Practice In Botswana Research Articles

Male Sex Workers as Situational Entrepreneurs: Exploring the Demographics, Motivations, and Practices of Male Sex Workers in the Tourism Industry in Botswana

While sex tourism has been well studied in international contexts, to date, only a few studies have focused on African countries. For Botswana and other African countries, the lack of studies in sex work is surprising, given its prevalence in such societies. In the African context, sex work and tourism are very complex, controversial, and entangled with politics and religious disapproval. Moreover, the few existing studies have mostly focused on female sex workers, hence creating a gap in the literature when it comes to understanding male sex work. Using a qualitative approach, the researcher used in-depth face-to-face and semi-structured interviews with 20 male sex workers in Botswana to explore the motivations, dynamics of entry, and sex work practices in Botswana. This article argues that male sex workers in Botswana could be viewed as situational entrepreneurs seeking economic opportunities beyond legitimised ways. A study that explores the dynamics of male sex work is critical in Botswana, first to determine similarities with other contexts and second, to inform policy on the needs of male sex workers in Botswana.

Assessing the Utilization and Effectiveness of Content Marketing in Business Practices in Botswana

Assessing the Utilization and Effectiveness of Content Marketing in Business Practices in Botswana

Status of Instructional Leadership Practices in Botswana's Public Technical and Vocational Education and Training: A Case of Brigades

This qualitative multi-case study explores instructional leadership practices at Botswana's brigades, a key provider of semi-skilled Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes. This study investigated the perspectives of instructional leaders and lecturers at two institutions in the Southern District to understand their experiences with leadership practices. Drawing on Hallinger and Murphy's (1985) framework, this research examines how instructional leadership unfolds within brigades, focusing on defining the mission, managing curriculum and instruction, and fostering a positive learning environment. Furthermore, it explores the collaborative practices of the leadership team, including principals, deputy principals, and department heads. The findings reveal a general understanding of instructional leadership among participants, with some evidence of practices, such as curriculum management and stakeholder involvement. However, concerns have been raised regarding communication gaps, limited shared leadership, and ineffective evaluation. The study also identified essential competencies for instructional leaders, including communication, planning, and resource management. Key challenges include information overload, resource shortage, and staff training gaps. The participants suggested strategies for improvement, emphasizing streamlined expectations, consistent monitoring, leadership development, and adequate resourcing. Overall, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of instructional leadership in Botswana's TVET sector and provides insights for enhancing programme quality and graduate employability.

High prevalence of pre-treatment and acquired HIV-1 drug resistance mutations among non-citizens living with HIV in Botswana.

Approximately 30,000 non-citizens are living with HIV in Botswana, all of whom as of 2020 are eligible to receive free antiretroviral treatment (ART) within the country. We assessed the prevalence of HIV-1 mutational profiles [pre-treatment drug resistance (PDR) and acquired drug resistance (ADR)] among treatment-experienced (TE) and treatment-naïve (TN) non-citizens living with HIV in Botswana. A total of 152 non-citizens living with HIV were enrolled from a migrant HIV clinic at Independence Surgery, a private practice in Botswana from 2019-2021. Viral RNA isolated from plasma samples were genotyped for HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) using Sanger sequencing. Major known HIV drug resistance mutations (DRMs) in the pol region were determined using the Stanford HIV Drug Resistance Database. The proportions of HIV DRMs amongst TE and TN non-citizens were estimated with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) and compared between the two groups. A total of 60/152 (39.5%) participants had a detectable viral load (VL) >40 copies/mL and these were included in the subsequent analyses. The median age at enrollment was 43 years (Q1, Q3: 38-48). Among individuals with VL > 40 copies/mL, 60% (36/60) were treatment-experienced with 53% (19/36) of them on Atripla. Genotyping had a 62% (37/60) success rate - 24 were TE, and 13 were TN. A total of 29 participants (78.4, 95% CI: 0.12-0.35) had major HIV DRMs, including at least one non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) associated DRM. In TE individuals, ADR to any antiretroviral drug was 83.3% (20/24), while for PDR was 69.2% (9/13). The most frequent DRMs were nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) M184V (62.1%, 18/29), NNRTIs V106M (41.4%, 12/29), and K103N (34.4%, 10/29). No integrase strand transfer inhibitor-associated DRMs were reported. We report high rates of PDR and ADR in ART-experienced and ART-naïve non-citizens, respectively, in Botswana. Given the uncertainty of time of HIV acquisition and treatment adherence levels in this population, routine HIV-1C VL monitoring coupled with HIVDR genotyping is crucial for long-term ART success.

Performance of CHROMagar ESBL media for the surveillance of extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (ESCrE) from rectal swabs in Botswana.

Introduction. Lack of laboratory capacity hampers consistent national antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance. Chromogenic media may provide a practical screening tool for detection of individuals colonized by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms.Hypothesis. CHROMagar ESBL media represent an adequate screening method for the detection of extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (ESCrE), isolated from rectal swabs.Aim. To evaluate the performance of CHROMagar ESBL media to accurately identify ESCrE isolates from rectal swab samples attained from hospitalized and community participants.Methodology. All participants provided informed consent prior to enrolment. Rectal swabs from 2469 hospital and community participants were inoculated onto CHROMagar ESBL. The performance of CHROMagar ESBL to differentiate Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp. and Citrobacter spp. (KEC spp.) as well as select for extended-spectrum cephalosporin resistance were compared to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight MS (MALDI-TOF-MS) and VITEK-2 automated susceptibility testing.Results. CHROMagar ESBL had a positive and negative agreement of 91.2 % (95 % CI, 88.4-93.3) and 86.8 % (95 % CI, 82.0-90.7) for E. coli and 88.1 % (95 % CI 83.2-92.1) and 87.6 % (95 % CI 84.7-90.2) for KEC spp. differentiation, respectively, when compared to species ID by MALDI-TOF-MS. When evaluated for phenotypic susceptibilities (VITEK-2), 88.1 % (714/810) of the isolates recovered on the selective agar exhibited resistance to third-generation cephalosporins.Conclusion. The performance characteristics of CHROMagar ESBL media suggest that they may be a viable screening tool for the identification of ESCrE from hospitalized and community participants and could be used to inform infection prevention and control practices in Botswana and potentially other low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). Further studies are required to analyse the costs and the impact on time-to-result of the media in comparison with available laboratory methods for ESCrE surveillance in the country.

Opportunities and challenges for conservation agriculture in Botswana

ABSTRACTConservation agriculture (CA) is being promoted as an energy efficient and cost-effective farming system that conserves soil and water and improves crop yields. Adoption of this farming system can contribute to attainment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2: end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. However, the adoption rate of this new farming technique by smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is low. The trade-offs and synergies related to the three pillars that anchor CA have not, however, been investigated in the context of Botswana. Farmers are faced with trade-offs in the use of crop residue in CA as mulch with traditional use as feed for livestock. This paper reviews the components of CA with a view to contribute to the development of CA strategies for Botswana. We show that adoption of CA in SSA is challenged by lack of weed control measures, the lack of a market for grain legumes and competing uses of crop residue. The paper highlights the discrepancy between CA methods and current government subsidies, issues that may restrain the adoption of CA in Botswana. The paper concludes by making recommendations for research and policy development for sustainable CA practices in Botswana.

Importance of the Implementation of a Stereotaxy System forNeurosurgical Activity in Botswana

In daily Neurosurgical practice in Botswana we can observe dissimilar pathologies located in deep brain structures where a conventional neurosurgical approach would cause irreversible damage. In these cases, exact localization methods with stereotaxy play a leading role. Unfortunately, the country does not have such a system and it is necessary to refer patients to other countries such as South Africa or India to provide them with these services, at an extremely considerable cost and in many cases these processes are delayed, which produces irreversible deterioration of the patients. We believe that with the implementation of a stereotactic system in Botswana, the costs of these types of procedures can be reduced and, in turn, greater effectiveness and safety can be achieved in the treatment of these diseases.

A review of the quality of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) reports in Botswana

ABSTRACT Botswana recently introduced strategic environmental assessment (SEA) into her national environmental management framework and the SEA approach used in is anchored on the South African approach which is reported defective where it originates. Furthermore, there is a dearth of literature on the performance of SEA in Botswana. In response, this paper studies the quality of SEAs of three of Botswana’s development plans, prepared between 2011 and 2018. The study employs European SEA Directive-based SEA report quality review package. Findings demonstrate that SEA practice in Botswana is generally satisfactory albeit with some critical challenges. Shortcomings relate to the description of the baseline environment; the listing of baseline documents; the identification of problems relating to, and effects of proposed plan on areas of ecological significance; evaluation of secondary, cumulative, and synergistic effects; the elaboration of various properties of effects; consideration given to effects on various sustainability receptors and health implications; the conduct of SEA following applicable national SEA frameworks; the uncertain effects of public participation and SEA on proposed plan; and, the description of how developed monitoring arrangements can be used to reduce duplication of efforts between SEA and EIA.

Botswana’s New Tourism Policy of 2021 and Mantras of Citizen Empowerment and Product Diversification: A Case of Going Backward to Move Forward

Summary Botswana’s first tourism policy was published in 1990 as the first true attempt at formalizing tourism activities in the country. The policy advocated for a high-cost, low-volume (HC, LV) marketing approach for general tourism practice in Botswana. This policy position has received reviews from various stakeholders, some of whom decry its exclusionary consequences for both citizen entrepreneurs and travellers. In 2021, the Revised Tourism Policy was released following a lengthy review process dating back to 2008. The newly revised policy prescribes a high volume/mixed price strategy in recognition of the constraints embedded in the founding policy’s approach. To this end, the revised policy promises a more citizen-friendly tourism environment where local participation would be improved and benefits spread more equitably to citizens. While explicitly making pronouncements on how an increase in domestic travel shall be facilitated, as well as calling for local participation at the entrepreneurial level, two things remain unchanged. At most, the revised policy retains its predecessor’s government-centred approach as well as wildlife and wilderness-centred thinking. The government-centred dispensation is aptly captured in the policy as a government-led, private-sector-driven, and community-based tourism development approach. The current case addresses the challenges of a government-centred policy in the wake of citizen empowerment and participation in community-based tourism. Information © The Author 2023

Eurocentric Cultural Invasions on School Leadership Practices in Botswana, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe

Eurocentric Cultural Invasions on School Leadership Practices in Botswana, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe

A community-based evaluation of disability resources and inclusion practices in rural Botswana

BackgroundCommunity-based approaches to enhance the inclusion of persons with disabilities have proven effective; however, not much is known about cultural and contextual factors that influence the capacity of policy implementation and inclusion practices in rural Botswana. ObjectiveThe study evaluated local disability education and health resources in rural Botswana to develop a deeper understanding of cultural and contextual factors impacting inclusion practices. MethodResearchers used socio-demographic and qualitative research methods to conduct a comprehensive community-based needs assessment. Sampling techniques included maximum variation and snowball sampling. Thirty-two individuals participated in the study. Data were collected between June and August of 2019 through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. An inductive thematic analysis was conducted by examining participants’ attitudes, perceptions, and experiences of community members with disabilities. ResultsFour primary themes emerged identifying factors that affect people living with disabilities in the rural community: (1) culture of vulnerability, (2) determinants of disability, (3) educational resources for persons with disabilities, and (4) effective systems integration. Findings suggested that while policies associated with disability at the government level are in place, disparities among rural communities’ hindered local responses to managing the needs of persons with disabilities. ConclusionsSocial, environmental, and physical barriers prevent the full implementation of policies that advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities in Botswana's rural settings. Increasing awareness of cultural and contextual factors may help community stakeholders facilitate inclusive practices in Botswana.

Job Satisfaction and Its Determinants among Nurse Anesthetists in Clinical Practice: The Botswana Experience.

Job satisfaction (JS) correlates positively with patients' satisfaction and outcomes and employees' well-being. In Botswana, the level of job satisfaction and its determinants among nurse anesthetists were not investigated. A cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2020 to June 2020 encompassing all nurse anesthetists in clinical practice in Botswana. A self-administered questionnaire was used that incorporated demographic data, reasons to stay on or leave their job, and a validated 20-item short form of the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire which was pretested on five of our nurse anesthetists. Percentage is used to describe the data. The independence of categorical variables was examined using chi-square or Fisher's exact test. p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. In Botswana, a total of 76 nurse anesthetists were in clinical practice during the study period. Sixty-six (86.9%) responded to the survey. Gender distribution was even, 50.0%. The overall JS was 36.4%. Males had significantly higher JS than females, p = 0.001. Significantly higher job satisfaction was found in married nurse anesthetists (p = 0.039), expatriate nurse anesthetists (p = 0.001), nurse anesthetists in non-referral hospitals (p = 0.023), and nurse anesthetists with ≥10 years' experience (p = 0.019). Nurse anesthetists were satisfied with security, social service, authority, ability utilization, and responsibility in ≥60.0% of the cases. They were not satisfied in compensation, working condition, and advancement in a similar percentage. The main reason to stay on their job was to serve the public in 68.2%. In Botswana, employers should make an effort to address the working conditions, compensation, and advancement of nurse anesthetists in clinical practice.

English

A school is the only place with a formal and legitimate mandate of duty of care for the learner. Schools are expected to be nurturing environments free of abuse, exploitation, violence, bullying, humiliation, discrimination, harassment, negligence, cultural stereotypes, emotional distress, socio-economic marginalisation and moral prejudices. Some concerns about governance and ethical leadership in schools are therefore inevitable. Drawing from the Eurocentric and Afrocentric theoretical perspectives, this article discusses lapses of ethical leadership practices in Botswana with a deliberate focus on school leadership systems. Secondary data is drawn from the media and government reported cases on the growing systemic social decadence. It is argued that unethical conduct in the education system in the country is heightened by lack of an Africanized ethical code of conduct for educators and double-dipping by the public officers. The article recommends an indigenized research approach on ethical leadership and governance. &nbsp; Key words: Afrocentrism, eurocentrism, ethical leadership, code of conduct, good governance, indigenized research, Ubuntu/Botho.

Registered nurses' knowledge, attitude and practice regarding their scope of practice in Botswana.

BackgroundThe articulation of the scope of practice in nursing is important to provide boundaries for registered nurses in which to practice. Registered nurses in Botswana have frequently experienced challenges and raised concerns with their scope of practice. Research related to registered nurses’ knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding their scope of practice appears to be limited in the African context, particularly in Botswana.AimThe aim of this study was to develop guidelines for professional nurses to explore and describe registered nurses’ knowledge, attitude and practice regarding their scope of practice in Botswana.MethodsA convergent parallel mixed-methods design was employed using a three-tier sampling approach to ensure a representative sample of various settings, health facilities and nurses. For the purpose of this article, the data from the qualitative component are reported. Thirty registered nurses, working in the public health sector in Botswana, participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis.FindingsData analysis revealed that registered nurses’ scope of their knowledge was lacking. Registered nurses’ attitudes were reflected in the adaptation process to expanded practice, as demonstrated through emotive aspects, adjustments to practice beyond scope and the learning of new skills considered beyond scope. Participants reported implementing many skills deemed beyond their scope, whilst their motive to do so included their experience of a lack of control over practice, lack of resources or they were doing so out of consideration for the patient. Guidance in terms of their scope was found to be inadequate.ConclusionAs in other resource-limited countries in Africa, registered nurses in Botswana experience challenges with their scope of practice. Inadequate boundaries may result in compromised nursing care and may have detrimental consequences for both the patient and the nurse.

Unregulated Social Work Practice in Botswana: A Risk to Professional Integrity and Clients’ Welfare

Through professional regulation, the aspirational goals of the Code of Ethics is to become a legal obligation with enforceable accountability for public protection. The professional regulation does not only protect the public but also gives integrity and respect to the profession. Social workers are licensed and they always know that malpractice may lead to losing their registration and licenses. The above is a reality in many countries, while in Botswana, after 74 years since the first social welfare officer started to work in the welfare department, the country has not yet established any regulatory body. Even though the regulation might not be a guarantee for ethical practice, but it is better to have a framework that can be used to regulate in terms of monitoring and evaluating practice. The education and practice of social work is unregulated and has left a vacuum where, anybody who government deems to be eligible can be employed as social worker. The above statement is buttressed by the Children’s Act, 2009 section 2, which says, ‘a social worker is a person who holds a qualification in social work, or such other qualification as may be prescribed, and is employed as such by government or such other institution as maybe approved under this Act and any other law’. This has brought challenges in dealing with values, principles and standards of social work, teaching and practice in Botswana [1]. The complaint is that social workers are unprofessional and not adhering to their own code of conduct. From the complaints, the assumption is that social work has a code of conduct as a heling profession. The reality is there is no code of conduct and there is no licensure in Botswana. This paper is a narrative of examples of cases where social workers were deemed not adhering to their professional ethics and not providing service to the most vulnerable at the time of need. These stories are used as a yardstick to argue for the establishment of an ACT of parliament which will establish the council of social work. The council will be a regulatory body of social work.

Partner faithfulness and sexual reproductive health practices in Botswana: does perception of partner infidelity influence sexual risk behaviours of people aged 10-34 years?

The main aim of this study was to test whether perception of partner infidelity prompts people to adopt behaviour that is meant to compensate for the increased risk of infection posed by their partner's infidelity; or whether it prompts people to engage in behaviour that magnifies the risk associated with partner infidelity. Data used were derived from the fourth and latest Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAIS IV) conducted in 2013. The sample consisted of 6985 people aged 10-34 years. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with perception of partner infidelity and sexual risk behaviours. Perception of partner infidelity with the current and most recent partner was 39.6% while perception of partner infidelity with other previous sexual partners was 79.9%. The main socio-demographic factors associated with perception of partner infidelity were being a man, being single and having secondary education, while sexual risk behaviours associated with perception of partner infidelity were having multiple sexual partners and being involved in multiple concurrent sexual partnerships. These relationships were statistically significant at the 5% level. Botswana's HIV prevention strategies should seek to improve partner communication within relationships in order to enhance people's confidence and skills so as to minimize perceptions of infidelity.

Status of waste tires and management practice in Botswana

ABSTRACTWaste tires (WTs) are becoming a significant environmental, economic, and technological challenge due to their high contents of combustible composition and potential for valuable materials and energy resources. Few studies in developing and even developed countries have been carried out to assess the challenges regarding waste tire management and to suggest the best alternative solutions for managing this waste stream. Although developed countries made progress in waste tire management needs by implementing more efficient innovative recovery and recycling methods, and restrictive regulations regarding the management of used tires, in many developing countries, the management of waste tires has not received adequate interest, and the processing, treatment, and disposal of waste tire is still nascent. In recent years, worldwide, several methods for managing used tires, including other principal alternatives for managing end-of-life tires defined in the 4Rs: reduction, reuse, recovery, and recycling, have been adopted and applied to minimize serious threats to both the natural environment and humans. This paper attempted to establish stakeholders’ action that has the responsibility in waste tire management in Botswana. This study also analyzed important aspects on waste tire management in Botswana. A synthesis of approaches was employed in the present investigation to determine the factors influencing effective performance of waste tire management practice in Botswana. Data for the present study were obtained using relevant published literature, scientific journals, other third-sector sources, academic sources, and research derived from governments and other agencies and field observations. Group discussions with the participants and semistructured interviews with professionals were carried out. The outcomes of this investigation are a wide-ranging outline concerning the participants that are important in waste tire management, and a set of aspects affecting the management of waste tires. The information provided by this study is very critical for reviewing and updating the methods and tools to update waste tire data and trends to improve waste tire management efficiency, suggesting innovative methods of recovering and recycling this waste stream in Botswana.Implications: Waste tire management in Botswana demonstrates challenges that epitomize many developing and transitioning countries due to inadequate knowledge to implement integrated programs that incorporate environmental sustainability, stockpiling of whole tires at landfills, lack of consistent and systemic approaches to tire regulation, lack of methods and tools to update tire data and trends, limited application of technology to process and treat WTs, and lack of societal acceptance. To improve WT management efficiency in Botswana, it is critical to implement efficient and well-functioning approaches, including the circular economy; encourage the harmonization of policies; implement recovery and recycling methods of waste tires; prohibit stockpiling of WTs at landfilling and unofficial dumpsites; and promote economic instruments such as the tax system and the extended producer responsibility.

The emergence of prophetic ministries in Botswana: self-positioning and appropriation of new media

ABSTRACTIn the past two decades or so, Botswana has witnessed a spectacular growth of prophetic Christianity and experienced a media revolution through the emerging use of new media. While studies have generally focused on either the growth of Pentecostal Charismatic Christianity or the new media revolution, little attention has been paid to the characteristics of emerging prophetic ministries, entailing the appropriation of new media and how this has accelerated the development of religious practices in Botswana. In light of positioning and mediatisation theories, this paper examines the ways in which prophetic ministries position themselves and shape the religious landscape of Botswana and how prophetic ministries have adopted and appropriated the use of new media technologies. It argues that the synergy between prophetic ministries and technological developments of new media opens a new space for cultural production of religious practices and experiences as well as religious imagination, experience and identity.

Current status of waste management in Botswana: A mini-review.

Effective waste management practices are not all about legislative solutions, but a combination of the environmental, social, technical, technically skilled human resources, financial and technological resources, resource recycling, environmental pollution awareness programmes and public participation. As a result of insufficient resources, municipal solid waste (MSW) in transition and developing countries like Botswana remains a challenge, and it is often not yet given highest priority. In Botswana, the environment, public health and other socio-economic aspects are threatened by waste management practices due to inadequate implementation and enforcement mechanisms of waste management policy. This mini-review paper describes the panorama of waste management practices in Botswana and provides information to competent authorities responsible for waste management and to researchers to develop and implement an effective waste management system. Waste management practices in Botswana are affected by: lack of effective implementation of national waste policy, fragmented tasks and overlapping mandates among relevant institutions; lack of clear guidelines on the responsibilities of the generators and public authorities and on the associated economic incentives; and lack of consistent and comprehensive solid waste management policies; lack of intent by decision-makers to prepare national waste management plans and systems, and design and implement an integrated sustainable municipal solid waste management system. Due to these challenges, there are concerns over the growing trend of the illegal dumping of waste, creating mini dumping sites all over the country, and such actions jeopardize the efforts of lobbying investors and tourism business. Recommendations for concerted efforts are made to support decision makers to re-organize a sustainable waste management system, and this paper provides a reference to other emerging economies in the region and the world.

Reasoning matters: Transrational traits of healing in competing medical epistemes in Botswana

The WHO suggests integrating traditional health practices into national public health systems. However, cooperation between both systems of healing seldom works. Traditional healing practices often attract accusations of irrationality and mysticism. From a scientific point of view, inferences based on spirituality are not considered as having the same significance as those drawing on rational thinking. However, spiritual intuition is in line with abductive reasoning, which is a core element across all systems of thinking and central to the development of new hypotheses in the sciences. Traditional healing practices in Botswana serve to present the notion of transrationality, which appreciates the specific character of spiritual healing and thus may aid in establishing better cooperation between traditional and modern health practitioners.