Female representation in Junior primary English textbooks in Namibia

This study is aimed at critically examining the representation of females in junior primary English textbooks in Namibia. The study gauged how females are represented in these textbooks, as well as why they are represented in particular ways. This was done by analysing 12 English textbooks used for the teaching of English first language at junior primary level in Namibia. Texts and visual images in these textbooks were the units of analysis. The study adopted a qualitative approach and was guided by a critical paradigm. For the theoretical framework, six feminist theories formed a bricolage: liberal, socialist, radical, Marxist, black and African feminisms. These feminist theories were employed as theoretical lenses for interpreting the data. In addition, critical discourse analysis and thematic analysis were used to interrogate the data. The study concluded that in the sample studied, females were underrepresented, subordinated, stereotyped, oppressed and segregated, as well as being omitted in different ways. Further more, patriarchy was evident in the oppression and subordination of females. The findings reveal that females were involved in stereotypical parental, domestic and occupational roles, as well as in games and activities and were presented almost exclusively as wives and mothers. The responsibility for taking care of the family and children was solely depicted as resting on females. Literature reveals that such responsibilities prevent females from actively participating in careers and the means of production. Although females were slightly overrepresented in the images their presence remained in stereotypical roles. In the texts, on the other hand, there was an underrepresentation of females, who were either silenced or ignored. Females were further depicted as being victims or weaklings without agency. This contribution adds to the vast literature on the portrayal of females in textbooks and in the present circumstances, the knowledge contributed by the study is contextual in nature. Neither textbooks nor female representation seen through a critical lens have been investigated in Namibia thus far and, as a result, this study might have opened a new research chapter in a country where more literature in the field of textbook analysis is imperative. Key words: feminism; critical discourse analysis; thematic analysis; visual images; patriarchy; subordination; oppression; society.Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2022.University of PretoriaDistance EducationPhDUnrestricte

Neonatal septicaemia : prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of common pathogens at Princess Marina Hospital, Botswana

CITATION: Mudzikati, L. & Dramowski, A. 2015. Neonatal septicaemia : prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of common pathogens at Princess Marina Hospital, Botswana. Southern African Journal of Infectious Diseases, 30(3):96-101, doi:10.1080/23120053.2015.1074443.The original publication is available at http://www.sajei.co.zaBackground: Septicaemia is the third most common cause of neonatal death after prematurity and birth asphyxia. The prevalence of neonatal sepsis and the spectrum of causative microorganisms fluctuates over time, thus facility-specific surveillance of neonatal bloodstream infections is important. Increasing levels of antimicrobial resistance documented worldwide, necessitate regular monitoring of institutional resistance patterns to ensure appropriate and effective empirical antimicrobial therapy. Method: The laboratory blood culture reports and patient records from a neonatal unit at a Botswana referral hospital were retrospectively reviewed to determine the one-year prevalence of neonatal sepsis and the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of common pathogens. Results: Of 909 neonates investigated for suspected sepsis using 1 119 blood cultures, 89 (9.8%) had laboratory-confirmed episodes of bloodstream infection (septicaemia). The most prevalent pathogens included Klebsiella pneumoniae (29.4%), group B streptococcus (16.3%) and Escherichia coli (11.9%). Blood culture contamination rates were high at 18.6% (208/1 119). Gramnegative pathogens showed low susceptibility to gentamicin (40%) and cefotaxime (47%), but high susceptibility to amikacin (86%). Streptococci and enterococci were moderately sensitive to ampicillin (79%), and fully susceptible to vancomycin. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was not isolated. Exposure to maternal syphilis and previous antibiotic exposure were significantly associated with neonatal septicaemia. Conclusion: Neonatal sepsis is common, with a predominance of Gram-negative pathogens. The high rate of blood culture contamination should be addressed. Emerging antibiotic resistance may require clinicians to review currently used antibiotics for the empirical treatment of late-onset neonatal septicaemia.http://www.sajei.co.za/index.php/SAJEI/article/view/652Publisher's versio

Aetiology of invasive bacterial infection and antimicrobial resistance in neonates in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis in line with the STROBE-NI reporting guidelines

Background: Aetiological data for neonatal infections are essential to inform policies and programme strategies at various levels, but such data are scarce from sub-Saharan Africa. We therefore conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of available data from the African continent since 1980, with a focus on regional differences in aetiology and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the last decade (2008 – 2018). Methods: We included data for microbiologically confirmed invasive bacterial infection including meningitis and AMR among neonates in sub-Saharan Africa and assessed the quality of scientific reporting according to Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology for Newborn Infection (STROBE-NI) checklist. We calculated pooled proportions for reported bacterial isolates and AMR. Findings: We included 151 studies comprising data from 84534 neonates from 26 countries, almost all of which were hospital-based. Of the 82 studies published between 2008 and 2018, insufficient details were reported regarding most STROBE-NI items. Regarding culture positive bacteraemia/sepsis, S aureus, Klebsiella spp and E coli accounted for 25% (95% CI 21 – 29%) 21%, (16 – 27%) and 10% (8 – 10%) respectively. For meningitis, the predominant identified causes were Group B streptococcus 25% (16 – 33%), S pneumoniae 17% (9 – 26%), and S aureus 12% (3 – 25%). Resistance to WHO recommended β-lactams was reported in >68% of 904 cases and to aminoglycosides in 27% of 1176 cases. Interpretation: Hospital-acquired neonatal infections and AMR are a major burden in Africa, and improved surveillance is required. More population-based neonatal infection studies are also needed, and all studies should be reported according to standardised reporting guidelines, such as STROBE-NI to aid comparability and reduce research wastage