This study was undertaken in order to investigate negative classroom behaviour in schools in Botswana. Recommendations based on the findings of the study were made to the participating schools and interested stakeholders. A qualitative approach was adopted to investigate the research questions in four schools selected for the study. The data collection methods used were observation, document analysis, participant interviews and focus group interviews. Participant and research site confidentiality was ensured and all interviews were transcribed and organised in such a way that the key points pertinent to the study were highlighted. This study provided valuable information for future studies investigating disruptive classroom behaviour and intervention methods. / Educational Foundations / M. Ed. (Socio-Education)

The study investigated knowledge, attitudes and vaccination status of registered nurses regarding prevention and control of hepatitis B (HB). An analytical, cross-sectional study was conducted, and data was collected using self-administered questionnaires. 53.0% of the respondents (n=219) had good knowledge and 96.3% had positive attitudes regarding HB prevention and control. 86.8% had received at least 1 dose of the HB vaccine, but only 54.7% had received the 3 doses for complete vaccination. A positive attitude score was a significant predictor of HB vaccination uptake (OR=1.424, p=0.003). Female registered nurses were 3.479 times (95% CI: 1.495-8.098; p=0.004) more likely to be vaccinated than male registered nurses. Registered nurses are aware that hepatitis B virus infection can be prevented by a safe and effective vaccine, however, there is need to improve awareness and encourage complete HB vaccination uptake among all registered nurses to ensure their protection against the risk of HBV infection. / Health Studies / M. P. H. (Health Studies)

ABSTRACT This paper describes the limitations of the housing policy in Botswana when dealing with poverty alleviation. Botswana is faced with high levels of poverty that does not conform to the country’s economic success since independence. Very few opportunities exist for the urban poor to earn a living and work themselves out of poverty. Efforts to address poverty in the past yielded mixed results and failed the urban poor more especially that the interventions were biased towards rural areas. Evidence has been provided that housing has a critical role to play in poverty alleviation. The Government of Botswana has put in place housing projects (one of which is used for this enquiry) through which poverty can be addressed alongside other human needs such as shelter. An enabling environment has to be created for the successful exploitation of housing for poverty alleviation. It is therefore imperative that the government ensures the existence of such an environment.

This study was undertaken in order to investigate negative classroom behaviour in schools in Botswana. Recommendations based on the findings of the study were made to the participating schools and interested stakeholders. A qualitative approach was adopted to investigate the research questions in four schools selected for the study. The data collection methods used were observation, document analysis, participant interviews and focus group interviews. Participant and research site confidentiality was ensured and all interviews were transcribed and organised in such a way that the key points pertinent to the study were highlighted. This study provided valuable information for future studies investigating disruptive classroom behaviour and intervention methods. / Educational Foundations / M. Ed. (Socio-Education)

Magister Artium (Child and Family Studies) - MA(CFS) / Introduction: Malnutrition is the immediate result of inadequate dietary intake, the presence of disease or the interaction between these two factors. It is a complicated problem, an outcome of several etiologies. SAM is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children under the age of five in developing countries. Although studies in Botswana show some improvement in child malnutrition since the 1980s, severe acute malnutrition still remains a cause for concern in many parts of the country. There is little information on undernourishment situation of children under the age of five years in the urban areas of the country. Aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the risk factors to severe acute malnutrition among children under the age of five years in Francistown, Botswana. The UNICEF conceptual framework was used as a guide in assessing and analysing the causes of the nutrition problem in children and assisted in the identification of appropriate solutions. Methods: The study was conducted on cases who had been admitted and referred at any time between March and July 2015. A quantitative research methodology was used to conduct the study. A case-control study design was utilised. Random selection of cases and controls was done on a ratio of 1:2 case per control. Cases included children under the age of five years admitted to Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital and those referred to the Nutritional Rehabilitation Centre within the hospital in Francistown-Botswana with a diagnosis of severe acute malnutrition. Controls were children of the same age, gender and attending the same Child welfare clinic as the case and with good nutritional status. Data was collected through face-to-face standardised interviews with care-givers. Results: Data collection was done using a combination of a review of records (child welfare clinic registers, and child welfare clinic cards) and structured questionnaires. 52 cases and 104 controls were selected with the primary or secondary care-giver as the respondent. (N=156). Data was collected using a self-developed structured questionnaire and the review of documents. Of all the cases 36.5% (n=19) were diagnosed with MAM, 46.2% (n=24) with SAM, 1.9% (n=1) with moderate PEM and 7.7% (n=4) each for PEM and Severe PEM. All the cases had presented with clinical signs and symptoms of severe acute malnutrition and/or the weight-for-height Z-score of ≤ -3 SD. Following placement of the data in regression models, the factors that were found to be significantly associated with child malnutrition were low birth weight (AOR = 0.437; 95% CI = 0.155-1.231) , exclusive breastfeeding (AOR = 2.741; 95% CI = 0.955-7.866), child illness (AOR = 0.383; 95% CI = 0.137-1.075), growth chart status (AOR =7.680; 95% CI = 1.631-36.157), level of care-giver’s education (AOR = 0.953; 95% CI = 0.277-3.280), breadwinner's work status (AOR = 1.579; 95% CI = 0.293-8.511), mother’s HIV status (AOR = 0.777; 95% CI = 0.279-2.165), alcohol consumption (AOR = 0.127; 95% CI = 0.044-0.369), household having more than one child under the age of five (AOR = 0.244; 95% CI = 0.087-0.682), household food availability (AOR = 0.823; 95% CI = 0.058-11.712), living in a brick type of house (AOR = 13.649; 95% CI = 3.736-49.858), owning a tap (AOR = 1.269; 95% CI = 0.277-5.809) and refuse removed by the relevant authority (AOR= 2.095; 95% CI = 0.353-12.445) were all statistically significantly associated with severe acute malnutrition (p < 0.05). Therefore, all these variables were included in the binary stepwise regression where living in a mud house type was the most significant factor and not being breastfed for at least three months was the least significant. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggested that immediate determinants to SAM were; child born with a low birth weight, appetite and child illness. Underlying contributing factors were; the child not exclusively breastfed for at least three months, growth chart not up to date, care-givers education level, employment status, alcohol consumption, household food availability, type of housing, owning a tap and number of children under the age of five year. Therefore, increasing household food security and strengthening educational interventions for women could contribute to a reduction in the prevalence of SAM in Francistown, Botswana.

The 2012 Integrated Early Childhood Development (IECD) curriculum recently introduced in all Botswana government preschools was examined by this study. To guide the findings of this study the literature addressing the effective preschool curriculum implementation strategies was reviewed. Furthermore, structured interviews, non-participant observations and documents review were conducted in line with the qualitative phenomenological research approach. Specifically, teachers from three preschools implementing the 2012 IECD curriculum framework were interviewed to obtain their views with regard to its implementation. The data collected from the interviews was thematically analysed and triangulated with that from the observations and documents. The findings of this study showed that even though the teachers were generally satisfied with their different levels of training, they were concerned about the limited duration of in-service training as well as the course content that did not address their unique needs and those of their supervisors. Consequently, effective IECD curriculum implementation was negatively affected by lack of effective supervision as well as lack of teaching resources and other forms of support. Drawing from the findings of this study, recommendations were made and teacher training guidelines were developed. The guidelines were informed by the SCLT (teacher training) and CoP (formation of partnerships) theories. The implications of this study are that the suggested training guidelines would promote teacher efficacy facilitated by proper teacher training strategies and they will hopefully motivate the formation of working partnerships. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

A quantitative, descriptive and comparative study was conducted to determine the attitudes of young people aged 15-25 years towards the “ABC” strategy in the prevention of HIV/AIDS in Francistown, Botswana. Differences between two age groups and gender were determined. Structured questionnaire was used and 241 young people participated in the study. Data were analysed with SPSS version 13.0, guided by the Health Belief Model. The findings revealed that young people did not perceive the seriousness and severity of the HIV/AIDS when it came to the practice of “ABC” strategy. Young people’s cue to action was very high but their confidence to adopt and practice the “ABC” strategy were low. They had adequate knowledge of the benefits of abstinence and condoms but they perceived barriers towards the use of condom. The differences between the two age groups, 15-19 and 20-25 years and between the males and females were not statistically significant. / Public Health / M.A. (Public Health)

A quantitative, descriptive and comparative study was conducted to determine the attitudes of young people aged 15-25 years towards the “ABC” strategy in the prevention of HIV/AIDS in Francistown, Botswana. Differences between two age groups and gender were determined. Structured questionnaire was used and 241 young people participated in the study. Data were analysed with SPSS version 13.0, guided by the Health Belief Model. The findings revealed that young people did not perceive the seriousness and severity of the HIV/AIDS when it came to the practice of “ABC” strategy. Young people’s cue to action was very high but their confidence to adopt and practice the “ABC” strategy were low. They had adequate knowledge of the benefits of abstinence and condoms but they perceived barriers towards the use of condom. The differences between the two age groups, 15-19 and 20-25 years and between the males and females were not statistically significant. / Public Health / M.A. (Public Health)

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of antenatal health education on postnatal care (PNC) among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive women in Francistown city, Botswana. This study followed a quantitative research paradigm. Data was collected with the aid of a questionnaire from eligible women who consented in writing to participate in the study. Forty-five percent (45%) (n=45) HIV positive women came with babies for 6 weeks PNC and 55% (n=55) brought 8 weeks old babies either for weighing or for the two months immunisation from 28 April to 10 June 2014. The responses regarding the source of health education received were as follows: 40% lay counselors, 31% midwives, 15% doctors, 5% nurses without midwifery, 5% cadre unknown, 2% both lay counselors and midwives, 1% by a health education assistant and 1% was not health educated at all. Conclusion: The study revealed that HIV positive pregnant women received health education from different cadres of health and mostly by lay counselors. Literature indicates that lay counselors may give health information but at a very superficial level. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of antenatal health education on postnatal care (PNC) among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive women in Francistown city, Botswana. This study followed a quantitative research paradigm. Data was collected with the aid of a questionnaire from eligible women who consented in writing to participate in the study. Forty-five percent (45%) (n=45) HIV positive women came with babies for 6 weeks PNC and 55% (n=55) brought 8 weeks old babies either for weighing or for the two months immunisation from 28 April to 10 June 2014. The responses regarding the source of health education received were as follows: 40% lay counselors, 31% midwives, 15% doctors, 5% nurses without midwifery, 5% cadre unknown, 2% both lay counselors and midwives, 1% by a health education assistant and 1% was not health educated at all. Conclusion: The study revealed that HIV positive pregnant women received health education from different cadres of health and mostly by lay counselors. Literature indicates that lay counselors may give health information but at a very superficial level. / Health Studies / M. A. (Health Studies)