Medical and pharmacy students' perceptions of the grading and assessment practices.

Many students at the University of Namibia have frequently complained about ineffective assessment practices used at the institution. On many occasions, these complaints have not been substantiated with evidence of any kind. The purpose of this study was to obtain some empirical evidence that would ascertain undergraduate students' perceptions of the University of Namibia's grading and assessment practices. Using a structured scaled questionnaire, data were obtained from a representative sample of the University's undergraduate students studying for Medical and Pharmacy degrees. The questionnaire items covered matters related to students' experiences of assessment practices, feedback on assessment tasks, reliability and validity of assessment tools used by lecturers, efficacy of processes of administering examinations, perceptions of irregular and unfair assessment practices, impact of assessment regimes on students' cost of studies, motivation, morale, rate of progression in studies and graduation, the degree of compliance with assessment ethics and on academic quality assurance. According to the data reported in this article, the majority of the respondents perceived that the Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy at the University of Namibia applied assessment practices that yielded reliable and valid results. This was the case because most lecturers in the two schools used appropriate assessment tools and provided their students with prompt and informative feedback on the results of assignments, tests and examinations. In addition, most respondents reported that whereas examination procedures used in the two schools were efficient and effective, lecturers graded examination scripts fairly. These and other results are discussed in the article to communicate the message that the assessment procedures used in the Schools of Medicine and Pharmacy at the University of Namibia would promote effective learning and understanding amongst students as they were of high quality.

Increased protected sex and abstinence among Namibian youth following a HIV risk-reduction intervention: a randomized, longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate an HIV risk-reduction intervention among Namibian adolescents. METHODS: A randomized trial of a 14-session face-to-face intervention emphasizing abstinence and safer sexual practices conducted among 515 youths (median age 17 years and median grade 11) attending 10 secondary schools located in two districts in Namibia. Youths were randomly assigned to the intervention or control condition at the level of the individual. HIV risk behaviours, intentions and perceptions were assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention and at 6 and 12 months post-intervention. RESULTS: Among all 515 youths who enrolled in the programme, rates of either abstinence or sex with a condom were not different between control and intervention youths at baseline or in the follow-up period. However, analyses conducted among the subset of youths who were sexually inexperienced at baseline (n = 255) revealed that a higher percentage of intervention youths (17%) than control youths (9%, P<0.05) remained sexually inexperienced one year later. Moreover, in the immediate post-intervention period, among baseline virgins who subsequently initiated sex, intervention youths were more likely than control youths to use a condom (18 versus 10%, P<0.05). Additional HIV-related risk behaviours (failure to discuss previous HIV risk exposure with one's sexual partner and alcohol use), intentions to use condoms, and perceptions of the ability to use condoms were positively affected by the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence that the 'My Future is My Choice' (MFMC) intervention is reducing HIV risk behaviours among sexually inexperienced participants aged 15-18. Related risk behaviours and perceptions are also positively impacted by the intervention.

Secondary school students' risks that may promote HIV infection and the spread of AIDS. A Namibian study.

PIP: A structured questionnaire in English and Afrikaans was administered to 1471 randomly selected secondary school students from Katima Mulilo, Ondangwa, Windhoek, and Keetmanshoop educational regions of Namibia in a study to determine their cognitive, attitudinal, and behavioral risks which could promote HIV infection. The students were aged 13-28 years (mean age, 18 years). Approximately half were in grades 8, 9, and 10, while the remainder were in grades 11 and 12, and 47.8% of the students were male. 50% of the students were unaware of AIDS, 42% thought that some people were immune to AIDS, 48% reported that they would be rejected by their peers if they refused to have premarital sex, 47% indicated that mistrust was communicated when one used or suggested the use of a condom during sexual intercourse, and 50% believed that alcohol facilitates communication with peers of the opposite sex. The study found differences in the expression of AIDS-related risks due to age, sex, and region. Significantly more boys than girls and more students from Northern than from Central and Southern regions thought that mistrust was communicated by condom use and sexual intercourse made one popular, proved sexual maturity, showed commitment to and maintained love relationships. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.^ieng