UNAM Gā-aisib Repository (University of Namibia)
Not a member yet
3204 research outputs found
Sort by
Factors associated with low Apgar score in newborn babies at a hospital in Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Nursing ScienceAll newly born infants have to go under examination after birth and again for five minutes to check how well they are tolerating the birth process and the environment outside the uterus. The study aimed to identify factors associated with low Apgar scores among newborn babies in Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital. The quantitative, 1:1 ratio case-control matching, retrospective, a descriptive research design was used. The target population was cases of 376 maternal records with low Apgar scores. Simple random sampling methods were used to select the sample size for maternal records of low Apgar score babies which was 194 and for babies with normal Apgar scores 194 will give a total of 388 maternal records. Data were collected from June to August 2020 in Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital using a document review checklist as the data collection tool. A pilot study was done on 10% of maternal records. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Dependent variables were analyzed using Binary Logistic Regression to measure changes in the Independent Variables and results were presented in tables and graphs in the form of frequencies and percentages.
In this study, the level of significance was determined by factors with a p-value less than 0.05. The results show that 161 (82.9%) of newborn babies had a low Apgar score at immediate Apgar scoreand of these 30 (18.6%) had severe low Apgar score while 131 (81%) had moderate low Apgar score
The demographic and maternal factors were significantly associated with immediate low Apgar scores were gravidity (p<0.021), parity (p<0.029), Haemoglobin during the first Ante-natal care (ANC) visit (p<0.011), Antepartum haemorrhage (APH) (p<0.004), membrane status (p< 0.000), duration of labour (p< 0.000), and neonatal factors include; gestational age (p<0.000) as well as birth weight (p<0.000). The results of Apgar scores after five minutes showed that 33 (8.5%) of newbornbabies had low Apgar scores and those with normal Apgar scores were 355 (91.5%). Factors associated with low Apgar scores at five minutes after birth are maternal age (p<0.015), urinary tract infection (UTI) (p<0.000), other pregnancy comcomplications<0.000), and gestational age (p<0.000) and birth weight (p<0.000).
Binary Logistic regression model results show factors that were found to be strong predictors on immediate Apgar score are: total duration of labour (OR 4.263; 95% CI:2592-7.010; p-value=0.000), foetal presentation (OR 2.988; 95% CI: 1.182-7.554; p-value=0.021) and cord around the neck (OR 18.473, 95% CI;1.936-176.262; p-value=0.021). While after five minutes Apgar score, proper monitoring of partograph (OR 2.228; 95% CI:1.656-2.997, p-value=0.000) and gestational age (OR 1.475; 95% CI: 1.259-1.728; p-value=0.000) were the factors that increase chances of neonates persisting with a low Apgar score.
Maternal and neonatal factors associated more with low Apgar scores are identified, the study concluded that in-service training for midwives on effective monitoring of pregnant women during antenatal care and labor is needed. In addition, health education about the importance of antenatal care would contribute more to the early detection of complications for prompt action
A model for midwives towards the facilitation of childbirth choices among women in selected public healthcare facilities in Namibia
No full textA dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Nursing Science)The facilitation of childbirth-choices is the epitome in rendering patient centred care to ensure that women make informed decisions regarding their care. The rights of women in ensuring decision making and affording women choices regarding childbirth types is critical for the emotional wellbeing of the women and positive birth experiences. In the public healthcare institutions in Namibia, women have no choices but rather have assumed choices and as such they receive no or little information on childbirth types. The objectives of the study were encapsulated in four phases which were: identification and analysis of concepts (Phase one); define, classify and conceptualise concepts as a basis of model development [Phase two]; developing, describing and evaluating the model (Phase three), and developing and describing the guidelines for the model (Phase four). A mixed method approach with a convergent parallel design was used in the study. In Phase one of the study a scoping review was adopted to identify the best practices in the facilitation of childbirth-choices, whereas the qualitative approach with purposive sampling was adopted for the experiences of midwives and women. In addition, a quantitative approach with stratification was applied to identify the different childbirth types in the selected healthcare facilities. Ethical clearance was accorded by the University of Namibia Research Ethics Committee, Ministry of Health and Social Services, the selected healthcare facilities and the sampled research participants. Four participating hospitals, 1446 maternal files, 10 midwives, 12 women and 30 articles formed the sample for the study. Qualitative data were analysed through the six steps proposed by Creswell, and quantitative data were analysed through Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (version 26). The study results were merged (Phase one and two) and they corroborated well together in the discussion of the facilitation of childbirth-choices. In the study, the results showed that facilitation is a process to be done timely and women need to be accorded some reasonable time to decide. In the scoping review, results showed that the facilitation of childbirth-choices should include shared decision making, patient centred care, the implementation of protocols and guidelines at all levels, informed consent or choice and the giving of unbiased information. The experiences of midwives in this study echoed barriers in the facilitation of childbirth choices as they expressed the shortages of staff, timing of information, information sharing as well as cultural influences. Furthermore, midwives shared a lack of provision for childbirth choices as the rights of women were not observed and a lack of women centred care despite protocols and guidelines hence, they are not adhered to. In addition, women in this study iii affirmed that they have inadequate information of the childbirth types and they were unsure and or surprised that they had choices, and lacked shared decision making and childbirth choices. The women also indicated that the timing of the information was late or impromptu, thereby making informed decisions difficult. Moreover, antenatal attendance in this study was 96.7%, with childbirth distribution showcasing vaginal birth 76% and caesarean section 24%. Of the 24% of caesarean sections performed, 10.44% was attributed to repeat caesarean section and 4.77% to foetal distress. In conclusion, a model was developed and described (Phase three) based on the study findings to help in the facilitation of childbirth-choices among women. The developed model was evaluated following the considerations by Fawcett. Guidelines to operationalise the model (Phase four) were developed guided by the study results and best practices. Facilitation is of paramount importance in ensuring that women are involved in the decision making when they have accurate information and with that, they will be able to make informed choices. The right to information and the autonomy of women should not be infringed as this yields positive childbirth experiences. Midwives have the mandate to treat each woman individually hence woman centred care will be attained. Further studies need to be conducted in the private sector as well
An exploration of selected Windhoek secondary school teachers information communication and technology classroom integration
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Education (Educational Technology) of the University of NamibiaThe Namibian ICT in Education Policy and the TECH/NA! Implementation Plan have been in existence since 2006. Many studies have followed up on technology integration in various subjects at schools across the country since then. This study is focused on measuring the levels of integration in the Khomas Region and looks at the return of investment from the implementation of the Policy. This study explores the challenges still existing for teachers integrating technology into classroom practice and the strategies that are being employed. Theoretical frameworks supporting this study is Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the four levels of Kotrlik Pierson's model of technology integration (KPMTI). The theoretical framework focuses on the actual ICT classroom integration, perceived importance of ICT integration, teachers’ confidence, and challenges in ICT integration. This exploratory case study research design uses a semi-structured interview protocol. Due to the COVID19 pandemic and interruption in education, the researcher was unable to carry out class observation that was originally planned. This study is dependent entirely on the self-efficacy of teachers reporting of their practice. The results indicate that, despite a few innovative strategies of ICT integration, the majority of ICT integration initiatives in the classroom are still not optimised to a desirable redefinition or transformational level according to SAMR ICT integration level. Attitudinal issues, lack of support, affordability and lack of skills were identified as constraints that affect effective implementation of ICT. The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture appears to place more financial focus on the training of staff, including the principals. Furthermore, results show the need for making stakeholders aware of the need to refocus on re-implementing ICT integration efforts, encourage teachers to take their own initiative to develop skills in ICT integration and improve access to ICT resources and tools. The study concludes that despite many efforts, the return on financial and training investment from Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture (MoEAC) was insufficient to support the activities of sustaining the Namibian ICT in Education Policy as it pertains to teachers’ ICT integration in classrooms
An investigation into factors contributing to food insecurity for urban households during covid-19 pandemic: A case study of Onhimbu informal settlement, Outapi in the Omusati region, Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts (Development studies)COVID-19 undermines food security worldwide. However, the urban poor are the most affected. In Namibia, around 659 000 people are faced with high levels of food insecurity due to the impacts of COVID-19 lockdown and disruption of food systems caused by the pandemic (IPC, 2021). As a result, the majority of the households lost income, resulting in difficulties in accessing food. This study investigated the factors contributing to food insecurity for urban households during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data was gathered through interviews using a qualitative case study research design, and the data was analysed using a thematic analysis method. A set of semi-structured interview guides with open-ended questions were administered to 15 household heads. The participants were selected using a purposive sampling method. The study is guided by the Food Security Conceptual Framework adopted by Reily (1999). The study revealed that lockdown, high food prices, and lack of safety nets were the main factors contributing to food insecurity in urban households during the pandemic. These factors affect people's access to food, resulting in people skipping meals, consuming poor diets, or remaining hungry. The study concluded that COVID-19 measures have caused further food insecurity in informal settlements as they have destroyed households’ means of food access. The study recommended that the government should invest in a resilient food system in order to achieve national food security
Using digital technology in transforming assessment in higher education institutions beyond COVID-19
No full textThe paper demonstrated fulfilling some of the Assessment Policy goals as well as the ideas learned from literature, through creating guidelines that help academics to implement digital assessment and to achieve integrative assessment. This has helped to fill theoretical and praxis gaps and opportunities for the role of technology in supporting assessment policy implementation. Technology is a tool for opening opportunities for accommodating new ways of curriculum implementation such as the mirroring of graduate attributes into the competency frameworks on the digital learning platform to be able to track student achievement thereof through assessment tasks. Finally, there are opportunities for further collaboration among different institutional departments such as the faculties, quality assurance, innovation in learning and teaching, and research units, towards investigating, improving, and implementing new ways of assessing that are forward-looking and more supportive of student learning beyond their university careers.Purpose: This paper explores the dominant practices by integrating the use of technology to enhance assessment practices to better respond to the learning needs of the 21st century and the imperatives of the 4th industrial revolution. Objectives: 1) To explore how digital assessment could support diagnostic assessment in post-COVID-19 assessment practices. 2) To develop a digital assessment tool that supports the uptake and appropriate use of diverse digital assessment techniques. 3) To strengthen lecturers’ awareness of Constructive Alignment and implement it in digital-assisted assessment to promote the integration of graduate attributes in students. Method: The paper adopted the three elements of criticality, reflexivity, and praxis to address the use of digital technology to transform assessment of and for student learning within an institutional context. Criticality was used to provide a constructive reflection aimed at transforming the context; reflexivity enabled introspection and self-awareness regarding assessment as a pedagogical component that enhances student learning, and praxis helped to relate theories, concepts, and ideas to practice. The three elements informed the development of the model for enhancing and transforming digital enhancement assessment at the University of Namibia. Findings: The main findings revealed that higher education institutions could benefit from the forced COVID-19 migration to digitally-enabled assessment. The paper also revealed that for the digitally enabled assessment to be enhanced it requires collaboration between various institutional stakeholders. Conclusion: The paper concluded that there are opportunities for further collaboration among different institutional departments such as the faculties, quality assurance, innovation in learning and teaching, and research units, towards investigating, improving, and implementing new ways of assessing that are forward-looking and more supportive of student learning beyond their university career
The synthesis and characterization of chemical sensors and their application to anions and heavy metal ions sensing
No full textA mini thesis submitted in partial fullfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (Chemistry)Cations and anions play a major role in the biological and physiological processes in living organisms attracting more research interest in the area of chemical sensing. However, the excessive accumulation of ions in living organisms, particularly in humans, is toxic and can lead to health problems. Chemosensing is a powerful tool that can be employed to detect these ions in an environment. This is due to their high selectivity and sensitivity for the target analytes. Therefore, this research worked on designing two dual receptors namely A and C. These chemosensors were designed based on the fluorophore-spacer receptor principle and they have been synthesized based on the environmentally friendly and cost-effective Schiff base method. The synthesized chemosensors were characterized using a Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR), Fluorescence and Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer. The research findings have indicated that both receptor A and receptor C are colorimetrically and spectroscopically selective and sensitive to multiple cations and anions. Receptor A displayed a naked eye colorimetric sensitivity and spectrally towards; Co2+, Cu2+, Fe2+ while with the anions only spectral sensitivity was displayed. For both cations and anions a red shift in absorption with isosbestic points at 286 nm and 284 nm respectively, and fluorescence enhancement were observed, except for Fe2+, were no isosbestic point was observed and fluorescence quenching was noted. Similarly, receptor C presented both naked eye colorimetric sensitivity and spectrally towards these anions: CN- , F- , AcO- , OCN- , OH- and these cations: Cu2+, Fe2+ Zn2+, Ni2+, Hg2+. A bathochromic shift and fluorescence enhancement were observed with the anions, while for the cations absorption varies depending on the cations’ identity. Moreover, fluorescence quenching ii was observed with most cations, with an exemption for Hg2+ and Al3+ with fluorescence enhancement
Dislike for schooling as risk factor for teenage pregnancy: Development of a hypothesis using data from a study conducted on understanding factors associated with teenage pregnancy
No full textThis paper is informed by the data extracted from a study conducted by the Multidisciplinary Research Centre (MRC) in 2014, titled, ‘Understanding Factors Associated with Teenage Pregnancy in Namibia’ that focused on 602 boys and 2875 girls aged between 14 to 22 years of age. The aim of the paper was to test the hypothesis of dislike of school as a catalyst to teenage pregnancy. The analysis of the paper is based on 1,393 school learners that were all female. In testing the hypothesis both univariate and multivariate regression analysis were used. No clear associations were found between dislike of school and attitudes and behaviours (outcome measures) which may predict the risk of subsequent teenage pregnancy except for alcohol use and parental employment. Parental employment as proxy for socio-economic status emerged as a significant predictor of unhappiness at school while higher levels of alcohol use predicted higher odds of dislike of school. Interventions to promote youth satisfaction with schooling should be based on longitudinal research to inform effective policy and practice.. (Afr J Reprod Health 2021; 25[6]: 58-67)
Effectiveness of post-operative pain management among patients in a surgical ward at Windhoek central hospital in Namibia
No full textA mini thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Pharmacy (Clinical Pharmacy)Effective management of post-operative pain improves patient outcomes and quality of life. Although internationally validated pain scales have been implemented for evaluation of post-surgical pain, the majority of patients who undergo surgery in both high-income and low- and middle-income countries continue to experience ineffective management of acute pain. This study aimed to assess effectiveness of post-operative pain management among patients in a surgical ward at Windhoek Central hospital in Namibia by comparing the proportion of patients with moderate to severe pain at 24 h and 48 hours post-operatively. A prospective cohort design was utilized to assess post operative pain at 24 hours and 48 hours using two different pain assessment tools. Data related to prescribing patterns were collected from patient’s clinical records using a standardized data collection tool. Data were analyzed using SPSS v22 software. The study was conducted among 75 participants. Of 75 participants, 48 (64.0%) were males. The mean age was 37.41± 11.13 years. Among the patients involved in the study, 74.7% experienced moderate to severe pain at 24 hours post-operatively which reduced to 41.3% by 48 hours. The difference was statistically significant. Overall, over 5% of the study participants experienced moderate to severe pain at 48 hours post operatively compared to a UK target of less than 5%, showing inadequate management of pain. The cumulative median pain scores for visual analogue scale and numeric pain scale were 5.50 at 24 h and 2.00 at 48 h post-operatively. The difference in median pain scores was statistically significant (p< 0.05). The commonly prescribed analgesics were paracetamol injection (68%), strong opioids (54%) and weak opioids (23%) while adjuvants, and NSAIDs accounted for 8% each, respectively. Out of 75 clinical records reviewed, only 47 (62.7 %) followed WHO guidelines on pain management. There is a need to more frequently assess patient’s level of pain after surgery to ensure effective pain management. In conclusion, post-operative pain is inadequately controlled at WCH
An analysis of effects of economic growth on the financial performance of Namibian listed companies
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Science (Account & Finance)The purpose of the study was to analyse the effects of economic growth on the financial performance of Namibian listed companies and examine if the underlying effects are sector-specific. The measure used to assess the financial performance of selected sectors as identified on the NSX was the Return on Equity (ROE). The ROE was then regressed against the macroeconomic variables, including the gross domestic product percentage change (GDP % change) and the inflation rate percentage change as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI % change) annual percentage changes. The estimation procedure was performed on secondary data across eleven firms for the periods 2010 to 2020. Additionally, the study was conducted across three identified sectors, the first being, Banks, Finance & Credit Services, the second, Food Retailers and Wholesalers and lastly, Household Goods and Personal Goods. The findings support the hypothesis that economic growth positively affects the ROE of various firms. However, this effect differs in terms of magnitude across various industries. In the Household goods sector and the Food Retailers and Wholesalers sector, the ROE is significantly influenced by the CPI percentage change, more so than the GDP percentage change. Finally, the Banking sector indicated that their ROE is more sensitive to changes in the GDP percentage change than the CPI percentage change. To enhance the financial performance of companies listed on the Namibian Stock Exchange, the study recommends that policymakers ensure the economy is geared toward a sustainable growth path
Experiences of the implementers of the school feeding programme in two schools in the Zambezi region, Namibia
No full textA dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy (Educational Management & Administration)The School Feeding Programme is used in Namibia as a poverty alleviation measure to ensure that poor and vulnerable learners who come from underprivileged families get to eat at least one meal a day and are able to stay and concentrate in school. However, poverty continue to afflict the Namibian people. The purpose of this study was to investigate implementers’ experiences of the School Feeding Programme in two schools of the Zambezi Region. The study of couched within two conceptual frameworks, Amartya Sen’s Capability Approach and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The review of literature addresses aspects such as, the influence of the School Feeding Programme on Education, health and socio-economic consideration, the overview of different country cases of the school feeding programme, challenges and measures to implement the National School Feeding Programme. The study employed the constructivist paradigm rooted in the qualitative approach and a case study design of the two schools of the Zambezi Region of Namibia. Purposive sampling was used to select participants from the participating schools. The study utilised interview guide, focus group discussions and observations data collection instruments and data was analysed using content analysis, interpretive phenomenological analysis and semiotic analysis. The study observes the proliferation of strong evidence that the National School Feeding programme has potential to improve enrolment, attendance, retention and reduce dropout rates among poor and vulnerable children. The research establishes that a multiplicity of challenges threaten the running and implementation of the programmes and include chief among them, lack of training, minimal community participation due to lack of compensation, the absence of a School Feeding Programme policy, lack of proper kitchen utensils, lack of proper infrastructure, dining hall and secured storage facilities, lack of food fortification and diversification, poor health practices, poor coordination and lack of monitoring and evaluation. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture must develop a Namibian School Feeding Policy and improve the coordination of the programme. It exhorts the Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform to support the School Feeding Programme. Schools are encouraged to intensify the monitoring of learners’ hygiene, guide cooks and promote food production training