Zugl.: München, Univ., Diss., 2009

Thesis (MPH.) --University of Limpopo, 2015 / The purpose of the study was to find out factors associated with occupational stress among nurses working in clinics in Gaborone. The study was conducted in Gaborone district targeting all primary healthcare clinics. The specific focus was drawn to all registered nurses working in clinics in Gaborone. The objective of the study was to investigate factors associated with occupational stress among nurses working in clinics in Gaborone. A quantitative study was carried out in this study. A sample of 106 respondents was used in the study. Purposive sampling was employed to select respondents that were included in the study. Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire which comprised of close and open ended questions. Informed consent was obtained from the participants who participated in the study. The study revealed that a higher percentage (74%) of nurses have ever experienced occupational stress. The results also revealed that females 80 percent respondents experienced stress compared to their male counterparts. The results also show that all of the respondents mentioned that they had experienced stress related to work. Respondents also mentioned that work relationship, shortage of staff, and workload contribute to stress among the nurses. On the other hand, the results of the study also found that staff welfare issues also contribute to stress among the nurses. These include lack of recognition, no personal growth, lack of support and unfriendly work environment. From the results most of the respondents indicated that there are no interventions dealing with stress in the workplace therefore the study recommends that interventions in the workplace needs to be introduced to address occupational stress among the nurse. Furthermore there is a need to create wellness programs, reduce work overload and motivate staff by promotions and other means in order to increase level of job satisfaction.

This research was set out to investigate the role of knowledge management as a coping strategy for PHE institutions in Botswana, especially given that they operate in a highly regulated environment. One of the major drivers of volatility in the educational sector is intensely volatile regulatory environment in which the institutions operate. Further, a large portion of the stakeholder community of these institutions hold a strong believe that these institutions offer poor quality education to maximise profit. The primary objective of this study is therefore to determine the role of knowledge management (KM) enablers in facilitating KM practices in selected PHE institutions in Botswana that operate in this highly regulated environment and to develop a model for effective KM in these institutions. The study adopted a survey research design and collected quantitative data through a structured self-administered questionnaire and document reviews. The subjects comprised all five degree-awarding PHE institutions, which were strictly regulated by the Tertiary Education Council (TEC). The population surveyed came to 670 and sample size was 350. Data was analysed through various statistical measures such as Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) in the form of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), multiple regression analysis, and Chi-square test. The results of the study revealed that KM enablers were playing an insignificant role in facilitating KM practices in selected PHE institutions in Botswana. Results of the study can be generalised to similar institutions elsewhere operating in similar environments. In order to enhance KM practices in PHE institutions, it is recommended that the institutions adopt a systematic approach to KM, establish an organisational culture and structure that promote KM practices, and enhance the quality of their human capital including leadership. It should be noted that the state of KM in organisations operating in an uncertain environment can be enhanced if the leadership carefully controls the family-owned setting and organisational culture as these factors can detract from the organisation’s effective practising of KM. However, strategic leadership, organisational structure, and the role played by stakeholders played positive deterministic factors in ensuring an enhanced KM drive. / Business Management / D.Admin. (Business Management)

The study investigated the information literacy skills among Form Five students at government senior secondary schools in Gaborone, Botswana. The results of the study will be used in the improvement of the Information Literacy Course offered at the University of Botswana Library (UBL). Background information was given on education in Botswana and also a brief history of the evolution of the University of Botswana, an overview of the University of Botswana Library and highlights of the schools in the study. The researcher designed a questionnaire in order to achieve the objectives of this study. A sample of 240 Form Five students was drawn from four senior secondary schools situated in Gaborone, Botswana. Purposive sampling was used to draw the sample. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was employed in the analysis of data. The results were presented in frequency tables, analyzed and discussed. The findings of the study revealed that the students at senior secondary schools did not have sufficient competence in translating information problems into information needs. Their ability to use a variety of sources was not well developed. The study further revealed that the students were not motivated to look for information sources by their teacher by, for example, giving them assignments that required them to use the library resources. Students' skills in the evaluation of the accuracy, currency and authority of information sources were found to be under-developed. The study showed that the students were not given any form of user education at any of the schools. The study also found that staffing problems in senior secondary school libraries contributed to the lack of information literacy of the students. The situation was more obvious in cases where there was no full-time librarian to run the library. Conclusions were drawn and recommendations and suggestions for further studies were made. / Thesis (M.I.S)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2002.

This qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual study was aimed at exploring and describing secondary teachers’ experiences in dealing with adolescent learners displaying mental distress in Gaborone. Moreover, recommendations were proposed for the support needed by secondary teachers who interact with adolescents learners in order to curb mental distress in schools. The sampling method that was used to identify 21 secondary school teachers who participated in this study was purposive. Focus group discussions, as well as field notes, were used to collect data, which were analysed using a thematic analysis. An array of factors that could lead to delays in identifying adolescent learners with mental distress, such as large student numbers and insufficient resources to meet their needs, learners showing signs of mental distress not being taken seriously, lack of parental involvement, relegating parental duties and lack of trust were revealed by the findings. The researcher observed that approaches to support, such as policy guides, parental involvement, peer education and life skills training were best suited to address mental distress in schools as noted by participants. The participants shared the various ways they employed to deal with mental distress in adolescent learners, and suggested strategies that they, together with parents and other stakeholders, could engage in to address these factors. The identified strategies provided a contextual way of establishing recommendations to overcome adolescent mental distress. These included, but were not limitted to, the engagement by parents in mental health problems in schools, as well as policy reviews, and restructuring the referral system. / Health Studies / M. P. H.

This study focuses on the induction of novice teachers in Community Junior Secondary Schools (CJSS) in Gaborone, Botswana. The point of departure is that induction is an important factor that is essential to the success of every beginner teacher. It is the responsibility of the school management to provide comprehensive induction programmes that will support beginner teachers and retain them in the teaching profession. This problem was investigated by means of a literature study and an empirical investigation using a qualitative approach. A small sample of beginner teachers in six selected schools in Gaborone formed the sample for this study. Findings indicated that the extent to which novice teachers are given professional guidance and support in schools is not enough. It is recommended that induction programmes receive more priority in schools since the first year of teaching is the most important determiner in the teaching career of an individual. / Education management / M.Ed. (Education Management)

This study focuses on the induction of novice teachers in Community Junior Secondary Schools (CJSS) in Gaborone, Botswana. The point of departure is that induction is an important factor that is essential to the success of every beginner teacher. It is the responsibility of the school management to provide comprehensive induction programmes that will support beginner teachers and retain them in the teaching profession. This problem was investigated by means of a literature study and an empirical investigation using a qualitative approach. A small sample of beginner teachers in six selected schools in Gaborone formed the sample for this study. Findings indicated that the extent to which novice teachers are given professional guidance and support in schools is not enough. It is recommended that induction programmes receive more priority in schools since the first year of teaching is the most important determiner in the teaching career of an individual. / Education management / M.Ed. (Education Management)

The study was premised by the apparent lack of sustainability and poor quality of low cost housing of Botswana. The overall aim of the study was to investigate the possibility of integration of sustainability and resource efficiency into housing practice. The research first conducted a desk study into the low cost housing industry of Botswana which was followed by a survey in a representative area of Gaborone, the capital city of Botswana. The survey was in the form of a situational analysis which was conducted through user questionnaires. This was followed by structured interviews that were administered to stakeholders to gain insight into housing and design practice. In order to investigate the performance of different types of existing low cost housing, the following parameters were identified; planning and implementation, housing design, the building envelope and its response to its environment, materials and resources used in low cost housing, their application and consumption pattern. The study found that sustainable, energy conscious design of housing makes a considerable difference to the building’s thermal performance, user comfort, health, appropriate use of resources and the environment. It results in cost savings for services by the occupants, reduces institutional expenditure on programmes and maintenance costs, and reduces the negative impact on the environment by the building sector. Following the research, the study found that for successful integration of sustainability and energy efficiency in low cost housing for Botswana, there must be a balance in the integration of three primary elements; energy efficient housing, culture and regional identity and the environment. Institutional low cost housing was targeted as the first point of intervention for better impact. The study recommended a phased implementation approach. The output of the study was a framework for the integration of these strategies into new and existing housing for the institutional low cost housing sector. / Dissertation (MArch)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Architecture / unrestricted

Masters of Science / Health authorities around the world, including stringent ones, struggle to regulate dietary supplements. Health claims and actual effects of these products on users therefore are not adequately studied and monitored. In Gaborone, there has been a notable rise in the presence of these products in health stores, retail pharmacies, and gyms. The purpose of this study is to explore the prevalence of use and consumer perception of dietary supplements in the fitness community of Gaborone, Botswana

The study aimed at determining the contribution of cowpeas to dietary diversity and food access, among women living in a peri-urban area of Gaborone called Gabane village in Botswana. Consuming a variety of food groups ensures adequate intake of nutrients for health. Diet diversity measures diet quality, food access and an indication of nutritious diets. Cowpeas are a nutritious vegetable which can contribute to diet diversity, diet quality and food access of many poor rural households who cannot afford to purchase a wide variety of nutritious food (ARC, 2006). Data was collected through administering a Cowpea consumption survey questionnaire which indicated that most of the households consume cowpeas which are essential to improve household food access, diet diversity and diet quality. A socio-demographic questionnaire was also used and it indicated an average number of household members of 6 people. The respondents were mainly the elderly people of 56 years and above with primary school education as the most achieved level of education. A Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) questionnaire was contextualised for local foods consumed in Botswana. Focus group discussions were conducted to collect more data from women regarding their attitude, opinions and perceptions of consuming a variety of foods, cultivating and consuming cowpeas to ensure good health. The focus group results indicated that cowpeas were consumed by most families and 100% of adults and children consume cowpeas as leaves and seeds. Cereals were predominantly consumed by 95% of households, vitamin A rich fruits and vegetables by 52.5%, meat, poultry and fish by 42.5%. Vitamin A rich foods such as vegetables, fruits and organ meat were poorly consumed except green leafy vegetables which included cowpea leaves consumed by 52.5%. Meat, poultry and fish were consumed by 42.5%. Legumes, nuts, seeds and organ meat were also poorly consumed. vii Cowpeas grow well in Botswana, are Batswana’s cultural food, can improve nutritional intake and livelihoods through sold surplus profit. A diet diversity score of 2.9, well below the advised cut-off point of 4 was documented, indicating poor household dietary diversity and poor diet quality and food access. / Agricultural, Animal Health and Human Ecology / Thesis (M.A. (Human ecology) )