Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 1932. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: No Abstract Available / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen Opsomming Beskikbaar / Some digitised pages may appear illegible due to the condition of the original hard copy

The Classroom Assessment Practices and Skills (CAPS) questionnaire was administered to a sample of 691 primary and secondary school teachers in Botswana,Southern Africa to survey their thoughts about classroom assessment and identify classroom assessment practices teachers perceive to be skilled and those that they used most. The study examined the discrepancies between teachers’ perceived skill and use of classroom assessment practices. Exploratory factor analysis generated four factors from “Thoughts about Assessment” and six factors for skill and use of classroom assessment practices. Botswana teachers held positive beliefs about both mastery and performance orientations to student assessment. Teachers were unsure about the adequacy of their assessment training, but indicated that they needed further training in assessment. The results also showed that primary teachers, particularly those with only a certificate needed more skill training in assessment applications, statistical applications, and criterion referenced testing. The more experienced teachers were, the more they agreed with mastery and performance orientations, and the more they had perceived skill and use of desirable classroom assessment practices. Factors wererelated to teacher characteristics of educational level, subject taught, teaching level,years of teaching experience and assessment training. The results showed that including more courses in assessment during teacher training and sending teachers for in-service or workshops in assessment helped to improve their perceived beliefs, skills, and use of desirable classroom assessment practices. Understanding the beliefs teachers hold, particularly about students’ performance, can be used as a framework for identifying educational resources meant to help both schools and students to perform. If policy makers are aware of teachers’ beliefs regarding mastery, they can help teachers to formulate assessment practices that promote critical thinking skills and mastery. A mentoring program to match new and experienced teachers to share reciprocal knowledge and skills on classroom assessment practices can be developed in schools. Teacher educators may consider overhauling their programs to have courses that are more focused on assessment, or increase the number of assessment courses for preservice teachers. Teachers should be sent for in-service training in assessment on a regular basis to ensure that they maintain current classroom assessment skills. / Department of Educational Psychology

Thesis (MSc (Geography and Environmental Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / Botswana, a developing country in southern Africa, has not been spared the proliferating scourge of traffic accidents that is sweeping across the world. After HIV/AIDS, traffic accidents are the second largest cause of unnatural deaths in Botswana. The country is losing two per cent of its GDP every year to traffic accident costs. Furthermore, road safety is one of the major challenges the country will have to overcome in order to achieve its Vision 2016. This study investigates traffic accidents in Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana, for the years 2000 and 2005. The study analyses the characteristics of traffic accidents, examines their causes, maps the spatial distribution of traffic accidents for 2000 and 2005, and outlines the countermeasures government is instituting to curb accidents. The main data on traffic accidents used was extracted from the microcomputer accidents analysis package V5.0 (MAAP 5) obtained from the Traffic Police Division. Semi-structured interviews with transport and safety officers, traffic police and other stakeholders were conducted. The interviews were mainly about what government is doing to reduce the carnage caused by traffic accidents. Existing reports were also used as data sources. Microsoft Excel and ArcGIS 9.1 packages were used to do the analyses. The road casualties of drivers/riders are concentrated in the economically active age category of 15-64 years (95% for all casualties). In particular, the casualties are very high in the 20-39 age cohort with one third and three quarters of all casualties for 2000 and 2005 respectively. In addition, driver casualties by gender for the 20-39 age cohort show a high representation of males, namely 57% and 64% for 2000 and 2005 respectively.

This study attempts to understand prostitution from their definition of the situation. It differs in its method from other studies on prostitution in that the investigation was based on the prostitutes' own perspectives as interpreted by the researcher using the interpretative epistemological tradition. A comparative analysis of prostitution in two economically stable African Countries, namely Nigeria and Botswana was made. This study investigated society's perception of prostitutes and how it impacts upon their empowerment and emancipation as vulnerable members of the society and their participation in prevention and control of sexually transmitted infection including HIV/AIDS. Also the role of governments and individuals in creating and sustaining prostitution, an extensive insight to the modus operandi of prostitution and suggestions on how best to address prostitution in society, were discussed. A triangulated methodology of three hundred and twenty five sexworkers (325) that includes a quantitative study of two hundred and five sex workers complimented with a qualitative study of one hundred and twenty sex workers participating in focus group discussion and case studies informed the study. The findings of the research suggest that in the prostitutes' own definition of the situation; prostitutes contribute to the maintenance of societal equilibrium, the society creates and sustains prostitution. Economic need rather than lack of morals creates prostitutes and their situation of vulnerability as women is being reinforced by their status as prostitutes. Violence from partners that includes the police and the inability to reprimand their clients, are some hazards of prostitution and these result in their mobility and creates a challenge in adequately addressing the issue of prostitution in society, including their limited participation in the control of STDs. Respondents in Botswana had a very good knowledge of STI's /HIV/AIDS and had no difficulties in going to hospital in the event of any STD's as compared with Nigerian respondents. The Nigerian respondents' indulged in self-medication with antibiotics and traditional herbs mixed in local gin before and after a sexual act, rather than go to hospitals. The research findings should assist the government and international community's policies and programmes aimed at addressing prostitution and STDs/HIV/AIDS. / Sociology / D.Litt. et Phil.(Sociology)

Correct and consistent condom use is an effective strategy for the reduction of adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. The purpose of this study was to describe the factors that contribute to unsafe sex practices among adolescents and to compare male and female sexual practices. Quantitative, descriptive research, namely a survey was conducted to determine these practices. Convenience sampling was used to select a sample (n=324) of respondents who were willing to participate in the study. Data were collected by using a self-administered structured questionnaire. The findings of the study revealed that adolescents indulged in unsafe sex practices for various reasons including the desire for self-satisfaction and the non-availability of condoms at the time. Based on the identified reasons, it is clear that strategies had to be developed to curb unsafe sex and its consequences. Formulating these strategies requires the concerted effort of all policy makers and stakeholders. / Health Studies / (M.A. (Public Health))

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2017. / Title: A profile of patients presenting with spinal pain at Mahalapye and Shoshong World Spine Care clinics in Botswana Background: Spinal pain such as low back and neck pain, are common and can cause severe long term pain which results in a major burden on individuals and health care systems (Woolf and Pfledger, 2003; Hondras et al., 2015a). Low-income countries often have few resources for adequately addressing musculoskeletal (MSK) pain (Louw et al., 2007). Thus, World Spine Care (WSC), a non-governmental organization, opened two clinics in Botswana to help improve spinal health care by providing access to MSK specialists (Haldeman et al., 2015). These clinics have been functional since 2012, and to date the profile of patients attending these clinics has not been investigated. Studies on patients attending chiropractic clinics have been carried out internationally (Hartvigsen et al., 2002; Giles et al., 2002; Coulter and Shekelle, 2005; Holt and Beck, 2005; Mootz et al., 2005; Sorensen et al., 2006; Garner et al., 2007; Stevens, 2007; Rubinstein et al., 2008; Martinez et al., 2009; Ailliet et al., 2010; Lischyna and Mior, 2012) and locally (Benjamin, 2007; Jaman, 2007; Mohamed, 2007; Venketsamy, 2007; Higgs, 2009; McDonald, 2012; Hitge, 2014), and yet very little information exists on the patients presenting to clinics in the public sector of Botswana. Demographic and disease profiles of patients vary by clinical setting, from country to country, and within regions of the same country (Hoy et al., 2010a). Thus, this study aimed to determine the demographic and disease profile of spinal pain patients attending the WSC clinics in Mahalapye and Shoshong in Botswana. Method: A retrospective, descriptive study design was used to extract data from the WSC patient files at the Mahalapye and Shoshong WSC clinics from 1 November 2012 to 31 March 2016. The research proposal was approved by the Institutional Research Ethics Committee (IREC); REC 53/16 (Appendix A), WSC (Appendix B) and Botswana MoH (Appendix C). Patient files included had provided consent for their files to be used for research purposes (Appendix F). Data recorded included demographic characteristics, factors related to spinal pain, the presenting complaint and the presence of co-morbid conditions. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) version 24.0. Descriptive statistics in the form of graphs and cross tabulations were used to describe the demographic and disease profile of the spinal pain patients. Inferential statistics like chi-square, Fischer’s exact test for categorical variables and Independent student’s t tests for numerical variables were used to determine differences between the two clinics. A p-value of less than 0.05 was used to indicate statistical significance (Singh, 2016). Results: The sample size was 65% (n=714). There was a female preponderance (75.2%, n=537), a mean age of 50.6 years (±SD 16.13). Most patients were married (38%) and the most common occupations were either farmers (18.2%, n=129) or unemployed (16.3%, n=115). The majority of patients suffered from chronic (88%), idiopathic (59.5%), low back pain (69.9%), followed by upper/mid back (19.1%), with the least visits occurring for neck pain (8%). The most frequent diagnosis was joint dysfunction with associated soft tissue disorders. The patients reported mild disability with moderate pain intensity and most patients had not experienced previous spinal pain (60%). The patients did not report a secondary area of MSK pain (28.6%) and 73.9% of patients presented with at least one comorbid condition. Patients attending the rural clinic were older on average (52.7 years, ±SD 16.92) than those at the urban clinic (48.9 years, ±15.29) (p = 0.002). There were more women attending the urban clinic when compared to the rural clinic (p = 0.009), with those attending the rural clinic most often reporting a primary school level of education in contrast to those in the urban clinic having most likely obtained a more than secondary school education (p < 0.001). More patients in the urban clinic had “other mechanical” e.g. joint dysfunction as an aetiology for their spinal pain when compared to the rural clinic (p = 0.039). In terms of pain duration, the rural clinic patients were more likely to present with acute and subacute pain than at the urban clinic (p = 0.001). The rural clinic patients also reported more previous episodes of spinal pain in contrast to those from the urban clinic (p <0.001). Conclusion: The spinal pain patients attending the WSC clinics had many similarities to spinal pain patients internationally and in SA, however unique differences were found specifically when the urban and rural clinic patients were compared. The findings of this study can assist WSC to provide more targeted healthcare at each clinic and within this region. / National Research Fund / M

The purpose of this study was to develop an integrated model for evaluating training and development initiatives used by the Botswana public service. To achieve this goal, the following actions were taken: A literature study was conducted to identify the scope and impact of an effective training and development initiative and its evaluation; A literature study was conducted to identify strategies for evaluating training and development initiatives. The theoretical study focused on effective training and development strategies and their evaluation and critical organisational factors that contribute to successful training evaluation; The findings from the literature study were integrated into a model for evaluating training and development initiatives to be used by the Botswana public service; and  This model was used as the basis for the development of a survey questionnaire to determine whether trainers, training managers and supervisors who were responsible for training and development in the public service agreed with the effective strategies for evaluating training and development developed in the study. The survey was conducted in ministries and departments in the south east district of Botswana, mainly in Gaborone, where ministries and government departments are located. The empirical results from the study showed that the majority of respondents’ training and development activities were not evaluated and that there is no link between training and development and performance management. In particular, disagreements were shown with regard to ten strategies and critical organisational factors. Evaluation of training and development in general, is an issue that organisations are challenged with on a daily basis. Lack of skills by trainers on how to evaluate training and development is one major contributing factor to this problem. An integrated and strategic approach towards the evaluation of training and development is required to effectively and constructively train and development employees according to strategic organisational goals, rather than according to individual trainee’s goals.

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2015 / Nurses are an integral component of the health care delivery system and they encounter occupational health problems classified as biological, chemical, physical, and psychosocial hazards. Nurses also face health hazards such as Hepatitis B, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, tuberculosis, cytotoxic drugs, anesthetic agents, needle stick injury, back pain, and stress. At Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital in Maun, nurses and other health professionals face occupational health and safety risks at the workplace. Aim and Objectives The aim of the study was to identify the occupational health hazards encountered by nurses at Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital in Maun, Botswana. The objectives were to identify occupational health hazards at Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital; determine organic and inorganic disorders caused by occupational health hazards; determine coping mechanisms of nurses towards occupational health hazards and the compliance of nurses to written protocols that address occupational health hazards. Research Method and Design A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional method was adopted. The population comprised 200 nurses employed at Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital. Simple random sampling was used to select 132 nurses who participated in the study. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Results The study revealed health hazards namely; back aches, frequent headaches, and persistent tiredness; mercury, solvents and anaesthetic gases; HIV, streptococcus, staphylococcus, Hepatitis B and measles. Nurses also reported fatigue, loss of sleep due to stress, anxiety and persistent tiredness. Conclusion The study concluded that nurses at Letsholathebe ll Memorial hospital experienced physical, chemical, biological and psychological health hazards. Recommendations The study recommends that nurses should have access to OHS information, that OHS awareness should be created at Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital.

Master of Arts / Department of Economics / Wayne Nafziger / This essay on AIDS examines the possible economic impact HIV and AIDS can have on an economy. AIDS is a growing problem throughout the world and has become one of the worst pandemics of the 21st century. Africa is one of the worst hit regions in the world, having seven countries with more than 15 percent of the population infected. This essay will have special emphasis on Botswana where 37.3 percent of the population is infected. Botswana has had various negative micro-level economic impacts which have begun to spillover and negatively affect macro-level economics. The International Monetary Fund predicts GDP growth is expected to fall from 5.5 percent a year without AIDS to between 1.5 and 2.5 percent a year with AIDS. There are various sectors in an economy that can be impacted by AIDS. This essay will look at factors affecting these various sectors, explain them and describe what impact they are having on Botswana’s economy.

The study sought to establish the utilisation of the available adolescent sexual and reproductive health services/facilities by Mochudi secondary school adolescents. The intent of the study was to determine the level of awareness among adolescents of the existing Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Services/ Facilities in Mochudi and to determine those factors that affect utilisation of sexual and reproductive health services/facilities. A self administered questionnaire was used by the researcher to collect data from the respondents. Data analysis began with studying and coding of the responses from the questionnaires and was analysed using a copy of Excel software. The inferences made from this study are that secondary school adolescents in Mochudi indulge in pre-marital sex and most of them are aware of the presence of sexual and reproductive health services/facilities. However, the majority of the adolescents do not use the services/facilities either due to shyness, inaccessibility of clinics, lack of privacy, unfriendly staff, long waiting time or for others because they are not sexually active. The feedback from the adolescents is an indication of the inappropriateness of service delivery system pertaining to adolescent sexual and reproductive health in Mochudi. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)