The construction industry is the most dangerous industry in the word with higher prevalence of occupational accidents, injuries and diseases. There is a paucity of studies that investigate occupational accidents, injuries and diseases in the Namibian construction industry. The study was conducted to determine the magnitude of occupational accidents, injuries and diseases in the construction industry of Windhoek, Namibia. A quantitative, retrospective document review was conducted to investigate the documents for reported occupational accidents, injuries and diseases for the period of five years, from April 2011 to March 2016. Data was analysed with SPSS version 23. The study found out that occupational accidents and injuries are prevalent in the Windhoek construction industry. The study recorded the total of 37 cases of occupational accidents and injuries. Young, male construction workers are mostly sustained accidents and injuries. Labourers were mostly affected than other occupations while cut by machinery comprise the majority of the source of accidents. The most body part injured is the general body. The researchers did not find any documentation for reported occupational diseases from the construction industry of Windhoek. The researchers recommended the preventive measures to be implemented to prevent occupational accidents and injuries and enforcement of legislations on occupational accidents, injuries and diseases recording and reporting.

Background. Antenatal care (ANC) services are the care provided by skilled healthcare professionals to pregnant women to ensure the best health for both mother and baby during pregnancy and after delivery. In Namibia, utilization of antenatal care services has been reported to be dropping from 97% in 2013 to 91% in 2016. Objectives. The objectives of this study were to investigate the factors affecting the utilization of ANC services. Methods. A quantitative approach and a cross-sectional analytical design were used to carry out the study. The study population was all mothers who delivered and were admitted to the postnatal ward of Intermediate Hospital Katutura and Windhoek Central Hospital during the time of the study. Data were collected from 320 participants using self-administered structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 25 software. Results. Participants were aged between 16 and 42 years with a mean age of 27 years. The results show that 229 (71.6%) utilized ANC while 91(28.4%) did not utilize ANC services. Factors such as the negative attitude of health care workers, long distance to and from health facilities, lack of transport money to travel to and from the health facilities, lack of knowledge regarding antenatal care, attitude towards pregnancy, and others, were found as hindrances to the utilization of antenatal care services. Participants also indicated motivators for ANC utilization such as preventing complications, knowing their HIV status, getting health education, knowing the estimated date of delivery, and identifying and treatment of medical conditions. The study reveals the higher knowledge of participants on ANC utilization, most participants have the right to make decisions and had positive attitudes toward the quality of ANC services. The level of attitude toward pregnancy was associated with the utilization of antenatal care services with an odd ratio OR=2.132; and P=0.014. Conclusions. The study identified factors that affect utilization of ANC services such as age, marital status, mother's education, partner’s formal education, negative attitude toward health providers, long distance to and from ANC health care facilities, fear of HIV test and results, Covid-19 regulations, inability to determine the pregnancy at the earlier stages and financial constraints Based on this study findings, it is recommended that the utilization of ANC might be improved through effective community mobilization and outreach maternity services to educate and improve awareness on the importance of ANC.

The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of registered nurses on communication with Deaf patients. Data was collected using an interview guide. Random sampling technique was employed. Data was transcribed and keywords were identified representing the major categories. Data was analysed using a systematic process in order to deduce themes and sub-themes. During data analysis similar ideas or keywords were coded and similar topics were grouped together into categories. The study concluded that registered nurses lack sign language skills hence their communication with Deaf patients is also challenged. It is recommended that registered nurses needs to be provided with the training in sign language at educational institutions and provision of in-service training on sign language should made available for all health care workers. The study also recommends that Deaf people should be trained in sign languages for effective communication when seeking health care.

Background. All newborn infants are required to undergo the Apgar score/assessment immediately after birth and again at five minutes. This vital examination is performed to determine how well the infant is adjusting to the birthing process and the outside environment. Some newborns may have a normal Apgar score, while others may have a low score. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with low Apgar scores among newborns at an intermediate hospital in Northern Namibia. Objective. To identify maternal factors associated with an immediate low Apgar score in newborns at an intermediate hospital in Northern Namibia and to examine the association between maternal factors and an immediate low Apgar score. Quantitative, retrospective, descriptive research methodology was employed. A document review checklist was utilized to collect data at Onandjokwe Intermediate Hospital between August 2020 and October 2020. Results. Gravidity (p0.021), parity (p0.029), haemoglobin after the first ante-natal care visit (p0.011), ante-partum haemorrhage (APH) (p0.004), membrane status (p0.000), duration of labour (p0.000), type of delivery (p0.000), and caesarean section type and indication (p0.000) were found to be associated with an immediate low Apgar score. Conclusions: The study identified maternal factors that influence an infant’s initial low Apgar score. Strengthen maternal health education regarding gravidity and parity, diet, and recognizing danger signs during pregnancy. In addition, strict monitoring of patients with a partograph, cardiotocography, accurate record keeping, and prompt referral of patients with risk factors is strongly advised.

Non compliances towards occupational health and safety legislations has been on increase globally which leads to higher incidence of occupational accidents, injuries and diseases. The aim of the study is to determine the presence of occupational hazards in the construction industry and to investigate the occupational health and safety provision and compliance among construction sites in Windhoek. A quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive design was used to conduct the study. Census sampling was used to include ten construction sites with project running during data collection time and whose site managers agreed to participate in the study. Data was collected in ten construction sites with the site inspection checklist to assess the occupational hazards and OHS compliance in participated construction sites. Data was analysed with SPSS software. The study findings indicated that occupational hazards are prevalent in the construction industry, but there is poor mechanism to control hazards and to prevent hazard exposures. Furthermore, most construction sites are non compliant towards OHS legislations. It is recommended that OHS legislations should be enforced to promote the OHS in the construction industry.

The purpose of this study is to discuss the awareness on the provision of occupational health and safety (OHS) among construction workers in the construction industry of Windhoek, Namibia. A quantitative, descriptive, cross sectional design was applied. Interviewerled questionnaires were used to collect the data among 549 participants. The study results showed that most construction workers express poor awareness on construction industry OHS provision. The interventions such as OHS training enforcement is needed in order to increase construction workers OHS awareness through training. The employees need to establish OHS programs on the construction sites which include the development of the OHS policies which shows organisation commitment towards occupational health and safety of its workers.

Simulation training refines skills needed to correct mistakes by allowing trainees to fine tune their skills.  To improve the knowledge and skills of the midwifery educators, a simulation training has been organised for them so that they are able to provide simulation to the students. This was in part necessitated by the understanding/observation that students tend to be less anxious at the clinical practice after they had simulation training. A quantitative, cross-sectional study design was employed. Data was collected with structured self-administered questionnaires among 10 midwifery trainers who attended a simulation training workshop. This workshop was conducted by trainers from Cardiff University under the Phoenix project in June 2016. Due to the limited number of trained educators, census sampling method was used and data was analysed using SPSS version 25. The study results indicated that most midwifery educators are female within middle age category. Most participants have attended simulation training before and have been conducting simulation to students. Furthermore, most participants indicated that they were satisfied with the training and that they gained knowledge and skills on simulation that they can utilize during student training. The researchers recommend further research on evaluation of knowledge and skills such as evaluating participants on simulating procedures.

Background. Alcohol abuse is one of the world’s main public health issues. Alcohol use is growing among African women, and it has become an underlying factor in women’s health risk profiles. Objective. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that influence women’s alcohol consumption in the Oshikoto Region. Materials and Methods. The study used a quantitative research method with a cross-sectional, analytical design. Data were gathered using interview-led questionnaires from 121 women aged 18-49 years at two state hospitals in the Oshikoto region’s two selected constituencies. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 26, was used to evaluate the data. Results. The subjects’ median age was 33 years old. The bulk of the participants, 84 (69.4%), resided in rural areas. 49 (40.5%) of the participants were unmarried, and the majority (62%) had children. According to the results, 64 (52.89%) of respondents use alcohol to cope with their problems on occasion. When they are anxious, approximately 56 (46.28%) of the respondents use alcohol to relax and ignore their problems. In the univariable log-binomial regression analysis, a family history of alcohol use (p-value 0.019), peer pressure (p-value 0.004), and spending the majority of time at Cuca shops (p-value 0.000) were all linked with an increased risk of harmful alcohol use.Conclusion. Identifying the determinants of alcohol use may aid in the creation of recommendations for preventative measures and alcohol awareness programs.