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Item Malaria risk factors in Northern Namibia: The importance of occupation, age and mobility in characterizing high-risk populations(PLoS ONE, 2021) Smith, Jennifer L.In areas of low and unstable transmission, malaria cases occur in populations with lower access to malaria services and interventions, and in groups with specific malaria risk exposures often away from the household. In support of the Namibian National Vector Borne Disease Program’s drive to better target interventions based upon risk, we implemented a health facility-based case control study aimed to identify risk factors for symptomatic malaria in Zambezi Region, northern Namibia. A total of 770 febrile individuals reporting to 6 health facilities and testing positive by rapid diagnostic test (RDT) between February 2015 and April 2016 were recruited as cases; 641 febrile individuals testing negative by RDT at the same health facilities through June 2016 were recruited as controls. Data on socio-demographics, housing construction, overnight travel, use of malaria prevention and outdoor behaviors at night were collected through interview and recorded on a tablet-based questionnaire. Remotely-sensed environmental data were extracted for geo-located village residence locations. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to identify risk factors and latent class analyses (LCA) used to identify and characterize high-risk subgroups. The majority of participants (87% of cases and 69% of controls) were recruited during the 2016 transmission season, an outbreak year in Southern Africa. After adjustment, cases were more likely to be cattle herders (Adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR): 4.46 95%CI 1.05–18.96), members of the police or other security personnel (aOR: 4.60 95%CI: 1.16–18.16), and pensioners/unemployed persons (aOR: 2.25 95%CI 1.24–4.08), compared to agricultural workers (most common category). Children (aOR 2.28 95%CI 1.13–4.59) and self-identified students were at higher risk of malaria (aOR: 4.32 95%CI 2.31–8.10). Other actionable risk factors for malaria included housing and behavioral characteristics, including traditional home construction and sleeping in an open structure (versus modern structure: aOR: 2days (aOR: 10.55 95%CI 2.94–37.84); and outdoor agricultural work at night (aOR: 2.09 95%CI 1.12–3.87). Malaria preventive activities were all protective and included personal use of an insecticide treated net (ITN) (aOR: 0.61 95%CI 0.42–0.87), adequate household ITN coverage (aOR: 0.63 95%CI 0.42–0.94), and household indoor residual spraying (IRS) in the past year (versus never sprayed: (aOR: 0.63 95%CI 0.44–0.90). A number of environmental factors were associated with increased risk of malaria, including lower temperatures, higher rainfall and increased vegetation for the 30 days prior to diagnosis and residing more than 5 minutes from a health facility. LCA identified six classes of cases, with class membership strongly correlated with occupation, age and select behavioral risk factors. Use of ITNs and IRS coverage was similarly low across classes. For malaria elimination these high-risk groups will need targeted and tailored intervention strategies, for example, by implementing alternative delivery methods of interventions through schools and worksites, as well as the use of specific interventions that address outdoor transmission.Item Public perceptions and factors affecting domestic marine fish consumption in Namibia, Southwestern Africa(Elsevier, 2021) Erasmus, Victoria N.Using a web-based survey conducted among 2,481 Namibian, aged 18 years or older, the factors and motivations driving individuals’ decisions on marine fish consumption, spatial fish consumption, and possible strategies to promote domestic marine fish consumption were explored. Most participants (97.9%) were aware of the importance of fish in the human diet, with many preferring hake (Merluccius capensis and M. paradoxus) (31.5%) and Cape horse mackerel (Trachurus capensis) (21.7%). Most respondents (64.1%) were poor fish consumers, consuming fish once a week or once a month. Participants claimed that they mostly purchased marine fish from retail fish shops (50.7%), wholesale fish companies (18.8%), and the Namibian Fish Consumption Promotion Trust (17.4%). Factors affecting marine fish affordability in Namibia were explained with a Logit Model, with age, education, gender, monthly income, and region of residence as the explanatory variables. Responses regarding fish affordability were principally driven by age, education, and monthly income (p < 0.05). The Khomas region purchased the most marine fish (60,764.8 weighted kg) in 2019. There was a consensus across all participants that regular fish consumption is beneficial to human health; however, participants listed affordability and accessibility of marine fish as critical constraints. Results indicate that Namibian marine fish consumption is poor and needs to be promoted. Results suggest ways to stimulate marine fish consumption locally and elsewhere to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goal 2 to end hunger and alleviate malnutrition.Item Graduate attributes and employability in journalism and mass communication(THE NAMIBIA CPD JOURNAL FOR EDUCATORS, 2021) Akpabio, Eno; Charles, Irigo; Mbise, SusanneThere exist ambivalence in the literature and among scholars about employability and graduate attributes across theoretical and practical courses offered by higher educational institutions, hence this study set itself the task of tracking SJMC graduates to find out if the offerings at the University of Dar es Salaam have assisted them in terms of employability as well as finding out from selected employers about graduate attributes that the former bring to bear on the work environment. Using systematic sampling supplemented with snowball sampling based on the poor response rate of the former, the study found out that the graduates were largely satisfied even though they had a number of areas that they felt should be improved upon. Employers, on the other hand, even though they also had largely positive attitudes wanted more practical courses; a sentiment also expressed by the graduates. Graduates were also not satisfied with the level of currency of the offerings, hence the study calls for urgent curriculum review involving various stakeholders to better tailor course offerings to the demands of the marketplace.Item Political cartoons in a model African state: A case study of Botswana newspapers(IGI Global, 2021) Akpabio, EnoCartoonists’ stock-in-trade has been to lampoon the excesses and moral foibles of political power holders. Cartoonists have been most unkind to misrule, abuse of power, and authoritarianism. The overarching aim of this study was to find out if cartoonists would be gentle and kind to Botswana political figures seeing that they preside over a state which had been held up as beacon of hope and a model of good governance. Cartoonists employed Eko’s transilience to animalize African leaders for satirical purposes deterritorialization to remove them from familiar territories for ethical criticisms. This chapter examines the themes and direction of the cartoons, the study’s findings indicate that Botswana newspaper cartoonists largely engage in deterritorialization more than transilience. However, the global trend of irreverence and negative portrayal of politicians persists.Item Librarians, records managers and e-government(IGI Global, 2012) Nengomasha, Cathrine T.Governments have turned to the use of information and communication technologies with the aim of improving service delivery, encouraging citizens in the decision making process, and enhancing accountability, transparency, and effectiveness. Effective inclusive participation of citizens in the government of their country requires access to information through modern technologies. Access to information is vital for transparency, accountability, participation, and the rule of law – all hallmarks of democratic governance. This chapter looks at the role of librarians and records managers in promoting e-government. Their traditional role of collecting, organizing, preserving, and disseminating information places them in a very significant position in e-governance implementation. However, in an electronic environment, they face a number of challenges which include economic, technological, and information literacy. The role played by these professionals, and the challenges each meet are discussed. Some recommendations are provided to enhance the role of these professionals in e-government implementation.Item Electronic mail management – the public service of Namibia experience: Lessons for Zimbabwe(2012) Nengomasha, Cathrine T.Item The mg Times(JP Inspiring Knowledge, 2014) Beukes-Amiss, Catherine M.Item Factors leading to drug and alcohol use and abuse(University of Namibia, 2008) Maree, MarethaThe abuse of alcohol and drugs can have a serious impact on individuals, families and communities, as well as organizations where people work. There are a variety of socio-economic, psychological and structural factors that can lead to the use or abuse of alcohol and drugs. Recognizing the high rates of alcohol and drug use among Namibians nationally and its potential effects on the workforce, the Namdeb Diamond Corporation (Namdeb) has recently initiated a comprehensive alcohol and drug testing policy, and has subsequently seen a steady decrease in the percentage of workers testing positive. I n further efforts to address substance use and abuse, Namdeb commissioned the Department of Human Sciences at the University of Namibia (UNAM) to undertake a comprehensive, mixed-methods investigation into the factors leading to drug and alcohol use and abuse among its employees. As Oranjemund is currently a remote company town, this research project was expanded to include investigating the factors leading to drug and alcohol use among Namdeb employees and their families, the effects of drug and alcohol use on Namdeb workers, and to evaluate current efforts addressing alcohol and drug use in Oranjemund.Item Knowledge 2011(NUFU, 2011) Beukes-Amiss, Catherine M.This paper addresses the problem of scalable and sustainable implementation of e-Learning activities of champions. The main question arising from the problem is: Which activities of champions implementing eLearning processes influence scalability and sustainability? The paper identifies and describes the characteristics and activities of champions in relation tQ scalability and sustainability. 1n addition, the rationale and motivation stem from the problem and assumption that champions are engaged in e-Learning implementation processes in Higher Educational Institutions, but lack institutional support and policies that directly or indirectly hamper scalable and sustainable efforts. The conceptual framework underpinning this paper is guided by three models. The fust model addresses Critical Success Factors (CSF), Higher Educational Institutions could consider to base decision making and strategic thinking about e-Leaming. The second model aligns e-Learning policies and infrastructure with the institutional training culture and the third model highlights aspects to consider for creating a sustainable e-Learning environment. The paper follows a qualitative research design through the use of semistructured interviews with champions and policy level staff as well as document analysis. The main ftndings highlight particular characteristics and activities of champions implementing e-Learning processes in Higher Educational Institutions. However, specific reference is made to various institutional support structures and considerations that must be in place in order for champions to implement their activities successfully. The significance of this paper lies in proposing a synthesised toolkit reflecting the characteristics, qualities, mindsets and attitudes aligned according to activities of champions in relation to those activities that could affect scalability and sustainability.