This study investigated factors influencing the quality of data for the Tuberculosis (TB) control programme in Oshakati District in Namibia. A quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted using 50 nurses who were sampled from five departments in Oshakati State Hospital. Data was collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire. The results indicated that the majority (90%) of the respondents agreed that TB training improved correct recording and reporting. Sixty percent of the respondents agreed that TB trainings influenced the rate of incomplete records in the unit, while 26% of the respondents disagreed with this statement. This indicates that TB trainings influence the quality of data reported in the TB programme as it influences correct recording and completeness of data at operational level. Participants’ knowledge on TB control guidelines, in particular the use of TB records to, used to capture the core TB indicators influenced the quality of data in the programme. The attitudes and practises of respondents affected implementation of TB guidelines hence, influencing the quality of data in the programme. The findings related to the influence of the quality of data in the TB programme and its effect to decision-making demonstrated a positive relationship (p=0.0023) between the attitudes of study participant on the use of data collected for decision-making. Knowledge, attitudes and practice are the main factors influencing the quality of data in the TB control programme in Oshakati District. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Thesis (MPA)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In 1997, the Government of the Republic of Namibia launched the Policy and Programme for Small Business Development. The Ministry of Trade and Industry at the time was assigned the responsibility, together with several different stakeholders, to implement this policy. The launch of such a programme was a step taken to recognise the importance of the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector in local economic development (LED). The core of LED transformation and the implementation of any local authority is the creation of the private sector - a primary source of development – and support of the SME sector in particular. SMEs are considered one of the main driving forces in LED. The current study, which was conducted within Oshakati Town, attempted to study the role of SMEs in the LED sector and what challenges are hampering the SME sector to participate fully and to make a serious contribution towards LED implementation at the local authority level. The study considers to what extent the Namibian government and local government policies supports the SME sector development and contributes to LED and assessed issues regarding the sustainability of the measures engaged in by the government, and especially by the local government. Further, the researcher also attempted to determine how the SME sector in Namibia has responded to the LED implementation that regards SME development as the key to social and economic development through reducing poverty and increasing employment opportunities. The findings of the study indicates that, despite the nationally recognised importance of the SME sector in terms of LED, the sector still faces major challenges in regional and local government. The challenges of business entry (start-up capital), survival and growth are often substantial. The availability of financial resources and the lack of capacity to handle complex business management issues, as well as business premises also regarding the price of business land are all important in this regard. There is a continuous need to improve and maintain the required elements that bring about a good enterprises climate. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die regering van die Republiek van Namibië het in 1997 die Beleid en Program vir Kleinsakeontwikkeling bekend gestel. Die destydse Ministerie van Handel en Nywerheid is saam met etlike verskillende belanghebbendes met die praktiese inwerkingstelling daarvan belas. Met dié beleidstuk het die regering oënskynlik ’n tree nader gekom aan die erkenning van die belang van die klein-en-middelslagonderneming- (KMO-)sektor in plaaslike ekonomiese ontwikkeling (PEO). Die grondslag van PEO-transformasie en die suksesvolle funksionering van enige plaaslike owerheid is die koestering van die privaat sektor – synde ’n vername bron van ontwikkeling – sowel as steun vir die KMO-sektor in die besonder. KMO’s is bekend as een van die hoofdryfkragte agter PEO. Hierdie studie, wat in Oshakati onderneem is, ondersoek die rol van KMO’s in PEO, en die uitdagings waarvoor die KMO-sektor te staan kom om as volwaardige deelnemer aan die ekonomie ’n werklike bydrae tot PEO-inwerkingstelling op plaaslikeregeringsvlak te lewer. Die studie besin oor die mate waarin Namibiese staats- en plaaslikeregeringsbeleid die ontwikkeling van die KMO-sektor sowel as dié sektor se bydrae tot PEO ondersteun. Die volhoubaarheid van die maatreëls wat die regering, en veral plaaslike regering, ingestel het, word ook verken. Voorts probeer die navorser vasstel hoe die Namibiese KMO-sektor gereageer het op die ontwikkeling van dié tipe ondernemings as sleutel tot plaaslike maatskaplike en ekonomiese ontwikkeling deur armoedeverligting en werkskepping. Ondanks die nasionaal erkende belang van die KMO-sektor in die strewe na PEO, kom die sektor volgens hierdie studie klaarblyklik steeds voor groot uitdagings op streeks- sowel as plaaslike vlak te staan. Dikwels is saketoetrede (aanvangskapitaal), -oorlewing en -groei wesenlike hindernisse. Die beskikbaarheid van geldelike hulpbronne, die gebrek aan vermoë om ingewikkelde sakebestuurskwessies te hanteer en die verkryging van ’n sakeperseel, ook wat eiendomspryse betref, is alles tersaaklike kwessies in dié verband. Dus is daar ’n dringende én voortdurende behoefte aan die verbetering en instandhouding van die vereiste elemente vir ’n goeie sakeklimaat.

This study investigated factors influencing the quality of data for the Tuberculosis (TB) control programme in Oshakati District in Namibia. A quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted using 50 nurses who were sampled from five departments in Oshakati State Hospital. Data was collected by means of a self-administered questionnaire. The results indicated that the majority (90%) of the respondents agreed that TB training improved correct recording and reporting. Sixty percent of the respondents agreed that TB trainings influenced the rate of incomplete records in the unit, while 26% of the respondents disagreed with this statement. This indicates that TB trainings influence the quality of data reported in the TB programme as it influences correct recording and completeness of data at operational level. Participants’ knowledge on TB control guidelines, in particular the use of TB records to, used to capture the core TB indicators influenced the quality of data in the programme. The attitudes and practises of respondents affected implementation of TB guidelines hence, influencing the quality of data in the programme. The findings related to the influence of the quality of data in the TB programme and its effect to decision-making demonstrated a positive relationship (p=0.0023) between the attitudes of study participant on the use of data collected for decision-making. Knowledge, attitudes and practice are the main factors influencing the quality of data in the TB control programme in Oshakati District. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

The study investigated the influence of Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning Approach (POGIL) on Science Foundation students’ achievements in stoichiometry versus traditional lecture centered pedagogy. Two intact science foundation class groups at the University of Namibia were used as a case study. A quasi-experimental non-randomized pre and posttests control group design was used to investigate the achievement in stoichiometry. Data on student achievements were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The ANCOVA results showed that there was a significant statistical difference in achievements when comparing the adjusted mean score (54.5%) obtained by the control group and the adjusted mean score (60.5%) obtained by students in the POGIL group; (F (1,75) = 17.990, p < 0.05). The POGIL group also showed the highest average improvement (65%) on questions related to reaction stoichiometry and limiting reagents, whereas the control group recorded improvements of about 53% in the same section. The results from the analysis of student’s test solutions revealed that the POGIL group students were able to give concrete reasons for their answers that they had obtained through numerical calculations or multiple choices and demonstrated enhanced understanding of linking various stoichiometry concepts. / Science and Technology Education / M. Sc. (Chemistry Education)

The study investigated the influence of Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning Approach (POGIL) on Science Foundation students’ achievements in stoichiometry versus traditional lecture centered pedagogy. Two intact science foundation class groups at the University of Namibia were used as a case study. A quasi-experimental non-randomized pre and posttests control group design was used to investigate the achievement in stoichiometry. Data on student achievements were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The ANCOVA results showed that there was a significant statistical difference in achievements when comparing the adjusted mean score (54.5%) obtained by the control group and the adjusted mean score (60.5%) obtained by students in the POGIL group; (F (1,75) = 17.990, p < 0.05). The POGIL group also showed the highest average improvement (65%) on questions related to reaction stoichiometry and limiting reagents, whereas the control group recorded improvements of about 53% in the same section. The results from the analysis of student’s test solutions revealed that the POGIL group students were able to give concrete reasons for their answers that they had obtained through numerical calculations or multiple choices and demonstrated enhanced understanding of linking various stoichiometry concepts. / Science and Technology Education / M. Sc. (Chemistry Education)

Disaster risk Reduction (DRR) is well known and practiced in many nations. Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR) is a sub-component of DRR which is slowly being practiced in most at risk communities. However, there are still gaps regarding the principles and guidelines that guide the process of CBDRR. This study stipulates numerous guiding principles that govern the processes of CBDRR activities. These are: traditional knowledge, understanding of community members, capacity of community members, community participation, political will and training of community members. Furthermore the study used the guidelines to evaluate which activities by the Oshakati community members relate to the principles and guidelines of CBDRR as a way of reducing the risk of recurring floods in the community. Through focus group discussions and semi-structured individual interviews, it was found that the community members in Oshakati adhere to most principles of CBDRR such as the use of traditional knowledge, community members having the capacity to work together to solve common societal problems and to understand community structures. However, guidelines such as community participation, political will and training of community members were not adhered to due to various challenges such as the lack of institutional capacity and limited resources. The findings further stipulate that those guidelines were not adhered to due to inadequate knowledge on DRR and lack of support from the local government due to limited availability of resources. The study recommends that in order for the local government to reduce the risk of recurring floods in the community, the local government need to build capacity of its personnel working directly with DRR aspects. These can be achieved through a shift in the approach of responding to flooding to being proactive, creating awareness regarding the hazard and ensuring genuine participation of community members into local government CBDRR activities. / M Development and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Disaster risk Reduction (DRR) is well known and practiced in many nations. Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction (CBDRR) is a sub-component of DRR which is slowly being practiced in most at risk communities. However, there are still gaps regarding the principles and guidelines that guide the process of CBDRR. This study stipulates numerous guiding principles that govern the processes of CBDRR activities. These are: traditional knowledge, understanding of community members, capacity of community members, community participation, political will and training of community members. Furthermore the study used the guidelines to evaluate which activities by the Oshakati community members relate to the principles and guidelines of CBDRR as a way of reducing the risk of recurring floods in the community. Through focus group discussions and semi-structured individual interviews, it was found that the community members in Oshakati adhere to most principles of CBDRR such as the use of traditional knowledge, community members having the capacity to work together to solve common societal problems and to understand community structures. However, guidelines such as community participation, political will and training of community members were not adhered to due to various challenges such as the lack of institutional capacity and limited resources. The findings further stipulate that those guidelines were not adhered to due to inadequate knowledge on DRR and lack of support from the local government due to limited availability of resources. The study recommends that in order for the local government to reduce the risk of recurring floods in the community, the local government need to build capacity of its personnel working directly with DRR aspects. These can be achieved through a shift in the approach of responding to flooding to being proactive, creating awareness regarding the hazard and ensuring genuine participation of community members into local government CBDRR activities. / M Development and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The aim of this study was to assess the extent on how effective was the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection at Oshakati District Health Centre. Explanatory survey was used to conduct the research. A total of 160 nurses experienced in prevention of mother-to-child transmission and women who attended antenatal care and post natal care services participated in the study. Respondents expressed unsatisfactory with the promoting involvement of male partners, high quality voluntary counselling and testing services, couple counselling and testing, integration of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy services, administration of short course of Zidovudine to pregnant mothers and the provision of antiretroviral drugs to infants. Therefore, promoting involvement of male partners, couple counselling and testing, administration of short course of Zidovudine to pregnant mothers and educating women about exclusive breastfeeding prior to delivery are some of recommendations for effective prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV infections. / Health Studies / (M.A. (Public Health))

Magister Artium (Social Work) - MA(SW) / Child crime (juvenile delinquency) has become a norm in many societies and the world at large. Crime is prevalent in all age groups and is said to be on the increase among children under the age of eighteen. Juvenile delinquency also increases in Namibia. The study was informed by Bronfenbrenner's (1979) ecological systems theory as the factors contributing to the phenomenon are the social relationships and individual's environment. The research question asked by the researcher was: What are the psycho-social factors contributing to juvenile delinquency in Oshakati, Namibia? The research goal, based on the research question, was to achieve an in –depth understanding of the psycho-social factors contributing to juvenile delinquency in Oshakati, Namibia, from the perspectives of the multi-disciplinary team working with the involved youth in this area. The research objectives to attain the goal were: to explore the social factors and psychological factors contributing to juvenile delinquents and, to provide recommendations that could be included in treatment and prevention of the phenomenon. The study adopted an explanatory, descriptive, qualitative approach using the case study strategy of inquiry, where multiple data collection methods and sources were used. The population was the multi-disciplinary team working with the juvenile delinquents in Oshakati, Namibia and eight participants were purposefully selected, including teachers, police officers, social workers and youth workers. Data was gathered through in-depth interviews and document analysis was done in order to involve multiple sources of data. Six themes were identified, which the influence of the internal family environment with reference to lack of parental guidance; lack of parental control and supervision due to parents being absent; the external family environment and delinquency in relation to the social environment with special reference to the effects of bars and social clubs in informal settlements; lack of community support; the school factors; lack of recreational and educational facilities and poverty; adolescence and peer pressure/ peer acceptance and the influence of the media.

The aim of this study was to assess the extent on how effective was the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection at Oshakati District Health Centre. Explanatory survey was used to conduct the research. A total of 160 nurses experienced in prevention of mother-to-child transmission and women who attended antenatal care and post natal care services participated in the study. Respondents expressed unsatisfactory with the promoting involvement of male partners, high quality voluntary counselling and testing services, couple counselling and testing, integration of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy services, administration of short course of Zidovudine to pregnant mothers and the provision of antiretroviral drugs to infants. Therefore, promoting involvement of male partners, couple counselling and testing, administration of short course of Zidovudine to pregnant mothers and educating women about exclusive breastfeeding prior to delivery are some of recommendations for effective prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV infections. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)