The purpose of the study sought to assess and evaluate the contents and records of the emergency trolley in the maternity section of the state hospitals in Windhoek, Namibia. A quantitative and descriptive research design was used for the study to investigate emergency equipment, essential drugs and emergency trolleys. A convenient sample of 10 emergency trolleys in the Windhoek Central Hospital (Hospital A) and Katutura Intermediate Hospital (Hospital B) in Windhoek, Namibia were used. Data was collected using a checklist adapted and edited from the EMSSA. Data were analysed using Microsoft excel 2013. Essential paediatric equipment including bag valve mask devices, Magill's forceps, oxygen masks were absent in many of the units and wards. Data described that checking of defibrillators, monitors and suction devices still remained a major problem in the units/wards that were fortunate enough to have the aforementioned equipment. A conclusion was that generally the units/wards performed well during the assessments and evaluations. There were still units without emergency trolleys, trolleys that were poorly assessed, and those that were obstructed and registered nurses that had a negative perception to the audit of the emergency trolley. Specialized units such as NICU and Hi-Care Hospital A and Prem Unit Hospital B performed very well in their assessments. Development of policy with regards to assessing, restocking and maintenance of emergency supplies can be used to guide the nurses on what to do. Resuscitation morbidity and mortality meetings in order to identify issues and outcomes surround resuscitation incidences within the unit or ward.

INTRODUCTIONThe purpose of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in schools is to improve the health and learning performance of school-aged children by reducing water and sanitation related diseases. 1 Other social benefits that can be derived from adequate hygiene and sanitation are self-worth, convenience, privacy, security for women and girls, as well as an increase in school enrolments for girls. 2 In addition to disease prevention, sanitation and hygiene play a significant role on learning, the wider community and life-long skills settings. 3 The above confirmed by studies that indicated that school children with better knowledge and practices of hand hygiene have fewer sick days and absenteeism and attain higher grades. 4,5 However, United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) found that 298 schools in Namibia do not have sanitation facilities, and 93% (276) of these schools are in the five flood-prone northern regions of Oshikoto, Omusati, Ohangwena, Kavango East and Kavango West, and Zambezi regions. 6 ABSTRACT Background: Water, sanitation and hygiene played a significant role in schools by reducing water and sanitation related diseases; subsequently improving the health and learning performance of school-aged children. However, ppeople's knowledge and attitudes on sanitation and hygiene determine the actual practice towards it. This study aimed at assessing and describing the knowledge, attitudes and practices of primary school learners towards sanitation and hygiene. Methods: A quantitative, descriptive design was used. A questionnaire was used to collect data among 450 learners in 10 selected primary schools in Ohangwena region. The study population was grade five, six and seven primary school learners. A three staged probability sampling method was employed. Statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23. Results: The result indicated that younger learners in lower school grades, has poorer knowledge, attitudes and practices towards hygiene and sanitation than older learners irrespective of their gender, school circuits or location. This is a logical conclusion because, as learners become older, they become more aware and take precautions about hygiene and sanitation issues. Conclusions: Younger learners in lower school grades, has poorer knowledge, attitudes and practices towards hygiene and sanitation irrespective of their gender, school circuits or location. The older learners become more aware, and cautious about hygiene and sanitation issues comparing to younger learners. The practice and knowledge of sanitation and hygiene are implicated by the reality of the conditions of the sanitation facilities available to them.

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Background: Undernutrition in children under the age of five years is prevalent in the developing countries which increase the risk of morbidity and mortality among such age group. Lack of information related to nutrition and feeding practices as well as other factors such as employment and pressure from family and community members cause mothers and caregivers of children under the age of five years to use inappropriate methods of feeding which contribute to undernutrition. Purpose: The aim of this article is to relate the experiences of mothers and caregivers on feeding practices of children under the age of five years in Oshikoto region, Namibia. Methods: A qualitative study design was utilized to explore and describe the experiences of mothers and caregivers on feeding practices of children under the age of five years. The study population comprised of mothers and caregivers of children diagnosed with undernutrition either severe or moderate, admitted in pediatric units or registered on Nutritional Assessment Counseling and Support programme. A purposive sampling was used to select participants and a total number of fifteen mothers/caregivers were interviewed. The data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using Tesch steps. Results: The study revealed that mothers and caregivers experienced lack of information related to nutrition and feeding practices and other contextual constraints which resulted in the utilization of suboptimal feeding practices of children under the age of five years. Conclusions: Due to challenges experienced by mothers and caregivers, they need to be empowered with knowledge on nutrition and feeding practices of children under the age of five years.

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