UNAM Gā-aisib Repository (University of Namibia)
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Gendered climate change-induced human-wildlife conflicts amidst COVID-19 in Erongo region, Namibia
No full textThe risks of climate change for drier countries have become more pronounced. Small increments in temperature changes are considered to pose serious consequences for dry countries such as Namibia and Botswana, both of which have also experienced significant drought in recent years. In this chapter, we discuss climate change-induced human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) as they relate to gender, for communities in Erongo Region, west Namibia. We draw attention to the experiences of women as a vulnerable social group that is bearing climate change-induced HWC, and foreground how they are adapting to these pressures
Abundance, species composition and diversity of small mammals and the prevalence and intensity of infestation of associated fleas (Siphonaptera) across an altitudinal gradient along the Ugab river, Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (Biology)The objectives of the study were to determine and compare the abundance, species composition and diversity of small mammals and the associated fleas and to determine and compare the prevalence and intensity of infestation of fleas across an altitudinal gradient along the Ugab River, Namibia. Three sampling sites at different altitudes were selected, Outjo (high altitude site) at about 1300 m above sea level (a.s.l.), Vingerklip (middle altitude site) at about 1000 m a.s.l. and Brandberg (low altitude site) at 400 m a.s. l. Small mammals were trapped in January (hot wet season) and May (cold dry season) in 2018. A total of 159 small mammals belonging to seven rodents and two insectivore species were trapped during the entire study. Small mammals trapped included: Namaqua rock mouse (Micaelamys namaquensis), Natal multimammate rat (Mastomys natalensis), Red rock rat (Aethomys chrysophilus), lesser Red musk shrew (Crocidura hirta), pouched mouse (Saccostomus campestris), bushveld gerbil (Gerbiliscus leucogaster), black-tailed tree rat (Thallomys nigricauda), Acacia rat
(Thallomys paedulcus) and bushveld elephant shrew (Elephantulus intufi). The
abundance, species composition and diversity of small mammal hosts were not
significantly different among the sampling sites during the two seasons (hot wet and
cold dry seasons). A total of 139 fleas were collected from small mammals during the study. Three flea species were recorded from small mammal hosts during the study, namely: Xenopsylla cheopis, Xenopsylla brasiliensis and Listropsylla dorripae. The overall intensity of flea infestation (median) per host was not significantly different among the three sampling sites during the hot wet and the cold dry season. Overall infestation prevalence of fleas for the three sites during the hot wet season revealed no significant difference. However, the infestation prevalence of fleas of small mammals was significant among the three sites during the cold dry season. Altitude affects vegetation structure and cover, which in turn affect the small mammal and flea communities. Altitude also affects several climatic factors (temperature, rainfall, humidity), which affect small mammal and flea communities
Analysis of a TB/HIV co-infection model with vertical transmission and treatment
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Applied MathematicsIn this mini thesis, we developed a new mathematical model for the dynamics of HIV /TB co infection in a population with treatment and vertical transmission. TB and HIV sub-models
are derived from the full model and analyzed separately. The aim was to use mathematical
modeling to find favorable conditions under which the diseases can be stopped from spreading
further in the population. The models are built with a motive to study the dynamic behavior
of the trajectories which has the potentials to guide TB and HIV control. The study used
the Routh-Hurwitz criteria to conclude on the stability of the system. The basic reproduction
numbers for TB (Rr) and HIV (RH ) are computed using t he next generation matrix method,
and the basic reproduction number R 0 = max{R r, RH} of the full model is also provided.
From the study, it was established that if R o < 1 then the disease-free equilibrium is stable,
and the disease dies out; if R r 1, then the HIV is endemic and TB dies out;
however if RH 1, then TB is endemic and HIV dies out; in addition, if R r > 1
and RH > 1, the two diseases persist in the population. Sensitivity analysis of the basic re production number for TB-only model with respect to the model parameters was carried out.
Results from quantitative analysis revealed t hat, increasing treatment rate for bot h HIV and T B significantly reduces t he values of the basic reproduction number. The study concluded that,
decreasing the probability rate of transmission of HIV /AIDS and TB leads to the decrease of
the population of infectives. Furthermore, by controlling the probability rate of transmission,
t he spread of the disease can be reduced significantly. Effective treatment for TB breaks the
cycle of transmission. TB individuals must be identified and treated in order to reduce further
spread of TB in human populatio
Prevalence and risk factors of smoking among healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers in Zambezi region, Namibia: A cross-sectional study
No full textThe present study is unique in that it delivers the first quantitative
report on the prevalence and risk factors of smoking among HCWs
and non-HCWs in Zambezi region. According to the results of this study, smoking prevalence among non-HCWs and HCWs working
in Zambezi was similar to that of the general Namibian population.
However, the prevalence of smoking observed in the current study is
higher than what has been reported in neighbouring African countries.
There is a need to develop tobacco use preventive interventions and
strategies that target HCWs and non-HCWs that are tailored to the local
context and sensitive to the culture and community norms in Zambezi
region, Namibia. Lastly, comprehensive tobacco control policies aimed
at reducing smoking among HCWs are needed.Background. Smoking is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases, and remains a significant public health challenge in many low- and middle-income countries, including Namibia.
Objective. To estimate the prevalence of smoking and its associated risk factors among healthcare workers (HCWs) and non-HCWs in Zambezi region, Namibia.
Methods. An exploratory cross-sectional survey was conducted between March and October 2020 among residents of the eight constituencies of Zambezi region. A total of 461 respondents who had been residents of the selected constituencies for over 5 years and were aged between 17 and 60 years were selected for the study. The main outcome measure was current cigarette smoking status. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the sociodemographic characteristics of the respondents. We stratified data analysis according to whether individuals were health workers or non-health workers. A bivariate Pearson χ2 test was used to determine the association between sociodemographic characteristics and smoking status. Statistically significant variables in the bivariate analysis were used as predictors in the univariate and multivariate models.
Results. The response rate of potential participants was 95% (n=434). The mean (standard deviation) age of participants was 32.5 (11.34) years. Significant relationships were observed between smoking status and area of residency (constituency), gender, age category, level of education, age of onset of smoking and daily smoking frequency. The majority of smokers (n=108) were non-HCWs, with males the majority (n=62). Age (p=0.001), education levels (p=0.001) and area of residency (p=0.022) were highly associated with smoking among non-HCWs, while marital status was associated with smoking among HCWs (p=0.013). In the final multivariate model, the odds of smoking among female non-HCWs were significantly lower (odds ration (OR) 0.386; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.228 - 0.655). Furthermore, the odds of smoking among this same group were lower among those who had secondary-level education (OR 0.178; 95% CI 0.0659 - 0.483), post-secondary (OR 0.117; 95% CI 0.0412 - 0.330) and first-stage tertiary (OR 0.306; 95% CI 0.106 - 0.881) compared with those who had primary school education.
Conclusion. The smoking prevalence among non-HCWs and HCWs working in Zambezi included in the study was similar to that of the general Namibian population, but higher than that in neighbouring countries within the Southern African Development Community. The results showed a need for the establishment of specific smoking-related strategies that target HCWs to address smoking use parallel to the running strategies of non-HCWs, which would ultimately decrease smoking prevalence and improve health
Children’s early encounters with literacy in Windhoek urban preprimary schools in Namibia
No full textThis paper takes a socio-cultural approach as it analyze ways in which reading and writing is taught and learnt to define what counts as literacy in Windhoek urban preprimary schools in Namibia. The study explores data of a larger ethnographic-style research that followed three children in three Windhoek urban pre-and primary schools in Namibia. The writer examines their early encounters with literacy and the implications of these encounters for their later development as readers and writers in schools. As teachers and learners occupy the classroom as a social space, they engage each other in literacy events, during which literacy development is scaffolded and encouraged as a culturally valued activity. This paper presents a „slice‟ of that larger study that followed three preschool classrooms literacy encounters over a period of six months. The writer suggests that this “school literacy”, defines what counts as literacy, a specific kind of literacy that is planned and offered to learners in a classroom setting. In Windhoek urban preprimary settings, the „traditional‟ conception of literacy as a largely psychological ability – something true to do with our intellect, and thus a private possession – remains dominant. Literacy learning is taught as a mechanical activity by focusing on breaking the code rather than as sense-making and engagement. I argue that this approach helps learners to cope with early primary school curriculum while missing to lay the foundation necessary for literacy forms and practices demanded in later years of schooling
Assessment of bycatch species in the Namibia Hake directed bottom trawl fishery (1997-2014)
No full textA research thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Fisheries and Aquatic ScienceOne of the main problems faced by fisheries management, is how to manage and mitigate bycatch caught during commercial fishing. The Namibian hake-directed bottom trawl fishery has been an important component of the Namibian fishing industry for decades. Due to the low selectivity of the bottom trawling method, bycatch has been a common feature of this hake-directed fishery. This study examines the spatial distribution of bycatch; monthly and inter-annual variations in the bycatch catch per unit effort (CPUE) (kg/hr); and factors that influence bycatch catch rate of Namibian hake bottom trawl bycatch species. The specific objectives were: to assess the spatial distribution of the bycatch species in the hake-directed bottom trawl fishery; to assess monthly variations of hake bycatch species/ species groups based on catch rate data that spans over 18 years; to assess inter-annual variations of hake bycatch species’/ species groups, catch rate over a period of 18 years and to identify and assess the relative importance of factors (latitude, month and year ) that best explain the variation in catch rates of hake bottom trawl bycatch species. Data were extracted from the database: Fisheries Information Management System (FIMS) at Namibia’s Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, where all commercial information is captured and stored by scientists. The data extracted and used in the study was from 1997-2014. The study covered the whole fishing grounds within the Namibian Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ), from the Kunene River to the Orange River. Data analysis methods used in this study included: mapping and density plots; Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA); Multidimensional Scaling (MDS); Similarity Percentage (SIMPER) and Analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) to tackle the following objectives: spatial distribution of bycatch and monthly variations of the Namibian hake bottom trawl bycatch species. These analyses are used to find natural groupings and to give statistical significance in groups. In addition, Generalized Additive Models (GAMs) analyses are used for: monthly and inter-annual variations in the bycatch catch per unit effort (CPUE) (kg/hr); and for the significance of factors that influence bycatch catch rates of Namibian hake bottom trawl bycatch species. These analyses are done by incorporating various factors (latitude, month and year) that may have had an influence on bycatch. In this study twenty-four species are recorded as bycatch in the hake-fishery, with a combined catch amounting to about 9120.90 metric tons for the period 1997-2014. Among all bycatch species, the species that had the highest total catch rate was ribbonfish (Trachipterus trachypterus), while blacktail (Diplodus capensis) was the species with the lowest catch rates in the study period. Most bycatch species were caught along the entire Namibian coast, with some species having higher catch rates in the Northern (17°S - 20°59’59” S), Central (21°S - 24°59’59”) and the majority in Southern regions southern (25°S - 29°59’59”). Blacktail (Diplodus capensis) and silver kob (Argyrosomus inodorous) were only encountered in the Northern parts of Namibia while, yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacores) was only caught in Northern and Central Namibia. Three major bycatch assemblages/groups were identified along latitudes. The three bycatch groups were mostly distributed at around 29°S (A), 22°S (B) and 17°S (C). Kingklip (Genypterus capensis), west coast sole (Austroglossus microlepsis), species belonging to the family Raja (Skates) and large-eye dentex (Dentex macrophthalmus) were the species that contributed most to the dissimilarity in groups for spatial distribution for A, B and C respectively. Variations in monthly CPUE were observed in all bycatch species. Some species had noticeable variations in the trends increasing /decreasing. CPUE was explained by various factors: latitude; month and year that had an influence on it. This was done for all bycatch species. The common factor that influenced the CPUE of most species was latitude while month and year had the least influence on CPUEs of species. Overall, this study shows that bycatch varies considerably between different species. It also shows that hake fishing has the potential to negatively influence the functioning of the Benguela ecosystem on the basis of the number of species that it has an influence on. Bycatch management measures will, therefore, need to be species-specific in order to tackle specific factors that may have an influence on the different bycatch species. Each species has an influence on the structure and function of food web and the ecosystem at large
Investigating the impact of organisational culture on employee productivity at the Namibian Ports Authority
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Business Administration (Management Strategy)The primary objective of this study is to investigate the impact of organisational culture on employee productivity in Namport. The study was primarily anchored on the Denison Model. The hypothesised relationship between organisational culture and employee productivity was tested by adopting an explanatory survey design that employed a quantitative research method. Simple random sampling procedure was used to select a sample of 168 respondents from a target population that consisted of white-collar NamPort employees with access to work computers. The study collected primary data through an online survey that utilised a questionnaire with structured questions. Specifically, descriptive and inferential statistics analysed the quantitative data through SPSS.
Following data analysis, the study revealed that organisational culture has a significant impact on employee productivity in NamPort. Furthermore, the results indicated a positive correlation between organisational culture dimensions and employee productivity.
Moreover, the findings revealed that the consistency dimension exerts the strongest
positive and significant influence on the dependent variable, as evidenced by the R-value of 0.978 for the regression coefficient. Based on the research conclusions, the study recommends that NamPort’s executive team recognises the critical role of organisational culture in the organisation’s growth and success. In addition, recommendations were also made to broaden the scope of the research to other segments of the maritime industry, to strengthen the findings
Investigating the determinants of sovereign bond yield spread in Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Business Administration (Finance)The study investigates the determinants of sovereign bond yield spread in Namibia for the period 2011 to 2019. Secondary quarterly time series data for the period 2011-2019 was used to investigate the determinants of government bond spread over the last decade. The variables used were ten-year government bond yield, GDP growth rate, government debt, current account balance and inflation rate. Data on all variables was obtained from the
Bank of Namibia, except for the GDP growth rate which was obtained from the Namibia Statistics Agency. The tests employed included the unit root tests and the Autoregressive Distributed lag (ARDL) bound test. The study further performed diagnostic tests such asnormality test, serial correlation, heteroscedasticity, Ramsey test, CUSUM and CUSUMSQ to test for the goodness of fit of the model. The results from the unit root testswith the use of the Augmented Dickey-Fuller test indicate that all variables were stationary at first difference except for the current account balance which was stationary at other levels. The bounds test to cointegration revealed that there is joint significanceamong variables, implying a long-run relationship. The ARDL model estimation results reveal that GDP growth rate and inflation rate have a positive and statistically significant effect on the sovereign bond yield spreads in the long run while in the short run GDP growth rate has a negative sign and inflation rate has a positive sign and both are
statistically significant. The study also revealed also that government debt and current account balance have coefficients that are positive and negative, respectively. However,in both the short and long run, these variables are statistically insignificant, meaning they don’t affect the sovereign bond yield spread. The findings also indicate the coefficient of determination of 87.7 per cent, meaning that there is a strong relationship and that the independent variables influence 87.7 per cent of the government bonds yield spread.
Finally, the results of the diagnostic test confirm the long-run relationships between the variables and the stability of the coefficient
Dietary aloe and garlic crude polysaccharides: Effects on growth performance, haematological, and body composition parameters of Clarias Gariepinus
No full textA dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences)Fish health management in aquaculture is one of the main challenges across the globe
(including Namibia), worsened especially by the wide adoption of intensive farming
systems. Nowadays, attention is focused on the use of medicinal herbs as alternative to unsustainable pharmaceutical drugs in aquaculture. This study aimed to develop andintroduce phytogenic diets made up of aloe vera (Aloe vera), and garlic (Allium sativum)crude polysaccharide extracts (separately and in mixture), which would promote growth, feed utilization, health, meat quality, and increase resistance against stress in African catfish, Clarias gariepinus reared in intensive aquaculture systems.
First, this study evaluated the effects of dietary A. vera crude polysaccharides on growth performance, feed utilization, haemato-biochemical parameters, and resistance against low water pH in African catfish fingerlings. Fish were divided into five triplicate groups before being fed feeds supplemented with control 0%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 2.0% and 4.0% A. vera for 60 d. Fish fed a 1.0% A. vera supplemented diet showed a significant increase in all growth parameters compared to the control (P < 0.05). The protein efficiency ratio (PER) was significantly higher in fish fed 1.0% A. vera supplemented diet (1.31 0.22) compared to unsupplemented fish (0.85 0.10) and those fed 4.0% A. vera supplemented diet (0.85 0.14) (P < 0.05). The optimal dietary A. vera polysaccharide crude extract requirement was estimated to be 1.77% (y = - 0.043x2 + 0.152x + 0.593, P = 0.045) and 1.79 % A. vera (y = -2.778x2 + 9.95x + 29.29, P = 0.037), for growth and feed utilization respectively. Overall, A. vera extracts improved haemato-biochemical indices in A. vera supplemented fish when compared to unsupplemented ones, but decreased some of the indices at the 4.0% A. vera level. After blood sampling, fish were subjected to a low water pH (5.2 - 5.5) challenge and survival probability was measured. Fish fed diets supplemented with 1.0%, and 2.0% A. vera showed higher survival probability (above 70%) throughout the challenge period compared to the control (below 70%) and those fed the 4% A. vera supplemented diet (below 60%)
The effect of habitat type on rodent, shrew and sengi species abundance, richness, diversity and composition at farm Karachas, Outjo, Namibia
No full textA research thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (Biodiversity Management and ResearchNatural habitats have been fragmented by many human activities including farming, hence affecting vegetation structure. Despite being very dry, Namibia has many farms in which game, livestock and crop farming are practiced. Yet such activities affect populations of many other organisms including small mammals such as rodents, shrews and sengis. The present study investigated the effect of habitat type on rodent, shrew and sengi species abundance, richness, diversity and composition in selected open grassland habitat and woody habitats at Karachas Farm, Outjo, Namibia. Sampling at each habitat type was replicated twice. Woody plant species abundance, composition, height and percentage grass cover were determined and compared between the open grassland and woody habitats. A capture-mark-recapture (CMR) technique was employed to obtain data on rodents, shrews and sengis. Each habitat type was sampled over five consecutive nights using Sherman live traps. The result of t-, chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests, respectively, showed a statistically significant difference in the mean abundance of woody plants, plant height, and plant species richness between the open grassland and woody habitats. A Mann-Whitney test showed no statistically significant difference in the percentage grass cover between the open grassland and woody habitats. A Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) based on a Bray Curtis Similarity Index showed a low (31%) level of similarity in woody plants species composition between the open grassland and woody habitats. A total of 800 trap-nights yielded 145 individuals comprising 6 rodent red veld rat (Aethomys chrysophilus), namaqua rock mouse (Micaelamys namaquensis), bushveld gerbil (Gebilliscus leucogaster), maltimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis), tree mouse (Thallomys paedulcus), pouched mouse (Saccostomus campestris), sengi (Elephantulus intufi) and shrew (Crocidura hirta) species. t- tests and a Mann- Whitney test, respectively, showed no statistically significant variation in rodent, shrew and sengi species abundance, richness, and diversity between the open and woody habitats. An HCA based on a Bray Curtis Similarity Index showed a high (63 %) level of similarity in rodent, shrew and sengi species composition between the open grassland and woody habitats. The present study therefore showed insufficient evidence to support the hypotheses that habitat type has an effect on rodent, shrew and sengi species abundance, richness, diversity and composition. Further studies should focus on researching the range of factors that drive rodent, shrew and sengi diversity in different habitat types of the farm. The study also recommend the use of more than one trap type when surveying rodent, shrew and sengi communities