UNAM Gā-aisib Repository (University of Namibia)
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Assessment of quality of midwifery care during labour at maternity departments of intermediate and refferral hospitals in Namibia
No full textA research thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master in Nursing ScienceQuality of midwifery care can be defined as care delivered by midwives, which is safe, effective, efficient, accessible, acceptable, patient-centred, equitable, and results in a positive pregnancy outcome. This research aims to assess the quality of midwifery care rendered during labour at the intermediate and referral hospital in Namibia. In Namibia, the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) in particular, has come up with many interventions aiming to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality and morbidity. Even though these programmes were implemented, the programme reviews conducted by MoHSS in 2016 identified some gaps in the quality of midwifery care and recommended the conduct of a second nationwide Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (EmONC) assessment.
The main objectives of this study therefore were to describe the demographic profile, conclude the standard of midwifery care rendered during the first, second, third and fourth stages of labour by reviewing maternity records and analysing the standard of midwifery care rendered during the first, second, third and fourth stages of labour of the women who gave birth at intermediate and referral hospital from 01 January to 31 March 2018. The study was a retrospective study with a descriptive quantitative design conducted on 653 maternity records at the above mentioned hospitals. The findings revealed the age group from twenty to thirty-five to be the highest age group that gave birth i.e. (78.6%), while (10.7%) were adolescents and (10.7%) of the women aged above 36 years of age. This study indicated that (95%) of these women attended antenatal care. However, obstetric history indicates that the majority of the women who had delivered 391 (59.9 %), had two to four children, followed by those who gave birth for the first time 197 (30.2 %), while the lowest were those who had five or more children 65 (10.0%). Early opening of a partograph could lead to early identification of problems and plans for interventions. This study further shows that 402 (61.6%) partographs were mostly opened with women in the active phase of labour. Few partographs 33 (5.1%) were opened in the latent phase of labour. However, partographs that were opened, the study results revealed that not all were managed according to the WHO guidelines. Poor documentation of midwifery interventions and care was noted, suggesting poor midwifery care. Most of the deliveries 499 (76.4%) were normal vaginal deliveries, followed by 151 (23.1%) who had caesarean section deliveries. The rest had assisted deliveries with one breech delivery. According to the findings of this study it can be concluded that midwifery care rendered during labour at the studied hospitals was of substandard
Access to information for people with albinism: Issues, challenges and resolutions
No full textAlbinism is an inherited genetic condition that reduces the amount of melanin pigment formed in the skin, hair and eyes. The difference in appearance between pigmented people and those with albinism is often the object of inaccurate and harmful beliefs about the condition. These beliefs are fuelled by myths, lack of knowledge and understanding. In recent years, it has cost people with albinism (PWA) severely with the mutilation of their body parts and killings in some countries in Africa. PWA challenges include discrimination, stigmatisation, derogative naming, skin cancer, visual impairment, rejection, and social exclusion in fundamentals such as healthcare, education, and employment. Also, access to information remains a challenge to PWA due to poor eyesight and myths associated with the condition, making it difficult for society to openly discuss albinism issues and share information with those in need. The study explored PWA’s challenges, parents of children with albinism (CWA) and organisations that serve PWA in Khomas region Namibia when accessing information. The researchers adopted the interpretivism paradigm and employed a qualitative approach. Data was collected through individual
face to face interviews with all the participants. Sixteen participants, both male and female, took part in the study. The fi ndings show that PWA encounter problems when accessing information. These include lack of awareness of information sources coupled with poor eyesight for PWA and reading of information in small fonts that are not provided in alternative formats. The immediate sustainable
resolution is delivering inclusive information services that avail health information in multimedia formats to accommodate people with challenges such as visual impairments and other forms of impairments. Although far-fetched, a change in mind-set and negative attitude to PWA, especially in Africa, is critical
Molecular identification and antibiogram profiling of Avibacterium Paragallinarum and co-pathogenic bacteria assiciated with respiratory infections in chickens at Groot Aub settlement, Khomas region
No full textA mini thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (Microbiology)This study was undertaken to isolate, characterize and profile Avibacterium
paragallinarum and some co-pathogenic bacteria for antibiotic sensitivity. Avibacterium paragallinarum is the etiologic agent of infectious coryza, a highly infectious respiratory disease of chickens. This disease is of economic importance because it is known to cause economic losses in the poultry industry through slow growth in young birds and declined egg production in layers. Symptoms of the disease include watery eyes, nasal and ocular discharges, sticky eyes (closed eyes), facial swelling and a reduction in egg production. Twenty (20) swab samples were collected from chickens displaying disease symptoms in the Groot Aub area (45 km south of Windhoek). The swabs were inoculated on blood and chocolate agar plates for isolation of the bacteria, followed by DNA extraction and
amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and ultimately identification of the
bacteria by sequencing analysis. For antibiogram profiling, morphologically distinct,
lone standing colonies from the axenic cultures were subjected to antibiotic sensitivity testing using the disc diffusion method. In total, samples were collected from 20 chickens, 20% of which were solely positive for Avibacterium paragallinarum, 20% had Avibacterium paragallinarum simultaneously occurring with other co-pathogenic bacteria, whereas the co-pathogenic bacteria were isolated from 60% of chickens. Among some of the identified co-pathogenic bacteria were Escherichia coli, Pasteurella multocida and Staphylococcus chromogenes. The findings suggest that infectious coryza symptoms are not just specific to Avibacterium paragallinarum, but infection of chickens by other bacteria such E. coli, Pasteurella multocida and Staphylococcus species also result in the same symptoms being displayed. Antibiotic sensitivity tests showed that the isolated Avibacterium paragallinarum field strains were susceptible to tetracycline and ampicillin, but resistant to gentamycin, ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole. On the contrary, all isolated co-pathogenic bacteria were resistant to tetracycline and sensitive to trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole, ampicillin and ciprofloxacin. These results indicate that Avibacterium paragallinarum is more likely to be isolated in acute cases. Therefore, for better disease control and prevention, isolation and confirmation is of utmost importance so that right control measures are applied
Investigating the impact of leadership on work engagement of employees within the Khomas region, Namibia.
No full textLeadership has an effect on constructive or deviant behaviour and the work engagement levels of employees. Considering the current economic and social climate of Namibia, it is of utmost importance that leaders initiate and identify ways in which work engagement can be enhanced. Making use of an electronic survey (survey research), this study investigated the effects of different leadership styles on work engagement of employees in the Khomas region (n=157). An analysis of the data was done with SPSS (version 24), making use of Pearson’s correlation and Stepwise multiple regression. Work engagement reported a negative relationship with transactional (r = -0.43, p < 0.05; medium effect) and laissez-faire leadership (r = -0.37, p < 0.05; medium effect); a positive relationship was reported with transformational leadership (r = -0,27; t = -2.85; p < 0.01) and transformational leadership (B = 0.45; t = 0.488; p< 0.00) were found to be significant predictors of work engagement. Leaders need to avoid compulsive focus on the mistakes or failures of employees. Focusing constantly on mistakes, problems and failures may cause anxiety amongst employees and halt work engagement. Work engagement can be enhanced when leaders clearly and confidently communicate performance standards and expectations; provide praise and recognition; involve employees in decision making whilst discussing different approaches to task completion; and help to develop employees based on their individual strengths and abilities. This study may add to existing knowledge within Industrial/Organizational Psychology, leadership and interventions to improve work engagement and performance of employees
Dynamic interaction between macroeconomic indicators and asset markets in Namibia
No full textA research dissertations submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in EconomicsThe researcher examined the dynamic interaction between macroeconomic indicators and the asset markets in Namibia between 1995 and 2018. The study aimed at addressing four specific objectives. Firstly, the study gives an overview of the macroeconomic indicators in Namibia, the asset market’s evolution and the Namibian financial market. Secondly, the study analyses the relationship between the stock market and the macroeconomic indicators in Namibia. The stock market was tested for volatility using the ARCH/GARCH tests. The ARDL model together with the ECM model was used to assess the nature of the relationship between the stock market and the macroeconomic indicators in Namibia. The results showed that the Namibian stock market was not volatile. The results also confirmed a short and long-run relationship between the Namibian stock market and the macroeconomic indicators, seen especially through real exchange rates. Furthermore, a unidirectional causal relationship between the stock market and the
macroeconomic indicators was revealed. Thirdly, the study investigated the relationship between the foreign exchange market and the macroeconomic indicators in Namibia. The ARCH/GARCH, the TGARCH and the EGARCH tests confirmed volatility in the foreign exchange market. The ECM test indicated that the volatility in the Namibian foreign exchange market can be explained by the macroeconomic indicators in Namibia. Additionally, the ECM test indicated that there was indeed a relationship between the foreign exchange market and the macroeconomic indicators in Namibia. The fourth objective tested the relationship between the housing market and the macroeconomic indicators in Namibia. The SVAR test confirmed the relationship between the housing market and macroeconomic indicators in Namibia. The results indicated that the housing market responded to shocks in the macroeconomic indicators in Namibia. Similarly, although the housing market explained most of its innovations, the macroeconomic indicators contributed to fluctuations in the housing market as well. The Granger Causality Test indicated that there was a unidirectional causal relationship between the housing market and the macroeconomic indicators in Namibia. Monetary policy expansion was recommended to promote macroeconomic objectives through the Namibian stock market and the Namibian foreign exchange. Fiscal policy will be appropriate in dealing with the volatilities in the foreign exchange market. Monetary policy contraction was recommended to promote the housing market through credit availability
Inclusiveness of academic libraries: The case of assistive and adaptive technologies
No full textThis study assessed the state of inclusiveness of academic libraries in Namibia and Ghana by examining the adoption of assistive and adaptive technologies in their spaces and services to cater for users with disabilities. Applying a quantitative design approach, data were collected though face to face interviews from a sample of 12 library staff , 7 lecturers and 9 disabled students. The study found that the state of adoption of assistive and adaptive technologies is poor. Very minimum assistive and adaptive technologies are available in the libraries. Several reasons accounted for the minimum ATs in libraries but most prominent among them is lack of knowledge on ATs. As a result of this, library inclusion in terms of ATs ranged from very poor to fair. Lack of policy and financial constraints were cited as barriers for creating inclusive libraries. The study recommends the formulation and
implementation of policies governing libraries to make them more inclusive; provision of adequate funds to academic libraries to enable them to incorporate assistive and adaptive technologies in their spaces and services. This study used a few university libraries from Namibia and Ghana and hence generalizing the result should be done with caution. Future studies should include more libraries
including national and community libraries. This study has made a significant contribution in the understanding of the adoption of assistive technologies by academic libraries in providing spaces and services to users with disabilities. The
findings and recommendations could also benefit similar academic libraries and further research in developing countries
Anopheles vectors species composition, their biting cycle and role of human behaviour in Malaria transmission in an endemic region from Namibia
No full textA research thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (Medical Entomology)Any vector control effort aimed at reducing malaria burden should be based on an understanding of the malaria vectors’ populations, distribution, and behaviours as they relate to both transmission and response to interventions in place. It is well documented that the composition of malaria vectors changes over time but there has not been up-to-date information about that in Namibia. This study aimed to determine the population dynamics of Anopheline vectors and climatic factors that affect their distribution. It also described their biting behaviour and human social activities and behaviours that might expose them to mosquito bites. To address these objectives, human landing catches were conducted hourly from 19:00 hrs – 07:00 hrs indoors and outdoors for eight consecutive days during 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 malaria seasons in Shadikongoro village, Kavango East region. Mosquitoes collected were identified to species level using both morphological and molecular tools. Concurrently, data on which housing structures offered a high risk of mosquito bites was observed. Meteorological data from the Namibia Meteorological Centre was collected and used to determine the relation between these factors and mosquito abundance. A total of 1958 mosquitoes collected. Of these, 1190 were collected in 2018/19 and 768 in 2019/20. Species identification confirmed the presence of Anopheles arabiensis, An. gambiae s.s. and An. funestus s.s. In the 2018/2019 malaria season, An. arabiensis was the most abundant species, predominating both indoors (n = 334) and outdoors (n = 625). Anopheles funestus s.s was the least abundant species with 10 mosquitoes collected indoors and only one outdoors. During the 2019/2020 season, only An. arabiensis was collected. The statistical comparison showed a difference in species abundance between the two sampling periods (X2 = 24.0, p < 0.008). In the 2018/19 malaria season, both An. arabiensis and An. gambiae s.s. preferred biting outdoors (X2 = 32, p < 0.001; X2 = 25.9, p < 0.001, respectively) than indoors while An. funestus s.s. preferred biting indoors (X2 = 1532.719, p < 0.001). In the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 malaria seasons, sleeping indoors was associated with a higher risk of mosquito bites (2018/19: OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.17 – 0.91, p = 0.02; 2019/2020: OR = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.07 – 1.06, p = 0.008). In 2019/2020, outdoor chatting (OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.31 – 1.58, p = 0.01) was a risk factors for mosquito bites. The risk of being bitten by mosquitoes in traditional houses was significantly higher (RR = 0.79, 95% CI: 01.23–6.56, p = 0.001) than in modern (RR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.07–0.93, p = 0.012) and zinc (RR = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.04–0.63, p<0.06) houses. In 2018/2019, only rainfall had a significant effect on overall abundance (Coeff = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.31 – 1.58, p = 0.01) while in 2019/2020, only temperature had an effect (Coeff = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.12 – 0.88, p = 0.01) on abundance. Given this evidence, there is a need to provide interventions targeting both indoor and outdoor mosquito biting such as mosquito nets and spatial insect repellents, respectively. Mosquitoes are still abundant even when there is no rainfall. Therefore, it is important to spray insecticides that last throughout the year
Composition, spatial abundance, co-occurrence and host preference of mistletoes in the Central highland savanna of Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (By Thesis)Aerial parasitic plants, commonly called mistletoes, are a polyphyletic group of
organisms with a common evolutionary ancestor. This study was aimed at determining
composition, spatial abundance within hosts, co-occurrence and host preference of
mistletoes in the central highland savannas. The study site was divided into four
sampling areas based on the presence of the distribution records of the species. Forty
circular plots were demarcated and for every infested host plant species within these
plots, canopy height, two diameter measurements at approximately 90", number of
mistletoes, mistletoe species were recorded. All non-infested plant species within the
plot were also identified and their abundances were recorded. Based on field records
and herbarium records, four mistletoe species were identified and mapped namely;
Oncocalyx welwitschii, Plicosepalus kalachariensis, and Tapinanthus oleifolius,
belonging to the Family Loranthaceae and, Viscum rotundifolium which belongs to
Family Viscaceae. A simple linear regression model established that canopy volume
accounted for 12% of the variation in mistletoe abundance (R2 = 0.12, p < 0.001).
However, canopy diameter was a better predictor of mistletoe abundance than canopy
volume and accounted 20% of the variation in mistletoe abundance within the host
canopy (R2 = 0.20, p = 0.0003). Canopy volume was a poor predictor because it might
have included branches of various sizes even those that do not support mistletoe
establishment. Also gaps within the host canopy as well as the extent and positioning
of branches might have led to an overestimation of the actual volume of the host
canopy that can potentially be infested by parasites. The results further revealed a
statistically significant relationship between mistletoe abundance and vertical canopy
position (x2 = 67.089, df = 6, p < 0.00 l) with most mistletoes occurring in the lower
and middle third of the canopy of the host plant. The presence of V. rotundifolium and
P. kalachariensis on the lower third of the canopy of the host plant could be explained
by habitat preference and deposition behaviour of the Red faced mousebird ( Urocolius
indicus). This means that the selection of this bird species for lower third of canopy
for nesting and roosting, results in defecating of seeds more frequently on this part. On
the contrary, the distribution ofT. oleifolius and 0. welwitschii in the middle third of
the canopy could have been due to perch preference of the Yellow-fronted Tinker
Barbets (Pogoniulus chrysoconus). It is possible they perch in the middle third of the
canopy because there is a low risk of predation. Also, it could be that the branches i
Analysing the impact of cross-listing on firm value for Johannesburg stock exchange companies listed on the Namibia stock exchange
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of master in business administration- FinanceWhen companies are looking to raise funds for growth and increasing firm value, equity
and debt are the only options at their disposal. In raising equity, companies can sell their
stock to the public, within their domestic market or through cross-listing on another
stock exchange which may be domestic or foreign. Accordingly, research on the impact
of cross-listing on liquidity and firm value in the African context, has been growing.
However, in Namibia there has been no study that comparatively assessed the impact of
cross-listing on firm values of both cross-listed and locally listed stocks. Therefore, this
study analysed the asset value, liquidity, and profitability of locally listed and cross listed assets on the Namibia Stock Exchange (NSX). The study used secondary data
from publicly available financial indicators from 32 NSX listed companies in the period
2019 to 2021. The study found that the average 1isting time on for stocks on the NSX
was 15.78 years. The findings also showed that 86.5% of the stocks were listed on the
NSX Main board, of which 45.9% were cross listed and 40.5% were locally listed. The
findings indicated that the cross listed stocks on the Capital Development Board (DevX)
had the lowest Market Capitalisation averaging N$4 l 4 million. The average asset values
of cross-listed firms were at least 4.5 times the value of those locally listed. The study
also found statistically significant differences between locally listed and cross-listed
assets, with respect to financial performance indicators like Asset value, Market
capitalisation, 3-Year Beta and liquidity. While there were no significant associations
with respect to Return on Shareholder Funds. The study concluded that cross-listing in
the Namibian context can be grouped into two types, one which is inclined inwards and
another one outward. The inward cross-listing is recommended for those companies
seeking to raise local funds through the NSX, while the outward cross-listing is
recommended for local firms looking to raise capital or increase their stock value by
listing on the JSE Africa Development boar
An investigation of financial performance and accounting practice at TransNamib Holdings Limited
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Accounting and FinanceThe overall aim of this study was to investigate the financial performance and accounting practice at TransNamib Holdings Limited. To achieve this aim, this case study had the following specific objectives formulated: to investigate factors that influence financial performance by performing an in-depth analysis of the causes of the recurring operating losses at TransNamib Holdings Limited and also, to study the financial performance and accounting practice at TransNamib Holdings by reviewing their annual financial reports for 2014 to 2019 financial periods. Purposive Non-probability sampling method was employed to derive the sample respondents for the study. The instrument used for data collection was a self-administered questionnaire. The main study findings revealed that financial performance at TransNamib Holdings was very poor, there were no annual financial reports produced by TransNamib Holdings Limited for the financial periods of 2014 to 2019. It was also discovered that the governing body and senior management at TransNamib Holdings Limited lack accountability and responsibility moreover; they were not held accountable for the poor financial performance of the company. The study established that poor financial performance at TransNamib Holdings Limited was caused by a lack of planning, lack of expertise, and weakness in the stakeholders’ oversight with regards to holding the governing body and senior management accountable for poor financial performances. The study concluded that accounting practice at TransNamib Holdings Limited was inconsistent and incompatible with the GAAP, IFRS and other relevant accounting standards. The study, however, recommends that TNHL should create an internal audit department and that the company should hire full-time personnel with a specialized qualification in the field of finance or accounting such as Chartered Accountancy, CIMA qualification, ACCA or CFA to aid driving the organization’s performance positively. The study further recommends that the members of the governing body and senior management should be well qualified