Browsing by Author "Mahalie, Roswitha"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Awareness and Attitude Toward Old-Age Homes among Older Persons in Namibia
    (International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR), 2025-09) Haufiku-Weyulu, Mouyelele; Mahalie, Roswitha; Aku-Akai, 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.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    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.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    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