Browsing by Author "Shilunga, Anna Panduleni"

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    Emergency trolley’s contents and records: Audit study at maternity sections, state hospitals, Windhoek, Namibia
    (2018) Manetti, Benjamin Klass Sebulon; Amukugo, Hans J.; Shilunga, Anna Panduleni
    The purpose of the study sought to assess and evaluate the contents and records of the emergency trolley in the maternity section of the state hospitals in Windhoek, Namibia. A quantitative and descriptive research design was used for the study to investigate emergency equipment, essential drugs and emergency trolleys. A convenient sample of 10 emergency trolleys in the Windhoek Central Hospital (Hospital A) and Katutura Intermediate Hospital (Hospital B) in Windhoek, Namibia were used. Data was collected using a checklist adapted and edited from the EMSSA. Data were analysed using Microsoft excel 2013. Essential paediatric equipment including bag valve mask devices, Magill’s forceps, oxygen masks were absent in many of the units and wards. Data described that checking of defibrillators, monitors and suction devices still remained a major problem in the units/wards that were fortunate enough to have the aforementioned equipment. A conclusion was that generally the units/wards performed well during the assessments and evaluations. There were still units without emergency trolleys, trolleys that were poorly assessed, and those that were obstructed and registered nurses that had a negative perception to the audit of the emergency trolley. Specialized units such as NICU and Hi-Care Hospital A and Prem Unit Hospital B performed very well in their assessments. Development of policy with regards to assessing, restocking and maintenance of emergency supplies can be used to guide the nurses on what to do. Resuscitation morbidity and mortality meetings in order to identify issues and outcomes surround resuscitation incidences within the unit or ward.
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    The experiences of mothers and caregivers on feeding practices of children under the age of five years with undernutrition in Oshikoto region, Namibia
    (2018) Amukugo, Hans J.; Shilunga, Anna Panduleni
    Background: Undernutrition in children under the age of five years is prevalent in the developing countries which increase the risk of morbidity and mortality among such age group. Lack of information related to nutrition and feeding practices as well as other factors such as employment and pressure from family and community members cause mothers and caregivers of children under the age of five years to use inappropriate methods of feeding which contribute to undernutrition. Purpose: The aim of this article is to relate the experiences of mothers and caregivers on feeding practices of children under the age of five years in Oshikoto region, Namibia. Methods: A qualitative study design was utilized to explore and describe the experiences of mothers and caregivers on feeding practices of children under the age of five years. The study population comprised of mothers and caregivers of children diagnosed with undernutrition either severe or moderate, admitted in pediatric units or registered on Nutritional Assessment Counseling and Support programme. A purposive sampling was used to select participants and a total number of fifteen mothers/caregivers were interviewed. The data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using Tesch steps. Results: The study revealed that mothers and caregivers experienced lack of information related to nutrition and feeding practices and other contextual constraints which resulted in the utilization of suboptimal feeding practices of children under the age of five years. Conclusions: Due to challenges experienced by mothers and caregivers, they need to be empowered with knowledge on nutrition and feeding practices of children under the age of five years.
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    The experiences of mothers and caregivers on feeding practices of children under the age of five years with undernutrition in Oshikoto region, Namibia
    (2018) Mulenga, Ester; Amukugo, Hans J.; Shilunga, Anna Panduleni
    Background: Undernutrition in children under the age of five years is prevalent in the developing countries which increase the risk of morbidity and mortality among such age group. Lack of information related to nutrition and feeding practices as well as other factors such as employment and pressure from family and community members cause mothers and caregivers of children under the age of five years to use inappropriate methods of feeding which contribute to undernutrition. Purpose: The aim of this article is to relate the experiences of mothers and caregivers on feeding practices of children under the age of five years in Oshikoto region, Namibia. Methods: A qualitative study design was utilized to explore and describe the experiences of mothers and caregivers on feeding practices of children under the age of five years. The study population comprised of mothers and caregivers of children diagnosed with undernutrition either severe or moderate, admitted in pediatric units or registered on Nutritional Assessment Counseling and Support programme. A purposive sampling was used to select participants and a total number of fifteen mothers/caregivers were interviewed. The data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using Tesch steps. Results: The study revealed that mothers and caregivers experienced lack of information related to nutrition and feeding practices and other contextual constraints which resulted in the utilization of suboptimal feeding practices of children under the age of five years. Conclusions: Due to challenges experienced by mothers and caregivers, they need to be empowered with knowledge on nutrition and feeding practices of children under the age of five years.
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    Knowledge, attitudes and practices of primary schools learners on sanitation and hygiene practices
    (2018) Shilunga, Anna Panduleni; Amukugo, Hans J.; Mitonga, Kabwebwe H.
    Background: Water, sanitation and hygiene played a significant role in schools by reducing water and sanitation related diseases; subsequently improving the health and learning performance of school-aged children. However, ppeople’s knowledge and attitudes on sanitation and hygiene determine the actual practice towards it. This study aimed at assessing and describing the knowledge, attitudes and practices of primary school learners towards sanitation and hygiene. Methods: A quantitative, descriptive design was used. A questionnaire was used to collect data among 450 learners in 10 selected primary schools in Ohangwena region. The study population was grade five, six and seven primary school learners. A three staged probability sampling method was employed. Statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23. Results: The result indicated that younger learners in lower school grades, has poorer knowledge, attitudes and practices towards hygiene and sanitation than older learners irrespective of their gender, school circuits or location. This is a logical conclusion because, as learners become older, they become more aware and take precautions about hygiene and sanitation issues. Conclusions: Younger learners in lower school grades, has poorer knowledge, attitudes and practices towards hygiene and sanitation irrespective of their gender, school circuits or location. The older learners become more aware, and cautious about hygiene and sanitation issues comparing to younger learners. The practice and knowledge of sanitation and hygiene are implicated by the reality of the conditions of the sanitation facilities available to them.
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    A model to facilitate the management of sanitation and hygiene practices amongst primary schools in Ohangwena region, Namibia
    (University of Namibia, 2018) Shilunga, Anna Panduleni
    Schools are great platforms where children can learn hygiene skills, behaviours and practices, and when these become part of children’ daily lives, this may lead to a positive impact in families and communities at large. However, effective hygiene promotion in school can be severely affected if sanitation facilities are not adequately managed. UNICEF indicated that, despite the provision of water to schools in Ohangwena region, there are still a high proportion of schools without sanitation facilities. This study thus purposively focused on Ohangwena region in view of the above discussed challenges. The purpose of this study was to develop and describe a model to facilitate the management of sanitation and hygiene practices among primary schools in Ohangwena region. A mixed method design of quantitative, observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study, as well as a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, as well as a theory generating design were used in the study. The study was based on four phases. Phase 1: Concept analysis was done by assessing the conditions of sanitation facilities, describing the knowledge, attitudes and practices of schools learners on hygiene practices, and exploring and describing the teachers’ perceptions of hygiene promotion in schools. A three-staged stratified sampling was used to select ten primary schools in five circuits, using a proportionate sampling method. A checklist and a questionnaire were used to collect quantitative data from sanitation facilities and (n=450) school learners in 10 primary schools. Simple random sampling was used to select learners in grades 5, 6 and 7 learners who were seven (7) years and older. Learners gave assent to participate in the study, while parents and teachers, gave permission as ’loco parentis’. Quantitative data were analysed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23, while Tesch's method of open-coding was used to analyse qualitative data. Teachers were purposively sampled and signed a consent form to participate in the study. Five focus group discussions (FGDs) conducted with teachers to collect were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. The findings proved that a combination of challenges implicate the management and promotion of sanitation and hygiene practices stemmed from poor collaboration between the schools and parents and inefficient management of resources and facilities in schools, poor knowledge, bad attitudes and practices of learners toward hygiene. The three main concepts of management, collaboration and environment, were identified and analysed. Phase 2 involved the construction of the relationship statements of the model. The conceptual framework based on the three main concepts of analysis and the practice oriented theory by Dickoff et al (1968), was developed. Phase 3, a management of the collaborative environment model, to facilitate the management of sanitation and hygiene practices among primary schools in Ohangwena region, was developed and described. The model was described in terms of its purpose, concepts, definitions, structure, relationships and assumptions. Evaluation was done by expert researchers to validate whether the model brought about the desired outcome necessary to meet the study’s objectives. Phase 4 involved the development of the guidelines to operationalise the model. The guidelines were formulated in terms of objectives, strategies and activities based on the four objectives of the model. Recommendations, in terms of their application to the Ministry of Education, public health and nursing practice, as well as future research, were made