UNAM Gā-aisib Repository (University of Namibia)
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The efficacy of indoor residual spraying and insecticide susceptibility status of the Anopheles mosquito population from selected malaria endemic regions of Northern Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (Medical Entomology)Indoor residual spraying (IRS) and long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are the
primary malaria vector control interventions recommended by the World Health
Organisation (WHO). These interventions have been used in northern Namibia as the
main intervention for malaria vector control since the 1965 (IRS) and 2005 (LLINs).
However, insecticide resistance (IR) in Anopheles mosquitoes to pyrethroids, a major
insecticide class approved for use in both LLINs and IRS of modem structures, may
threaten continued use of these interventions. This study aimed to evaluate the
susceptibility status and composition of Anopheles mosquitoes and the efficacy of
indoor residual spraying insecticides in northern regions. Data was collected at one
point in time and not throughout the year. WHO bioassay tubes were used to
investigate the susceptibility status of Anopheles mosquitoes from Otjozondjupa,
Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena, Kavango West, Kunene and Oshikoto region to DDT
(
4 %) and Deltamethrin (0.05 %) insecticide. The Anopheles mosquitoes were then
morphologically identified; as well as molecularly identified to a species level using
the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method. Residual efficacy of insecticides DDT,
Deltamethrin, pirimiphosmethyl (Actellic 300CS), and clothianidin (SumiShield
50
WG) sprayed on zinc, modem and traditional structures in Oshana region was also
tested with susceptible Anopheles arabiensis, using WHO cone bioassays. Findings
confirmed IR against Deltamethrin in Oshikoto and Kavango West region (78.75 %
and 90 % respectively) according to WHO protocols, with other malaria regions
showing reduced susceptibility. There is reduced susceptibility to DDT in Kavango
West region (93.75 %), while all other regions showed full susceptibility (100 %).
PCR results showed an overall predominance of Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto
(982) over Anopheles arabiensis (600) in northern Namibia; Otjozondjupa (214, 13 7),
Omusati (183, 123), Oshana (196, 48), Ohangwena (163, 167), Kavango West (41 ,
54), Kunene (113, 0), Oshikoto (72, 71), respectively. Five months after initial
application, SumiShield 50WG induced 100% mortality of mosquitoes exposed on
both modern and zinc structures, Deltamethrin killed more than 80 % of mosquitoes
on these structures, although Actellic 300CS and DDT were below the threshold
recommended. There is a prevalence of pyrethroid resistance in Namibian malaria
vectors in Kavango West and Oshikoto regions, which might hinder vector
management. However, SumiShield SOWG an environmentally acceptable insecticide
with a it ren t 111 oJc of action to pyrethroids may be a suitable alternative insecticide
for IRS in Nami bia, where resistance to Deltamethrin and DDT insecticide has started
to develop. SumiShield 50WG is a novel neonicotinoid insecticide that acts as an
agonist of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR). This receptor differs from
those of the existing recommended insecticide families (pyrethroids,
organophosphates, carbamates and organochlorine). Although, continued IR
surveillance is recommended in more than one sentinel site of the malaria endemic
regions of Namibia, monitoring should start earlier to avoid incomplete tests due to
insufficient sample size. Additionally, it is recommended that the residual efficacy
study should be repeated with a sufficient number of structures and sufficient mosquito
sample siz
The Impact of personal and work resources on work stress of staff members during the Covid-19 pandemic, Khomas region
No full textHigh job demands, limited resources, work role conflict, uncertainty, organisational transformation, increase in student intake and diversity of the student population amplify the work stress that staff members at the University of Namibia (UNAM) are required to withstand. Work stress results in disengagement of employees, negative job attitudes, poor service delivery, poor health and well-being, burnout and eventually turnover. Emotional intelligence enhances employees’ coping ability and increases resilience, stress responsiveness as well as improve organisational commitment, work engagement and higher levels of health and well-being. This study collected data from UNAM staff members in the Khomas region on emotional intelligence (self-awareness; social skills), job demands-resources (growth; advancement) and work stress (lack of autonomy, workload, job insecurity) during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Self-awareness and social skills reported a negative relationship with work stress; growth and advancement reported a positive relationship with work stress. It is recommended that emotional intelligence training, team-building activities and social skills training be prioritised; additional social and administrative support could be provided to allow senior employees to cope better with work stress; the salaries and benefits should be re-evaluated against national and international standards but also to ensure internal and external fairness/equity
An analysis of the impact of transport infrastructure development on economic growth in Namibia
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Science (Development Finance)The main objective of the study was to measure the impact of transport infrastructure development on economic growth in Namibia for the period, 1990-2019. The Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) was adopted in achieving the objectives of the study. The annual time series data was sourced from the World Bank Database and the Ministry of Finance. The unit root test was used to determine the order of integration, whilst the Johansen cointegration test was used to test for the existence of the long run relationship.The unit root test revealed that all the variables are integrated of order one. This warranted the estimation of the VECM which requires all the variables to be integrated of the same order. The Johansen cointegration test revealed a long run relationship amongst the variables, as it was confirmed by both the Trace and Maximum Eigen test statistic. The vector error correction provided both short and long run estimates. The findings revealed a negative long run relationship between expenditure on transport and gross domestic product. On the contrary, the short run estimates revealed a positive relationship between expenditure on transport and gross domestic product in Namibia. However, the relationship is statistically insignificant
Developing a framework for web archiving of Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) in selected repositories in South Africa
No full textIndigenous Knowledge is a very important knowledge and developmental tool in Africa. There is a growing trend in the digitisation of heritage materials in Africa but while there is consensus on the importance of digitising IK in Africa, there are issues with ensuring long-term preservation so that digital information is permanently secured and protected. The purpose of this paper, therefore, is to discuss the Indigenous Knowledge Systems efforts in Africa. The scope of this paper is the digitisation of IKS in South Africa and how Web archiving can be adopted in ensuring the trustworthiness of IKS in academic institutional repositories. This paper adopted literature review and web content analysis to collect relevant information and make an inference. The paper, therefore, shows that South Africa
is one of the few countries in Africa that has invested immense effort in the use of technology and digitisation of IKS. However, there is a need to consider issues related to the long-term preservation of these digital materials. There is currently a lack of policy and digital preservation frameworks, especially in Africa
Experiences of patients with extensive drug-resistant Tuberculosis regarding prolonged isolation in a TB ward at a selected hospital in Namibia
No full textA mini thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science (Nursing Science)The focus of this study is to understand the experiences of participants with Extensive Drug Resistance (XDR) regarding prolonged isolation. The participants with XDR-TB are admitted in isolation for a minimum of twenty (20) months in the hospital. Different factors contributed to the participants not adhering to the rules of isolation in the TB ward. The fact that the isolation TB ward does not have proper measures to keep patients enclosed imposes the risk of cross-infection to the public. The study aimed to explore and describe the experiences of patients with XDR-TB regarding prolonged isolation at a selected hospital in Namibia. The objectives of the study were to: Explore and describe the experiences of participants with XDR-TB regarding prolonged isolation at the TB ward at the selected hospital in Namibia. This study adopted a qualitative, explorative, descriptive, and contextual approach to understanding in-depth the participants’ experiences of being isolated for a longer period. A purposive sampling approach was used to select the study participants and saturation was achieved at seventh (7th) participants. The data was collected using face-to-face individual interviews and analyzed using the thematic content method of analysis. Four main themes became apparent after the data was analyzed: Isolation, Challenges regarding basic needs, Psychological Support, and Improved health status. This study concluded that the participants experienced some psychosocial problems due to prolonged isolation. Living in isolation deprived them of a normal social lifestyle which resulted in pain, loneliness, anxiety, fear and depression. It was also revealed that participants believed that completing XDR-TB treatment guaranteed them cured
Assessment of the potential uptake of chromium by selected plant species and its concentration along the Klein Windhoek river from the Ujams Industrial Waste Water Treatment Plant in Windhoek
No full textA thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in BiologyThe aim of the study is in threefold: (i) to assess the potential uptake of Cr(VI) and its potential toxicological effects on the total Chlorophyll content of Rumex lanceolatus and Cullen obtusifolia, exposed to the treated industrial effluent from UWWTP. (ii) To assess the concentration of Cr(VI) discharged from UWWTP into the KWR, its compliance to NWQSE and its behavior in the KWR in relation to the increased distance from the discharge point. (iii) To assess the performance of
the UWWTP and its compliance to the NWQSE with regard to the concentrations of solids, organics and nutrients in the effluent discharged into the KWR. Comparisons of the total chlorophyll content and Cr(VI) concentration in the leaves were made between plants growing in exposed sites and the control sites. The total chlorophyll content in the plant leaves was determined using a potable meter SPAD 502Plus in the field, validated against a conventional spectrophotometric method in the laboratory. The Cr(VI) in the leaves was determined by a Direct Spectrophotometric Method, after the leaves were digested with a di-acidic mixture of 4 ml nitric
acid (HNO3) and 1 ml hydrochloric acid (HCL) (4:1 v/v). The total chlorophyll content was significantly lower in the plants exposed to Cr(VI) containing effluent than those growing in the control site for both R. lanceolatus (Mann-Whitney U test, U =396, p < 0.001) and C. obtusifolia (t (118) = 4.496, p < 0.001). The results further revealed a significantly higher concentration of Cr(VI) in the plant leaves of R. lanceolatus; from the exposed site; t-test (t(118) = 5.692, p <0.001), but the difference in the Cr(VI) concentration between the two groups was not significant
for C. obtusifolia. Simple linear regression analysis revealed a highly significant negative relationship between the Cr(VI) concentration and the total chlorophyll concentration in the leaves of R. lanceolatus exposed to the effluent from UWWTP (r(118) = 0.34, p < 0.001). R. lanceolatus accumulated more Cr(VI) concentration in its leaves and also appeared to be sensitive to high Cr(VI) concentration, as marked by the significant reduction in its chlorophyll content. Interestingly, there was no significant relationship between the Cr(VI) concentration and the total chlorophyll concentration in the leaves of the of C. obtusifolia exposed to the effluent from UWWTP. The study showed that C. obtusifolia use avoidance as a mechanism against Cr(VI) induced stress. Both species need to be investigated further to understand their response to Cr(VI) induced stress at the root level and determine their bio accumulation factors. The UWWTP showed high removal efficiency, and complied with NWQSE general guideline in terms of TSS, COD, TKN and PO4. However, the concentrations of Cr(VI) and TDS discharged from the UWWTP were significantly higher than the allowable concentration limit of 0.05 mg/l Cr(VI) and 500 mg/l TDS as set by the NWQSE (t(59) = 12.475, p < 0.001 and (t(124) = 37.778, p < 0.001 respectively) and could be having negative effects on the environment. It was further shown that the concentration of Cr(VI) in the effluent discharged from UWWTP significantly decreased with the increase in the distance away from the UWWTP discharge point along the KWR (r (5) = 0.88, p = 0.02). This study has demonstrated the need for continually assessing the UWWTP discharged effluent to ensure that the concentrations of Cr(VI) are within the set guidelines as provided by the NWQSE and the WHO
Investigating factors affecting strategic plan implementation at the Namibian Correctional Services
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Business Administration (Management Strategy)Most corporations face challenges in strategic plan implementation. Despite the
existence of excellent strategic plans at Namibian Correctional Services, the successful implementation of these set plan remains a challenge due to various factors, some of which are not known to the organization. This study investigated the factors affecting strategic plan implementation at Namibian Correctional Services. It was felt necessary to carry out this study since the findings has the potential of benefiting the Namibian Correctional Services on how to successfully implement the strategic plans so as to improve the organizations’ performance and mandate.
The study adopted a descriptive design, with a deductive approach. Quantitative data was collected through the use of questionnaires. The population of the study included employees of Namibian Correctional Services. The sample of the study was 176 chosen using purposive sampling technique. The pilot study was used to identify and rectify the shortcomings of the questionnaire before it was administered for the research. Data was analyzed using SPSS software.
The major findings of the study indicated that the main factors hindering strategic plan implementation include commitment of both management and employees to the achievement of strategic plans, organizational culture, effective communication, the structure of the organization and the available resources to mention but a few. It was recommended that there should be open and effective communication to facilitate implementation of strategic plans. Also, commitment and involvement of both management and staff was to be improved. It was also recommended that management were to measure performance, supervise and control employees as well as giving feedback. In the researcher’s view, the aim of the study was achieved and this justified the study, therefore concluded that the aim of study was met
A comparative study on the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in cataloguing and classification of library materials at University of Namibia (UNAM) and Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST)
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts (Library and Information Science)This study presents a comparison between the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) facilities in cataloguing and classifying bibliographic materials in academic libraries in Namibia. A multiple case study design was applied to analyse of the two academic libraries at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and the University of Namibia (UNAM). Face-to-face semi-structured interviews as well as observation was used to
collect data. The population of this study comprised of 18 cataloguing and classification section staff members, which were made of 12 staff members of the University of Namibia and 6 staff members of Namibia University Science and Technology. A purposive sampling technique was used to select eight respondents to participate in the study. Content analysis was applied to examine the data. The study found that ICT facilities brought a great change in cataloguing and
classification section for both institutions under study and these changes made work easier, time saving and more accurate when cataloguing and classification of library materials were done electronically. Thus, both institutions widely use and accept ICT facilities in their day-today activities. This was influenced by Perceived Ease of Use model which allowed individuals to accept the use technologies that would be effortless and hassle free. The reasons why librarians used and accepted ICT facilities in their day-to-day work was that they assisted in detecting duplications of work and errors when cataloguing and classifying of their library materials, made their work easy, saved time for their users and also to keep abreast with the
new technology trends. It was also found that ICT facilities helped to improve and uplift librarians’ job performances of the librarians. As far as the two determinants of Technology Acceptance Model (Perceived Ease of Use and Perceived Usefulness) were concerned, technologies used in libraries improved productivity. The participants cited the following challenges when using ICT facilities: ICT facilities could not function without electricity connection, it is difficult to locate library materials with lengthy classification numbers, the system trial do not keep track of usernames and password, and communicate challenges faced between the system vendor and the library. The study concluded that librarians preferred to use ICT facilities as opposed to manual cataloguing and classification because they made their work easy, saved time, and provided more accurate results. The study recommends that institutions should develop ICT policies to help facilitate service delivery and effective storage systems
The gendered experience of graduate unemployment: An exploration into the experiences of university graduates in Windhoek
No full textA thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts (Gender and Development Studies)According to the International Labour Organisation (2019), in 2018, an estimated 172 million people were unemployed worldwide. Namibia recorded an unemployment rate of 33.4 % with a total of 364, 411 unemployed people between the period of 2016 and 2018 (Namibia Statistics Agency, 2019). This research explores the gendered experience of unemployment among university graduates in Windhoek. Qualitative research method and an illustrative case study research design were used in this study. Purposive Sampling was used to select ten male and ten female unemployed graduates from the University of Namibia and the Namibia University of Science and Technology. Semistructured interview schedules were used to collect the data. The findings of this research demonstrated that unemployment has a notable effect on both males and females. However, it was established that there are differences in male and female graduates‟ experiences of unemployment. The findings revealed that societal expectation and pressure to secure employment is far greater for males than it is for females. In addition, the study found that some, but not all, degree programmes offer practical skills,
indicating a skills deficit among research participants from certain degree programmes. Consequently, participants‟ career choices constitute a higher probability for male participants to secure employment since more males were enrolled in natural sciences degree programmes which offers practical skills as part of the course curricula. This study therefore suggests that universities and labour market should facilitate internship opportunities to accommodate graduates from all disciplines. This would ensure that all university graduates gain formal work experience and practical skills in order to easily and successfully transition from university into the labour market
Analysis of tolerable capacity limits of intermittent photovoltaic power connected to the Namibian national electricity grid
No full textA mini thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (Renewable Energy)Grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems are being utilized at an increasing level
worldwide. Even though the increasing addition of intermittent PV power to the grid
systems may lead to grid instability, PV systems feeding power into the Namibian
electricity grid system are on the increase. The purpose of the study was to analyse
the ability of the Namibian electricity grid system to accommodate intermittent solar
PV power and to determine the capacity limit beyond which the Namibian electricity
grid system will become unstable due to an increase in intermittent solar PV systems
feeding power into the grid system. Data of interest was obtained from collected reports, journal articles, and other documents. This data was analyzed using quantitative methodological approaches and further classified, presented, and discussed. The Namibian grid system is considered strong when certain busbars achieve the SCR of 10 and the majority of the Namibian grid busbars can only connect less than 10MWof intermittent renewable electricity capacity without violating the short circuit ratio (SCR) limit. The capacity limits of intermittent solar PV power for the Namibian national grid system was calculated to be in the range of 38% to 53.4%. This study recommends that more research work and investigation from the perspective of engineering application and academic research are clearly required for more analysis regarding the strength and capacity limits of intermittent PV power of the Namibian grid system