Ounongo Repository
The Ounongo Repository (OR) is the institutional repository of Namibia University of Science and Technology. Ounongo means "knowledge. in the Oshiwambo and Otjiherero languages. The OR is administered by the Library, with technical assistance from DICT, and its aim is to collect, organize, manage, store, preserve, publish and make accessible worldwide, the knowledge assets or intellectual output of the University's researchers, staff and post-graduate students. Users may set up RSS feeds to be alerted to new content.
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Recent Submissions
Awareness and Attitude Toward Old-Age Homes among Older Persons in Namibia.
(International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)., 2025) Haufiku-Weyulu, Mouyelele.; Mahalie, Roswitha.; Aku-Aka, Larai.
Background: The burgeoning population of older persons is widely acknowledged as a pertinent
societal concern. Understanding the attitude and awareness of older persons towards old-age
homes is crucial, as these homes are a viable option when family support falls short.
Objectives: This study assessed older persons' awareness and attitude toward old-age homes in
three selected regions of Namibia.
Methods: A mixed-methods, cross-sectional survey design was employed to study individuals
aged 60 years and above. Quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social
Sciences version 30 at significance (P < 0.05). Thematic analysis was utilised to interpret
qualitative data.
Results: The outcomes revealed a marginal disparity in preference for remaining in the
community vs relocating to old-age homes, with a statistically significant association among
living arrangements, educational attainment, and number of dependents (P<0.001). Interviews
with key informants and caregivers revealed pension misuse, transport-related barriers to
healthcare, and caregiver challenges, including mood fluctuations, forgetfulness, and inadequate
mobility aids to assist older persons.
Conclusion: The preferences of older persons in their living places are influenced by significant
factors such as education level and familial obligations.
Unique Contribution: This study is among the first in Namibia to integrate quantitative and
qualitative data on older persons’ awareness and attitude toward old-age homes. It contributes to
the limited research on this population and identifies that education, number of dependents, and
family obligations influence their living preferences. Moreover, it brings forward the voices of
caregivers and community leaders, revealing systemic gaps in training, resources, and awareness.
Key Recommendation: The findings underscore the potential value of implementing targeted
community awareness campaigns, training caregivers, and expanding affordable, well-equipped
old-age homes. Furthermore, policies should strengthen caregiver support and ensure pensions
are effectively utilised to enhance the welfare of older persons.
The Implementation of the Hierarchical Hazard Control Model to Assess the Respiratory Protection of Quarry and Allied Workers in Namibia
(2025) Shihepo, Saima; Mahalie, Roswitha; Awofolu, Omotayo
The increased risks of adverse respiratory outcomes among quarry and allied
workers are affected by high levels of cumulative dust exposure, which is a
significant concern in the occupational health sector in developing countries, like
Namibia. The study examines respiratory protection practices among quarry and
allied workers in Namibia, amidst rising concerns over occupational respiratory
disorders due to prolonged exposure to respirable dust. Using the Hierarchical
Hazard Control Model, the study assessed the Engineering Controls,
Administrative Controls, Educational/Training Programmes, and Medical
Surveillance Measures in dust controls for 304 quarry and allied workers in the
Erongo, Otjozondjupa, and Kunene regions. This study used self-administered
questionnaires to collect data from the quarry and allied workers, between
November and December 2022. A Chi-square (χ2) test was used to determine
the association between the level of employee respiratory protection and
individual factors significant at p=0.000. Findings showed a statistically significant
association between employee respiratory protection and employment status
(χ2(1) = 7.592, p = 0.000), job category (χ2(9) = 37.742, p = 0.000), educational
level (χ2(3) = 68.517, p = 0.000) and worksite (χ2(8) = 282.178, p = 0.001). A
strong positive correlation between worksite and respiratory protection (r=0.7,
p<0.01), negative correlation between worksite protection and education/training
programs (r=0.841, p<0.05) was found. The findings underscore a critical gap in
implementing effective engineering controls and training programs, increasing
Geography, Earth Science and Environment: Research Highlights Vol. 9
The Implementation of the Hierarchical Hazard Control Model to Assess the Respiratory Protection of
Quarry and Allied Workers in Namibia
201
the risk of respiratory illnesses among workers. In conclusion, the study revealed
that quarry and allied workers could not effectively implement engineering
controls to reduce workers' exposure to respirable dust due to the lack of an
occupational respiratory health framework, safety regulations and enforcement,
and education and training. The study also provided evidence that most allied
and quarry workers did not undergo the mandatory medical examination, as a
request of limited hazard control measures. Recommendations include a need
for an occupational respiratory health framework for quarry and allied workers to
ensure occupational respiratory health.
Effective government policy that will enhance occupational safety and health in
mining and quarrying is necessary for accident prevention in Namibia
Exploring Sociocultural Maternal Care Roles of Traditional Birth Attendants in Northern Namibia.
(African Journal of Nursing and Midwifery, 2025) Haikera, Hertha Kasiku; Nangombe, Hilma; Mahalie, Roswitha; Shirungu, Michael
Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) provide care that is deeply rooted in the cultural values and beliefs of their communities. Moreover, TBAs play an important role in assisting women during antepartum, intrapartum and postpartum by rendering cultural care. This study examined the sociocultural roles of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in four selected regions of Northern Namibia. An exploratory, descriptive qualitative (EDQ) design was employed. The purposive sampling method was used to select participants for the focus group interviews. Latent content analysis was utilised to analyse data. With the assistance of the relevant traditional and health services authorities in Kavango East, Kavango West, Ohangwena and Zambezi, 14 TBAs participated in the study. The following four themes emerged from the findings, depicting the roles of TBAs: preconception care, antepartum care, intrapartum care, and postpartum care. The sociocultural roles of TBAs include rendering treatment for couples that are struggling to conceive, providing herbal remedies across all stages of pregnancy, caring for pregnant women, assisting with emergency homebirths, as well as managing intrapartum and postpartum-related complications. Some of the TBAs use reeds to cut the umbilical cord and perform minor surgery-related procedures similar to haemorrhoidectomy in their homes, which can cause sepsis and bleeding. Similarities have been noted in the sociocultural roles of TBAs across the regions. The study recommends further research on herbal remedies as assumptions are being made that the medicinal care offered by TBAs speeds up the labour progress. There is a need to
Haikera et al.2 explore, filter and regulate the sociocultural roles of TBAs to ensure the practice does not endanger the well-being of the women during antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum and also does not harm the newborn in any way. This study was limited to a few settings, thus reducing the population due to its qualitative nature.
Plant influences on taxonomic and functional diversity of soil microbial communities and soil biogeochemistry in a hyper-arid desert
(Namibia University of Science and Technology, 2024-11) Nghalipo, Elise Ndatulumukwa Ndahafa
Dryland ecosystems are characterised by extreme environmental conditions, including large temperature fluxes, infrequent and highly variable rainfall patterns, and soil deficiency in organic matter. Consequently, vegetation in these regions is sparse and unevenly distributed, which creates unique microhabitats that harbor distinct microbial assemblages. In hyper-arid desert ecosystems, vegetation plays a pivotal role in shaping the taxonomic and functional diversity of soil microbial communities, thereby influencing soil biogeochemical processes. Generally, vegetation can play a significant role in regulating the temporal and spatial variation of soil microbial activities within the vegetation canopy by influencing various abiotic factors, such as soil moisture, solar radiation and temperature fluctuations, therefore creating specific niches that support diverse microbial communities. While previous studies have investigated soil microbiomes in the Namib Desert, these studies primarily focused on the central gravel plains, leaving the Skeleton Coast National Park, part of the northern Namib Desert, largely unexplored; thus, there is limited understanding of the soil microbiomes in this hyper-arid coastal region. This thesis aimed to provide insights into the influence of vegetation on the taxonomic and functional diversity of soil microbial communities and the associated biogeochemical processes by amplicon-based analyses and litterbag techniques, respectively, in this hyper-arid desert.
Chapter 2: Total environmental DNA was extracted to evaluate the microbial communities associated with plant hummocks in the Skeleton Coast National Park. The V3-V4 region of the bacterial (and archaeal) 16S rRNA gene and the ITS-1 and ITS-2 regions of the fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA regions were amplified and sequenced to assess bacterial and fungal communities associated with plant hummocks and determine how soil microbial communities compare between plant hummock soils and bare soils (unvegetated: windward slope and gravel plain). The findings revealed that vegetated hummocks and their surrounding soils of the Skeleton Coast National Park possess qualitatively distinct soil microbiomes. Notably, vegetated hummock soils harbored a significantly higher number of observed species relative to bare soils. This suggests that vegetation plays a crucial role in enhancing microbial diversity in this hyper-arid environment. Such diversity is vital, as soil
2
microbial communities are integral to ecosystem functions, including nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition.
Chapter 3: The functional capacity of bacterial communities was predicted based on whole-shotgun metagenomic datasets to evaluate the microbial functional potential in three sampling locations: vegetated hummock, unvegetated windward slope, and gravel plains. Additionally, these datasets were used to investigate metabolic strategies that underlie the ability of these soil microbes to thrive and perform ecosystem functions in this hyper-arid ecosystem. The metagenomic analyses identified functions related to carbon fixation, carbon degradation, ammonium oxidation, methane metabolism, and sulfur assimilation. Vegetated hummock soils had higher enrichment of functional capacity relative to bare soils, suggesting that vegetation patches significantly influence microbial functional potential. Moreover, diverse taxa with the potential to utilise unique metabolic strategies were identified, enabling them to thrive and perform essential ecosystem functions in this hyper-arid ecosystem. For instance, the detection of marker genes such as NiFe hydrogenase Hyd-1 and norBC suggests metabolic pathways involved in atmospheric hydrogen oxidation to fix CO₂ and adaptations to environmental stress in hyper-arid environments.
Chapter 4: The study employed the litterbag technique to evaluate the influence of vegetation patches on litter decomposition rates. It compared the decomposition of two contrasting litter types (shrub and grass) under both vegetated and unvegetated patches. Additionally, the study examined how litter chemical composition, including nitrogen and carbon content, as well as the C: N ratio, affects decomposition rates. The results indicated that litter decayed more rapidly in unvegetated patches than in vegetated ones, with shrub litterbags retaining less mass than grass litterbags, regardless of the patch type. Moreover, shrub litter, which had higher nitrogen content, lower carbon and a lower C: N ratio than grass litter, decomposed at a faster rate. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms driving litter decay rates in drylands, which are crucial for predicting litter decay in hyper-arid ecosystems.
This work highlights that vegetation in hyper-arid deserts is a key determinant of soil microbial diversity and function. Through its influence on microbial communities, vegetation drives
3
essential biogeochemical processes that sustain ecosystem productivity. Understanding the interactions between vegetation and soil microbes in these ecosystems is essential for comprehending biogeochemistry and the functioning and dynamics of dryland ecosystems. Findings from this study contribute to the literature on how hyper-arid deserts such as the Namib Desert are microbially mediated and how the various edaphic communities adapt to extreme conditions in these regions. Furthermore, this study enhances our understanding of how different decomposition mechanisms influence litter decay rates and will ultimately aid in predicting litter decay rates in hyper-arid ecosystems.
Plant influences on taxonomic and functional diversity of soil microbial communities and soil biogeochemistry in a hyper-arid desert
(Namibia Univerty of Science and Technology, 2024-11) Nghalipo, Elise Ndatulumukwa Ndahafa
Dryland ecosystems are characterised by extreme environmental conditions, including large temperature fluxes, infrequent and highly variable rainfall patterns, and soil deficiency in organic matter. Consequently, vegetation in these regions is sparse and unevenly distributed, which creates unique microhabitats that harbor distinct microbial assemblages. In hyper-arid desert ecosystems, vegetation plays a pivotal role in shaping the taxonomic and functional diversity of soil microbial communities, thereby influencing soil biogeochemical processes. Generally, vegetation can play a significant role in regulating the temporal and spatial variation of soil microbial activities within the vegetation canopy by influencing various abiotic factors, such as soil moisture, solar radiation and temperature fluctuations, therefore creating specific niches that support diverse microbial communities. While previous studies have investigated soil microbiomes in the Namib Desert, these studies primarily focused on the central gravel plains, leaving the Skeleton Coast National Park, part of the northern Namib Desert, largely unexplored; thus, there is limited understanding of the soil microbiomes in this hyper-arid coastal region. This thesis aimed to provide insights into the influence of vegetation on the taxonomic and functional diversity of soil microbial communities and the associated biogeochemical processes by amplicon-based analyses and litterbag techniques, respectively, in this hyper-arid desert. Chapter 2: Total environmental DNA was extracted to evaluate the microbial communities associated with plant hummocks in the Skeleton Coast National Park. The V3-V4 region of the bacterial (and archaeal) 16S rRNA gene and the ITS-1 and ITS-2 regions of the fungal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rRNA regions were amplified and sequenced to assess bacterial and fungal communities associated with plant hummocks and determine how soil microbial communities compare between plant hummock soils and bare soils (unvegetated: windward slope and gravel plain). The findings revealed that vegetated hummocks and their surrounding soils of the Skeleton Coast National Park possess qualitatively distinct soil microbiomes. Notably, vegetated hummock soils harbored a significantly higher number of observed species relative to bare soils. This suggests that vegetation plays a crucial role in enhancing microbial diversity in this hyper-arid environment. Such diversity is vital, as soil 2 microbial communities are integral to ecosystem functions, including nutrient cycling and organic matter decomposition. Chapter 3: The functional capacity of bacterial communities was predicted based on whole-shotgun metagenomic datasets to evaluate the microbial functional potential in three sampling locations: vegetated hummock, unvegetated windward slope, and gravel plains. Additionally, these datasets were used to investigate metabolic strategies that underlie the ability of these soil microbes to thrive and perform ecosystem functions in this hyper-arid ecosystem. The metagenomic analyses identified functions related to carbon fixation, carbon degradation, ammonium oxidation, methane metabolism, and sulfur assimilation. Vegetated hummock soils had higher enrichment of functional capacity relative to bare soils, suggesting that vegetation patches significantly influence microbial functional potential. Moreover, diverse taxa with the potential to utilise unique metabolic strategies were identified, enabling them to thrive and perform essential ecosystem functions in this hyper-arid ecosystem. For instance, the detection of marker genes such as NiFe hydrogenase Hyd-1 and norBC suggests metabolic pathways involved in atmospheric hydrogen oxidation to fix CO₂ and adaptations to environmental stress in hyper-arid environments. Chapter 4: The study employed the litterbag technique to evaluate the influence of vegetation patches on litter decomposition rates. It compared the decomposition of two contrasting litter types (shrub and grass) under both vegetated and unvegetated patches. Additionally, the study examined how litter chemical composition, including nitrogen and carbon content, as well as the C: N ratio, affects decomposition rates. The results indicated that litter decayed more rapidly in unvegetated patches than in vegetated ones, with shrub litterbags retaining less mass than grass litterbags, regardless of the patch type. Moreover, shrub litter, which had higher nitrogen content, lower carbon and a lower C: N ratio than grass litter, decomposed at a faster rate. These findings provide insights into the mechanisms driving litter decay rates in drylands, which are crucial for predicting litter decay in hyper-arid ecosystems. This work highlights that vegetation in hyper-arid deserts is a key determinant of soil microbial diversity and function. Through its influence on microbial communities, vegetation drives 3 essential biogeochemical processes that sustain ecosystem productivity. Understanding the interactions between vegetation and soil microbes in these ecosystems is essential for comprehending biogeochemistry and the functioning and dynamics of dryland ecosystems. Findings from this study contribute to the literature on how hyper-arid deserts such as the Namib Desert are microbially mediated and how the various edaphic communities adapt to extreme conditions in these regions. Furthermore, this study enhances our understanding of how different decomposition mechanisms influence litter decay rates and will ultimately aid in predicting litter decay rates in hyper-arid ecosystems.