Regions Of Namibia Research Articles

Continuous Assessment Results versus End-of-year Examination Marks in Grade 10 Mathematics in Namibia: The statistics and teachers’ opinions

Classroom-based continuous assessment (CA) has become an important component of Namibia's post-independence emphasis on learner-centred education. This paper compares continuous assessment results with end-of-year examination marks for Grade 10 Mathematics for the years 2008–2010. Against this backdrop, and given that classroom-based continuous assessment contributes 35% to the Grade 10 promotional mark for Mathematics, the paper then interrogates teachers' views of the importance and role of classroom-based continuous assessment. A comparison of average CA and end-of-year examination marks for 62 Junior Secondary schools in the Oshikoto region of Namibia for the years 2008–2010 shows that the dominant trend over this 3-year period was an average CA mark that was notably lower than the average end-of-year examination mark, all three years showing a weak correlation between average CA and end-of-year examination marks. An analysis of the interview data from three principals and 15 mathematics teachers suggests that while the use of continuous assessment is generally valued in terms of its potential to inform the teaching and learning process, use of classroom-based continuous assessment as a component of the Grade 10 promotional mark has given rise to tensions between the summative and formative purposes of CA. More specifically, there is evidence to suggest that the inclusion of a CA component in the promotional mark may be emphasising summative aspects of CA to the detriment of its formative value.

Serological survey of bovine viral diarrhoea virus in Namibian and South African kudu (<i>Tragelaphus strepsiceros</i>) and eland (<i>Taurotragus oryx</i>)

Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is a pestivirus that affects members of the order Artiodactyla, including members of the subfamily Bovinae. Little is known about the seroprevalence of BVDV in southern Africa, especially the prevalence in wild ruminant populations such as kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros). A handful of random surveys suggested that seroprevalence ranged between 6% and 70% in southern African wild ruminants. The present study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of BVDV amongst kudu and eland (Taurotragus oryx) from Namibia and South Africa. A BVDV-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed on 50 serum samples from kudu and eland from South Africa and Namibia. The seroprevalence of BVDV in South African kudu was 71%, identical to that in Namibian kudu. The seroprevalence in Namibian eland was 40%. The kudu and cattle farming (free ranging) regions in Namibia predominantly overlap in the central regions, ensuring ample opportunity for cross-species transmission of BVDV. It is therefore important to determine the true prevalence of BVDV in southern Africa in both domesticated and wild animals. In addition, a potential link between BVDV incidence and a devastating rabies epidemic in Namibian kudu was proposed and such a notion could be supported or discredited by comparative prevalence data.

Male involvement in reproductive health: a management perspective

The present study outlines the perceptions of participants on male involvement in reproductive health (RH) from a management perspective. Namibia is one of the African countries affected by cultural and socio-economic influences that have persuaded gender roles in a way that hinders male-partner involvement in RH. A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive design was followed. The target population included all male and female partners attending a health facility and all nurse managers (registered nurses in charge) that provided RH services in the health facility in a northern region in Namibia. Individual interviews were conducted until data saturation occurred. The results indicate that the management principles, policy and legislation, as well as resources to facilitate male involvement in RH, were indicated as barriers for nurse managers to facilitate male involvement. Male involvement in RH care is needed for an interpersonal and interactive partnership. Recommendations are made to establish a partnership within the current health care framework in which reproductive health is provided.

Prevalence of haemoparasites, leptospires and coccobacilli with potential for human infection in the blood of rodents and shrews from selected localities in Tanzania, Namibia and Swaziland

The prevalence of haemoparasites, leptospirosis and Yersinia pestis was investigated in rodents and shrews from Tanzania, Namibia and Swaziland. Blood smears originating from rodents and shrews from the three countries indicated the presence of Trypanosoma lewisi (72.7%; n =950), Bacillus spp. (25.6%; n =950), Borrelia sp. (0.01%; n =950) and bipolar coccobacilli (0.01%; n =950). The blood smears from Namibia (n =26) had no haemoparasites while only 1.33% (n =75) of those from Swaziland showed presence of T. lewisi. Leptospira interrogans was found in rodent blood sera from Tanzania in the following serogroup proportions (n =350): Icterohaemorrhagiae (10.29%), Pomona (2.86%), Hardjo (1.14%), Bullum (0.86%), Grippotyphosa (1.43%) and Canicola (1.14%). Serodiagnosis of antibodies against the F1 antigen of Y. pestis using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was negative for all the serum samples from central Tanzania, while two samples of serum from two species of rodents, Rhabdomys pumilio and Gerbilliscus leucogaster, collected in the Kavango Region of Namibia were positive. These results suggest an enzootic plague activity in this region in Namibia. It is concluded that zoonotic agents, that are infectious to humans, are prevalent in rodents and shrews in the three countries, and that local communities should apply rodent control measures to reduce the risk of human infections.

Prevalence of Haemoparasites, Leptospires and Coccobacilli with Potential for Human Infection in the Blood of Rodents and Shrews from Selected Localities in Tanzania, Namibia and Swaziland†

The prevalence of haemoparasites, leptospirosis and Yersinia pestis was investigated in rodents and shrews from Tanzania, Namibia and Swaziland. Blood smears originating from rodents and shrews from the three countries indicated the presence of Trypanosoma lewisi (72.7%; n =950), Bacillus spp. (25.6%; n =950), Borrelia sp. (0.01%; n =950) and bipolar coccobacilli (0.01%; n =950). The blood smears from Namibia (n =26) had no haemoparasites while only 1.33% (n =75) of those from Swaziland showed presence of T. lewisi. Leptospira interrogans was found in rodent blood sera from Tanzania in the following serogroup proportions (n =350): Icterohaemorrhagiae (10.29%), Pomona (2.86%), Hardjo (1.14%), Bullum (0.86%), Grippotyphosa (1.43%) and Canicola (1.14%). Serodiagnosis of antibodies against the F1 antigen of Y. pestis using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was negative for all the serum samples from central Tanzania, while two samples of serum from two species of rodents, Rhabdomys pumilio and Gerbilliscus leucogaster, collected in the Kavango Region of Namibia were positive. These results suggest an enzootic plague activity in this region in Namibia. It is concluded that zoonotic agents, that are infectious to humans, are prevalent in rodents and shrews in the three countries, and that local communities should apply rodent control measures to reduce the risk of human infections.

Monitoring Murder Crime in Namibia Using Bayesian Space-Time Models

This paper focuses on the analysis of murder in Namibia using Bayesian spatial smoothing approach with temporal trends. The analysis was based on the reported cases from 13 regions of Namibia for the period 2002–2006 complemented with regional population sizes. The evaluated random effects include space-time structured heterogeneity measuring the effect of regional clustering, unstructured heterogeneity, time, space and time interaction and population density. The model consists of carefully chosen prior and hyper-prior distributions for parameters and hyper-parameters, with inference conducted using Gibbs sampling algorithm and sensitivity test for model validation. The posterior mean estimate of the parameters from the model using DIC as model selection criteria show that most of the variation in the relative risk of murder is due to regional clustering, while the effect of population density and time was insignificant. The sensitivity analysis indicates that both intrinsic and Laplace CAR prior can be adopted as prior distribution for the space-time heterogeneity. In addition, the relative risk map show risk structure of increasing north-south gradient, pointing to low risk in northern regions of Namibia, while Karas and Khomas region experience long-term increase in murder risk.

Information seeking behaviour of orphaned and vulnerable children's caregivers in Namibia

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to determine how the caregivers of orphans and vulnerable children in Namibia seek information to ensure their own and the children's survival.Design/methodology/approachThe research was conducted through focus group discussions in the Ohangwena (rural) and Khomas regions (urban). Purposive sampling was used to identify key informants with the assistance of social workers and community leaders.FindingsDisparities between rural and urban areas in terms of information access and use were found. For example, the rural dwellers expressed need for information on educational support, psychological and counselling services, childcare, and job opportunities. In urban areas, educational support and the establishment of small businesses featured as prominent needs. Radio, traditional leaders, regional councillors, friends and relatives were identified as channels of information in Ohangwena, while in Khomas, friends and relatives, community leaders, and regional councillors were most popular. Various challenges were identified such as, lack of transport and funding to access it, getting information too late to respond timeously, and a lack of accessible information channels.Research limitations/implicationsOnly two regions in Namibia were covered in this paper, i.e. Ohangwena (rural) and Khomas (urban). It was assumed that the information needs of caregivers in all the other rural or urban areas would be the same as those identified in the sampled areas.Originality/valueLiterature on the topic is scarce and, therefore, the paper gives important insight into how to assist caregivers with their information needs.

At the intersections: San women and the rights of indigenous peoples in Africa

This paper examines the implications of promoting indigenous peoples' rights in Africa by examining the tension between collective group rights and women's individual rights. I outline how San women in the Omaheke Region of Namibia confront simultaneous and mutually-reinforcing racial, ethnic, class and gender inequalities, and illustrate how intersectional discrimination often puts their human rights priorities at odds with the international indigenous movement's goal of securing group rights. I suggest that addressing indigenous women's rights issues requires a better balance of individual and collective rights, which includes indigenous women's experiences and interests as central features of their communities' collective concerns.

Application of Object Based Classification and High Resolution Satellite Imagery for Savanna Ecosystem Analysis

Savanna ecosystems are an important component of dryland regions and yet are exceedingly difficult to study using satellite imagery. Savannas are composed are varying amounts of trees, shrubs and grasses and typically traditional classification schemes or vegetation indices cannot differentiate across class type. This research utilizes object based classification (OBC) for a region in Namibia, using IKONOS imagery, to help differentiate tree canopies and therefore woodland savanna, from shrub or grasslands. The methodology involved the identification and isolation of tree canopies within the imagery and the creation of tree polygon layers had an overall accuracy of 84%. In addition, the results were scaled up to a corresponding Landsat image of the same region, and the OBC results compared to corresponding pixel values of NDVI. The results were not compelling, indicating once more the problems of these traditional image analysis techniques for savanna ecosystems. Overall, the use of the OBC holds great promise for this ecosystem and could be utilized more frequently in studies of vegetation structure.

Risk management strategies of cattle farmers in Namibia - Case study from Omaheke and Otjozondjupa region.

A sample survey of 269 questionnaires was administered to commercial and communal cattle farmers in the two regions of Namibia, (Omaheke and Otjozondjupa) to identify factors which affect the adoption of livestock insurance. About 205 questionnaires were collected and the 64 questionnaires were regarded as irregular responses or not returned. A computer software programme was used to generate a logit model. This model was used to test the alternative risk management strategies used by farmers in the two regions. In addition, this research took into account the off-farm investment and farm enterprise diversification. The logit model produced results that are statistically significant and negative estimated coefficient of the household characteristics. This implies that the Namibian livestock industry growth can be achieved with improved education, experience and support from other income as way of diversifying risk strategy. However, the positive relationship of variables FTHEFT and PROD implies the sector is suffering from continuous risk of theft and requires quality production to get market access. This necessitates the need for policy makers and insurers to design programme to educate farmers so that they can adopt proper risk management tools and thereby increase their participation in insurance. The low level of education of many farmers in the study area may have negatively influenced the decision to purchase livestock insurance in addition to other factors.

Factors Affecting the Adoption of ICT for Health Service Delivery in Namibia

The article examines ICT use in health service provision in Namibia. The patterns of ICT use for health services by patients, public and private health service providers are not yet fully understood. This study describes ICT applications in health service delivery to patients in the Khomas and Oshana regions of Namibia. The study interviewed 134 patients and 21 health service providers. Factor analysis on ICT use identified three main factor groupings namely, ‘high technology’, ’mobile technology’ and ‘traditional technology’. Multinomial regression results showed the major factors affecting multiple ICT awareness in the two regions as functional literacy, diverse sources of health information services, age and educational level of the patients. Logistic regression results on individual ICT use identified functional literacy, personal privacy, cost of ICT, age, education, and positive perceptions about ICT applications in improving health services as statistically significant factors influencing adoption by both rural and urban patients in Namibia.

Implementing a community-based tuberculosis programme in the Omaheke region of Namibia: nurses’ perceived challenges

Tuberculosis (TB) is a resurgent disease in many regions of the world, including Namibia, fuelled by poor TB control
 programmes, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and poverty. The purpose of this survey was to identify nurses’ perceived challenges in implementing a community-based TB programme in the Omaheke region of Namibia. Structured interviews were conducted with 40 nurses involved in providing TB treatment and care in the Omaheke region. Patient-related challenges which hampered TB treatment included alcohol and drug abuse, poverty and stigma. Lack of transport for nurses to do community-based TB work, centralised TB services and patients’ lack of transport were access-related challenges. Knowledge-related challenges involved a lack of TB knowledge by both nurses and community members. The HIV pandemic has increased the number of TB patients and increased nurses’ workloads, aggravating the burden of TB as a resurgent disease in this region. Decentralisation of TB care to community and family levels would be necessary to reduce the number of people with active TB in the community, and to enhance the TB cure rates, in the Omaheke region of Namibia. In order to implement a successful communitybased TB programme, the patient-related, access-related and knowledge-related challenges, perceived by the
 nurses, need to be addressed effectively.
 
 Opsomming
 Tuberkulose (TB) is ‘n siekte wat herrys in baie dele van die wêreld, insluitende Namibië, en wat aangevuur word deur swak TB-beheerprogramme, menslike immuniteitsgebreksvirus (MIV) en armoede. Die doel van die opname was om waargenome uitdagings van verpleegkundiges te identifiseer tydens die implementering van ‘n gemeenskapsgebaseerde TB-program in die Omaheke-streek van Namibië. Gestruktureerde onderhoude is met 40 verpleegkundiges gevoer wat gemoeid was met TB-behandeling en -versorging in die Omaheke-streek. Pasiëntverwante uitdagings wat TB-behandeling nadelig beïnvloed, sluit alkohol- en dwelmmisbruik asook armoede en stigma in. ‘n Gebrek aan vervoer vir verpleegkundiges om gemeenskapsgebaseerde TB-werk te doen, die sentralisasie van TB-dienste en pasiënte se gebrek aan vervoer was die toegangsverwante uitdagings. Kennisverwante uitdagings het die gebrek aan TB-kennis van beide verpleegkundiges en gemeenskapslede ingesluit. Die MIVpandemie het die aantal TB-pasiënte vermeerder en verpleegkundiges se werksladings verhoog, wat die las van TB as ‘n herrysende siekte in die streek vererger het. Desentralisasie van TB-sorg tot op gemeenskaps- en gesinsvlak sal nodig wees om die getal mense met aktiewe TB in die gemeenskap te verminder, en om die TB-geneeskoerse in die Omaheke-streek van Namibië te verbeter. Ten einde ‘n suksesvolle gemeeskapsge-baseerde TB-program te implementeer, moet die pasiënt-, toegangs- en kennisverwante uitdagings, soos deur die verpleegkundiges waargeneem, effektief oorkom word.

Indigenous Narratives of HIV/AIDS: Morality and Blame in a Time of Change

While it is increasingly recognized that contextually relevant HIV prevention and AIDS mitigation interventions are more likely to succeed than enforced generic strategies, relatively little attention has been given to understanding the manner in which affected individuals and communities themselves perceive and subsequently experience the epidemic. Drawing on research undertaken in the Caprivi region of Namibia, this article challenges dominant biomedical HIV/AIDS discourse and demonstrates the important role of alternativeillness narratives in shaping local understandings of and responses to HIV/AIDS. Four interlinked illness narratives are examined: the relationship between illness and resource use, gender and pollution, religious ideas about morality, and witchcraft accusations. Links are made between these narratives and threats to the social and moral order brought about by socioeconomic change. While treatment sought can initially be influenced by the illness narrative employed, an overriding concern to cure the ill person combined with a range of coexisting social pressures to be seen to be doing the “right thing” ultimately play a more significant role in determining treatment.

Radionuclide concentrations in soils of Northern Namibia, Southern Africa

Activity concentrations of the naturally occurring radionuclides like (238)U, (232)Th and (40)K in 400 soil samples collected from four major towns across the northern region of Namibia have been determined using gamma-ray spectrometry with the objective of providing baseline data on the radiation level in the region. The average concentrations of radionuclides in the towns vary from 7.5 +/- 2.3 to 14.2 +/- 3.3 Bq kg(-1) for (238)U, 5.8 +/- 2.6 to 24.9 +/- 6.1 Bq kg(-1) for (232)Th and 52.1 +/- 28.7 to 380.1 +/- 112.9 Bq kg(-1) for (40)K. These concentrations were used to calculate the mean absorbed dose rate and the mean annual effective dose in the region. The low value of 21 +/- 16 microSv obtained for the mean annual effective dose indicates that the region has normal background radiation.

Remarriage after spousal death: options facing widows and implications for livelihood security

Remarriage following the death of a spouse has important implications for individual and household livelihoods in rural areas. Research in the Caprivi Region of Namibia found that while widowers commonly remarry, the ‘traditional’ option open to women through widow inheritance has been outlawed. While forcing widows off the land is now prohibited, socio-cultural pressures, the status of the woman's children, and a lack of basic support from the late husband's relatives can result in a more subtle form of property disinheritance. In addition to upheaval caused by relocation, many widows are limited in undertaking livelihood activities, constrained in their capacity to engage in profitable income-earning opportunities, and heavily reliant on the support of others.

‘Our Families are Killing Us’: HIV/AIDS, Witchcraft and Social Tensions in the Caprivi Region, Namibia

The importance of exploring ‘indigenous’ constructions of illness is vital when explanatory models of ill health differ markedly from dominant biomedical paradigms. In the Caprivi region of Namibia, an upsurge of witchcraft accusations can be seen as a direct reaction to increasing AIDS-related illness and deaths, and to changes in socio-economic attitudes and expectations. The mobilization of witchcraft narratives provides a socially acceptable explanation for illness, and can positively influence decisions regarding the care and identity of the ill person. However, drawing upon data collected at kin and village level, this paper demonstrates that while witchcraft accusations can avert stigma and blame away from the ill person, they can also result in significant disruption to livelihoods, and place considerable tension upon key social capital networks at a time when the household is particularly vulnerable. Such findings have significant implications for the effectiveness of HIV prevention and AIDS mitigation initiatives, and for livelihood security.

Trends in Human Development and Human Poverty in Namibia

This paper uses a capability approach to analyse current levels and recent trends in socioeconomic development and poverty in Namibia. Based on official national data sources - some specially adjusted for this analysis by the Central Bureau of Statistics - the Human Development Index (HDI) and Human Poverty Index (HPI) for Namibia are computed and analysed. A central finding is that contrary to the objectives of Vision 2030, human development in Namibia appears to be on a long-term decline. The HDI is being pulled down by a fall in life expectancy that is only partially offset by improvements in household income and educational attainment; the other two dimensions of human development included in the index. The principal reason for the reduction in life expectancy is the increased mortality caused by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The analysis also reveals great inequalities in human development between different administrative regions of Namibia and between the country's main language groups. Similarly, by broadening the definition of poverty to focus on deprivation in a range of essential capabilities, the level of human poverty in Namibia is found to be slightly higher than what is suggested by official income poverty measures. Moreover, income poverty appears to be decreasing while human poverty is increasing over time. Again it is the HIV/AIDS epidemic, through its negative impact on survival, which is propelling a long-term deterioration in human poverty. Additional analysis suggests that when using population size and HDI as allocation criteria the administrative regions with the greatest needs are under - prioritised in the development budget.

Global rights, local realities: Negotiating gender equality and sexual rights in the Caprivi Region, Namibia

Gender inequalities are frequently cited as a major reason for high HIV‐prevalence rates in southern Africa. While steps have been taken to promote and pass legislation that upholds equal rights for women, this paper examines the ways in which discourses of gender equality and ensuing sexual rights can have complex, contradictory and even adverse implications when they are mobilised, resisted and reinterpreted at local level. Drawing upon research undertaken in the Caprivi Region of Namibia, this paper examines this ways in which men and women respond to ideas about gender equality, and seeks to place these responses within the wider context of socioeconomic change and understandings of morality prevalent within the region. The tendency of many young women to seek out relationships with older men and the increasing costs of bride‐wealth payments play a key role in reinforcing patriarchal attitudes and fuelling disrespect for women's rights both before and within marriage. In addition, a failure to adhere to customary norms, which uphold men's dominant role, continues to threaten the support networks and assets available to women. The consequences of this situation are examined with particular focus on implications for the future transmission of HIV.

Ellen N. Namhila. Kaxumba kaNdola: Man and Myth. The Biography of a Barefoot Soldier. Basel: Basler Afrika Bibliographien, 2005. Lives, Legacies, Legends Series no. 2. xi + 157 pp. Illustrations. Notes. Bibliography. Index. CHF 50.00. Paper. - Oswin O. Namakalu. Armed Liberation Struggle: Some Accounts of PLAN's Combat Operations. Windhoek: Gamsberg Macmillan Publishers Ltd., 2004. xii + 187 pp. Illustrations.

Ellen N. Namhila. Kaxumba kaNdola: Man and Myth. The Biography of a Barefoot Soldier. Basel: Basler Afrika Bibliographien, 2005. Lives, Legacies, Legends Series no. 2. xi + 157 pp. Illustrations. Notes. Bibliography. Index. CHF 50.00. Paper. - Oswin O. Namakalu. Armed Liberation Struggle: Some Accounts of PLAN's Combat Operations. Windhoek: Gamsberg Macmillan Publishers Ltd., 2004. xii + 187 pp. Illustrations. Tables. Notes. Bibliography. N$125.00. Paper. - Volume 49 Issue 3

Home range and seasonal movement of elephants in the Kunene Region, northwestern Namibia

This paper examines the home ranges and seasonal movements of eight GPS-collared elephants (two females and six males) in the northwestern Kunene region of Namibia. Minimum convex polygon (MCP) and the fixed kernel density estimation (FKDE) methods were used to analyse home ranges. The collared elephants showed defined home and seasonal ranges. In the eastern section of the research area, the elephants generally had smaller home ranges that were at their least during the hot and cold dry seasons, expanding during the wet season. In the western areas, the elephants moved between the Hoanib and Hoarusib Rivers in response to available vegetation that did not necessarily correspond to rainfall. The length of movement of collared elephants varied from 54.5 to 473 km in the eastern section of the research area to between 251 to 625 km in the west, over periods of up to five months.