The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of professional practice by the registered nurses midwives as reflected in clinical nursing care records for postlaparotomy patients in public central hospitals in Malawi. The set process standards by Nurses and Midwives Council of Malawi (NMCM) were addressed in relation to clinical care of post-laparotomy patients. The hypothesis for this study was that the quality of professional practice by the registered nurse midwives as reflected in clinical nursing care of post-laparotomy patients in public central hospitals in Malawi is inadequate and non-compliant with the process standards set by the NMCM. The researcher used quantitative, evaluative, descriptive, contextual survey and participatory observations to collect data. A three-point rating scale consisting of compliance (C) = 1, partial compliance (PC) = 0.5 and non-compliance (NC) = 0.0 was used to evaluate the state registered nurse midwives’ compliance with process standards. The results showed partial compliance with the set NMCM process standards by the state registered nurse midwives in public central hospitals in Malawi. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

This study sought to explore gender issues affecting management promotions in Malawi's health care services, utilising both qualitative and quantitative techniques in data collection and analysis. Promotion patterns were compared and contrasted for male and female managers. The study was based on the assumptions that • both men and women were aware of experiences that affected their promotion opportunities • promotion patterns showed fewer variations than did cultural, social and gender factors • male prejudices were maintained which oppressed women's promotions • increased decision-making power lowered stress about professional growth and development The findings supported the first two assumptions, but not the last two. The findings suggested that males and females encountered similar experiences concerning managerial promotions in Malawi's health care services. Factors that enhanced management successes for both males and females included management orientation and mentorship. Unclear promotion policies and procedures hindered management promotions. Information derived from this research could enable policy-makers to establish an environment that increases supportive networks and interactions between male and female managers in Malawi. Furthermore, to ensure equal opportunities in the health care services management, monitoring strategies by Malawi's Ministry of Gender, the Department of Human Resources Management and Development, and the Ministry of Health and Population need to be established and implemented. / Health Studies / D.Litt. et Phil. (Advanced Nursing Sciences)

Orientador: Maria Alejandra Caporale Madi / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Economia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-16T06:48:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Goliati_TiyamikeHarold_M.pdf: 2154779 bytes, checksum: 95f480693dbcaaee8d66a7adb606380c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: A falta de enfermeiras do setor público de saúde de Malaui está afetando a habilidade das enfermeiras remanescentes para executarem seus deveres eficientemente. Essa escassez tem sido exacerbada pela existência de migração de enfermeiras e outros profissionais ligados à saúde. A deterioração do setor público de saúde combinada ao ambiente pobre de trabalho e salários reais em queda repele a migração de enfermeiras do setor público de saúde do país para organizações privadas e países desenvolvidos ao perceberem que têm uma boa remuneração e um ambiente de trabalho ideal para seus funcionários. A implementação de políticas neoliberais no país contribuiu com o declínio dos gastos sociais com a saúde e com outros serviços sociais que tem uma implicação direta no desenvolvimento social. Metodologia: A pesquisa visou entender a migração e a falta de enfermeiras no setor público de saúde no contexto de desafios contemporâneos para os profissionais de saúde em Malaui sob as políticas neoliberais. Ele empregou uma abordagem mista de desenho. Os dados foram analisados usando o pacote de estatísticas para ciências sociais (SPSS) versão 15.0 para Windows. Dados qualitativos foram feitos por análise de conteúdo e então, analisados posteriormente pelo SPSS. Resultados: As enfermeiras de Malaui encontram desafios multilaterais. Eles incluem baixos salários, baixos benefícios de aposentadoria, acomodação inadequada, nenhum acesso aos empréstimos do governo para enfermeiras de cabeceira, recursos/enfermeiras insuficientes, a sobrecarga de trabalho, as condições precárias de trabalho, as escassas oportunidades de treinamento, ambiente inseguro de trabalho. Conclusão: A situação, no entanto, está mudando lentamente devido ao crescente comprometimento do governo com relação ao setor de saúde, juntamente com medidas Keynesianas na economia. O desgaste das enfermeiras tem estado sob uma tendência descendente; as saídas de enfermeiras de instituições de treinamento têm aumentado; indicadores econômicos e sociais têm sido positivos; e o pacote de remuneração, as condições de trabalho e o ambiente de trabalho têm melhorado. Salários em termos reais têm subido em uma tentativa de reverter os salários reais em queda que balançaram o Mercado de trabalho desde que as políticas neoliberais encontraram seu espaço na política de Malaui / Abstract: Shortage of nurses in Malawian public health sector is affecting the ability of the remaining nurses to discharge their duties effectively. This scarcity has been exacerbated by existence of migration of nurses and other health-care personnel. Deterioration of the public health sector combined with the poor working environment and decreasing real wages repel the out-migration of nurses from the country?s public health sector to private organisations and developed countries perceived to have good remuneration package and ideal working environment for their employees. The implementation of neoliberal policies in the country contributed to decreasing social spending for health and other social services that have a direct implication on social development. Methodology: The research was aimed at understanding the migration and shortage of nurses in the public health sector in the context of contemporary challenges for health-care professionals in Malawi under neoliberal policies. It employed a mixed design approach. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15.0 for Windows. Qualitative data were done by content analysis and then analysed further by SPSS. Results: Malawian nurses face multilayered challenges. These include, low salaries, low retirement benefits, Inadequate accommodation, No access to Government loans for bedside nurses, insufficient resources/nurses, Work overload, Poor working conditions, scarce training opportunities, unsafe working environment. Conclusion: the situation, however, is slightly changing due to increased government commitment towards health sector coupled with Keynesian measures in the economy. Nurses? attrition has been on a downward trend; outputs of nurses from training institutions have been rising; social and economic indicators have been positive; and remuneration package, working conditions and working environment have been improving. Salaries in real terms have been rising in an attempt to reverse the decreasing real wages that rocked the labour market since neoliberal policies found its space in the Malawian policymaking / Mestrado / Economia Social e do Trabalho / Mestre em Desenvolvimento Econômico

The potential role of sanctuary areas for biological control of Schistosomiasis and development of sustainable fisheries was investigated at Cape Maclear, Lake Malawi National Park (LMNP). There has been a recent increase in the incidence of schistosomiasis infection which is a threat to the local community as well as the tourism industry which is the major source of income to LMNP as well as Chembe Village. At the same place there is increasing fishing pressure due to growing human population and declining fish resource. The increase in the incidence of schistosomiasis transmission was attributed in part to over-fishing of the molluscivorous fish which are believed to control the vector snails for schistosomiasis. Four molluscivorous fish species, Trematocranus placodon; Trematocranus microstoma; Mylochromis sphaerodon and Mylochromis anaphyrmus were reported to account for more than 90% of the fishes (by numerical abundance) which feed on the gastropods above 15 metre depth. The gastropod numbers was reported to be highest at 1.5 to 4.5 metre depth. Of the four molluscivores, T. placodon was proposed as a biological control agent for schistosomiasis based upon the previous observations of its feeding habits in artificial conditions. Captive propagation of T. placodon for reintroduction at Cape Maclear in Lake Malawi has been proposed. The present study aimed at providing baseline data required to test the hypotheses that: 1) Over-fishing of the molluscivorous fish has resulted to the increased incidence of schistosomiasis at Cape Maclear. A sub hypothesis to this was that an extension of the LMNP can act as a sanctuary area for the biological control of schistosomiasis by protecting molluscivorous fish which could control schistosomiasis vector snails. 2) A park initially designed to protect the colourful rock dwelling fish and for promotion of tourism may not effectively protect the food fish. To test the first hypothesis, the biology and ecology of T. placodon were investigated with a view to evaluating the effect this species could have on the schistosomiasis vector snail population and hence the control of bilharzia in the lake. The proportions of various gastropod species at Cape Maclear was compared with those found in T. placodon guts. Comparisons of T. placodon abundance and demographic structure inside and outside LMNP were made. To test the second hypothesis, this study investigated the food fish species that use LMNP 100 m protected zone and some basic ecological factors to appreciate the extent to which the adjacent fishery might benefit from their use of the park waters. T. placodon numerical abundance (number of individuals per unit area) ranged from 5.7 to 40.5 /200 m² and it significantly (P< 0.05) varied between sampling sites. Otter Point and Mitande which are inside the park had the lowest abundance as compared to the other three sites; Nguli inside the park; Fisheries and Nchenga outside the park. Two sites in the park, Otter Point and Mitande, had a greater proportion of mature T. placodon individuals than all other sites. The abundance of T. placodon fluctuated significantly from month to month at Nchenga, Nguli and Fisheries (X² test, P<0.0001 for all the three sites) and insignificantly (P>0.05) at Otter Point and Mitande (X² test). T. placodon densities found in the present study corresponded to the peak density of 30 individuals / 200 m² reported in 1986 but did not correspond to that of 1.0 / 200 m² for 1994. There was no evidence to support the previous reports that T. placodon abundance had decreased tremendously from 1986. The reason suggested to account for the discrepancies of T. placodon abundance reported in the present study and other studies was inadequate sampling in the previous studies which did not take into account spatial and temporal variability in T. placodon abundance. The findings reported in this thesis show that there is no need for captive propagation of T. placodon to be reintroduced into the lake at Cape Maclear and that it may prove to be unsuccessful. However, since juvenile T. placodon dominated in abundance at the three sites along the major beach which is outside the park boundaries, it is suggested that the park boundaries be extended to this area so that T. placodon should be protected to allow individuals to grow to bigger size which would be more effective for gastropod control. T. placodon between 60 mm and 80 mm TL fed on benthic insects, phytoplankton and from detritus material. Individuals between 80 mm and 100 mm fed on a mixture of benthic insects, fish scales and small gastropods and at sizes greater than 100 mm individuals specialized feeding on gastropods. Gastropods of five genera were taken and they were: Melanoides , Bulinus, Gabiella, Lanistes and Bellamya. Of these genera Melanoides fonned the greatest part of T. placodon diet. Bulinus was the second most abundant genus but compared to Melanoides its proportion was very small. Of the three Bulinus species taken by T. placodon, B. globosus, is a confirmed vector for Schistosoma haematobium which is prevalent at Cape Maclear. This species was eaten in the least quantities. A comparison ofthe five gastropod proportions in T. placodon diet and in the habitats they occupy showed that Melanoides were taken in proportionately more quantities than Bulinus at most sites. These findings contrasted the previous reports that T. placodon preferred Bulinus to Melanoides. By applying the optimal foraging theory which predicts that an animal species searching for food will go for the type of prey with the highest profitability, it is concluded that the Bulinus cannot be eliminated completely by molluscivores because if their population size falls below a certain level, the fish will switch to other gastropod types. It is concluded that the increase in schistosomiasis may not be necessarily due to overfishing the molluscivorous fish but could be due to the fact that there has been an increase in the proportion of the B. globosus albeit in small numbers which are infected with schistosomiasis parasites. An integrated approach to schistosomiasis control at Cape Maclear comprising vector control, improved water supply, sanitation and health education is suggested since no method can be effective in isolation. Few food fish species were observed to use the park at various times, varying from one species to another with regards to duration, life history stages and abundance. Only a few fish species taken by the adjacent artisanal and commercial fisheries were represented among those observed in the park. This was attributed to the limited diversity of habitat types covered. Only small population size of some species visited the protected area and only part of the life cycle of some species were observed in the park. The use of the park area was seasonal for some species and the protected zone boundaries can be crossed more than once within a day because 100 m distance is just a few minutes swim by fish. Under such circumstances the park cannot function as an effective sanctuary for food fish. An increase of the park size may be a better option to effectively protect the food fish.

M.A. / Mankind today lives in a predominantly heterogeneous and metropolitan society. At all stages of life, social, political, spiritual, there is constantly a diffusion of cultures, ideas and beliefs. South Africa until 1994 was the only example of a country where the broader ethnic groups were separated from each other. Besides this country, all other countries are exposed to this amalgamation and inter-action with each other on a daily basis. Although a mixed society augers well for the propagation and easy penetration of Islam within the populace, it also has its drawbacks. Allah says: 0 mankind! We created you from a single (pair)of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise each other). Verily, the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. 1 1 Qur'an 49:13. Upon pondering the deeper meaning of the above verse, Allah has prescribed Taqw& (piety and righteousness) as a means of solving any problem resulting from the interaction of different tribes, races, and nations which could be at times a terribly irreconcilable one. The significant number of Muslims in any given society and especially Malawian Muslim society are ignorant of the Muslim Principles of marrying Al-Kitabiyyah (Woman of the Book). That is why we notice an irretrievable breakdown of many families whose husband happen to be a Muslim and the wife is a Kitabiyyah. This type of marriage has caused, and is still causing many problems to the social life of the Malawian Muslims. Children of these families do not enjoy that status of being under the loving care of both their mothers and fathers because their marriages does not last long. It is from this perspective that "Muslim Principles of marrying Al-Kitabiyyah" was chosen to give right direction for those who wants to marry women of the People of the Book. It deals with one small but significant aspect of interaction-the aspect of inter-marriage of Muslim men with Al-Kitabiyyah.

Följande uppsats redogör för ett produktutvecklingsprojekt som har resulterat i ett förslag till ett handredskap för framställning av majsmjöl, tänkt att användas av kvinnorna i Malawi. Dock har det huvudsakliga fokuset i projektet varit metoder för produktutveckling för utvecklingsländer. Problemområdet som projektet har fokuserat på; framställning av majsmjöl, valdes efter en studie i Malawi. Problemområdet valdes eftersom det är ett viktigt område, då 50 procent av människornas kaloriintag i Malawi består av majs. Målgruppen för projektet är kvinnorna i byn Muthumba, som framställer majsmjölet idag. Framställningen av majsmjöl sker i flera olika etapper. När majsen slutligen ska malas till majsmjöl har byborna att välja mellan att vandra till ett annat samhälle, som har elektricitet, för att få sin majs mald i en maskin, eller att stöta majsen i en mortel, vilket kräver två personers styrka och tid. Att ta majsen till det andra samhället innebär att byborna får vandra med majsen på huvudet i timtal, då majoriteten av byborna inte innehar något transportmedel. Projektet kan delas in i tre olika etapper. Teoriläsning inför resan. Observationer och intervjuer i Malawi under 8 dagar. Denna etapp var planerad till 21 dagar, men på grund av sjukdom fick studien avbrytas tidigare, syftet med studien var att observera ett problemområde. Den sista etappen utfördes i Sverige. Den innehöll teoriläsning, kompletterande intervjuer samt utveckling av redskapet. Uppsatsen behandlar litteratur kring ämnet produktutveckling/design för utvecklingsländer samt metoder för detta. Saker som framkom var att förståelse för människan och dess livssituation är avgörande för hur lyckat slutresultatet blir. När ämnet design för utvecklingsländer diskuteras finns det många olika åsikter i ämnet, och den här uppsatsen tar upp några. Projektet resulterade i ett handdrivet verktyg, riktat till kvinnorna byn Muthumba i södra Malawi. Redskapet krossar majsen genom valsning. Några av de metoder som använts för att få fram nya sätt att framställa majsmjölet är idégenereringsmetoder, hämta inspiration på nya platser, intervjuer och skissning. En annan viktig del i utvecklingsarbetet har varit att göra funktionsmodeller för att testa olika funktioner. / The following essay describes a product development project, which has resulted in a proposal for production of maize flour, intended for use by women in Malawi. The main focus of the project has been methods of product development for developing countries. The problem area that the project has focused on is: the production of maize flour, this was chosen after a study in Malawi. The problem area was chosen since it is an important area; 50 percent of the people's calorie intake in Malawi consists of corn. The target groups are women in the village Muthumba, a producer of maize flour today.Production of maize flour is done in several steps. When the maize will be grinded in to maize flour, the villagers can choose to walk to another village, which has electricity, to get their maize grinded or they have to pound the maize in a mortar, which requires the energy and time of two people. To take the maize to the other society means that the villages have to walk with the maize on their head for hours, as the majority of villagers do not own a bike.The project can be divided into three stages: theory studies before the trip, observations and interviews in Malawi for 8 days (this phase was scheduled for 21 days, but due to illness was the study stopped earlier, the purpose of this study was to observe a problem area) and the final stage, realization, was conducted in Sweden. The third stage included theory sessions, additional interviews and developing the tool.The essay reviews the literature on the subject of what to consider in the development/design for developing countries and methods for this. Understandings that emerged were the incredible importance of deeper insight in humans and their life situation. When the topic design for developing countries is discussed, there are many different opinions on the subject, and this essay considers some.The result of the project is a hand-powered tool. The target group is the women in the village Muthumba, in south of Malawi. The tool grinds the maize by rolling. Some of the methods used to develop new ways to produce corn flour are brainstormings, finding inspiration in new places, interviews and drafting. Another important part of the development has been to make functional models to test various functions.

Thesis (MDF (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The risk of operating in a foreign investment climate is a subject of interest to most investors looking for opportunities to expand their international footprint. There are many organisations that provide risk assessments of the levels of threat of specific risks in foreign countries. However, most focus on political or what is commonly known as country risk or they provide a summary of ranking providing a comparison of different countries’ investment climate attractiveness. The make-up of the variables used in coming up with the ranking or a view on a particular country do not usually provide a level of detail that allows an analyst to understand the qualitative issues that give a country a particular rating assessment or ranking. This research has tried to address this gap by coming up with a detailed qualitative model that provides understanding of the key sources of information required for each major category of risk. The research also attempts to integrate as many aspects of the business environment that could affect a country. A particular case of Malawi has been chosen to demonstrate the level detail and understanding the investors need to reach before making a decision on whether to invest in a country. The research focuses on three major areas. The first is to provide a good understanding of what is currently available for analysts to use in determining risk factors of a particular environment or risk category. The second is to illustrate the uses and limitations of the options available in the form of assessment reports or assessment models. The third is to develop a model and demonstrate its use in the context of Malawi’s investment climate. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die meeste van die beleggers op soek na geleenthede om hul internasionale voetspoor uit te brei, stel ook in die risiko belang wat besigheid in ’n buitelandse beleggingsklimaat inhou. Talle organisasies verskaf risiko-assesserings van die bedreigingsvlakke van spesifieke risiko’s in die buiteland. Die meeste van hulle kyk egter na politieke of landspesifieke risiko’s of hulle verskaf ’n opsomming waarin die ranglysposisies van die aanloklikheid van verskillende lande se beleggingsklimate vergelyk word. Die samestelling van die veranderlikes in hierdie ranglysposisies of oorsig van ’n spesifieke land verskaf gewoonlik nie voldoende detail aan die ontleder om die kwalitatiewe kwessies te verstaan wat aan ’n land ’n spesifieke assessering of ranglysposisie gee nie. Hierdie navorsing fokus op hierdie gaping deur ’n breedvoerige kwalitatiewe model te verskaf vir ’n beter begrip van die vernaamste inligtingsbronne wat vir elke groot risikokategorie vereis word. Hierdie navorsing poog ook om soveel aspekte van die sakeomgewing te integreer wat ’n land kan beïnvloed. Die spesifieke geval van Malawi is gekies om die vlak van detail en begrip te demonstreer wat beleggers nodig het voordat hulle ’n beleggingsbesluit ten opsigte van ’n land kan neem. Die navorsing lê op drie belangrike areas klem. Die eerste is om ’n goeie begrip te bied van die inligting wat tans aan ontleders beskikbaar is om die risikofaktore van ’n spesifieke omgewing of risikokategorie te bepaal. Die tweede is om die gebruike en beperkings te illustreer van die opsies wat in die vorm van assesseringsverslae of assesseringsmodelle beskikbaar is. Die derde is om ’n model te ontwikkel en die gebruik daarvan in die konteks van Malawi se beleggingsklimaat te demonstreer.

In July 2011, The Malawi government started implementing an innovative PMTCT policy known as Option B+ strategy that provides universal lifelong ART for all HIV-infected pregnant and breastfeeding women regardless of clinical or immunological stage. Even though Option B+ strategy is a good choice for Malawi, there is fear that the programme may be affected by poor access, utilisation, adherence and retention. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of HIV-positive women on Option B+ strategy in a selected district hospital in Malawi. Methodology: A Hermeneutics phenomenological approach was used in this study to explore the lived experiences of HIV-positive women on Option B+ strategy through in-depth interviews of five purposely sampled information rich sources. Interviews were audio-taped and transcribed, then manual data analysis using Giorgi’s approach was employed to identify meaningful segments and develop categories, themes and sub-themes. Results: The lifelong commitment was described as the most challenging aspect of Option B+ strategy. Participants demonstrated lack of knowledge and understanding of Option B+ strategy and its implications which rendered them poorly prepared and unready for the task. The un optional Opt-out HIV testing resulted in participants feeling left out in their own care, as health professionals dominated the care from HIV testing throughout the process. The importance of male involvement in PMTCT was revealed in promoting partner HIV testing, disclosure, support, and prevention of further HIV spread. Barriers to participation were described in terms of attitudes of health care workers, stigma and discrimination. Despite the overemphasised need for women to be supported on Option B+ strategy participants were not willing to seek available sources of formal support. / Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

Since 1971, a number of flood frequency models have been developed for river basins in Malawi for use in the design of hydraulic structures, but the varied nature of their results have most often given a dilemma to the design engineer due to differences in magnitudes of calculated floods for given return periods. All the known methods for flood frequency analysis developed in country so far have not used a homogeneity test for the river basins from which the hydrological data has been obtained. This study was thus conducted with a view to resolving this problem and hence improve the design of hydraulic structures such as culverts, bridges, water intake points for irrigation schemes, and flood protection dykes. In light of the above, during the course of this study the applicability of existing methods in the design of hydraulic structures was assessed. Also, the study investigated how land use and land cover change influence the frequency and magnitude of floods in the study area, and how their deleterious impacts on the socio-economic and natural environment in the river basins could be mitigated / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

Certain individual and institutional factors such as knowledge about stigma and discrimination, fear of infection, social judgement, legal and policy environment act as actionable drivers and facilitators of HIV-related stigma and discrimination. These factors may hinder the utilisation and quality of care provided to people living with HIV. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to establish the actionable drivers and facilitators that determine the different forms of HIV-related stigma and discrimination among healthcare professionals at a district hospital in Malawi. Methods: The study used a descriptive correlational study. Data was collected through self-administered questionnaire. Data were analysed using SPPS and STATA 12. Fisher's Exact Test was used to conclude the association and binary logistic regression was used to model the degree of the statistical relationships. Results: The results showed statistically significant relationship between knowledge of stigma and discrimination, social judgement and awareness of workplace policy and HIV-related stigma and discrimination. Recommendations: Interventions aimed at increasing knowledge about HIV-related stigma, reducing social judgement, reinforcing HIV-related workplace policies are needed to reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination in healthcare settings. / Health Studies / M. Ph. (Health Studies)