Abstract. In the UK, interest in measuring the performance of higher education institutions has developed as part of an increasing performance culture in the public sector. This paper looks at development of national systems of indicators in both the University and former Polytechnic section in the light of this trend. The pressures leading up to the development of each system are examined together with an outline of the indicators chosen and forthcoming critical reaction. The use of performance indicators to compare institutional performance is explored. Regression methods that have been developed to try to enable meaningful comparison of indicators to be made between different insititutional types and environments are critically examined. A number of case studies of the use of performance indicators in both the University and former Polytechnic sector are presented. In each case the benefit and drawbacks of the application are commented on. The paper concludes by recommending a change from the league table approach to one based on adopting indicators for each institution which are consistent with its mission. The role of peer review in complementing the use of performance indicators is covered.

BackgroundThe role of pathogen-mediated febrile illness in sub-Saharan Africa is receiving more attention, especially in Southern Africa where four countries (including Namibia) are actively working to eliminate malaria. With a high concentration of livestock and high rates of companion animal ownership, the influence of zoonotic bacterial diseases as causes of febrile illness in Namibia remains unknown.Methodology/Principal FindingsThe aim of the study was to evaluate exposure to Coxiella burnetii, spotted fever and typhus group rickettsiae, and Bartonella henselae using IFA and ELISA (IgG) in serum collected from 319 volunteer blood donors identified by the Blood Transfusion Service of Namibia (NAMBTS). Serum samples were linked to a basic questionnaire to identify possible risk factors. The majority of the participants (64.8%) had extensive exposure to rural areas or farms. Results indicated a C. burnetii prevalence of 26.1% (screening titre 1∶16), and prevalence rates of 11.9% and 14.9% (screening titre 1∶100) for spotted fever group and typhus group rickettsiae, respectively. There was a significant spatial association between C. burnetii exposure and place of residence in southern Namibia (P<0.021). Donors with occupations involving animals (P>0.012), especially cattle (P>0.006), were also significantly associated with C. burnetii exposure. Males were significantly more likely than females to have been exposed to spotted fever (P<0.013) and typhus (P<0.011) group rickettsiae. Three (2.9%) samples were positive for B. henselae possibly indicating low levels of exposure to a pathogen never reported in Namibia.Conclusions/SignificanceThese results indicate that Namibians are exposed to pathogenic fever-causing bacteria, most of which have flea or tick vectors/reservoirs. The epidemiology of febrile illnesses in Namibia needs further evaluation in order to develop comprehensive local diagnostic and treatment algorithms.

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Low seroprevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii in blood donors in central Namibia BE van der Colf,

Effective management of uncertainty can lead to better, more informed decisions. However, many decision makers and their advisers do not always face up to uncertainty, in part because there is little constructive guidance or tools available to help. This paper outlines six Uncertainty Principles to manage uncertainty. Face up to uncertainty Deconstruct the problem Don’t be fooled (un/intentional biases) Models can be helpful, but also dangerous Think about adaptability and resilience Bring people with you These were arrived at following extensive discussions and literature reviews over a 5-year period. While this is an important topic for actuaries, the intended audience is any decision maker or advisor in any sector (public or private).

30 asymptomatic chronic carriers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), 6 asymptomatic blood donors transiently infected with hepatitis B virus, and 38 patients with acute hepatitis B were tested for HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe and anti-HBc. Comparison of these results revealed significant variation in the frequency of HBeAg which was present in 1 (3.3%) carrier, 2 (33.3%) of the transiently positive donors, and in 24 (63.2%) of the patients with acute hepatitis. Anti-HBe was found in 28 (93.3%) of the carriers, 4 (66.6%) of the transiently positive donors, and in 8 (21%) of the patients. Variation was also seen in the strength of anti-HBc, with only the chronic carriers having titres which were consistently high (above 1,000). Retesting the two groups of donors after a period of approximately 2 years showed no change in the serologic status of the chronic carriers, while amongst the transient HBsAg positives the 2 HBeAg reactives had seroconverted, 1 of the anti-HBe positives had become non-reactive, and 2 of the 6 had developed anti-HBs. 6 of the patients with acute hepatitis B were serologically reexamined during convalescence and showed results similar to those seen in the transiently HBsAg-positive donors, with clearance of HBsAg in all, seroconversion from HBeAg to anti-HBe in 4, and the production of anti-HBs in 4.

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