UNAM Gā-aisib Repository (University of Namibia)
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The contribution of knowledge sharing in the effective implementation of electronic document and records management systems in the Namibian public service
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts (Records and Archives Management)The study investigated the contribution of Knowledge Sharing (KS) to the successful implementation of the Electronic Document and Records Management System (EDRMS) in the Namibian public service. Various reasons to justify the poor success of EDRMS implementation have been identified across several studies but the role and contribution of KS as a key element towards the successful implementation of EDRMS has not been established. In this regard, the study adopted an interpretivist research paradigm, a qualitative research approach for the data collection and a multiple case study research design. The study targeted three (3) Offices/Ministries/Agencies out of the first nine Offices/Ministries/Agencies that implemented the EDRMS between 2009 and 2010. The sample size consisted of twenty-one (21) participants, whereby seven (7) were from the Office of the Prime Minister, nine (9) from the National Archives of Namibia, and five (5) from the National Planning Commission. Data were collected through document analysis, semi-structured interviews and participant observations. The study found that the reason for the poor success of EDRMS implementation in the Namibian public service points to a lack of and/or poor sharing of knowledge during the implementation stages of EDRMS. This was because both key users and end users of EDRMS in the three O/M/As did not have adequate knowledge sharing opportunities, other than training sessions on EDRMS operations. Based on this, the study recommends that KS ought to be prioritised as a key element of change management, particularly with the introduction of new work processes and procedures. KS should take place at every stage and/or level of EDRMS implementation among all staff members in an institution. Therefore, institutions should deliberately design and create opportunities that would engage all employees and lead to active KS throughout all the divisions and units of an institution. Areas for further studies could include investigating the impact of team building and employees interrelationships towards the successful implementation of EDRMS
An assessment of the trends in population abundance and spatial distribution of roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus) and sable antelope (Hippotragus niger) in the greater Waterberg plateau complex, North-central, Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Science (Wildlife Management and Ecotourism)Understanding factors affecting the demographic status and spatial distribution of large mammals is of major relevance in wildlife conservation and management. This is particularly the case for the roan (Hippotragus equinus) and the sable (Hippotragus niger) populations in the Waterberg Plateau Park (WPP) whose growth appears to have been suppressed since 1994, after being introduced in 1975 and 1980, respectively. The lack of scientific assessments on potential factors influencing their growth and spatial distribution has been a major challenge confronting their management in the WPP, which is the aim of this study. The study used the Generalized Additive Modelling and State Space Models to assess trends in the abundance of roan and sable between 1975 and 2019 in the WPP based on historical aerial count data. Additionally, occupancy modelling and detection probability was conducted to assess the influence of site and detection covariates on their spatial distribution in the Waterberg Plateau Farm based on the camera trapping data collected during the wet and dry seasons. The study estimated with uncertainty a negative population growth for roan (r = - 0.02 ± 0.06, CI95 = -0.13 – 0.09) and a zero-population growth for the sable (r = 0.00 ± 0.08, CI95 = -0.14 – 0.16). These growth trajectories tend to be positively influenced by annual rainfall, and the occasional auctioning, and the introduction of individuals. Contrary, it was insignificantly but negatively influenced by the low-lagged rainfall and the increase of the buffalo population. Occupancy modelling showed that roan distribution is significantly influenced by the co-occurrence of sable both during the wet and the dry seasons. Sable distribution was positively influenced by forage and the presence/absence of leopard during the wet season while positively influenced by the presence/absence of waterhole during the dry season. The cumulative effect of these variables is likely to have resulted in the reduction of the survival and reproduction rate as these antelopes are unable to escape the semi-closed isolated study areas. Future interventions involving the introduction of these species outside their native ranges should be careful thought, and must consider the potential impacts of climate change to improve the success of this management strategy
Factors associated with the unsuccessful Tuberculosis treatment outcomes of the DOTS programme in Kunene and Oshana regions, Namibia
No full textTuberculosis (TB) is among the leading causes of death globally. In Namibia, the disease has a huge burden, with a case notification rate of at least 442 per 100,000. To date, Namibia is still among the countries with the highest global TB burden, despite all efforts in place to reduce it. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors associated with the unsuccessful treatment outcomes of the Directly Observed Therapy or Directly Observed Treatment (DOTS) programme in the Kunene and Oshana regions. The study utilised a mixed-methods explanatory-sequential design to collect data from all TB patient records as well as healthcare workers who work directly with the DOT strategy for TB patients. The relationship between independent variables and dependent variables was analysed using multiple logistic regression analysis, while interviews were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. The overall treatment success rates of Kunene and Oshana regions throughout the entire review period were 50.6% and 43.9%, respectively. The type of DOT used (OR=1.67, 95% CI:1.15-2.42, p=0.007) and age group (OR=1.12, 95% CI:1.05-1.19, p=0.001) were the only factors found to be statistically significant with unsuccessful treatment outcomes in Kunene and Oshana region, respectively. The study further revealed that patients in Kunene region are difficult to reach owing to their nomadic lifestyle, adversely affecting their ability to directly observe therapy. Furthermore, lack of transport also affected the direct observation of therapy. In Oshana region, it was found that mixing anti-TB medication with alcohol among adult patients was a prevalent issue affecting TB therapy. Moreover, stigma and poor TB awareness among adult patients were also found to adversely affect possibilities of direct therapy observation, impacting the overall treatment outcome of the Oshana region. The main recommendations that arose from the study include the need for the regional heath directorates to establish a robust patient tracing system to enhance inclusive access to all health services, particularly among nomadic patients. Moreover, it is recommended that the regional management should improve their patient monitoring methods, particularly for those who do not take anti-TB medication under healthcare workers' observation, to ensure adherence. Lastly, extensive TB health education should be regularly conducted in both regions to increase awareness among the affected, to educate patients and their guardians about their responsibilities, as well as the TB management process and the dangers of using alcohol while on treatment
Investigating the impact of the economic recession on households’ buying behaviour at Uis village between 2016 and 2020
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master in business administration management strategyAfter two consecutive quarters of a negative growth rate in Namibia’s Gross Domestic Products
(GDP), Namibia was technically in a recession by the end of the second quarter of 2016. This
study sought to investigate the impact of the economic recession on households buying
behaviour at Uis Village between 2016 and 2020. The study adopted an explanatory sequential
mixed methods research design. Simple random sampling and convenience sampling
techniques were used to select the samples of the study from a population of 75 households. A
close-ended questionnaire, and an interview schedule was used for data collection. The data
received was analyzed using the SPSS software, Version 26, micro-soft excel and Terreblanche
five stage process. The study found that, households at Uis village were negatively impacted
by economic recession that occurred between 2016 to2020 to a great extent. The study also
established that the impact of the change in disposable income during the economic recession
on households buying behaviour at Uis Village was significant. However, when it came to
brand preference, the study established that, households at Uis village did not place much
importance to brand preference, and therefore it was revealed that their brand preference in
relation to their buying behaviour was mostly not impacted upon much during the economic
recessio
Antimicrobial effect of selected probiotic strains on salmonella typhimurium and e. coli o157:h7 isolated in a commercial slaughterhouse in Windhoek, Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (Microbiology)In recent years, Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) have gained popularity due to their preservative and antimicrobial activities. Therefore, there has been a growing interest in researching and developing new antimicrobial agents from various sources to control and eliminate pathogens such as Salmonella typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 in food niches. The two pathogens are the major causative agents of foodborne diseases especially in meat products. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of selected commercial probiotic strains of P. acidilactici and P. pentosaceus against S. typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 isolated from beef samples using monoculture and co-cultures design. Beef samples were collected from Meatco Abattoir and antimicrobial activity of the probiotics strains was evaluated using pour plate methods over general and selective media such as Salmonella Shigella (SS) agar and MacConkey agar. The optical density (OD) was measured at 600 nm to study the growth kinetics of microbial mass for the probiotic and pathogenic strains in mono and co-cultures models. The co-cultures of S. typhimurium and P. acidilactici gave the significant reduction of 1.2 log cfu in S. typhimurium population, indicating that, it is more sensitive to the tested Pediococcus strains than E. coli O157:H7. Both LAB strains showed antagonistic activities against S. typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7, although none of the LAB showed a complete inhibition. However, P. acidilactici had a greater antimicrobial activity compared to P. pentosaceus. The OD value of S. typhimurium co-culture decreased with 2.24 log cfu when it was co-cultured with P. acidilactici and 2.28 log cfu when it was co-cultured with P. pentosaceus. Meanwhile, OD value of E. coli O157:H7 decreased significantly with 2.22 log cfu when it was co-cultured with P. pentosaceus and 2.33 log cfu with P. acidilactici showing their potential bio-preservation in meat products. However, further confirmatory tests are ii needed especially in their permitted concentration on the surface of cow carcasses and meat cuts during the storage
An analysis of factors contributing to learner dropout at a selected school in the //Kharas region
No full textA research proposal submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Education (inclusive education)This case study aimed to analyse the factors contributing to learner dropout at a selected school in the //Kharas region. Data were collected by employing document analysis and observations, as well as interviews conducted with learners, school staff and a representative of the village council. The study found that the major learner factors that contributed to school dropout were teenage pregnancy, a lack of motivation, disciplinary problems and alcohol and drug abuse. The study found that parental factors, such as the illiteracy of some of the parents and guardians, as well as a lack of parental involvement in the children’s education reflected by the fact that only 30% of the parents normally attended teacher-parent meetings, contributed to the dropout rate at the selected school. Furthermore, on the socio-economic factors the lack of employment in the community, where only 35% of the community was employed, implies that parents were unable to meet the needs of their children. Some learners, consequently, left school in search of employment for themselves and their families. Lastly, school factors that contributed to the high rate of dropout at the selected school included the lack of learning materials and individual learner support, as well as overcrowded classrooms. Therefore, the study recommends frequent emphasis by teachers on the importance of education in every person’s life, thus, motivating learners to stay in school. It also recommends that parents and guardians should be encouraged to attend literacy classes to enable them to assist their children with schoolwork. Lastly, it is recommended that the government provides sufficient teaching and learning materials, as well as infrastructure, to support all learners
Inclusion of dry sex and polygyny in HIV and AIDS behavior change programmes: Case studies from selected NGO’s in the Zambezi region, Namibia
No full textA dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirement of the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Sociology)This study explored the cultural practices of dry sex and polygyny that could potentially perpetuate HIV. The study further enquired whether the two cultural practices are included in HIV and AIDS behaviour change programmes. Dry sex refers to a phenomenon where women insert herbs into the vagina to reduce vaginal lubrication during sexual intercourse. The practice is associated with tearing and cuts of the vaginal wall and glans of the penis, and this heightens the risk of contracting HIV. Polygyny refers to a practice where one man is married to more than one wife at the same time. Such marriages are an institutionalised form of concurrent sexual partnerships which can also increase the spread of HIV by creating more connected sexual networks.
The objective was to explore dry sex and polygyny that might promote the spread of HIV among women, as well as assessing HIV and AIDS behaviour change programmes adopted culturally appropriate and sensitive prevention strategies.
A focused ethnography method which consisted of in-depth, semi-structured interviews and focused observations with field notes was employed. In total, 33 participants from non-governmental organisations, traditional leaders, traditional healers, Life Skills teachers, instructors of Sikenge (girl child initiation instructors), men, women, youth and staff members from Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Zambezi Regional Council that are responsible for HIV and AIDS Behaviour Change Programmes were interviewed. The research sites were in Windhoek, Kabbe and Katima Mulilo.
The study employed Vygotsky Social Constructivist Theory which views human development as a socially mediated process in which individual acquire their cultural values, beliefs and problem-solving strategies through interactions with other members of iii society. Hence, practices such as polygyny and dry sex are learned through social interaction. Connell’s Theory of gender and power was also employed to illustrate sexual inequality, gender and power imbalance perpetuate women’s vulnerability to HIV.
The findings indicate that the cultural practices of dry sex and polygyny were commonly practised in Kabbe and Katima Mulilo. Despite the risk of HIV associated with these cultural practices, behaviour change programmes had responded differently to address them. For example, none of the interventions had targeted the practice of polygyny directly. Similarly, no targeted interventions had been devised to address dry sex; hence, the practice persisted. This study, concludes that it is imperative to devise HIV interventions that are culturally appropriate and sensitive. Cultural practices such as dry sex and polygyny should be included in HIV and AIDS behaviour change programmes
An investigation on the relationship between commodity prices and economic growth in Namibia
No full textA research thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (Economics)The study investigated the relationship between commodity prices and economic growth in Namibia. The main objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between commodity prices and economic growth in Namibia, specifically focusing on the spot price of uranium and zinc as well as the price per carat of diamond exported. Quarterly time series data was used for the period of 1994Q1 to 2018Q4 and data were collected from the Bank of Namibia, Namibia Statistics Agency, World Bank, Cameco Website and The Global Economy. The Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) method was used to capture the long run relationships between growth and the commodity prices. The equation was modelled under the ARDL technique, where GDP is the dependent and the prices of the commodities are the independent variables. In order to determine the long run relationship of variables, the study employed ARDL Bound test. The empirical results show that there exists an insignificant long run negative association between GDP and the spot price of uranium as well as between GDP and the spot price for zinc. However, the empirical results show that the long run relationship between GDP and the unit export price for diamonds is positive. Based on the Granger Causality test, the study concluded that there are no causal effects between growth and the spot price of diamond, and between growth and unit export price for diamond debt. Conversely, there is unidirectional causality between the price of zinc and GDP growth rate. Causality runs from price of zinc to growth. Based on the findings, the study recommends that Namibia should invest in value addition on the commodities. Value addition has become a globally accepted remedy for economic growth as it will lead to employment creation, higher commodity prices and an improved balance of trade
Towards medicinal tea from untapped Namibian Ganoderma: Phenolics and in vitro antioxidant activity of wild and cultivated mushrooms
No full textGanoderma is a genus of mushrooms that is prized in developed nations, especially those in Asia, due to its health-promoting properties, which are attributed to bioactive compounds such as phenolics. However, in developing countries, particularly in Africa, Ganoderma mushrooms are untapped and are barely identified. In this study, we identified Ganoderma species collected from different host trees in the wild in Namibia, cultivated them on one substrate and determined their water absorption and solubility indices. Total phenolics (TP), total flavonoids (TF), condensed tannins (CT) and in vitro antioxidant activity (AA) were determined in hot water infusions made from wild and cultivated Ganoderma mushrooms. Folin–Ciocalteu, aluminium chloride, vanillin-HCl, and DPPH assay methods were used to determine TP, TF, CT and AA, respectively. Wild species had 6.12–11.70% moisture, 1.91–5.32% ash, 11.55–24.40 (g of absorbed water/g of dry sample) water absorption index, 3.60–24.10% water solubility index, 18.37–44.78 (mg GAE/g of sample) TP, 0.09–1.67 (mg QE/g of sample) TF, 2.97–6.37 (mg CAE/g of sample) CT and 40.8–49.3% AA. Cultivated species had 9.64 13.45% moisture, 2.34–6.20% ash, 13.55–28.30 water absorption index, 6.40–25.35% water solubility index, 36.70–52.73 (mg GAE/g of sample) TP, 0.41–0.86 (mg QE/g of sample) TF, 11.38–15.29 (mg CAE/g of sample) CT and 53.6–63.7% AA. Infusions prepared from cultivated Ganoderma species had higher levels of TP, CT and AA, but lower levels of TF than those prepared from wild Ganoderma species, suggesting that they have potential as nutraceuticals
An analysis of a teacher education programme at a Namibian tertiary institution
No full textTeacher quality is a crucial element of quality education, and it is dependent on the quality of teacher education. Thus, this study analyses the teacher training programme at a Namibian university to determine its quality. Four quality determining components were analysed: students and teacher educator qualities; curriculum materials; teaching and learning process; and teaching practice. This qualitative study employed a single case study design. Four research instruments were used to collect data: document analysis, focus group interviews, questionnaires, and observations. The sample comprised one hundred and sixty (160) pre-service students, one (1) focus group of fifteen (15) graduates, sixteen (16) teacher educators, and three (3) focus groups with a total of thirty (30) pre-service students. The significant findings of this study were that average students enroll in the teacher education programme because of extrinsic and other motives other than intrinsic and altruistic reasons. In addition, the teacher education curriculum was found to be overcrowded with fragmented modules. Further, the subject matter content was not aligned with the school curriculum; students exit with little subject matter knowledge. The study also found that the assessment of pre-service students lacked authenticity as assessment questions do not test the understanding and application of knowledge. Additionally, the lecture method dominated the pedagogies employed, promoting rote learning. Another factor was poor teaching practices characterised by inadequate time allocation and lack of mentoring support from the school. Thus, a lot is desired from the teacher education programme; hence, the study recommends a longitudinal study to be carried out involving all higher education institutions in Namibia that offer a teacher education programme to see if the findings would be the sam