores the relationship between principals' soft skills and
sustainable administrative effectiveness. The study identified a comprehensive set of soft skills essential for
sustainable educational leadership, including communication,
emotional intelligence, empathy, adaptability, problem-solving, and
conflict resolutio
Assessment of fishers’ catches on a Kavango River floodplain, Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in BiologyFloodplains in the Kavango River sustain an important fishery that provides riparian
communities with a source of food, seasonal employment and income for those that sell
their catches. This study was conducted to investigate the effort, fishing gear, and fish
catches of the fishers on the Kamutjonga floodplain along the Kavango River, Namibia.
Fishers were monitored daily for two annual flood cycles of 2018 and 2020 (February to
June). A total of 254 and 462 fisher days were recorded during the 2018 and 2020 flood
cycles, respectively, where females dominated the fishing in both years. In 2018, the catch
per unit effort (CPUE) in number (fish/set) (set = 60 min) were highest for mosquito nets
(93 fish/set) followed by plastic containers (12 fish/set), hook and line (10 fish/set), and
traditional traps (7 fish/set). In 2018, CPUE in weight (kg/set) was also highest for
mosquito nets (0.21 kg/set), but followed by hook and line (0.17 kg/set), traditional traps
(0.03 kg/set), and plastic containers (0.02 kg/set). In 2020, the CPUE in numbers was the
highest in mosquito nets (275 fish/set), followed by hook and line (18 fish/set), plastic
containers (10 fish/set) and traditional traps (7 fish/set). In 2020, CPUE in weight (kg/set)
was the highest in mosquito nets (0.73 kg/set) followed by hook and line (0.63 kg/set),
traditional trap (0.06 kg/set) and plastic containers (0.03kg/set). In 2018, a total of 27 fish
species were caught and the five most important species according to the index of relative
importance (%IRI) were Oreochromis andersonii (79.6%), Coptodon rendalli (9.9%),
Pseudocrenilabrus philander (3.8%), Hydrocynus vittatus (2.3%) and Serranochromis
angusticeps (1.4%). In 2020, 23 fish species were caught on the and the five most
important species according to %IRI were Oreochromis andersonii (65.5%), Coptodon
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rendalli (29.9%), Hydrocynus vittatus (1.8%), Serranochromis macrocephalus (0.9%)
and Pharyngochromis acuticeps (0.7%). In 2018, the estimated catch was 150.53 kg
constituiting of 79.00 kg during the rising phase, 68.49 kg during the receding phase and
2.99 kg during the high phase. In 2020, the estimated catch was 1 607.00 kg constituiting
of 415.25 kg during the rising phase, 1 215.01 kg during the high phase and during the
123.65 kg receding phase. Most of the fish species caught on the floodplain were juvenile
of larger fish species, while other fish species were from small sized fish species. It is
suggested that harvesting of juvenile fish contributes to food security of riparian
communities. The continuous monitoring of the exploitation partterns of the Kamutjonga
floodplain is encouraged to enusure that managers are timely informed of any changes in
fishing activities that might negatively impact the fish stocks and make management
recommendatio
An analysis of the impact of public expenditure on private investment in Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the Master of Science in EconomicsThis study aimed to analyse the impact of public expenditure on private investment in Namibia from the period 1990 to 2020. In seeking to meet the objective of the stud y, an Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model was estimated after the time-series properties of the variables used were tested. The bound test co¬-integration approach a long with ECM was applied to achieve the objectives of the study. Results indicated that the real impact of government expenditure depends upon the type of expenditure under consideration and thus government expenditure can crowd either in or out private investment. The government expenditures on agriculture, health and transport were insignificant in the short run but showed a crowding-in (positive) impact on private investment. In addition, education expenditure along with gross domestic product expenditures show a crowding in (positive) impact on private investment in the short run. Moreover, analysis suggests that more priorities should be given to those expenditures that have complimentary impact on private investment rather than spending on expenditures that are substituting (hindering) private investment. In addition, the Namibian government should adopt consistent fiscal policy measures that can establish budget discipline, transparency and accountability aimed at increasing the standard of living by assuring an efficient public expenditure budget. Furthermore, the government should also increase expenditure on health, since it will enhance private investment through improved health status and labour productivity
An investigation into housing delivery for low-income households of Tobias Hainyeko constituency
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master in business administration management strategyThis study sought to investigate the causes of delays in housing delivery amongst low income households who are residents of the informal settlements of Tobias Hainyeko
Constituency, Windhoek, Namibia. It also aimed to analyse the underlying challenges
faced by low-income households when accessing formal housing units and decent shel ter. The study used mixed methods of a concurrent design. Interview guides, document
reviews and observations were used to collect qualitative data, while structured ques tionnaires were used to collect quantitative data in a survey. The study conducted hy potheses tests using regression analysis to determine the relationship between housing
delivery, a dependent variable and independent variables represented by the provision
of serviced land as well as basic services such as refuse removal services provided to
informal settlements of Tobias Hainyeko Constituency. Hypotheses test results showed
a positive relationship between the provision of affordable housing and refuse removal
services; and a strong positive-perfect relationship between provision of affordable
housing and supply of serviced land to households. The study further revealed that
provision of serviced land and the provision of refuse removal services are significantly
associated with the provision of affordable housing. The study recommends a targeted
intervention through adequate Government funding for upgrading of informal settle ments in Tobias Hainyeko Constituency to accelerate accessibility and delivery of ser viced land, also, basic services and formal housing units amongst low-income house holds. Furthermore, the study proposes a review of current policies and strategies in
order to align them with addressing current housing challenges. Lastly, the study rec ommends future research to improve housing approaches and funding models to accel erate the delivery of decent housing units, basic services and infrastructure amongst
households residing in other informal settlements and townships in Namibi
An investigation into the effectiveness of the implementation of corporate governance at the Katima Mulilo Town Council
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master in business administration management strategyThe aim of the research was to investigate the adherence of Katima Mulilo Town Council
(KMTC) to corporate governance principles. The objectives of this research were to: investigate
the effectiveness of the implementation of Corporate Governance principles at KMTC; establish
the challenges faced in the implementation of the CG principles at KMTC; and recommend
strategies that can be used to improve the KMTC’s implementation of CG principles of
transparency, accountability, fairness and responsibility. A mixed methodology was used to
collect data from employees and residents of KMTC through an in-depth face to face interview
and a closed ended questionnaire. Purposive sampling together with simple random sampling
were used to select 12 participants for the interview, while 379 were selected to complete a
closed-ended questionnaire in the study. The study revealed that there must be a balanced board
composition at KMCT to lead the implementation of CG. It was also revealed in this study that
independence is needed in CG implementation and there must be auditor independence,
transparency and accountability in CG implementation at KMTC. The study established that the
effectiveness of the implementation of CG is affected by lack of financial resources and poor
levels of transparency and accountability. In addition, the study found out that poor
organisational management skills, poor attitude and perceptions on CG implementation are some
of the dominant challenges affecting the implementation CG at KMTC. The findings also
revealed a lack of quality service delivery due to a lack of clearly defined employee duties which
will have an impact on how CG principles are implemented at KMTC. The study recommends
that in order for KMTC to analyse its own implementation of CG initiatives, adequate
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monitoring and evaluation methods should be in place in every section. It also recommends that
KMTC should avail financial resources that will be used for CG implementation
Comparative study on the quality of Namibian commercial oyster mushrooms cultivated on encroacher bushes as substrates
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of science in biochemistryHumans need a wide range of nutrients to have a well-balanced diet, nutritious edible
mushrooms can be part of a healthy lifestyle. The objectives of the study were to
evaluate the yield and yield components, to determine antioxidant activity, total
phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and nutrient composition of
different mushroom species cultivated on four different bush encroacher substrates.
To provide mushroom cultivation training to farmers in Okondjatu district.
Mushrooms were cultivated in 2kg bags of dry substrate, harvested, dried and
powdered. Mushrooms powder was extracted in 99.9% methanol. Antioxidant activity
of the mushroom extracts were analysed by reducing power and 2, 2
Diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The TPC and TFC were quantified. Crude
protein was calculated (N x 6.25) from determining the amount of nitrogen (N) in
mushroom powder using the Dumas combustion method. Potassium and Phosphorus
were determined by using the flame emission spectroscopy, while Phosphorus was
determined by colorimetry. Neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and Acid detergent fibre
(ADF) were analyzed using the Ankom 220 fibre analyzer unit. Mushroom cultivation
training was conducted at three randomly selected villages. There was a significance
difference in weight of fresh mushrooms, days to first harvest and number of fruiting
bodies which was due to mushroom species used at p=0.002, p<0.001 and p=0.019
respectively. Pleurotus florida (PF) yielded more mushrooms with 350 g, followed
by PS with 322 g, followed by Pleurotus ostreatus (PO) with 314 g, and the least was
on HK 35 with 243 g. The inhibitory concentration at 50% (IC50) values ranged from
0.380±0.098 mg/ml to 0.780±0.007 mg/ml on different mushroom species grown. The
inhibition of the DPPH radical by PO extracts cultivated on Terminelia sericea
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(0.380±0.007 mg/ml) showed the highest activity. All Mushroom species grown on
different bushes showed an appreciable ability to reduce ferricyanide complex to
ferrous form at different concentrations (0.063–1.00 mg/mL). The TPC varied from
3.93 mg GAE/g to 8.016 mg GAE/g. TFC ranged from 0.515 mg QE/g to 12.1 mg
QE/g, which showed a significant difference on the bush species (p-value < 0.01).
Crude protein content ranged from 28.0% to 39.0%. A significant difference in % NDF
on mushroom species was found, where a variation was detected in HK35 while PF,
PO, and PS showed a similar performance in % NDF. The study showed that ash
content ranged from 5.77% to 17.9%. Percentage moisture ranged from 86.0% to
87.5%. A significant difference in mineral composition, with PO showing a high
content of potassium (2.292%), PF showing a high content of sodium (0.059%), and
PS showing a high content of phosphorus (0.746%) as compared to other mushroom
species. A total of 45 community members participated in the training. In conclusion,
all four encroaching bushes can be used as the substrate for mushroom cultivation. All
mushroom species showed antioxidant activity and appreciable nutrient and mineral
composition, thus can be used as a remedy to illnesses and a supplement to human
diets. Therefore, it is essential to promote awareness and train farmers on mushroom
cultivatio
Analysis of factors contributing to non-adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy in selected facilities in Namibia: A development of adherence improvement Programme for health professionals
No full textA dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of doctorate of philosophy in public healthHealth professionals are faced with challenges of ART non-adherence in patient
enrolled on HAART. This study was aimed at developing a programme to assist health
professionals to improve ART adherence at the facilities in Oshikoto and Kavango
West regions. The study was carried out in four phases i) phase 1: situational analysis
ii) phase 2: conceptual framework development iii) adherence programme
development and iv) programme evaluation. Phase 1 involved carrying out a situational
analysis using a mixed-method design to understand magnitude of adherence problem
in the study area. In the quantitative part of the study a descriptive and analytic cross sectional study was conducted to collect data using structured interview, with HIV infected persons (n=296) under antiretroviral treatment in Oshikoto and Kavango West
regions. Medication adherence was measured with the Adult AIDS Clinical Trial
Group (AACTG) method and the Morisky Medication adherence Scale (MMAS-8) In depth Interviews (IDIs) of health professionals (n=43) and four Focus Group
Discussions (FGDs) with (n=32) individuals who received ART at a primary health
care clinics were conducted at four facilities in the selected regions. Overall adherence
levels was 76 % with AACTG and 36 % with MMAS-8.
Factors contributing to non-adherence were Type of House, Region and Health
Facility, the relationship was a negative one with beta < 0. Other factors were
forgetfulness and regimens missed during the weekends as reported by the MMAS-8.
Determinants of non-adherence using the AACTG adherence were found to be
Confident of regularly taking medicine, Intention to regularly take medicine over the
next year, Treatment support in taking medicine available and Cues to Action with beta
>0.5). ART potency, that is Doses per day, ART Regimen and Dose each time per day
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with beta >0.5). The factors contributing to non-adherence with Morisky scale that
showed strong positive relations with beta <0.5 were the medicinal barriers, perceived
barriers, more likely to get ill than others, concerned about becoming seriously ill and
barriers based on Infection severity. Determinants of non-adherence using the MMAS 8 were benefits of efficacy (r = 0.143, p <0.05), perceived barriers (r = -0.194, p <0.05)
and social support in taking medicine (r = -0.127, p < 0.05).
Four themes emerged of factors influencing non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy,
these were: patient-related factors, health system, therapy-related factors, and condition
related factors. In the qualitative data analysis, health professionals reported reasons
for ART non-adherence. The subthemes included Unemployment and being poor;
forgetfulness; lack of knowledge due to negative beliefs; side-effects, health system
challenges; workload, inadequate training, lack of skills, and poor adherence reporting
systems; stigma. The HAART participants reported several barriers that negatively
influenced their medication experience and adherence. These barriers included the
following subthemes: financial burden; side-effects, psychological factors, such
alcohol use and stigma. The facilitators included social support, treatment support and
positive patient-provide relationship.
In Phase 2, the development of the conceptual framework was based on the theory of
Dickoff et al. (1968) using the findings of the mixed method. Phase 3 addressed the
development of the Adherence Improvement Programme (AIP) for the health
professionals (1). The programme was developed within the concepts of Intervention
mapping framework suggested by Bartholomew et al. (2006), which outlines the
processes of developing a theory-based health promotion programme. Finally, the
programme was evaluated in Phase 4 using the Centre for Disease Control (CDC)
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‘Framework for programme evaluation in public health’ (2). A pool of public health
experts was utilised for this purpose. The AIP has four programme components
consisting of four objectives. Key performance areas based on the intervention
strategies to improve adherence were elaborated under each objective. Tasks to be
performed under each key performance areas were stipulated accompanied by
indicators to measure programme performanc
An analysis of the financial sustainability challenges faced by non-profit organisations in the health sector in Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master of science in accounting and financeThis study explored the financial sustainability challenges faced by Non-Profit
Organisations (NPOs) in the health sector in Namibia. The objectives of the study were
to determine challenges faced by selected NPOs, determine the main source of funding
for NPOs in Namibia after the reclassification as an upper middle-income country and
finally, examine the impact that sole reliance on external donor funding has on
programmes of the selected NPOs. The study mostly used a mixed methodology, and
descriptive analysis was done. The targeted population was 100 drawn from five NGOs
whose objectives are in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Services.
The five NGOs are The society for Family Health (SFH), Namibia Planned Parenthood
Association (NAPPA), HIV Clinicians Society, Mister Sister and Namibia Red Cross
Society. The study found that reduced annual operational budgets and delayed program
implementation are the current challenges NPOs are facing because of the economic crisis
and COVID-19. Others listed the difficulties faced as a decline in the number of donors,
financial crises, technology gaps, and management control. The research revealed, among
other findings, that assistance from local governments is necessary for the financial
sustainability of the programs and the continuity of NGOs. Additionally, it was
recommended that the Government of the Republic of Namibia Incentivise NPOs'
effectiveness, transparency and accountability. More NPOs discuss about gauging and
marketing an organisation's social impact need to shift. Due to the difficulty of assessing
social impact and the fact that it is still a relatively new idea in the industry, this is
particularly tough. Most donors and foundations have the bad habit of viewing an NPO's
overhead as the primary barometer of that organisation's success. NPOs are not
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challenging this notion enough. They should instead try to offer alternative measures that
might reflect on the efficiency of their organisatio