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Exploring the impact of western influence on human-nature relation perceptions of environmental religious ethics in Africa
(Adonis and Abbey Publishers, 2025-09) John, Elizabeth Okon; Ekeke, Emeka C.; Enang, Nelson Robert
The argument of the influence of Western worldview over traditional religious environmental ethics as the cause of environmental problems in Africa has not been analysed holistically. Most scholars in Africa as far as this issue is concern have ignored some salient matters needed to fill the existing gap, such as: the adverse consequences of considering nature as a sacred entity, the wide margin between theoretical ideologies of traditional religious environmental ethics and its actual practices, and environmental problems orchestrated by human evolution/development. This article adopts the library research method. It employed the historical and analytic research tools and adopted the Cultural Ecological Theory of Julian H. Steward in investigating the subject matter. The article deviates from the conventional notion about Western influence over traditional religious view of human-nature relations; it tries to show that environmental problems have been in existence prior to Africans’ encounter with the Western worldview. It holds that though Judeo-Christian environmental ethics (Western worldview) is anthropocentric it is deontological in approach to human-nature relations. The paper finds that although numerous African cultures continue to express veneration for nature, socioeconomic challenges, including poverty and underdevelopment, frequently compel environmentally detrimental activities such as illicit logging and poaching. One thing remains certain, the primary factor responsible for environmental degradation is the pursuit for a supposed meaningful life without taking into consideration the impact of our actions and activities on human-nature relations.
The implications of the European green deal for African agricultural exports
(Adonis and Abbey Publishers, 2025-09) Muller, Luke B.B.; Ndlovu, Mbongeni M.
The European Green Deal is the central policy blueprint for regional climate goals by 2050, and it can potentially affect African agricultural exporters. This study investigates related non-tariff barriers, focusing on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, packaging, pesticide, fertiliser and traceability regulations. The research combines desk research, statistical analysis and expert interviews. Key findings indicate that while African agriculture may benefit from its relatively low carbon footprint, the increasing complexity of European Union regulations is posing a significant challenge for African agricultural exporters, mainly small-scale exporters. The study highlights the need for African agribusinesses to adapt to the evolving European Union regulatory landscape, invest in sustainable practices and packaging, monitor greenhouse gas emissions, keep track of land use change, restrict the use of pesticides, restrict the use of chemical fertilisers and pre-emptively adopt traceability and certification compliance requirements. As a parallel strategy, agribusinesses should seek to strengthen intraregional trade with trade-liberalising countries in Africa, where the costs imposed by tariffs and non-tariff barriers are being intentionally lowered.
Postnatal care knowledge and perceptions among women in the Oshana region, Namibia
(AOSIS, 2025-09) Moyo, Enos; Moyo, Perseverance; Dzinamarira, Tafadzwa; Ross, Andrew
BACKGROUND : Postnatal care (PNC) knowledge and positive perceptions are crucial for women’s utilisation of PNC services.
AIM : The study aimed to assess the level of PNC knowledge, perceptions of PNC, and determinants of both among women.
SETTING : Public healthcare facilities in the Oshana region, Namibia.
METHODS : The study followed a quantitative cross-sectional survey design. A self-administered questionnaire was administered to 814 participants selected via systematic random sampling. PNC knowledge and perceptions were used separately as dependent variables. Participants’ characteristics were used as independent variables. Chi-square tests and binomial and multinomial logistic regression were used to analyse associations between PNC knowledge or perceptions and participants’ characteristics.
RESULTS : Among the participants, 55.6% (n = 434) demonstrated good PNC knowledge, while 27.3% (n = 213) had positive PNC perceptions. Participants who had no formal education, were unemployed, and did not utilise PNC services had a lower likelihood of having good PNC knowledge; adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.33, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.21–0.53, crude odds ratio (COR) = 0.68, 95% CI, 0.49–0.92; and AOR = 0.72, 95% CI, 0.52–0.98. Similarly, women who did not attend antenatal care had a lower likelihood of having positive PNC perceptions; COR = 0.56, 95% CI, 0.33–0.96.
CONCLUSION : There is a need for multipronged interventions to improve PNC knowledge and perceptions among women in the Oshana region.
CONTRIBUTION : This study identified context-specific factors that influence women’s PNC knowledge and perceptions.
Clinical trial methods for family medicine and primary care
(AOSIS, 2025-07) Mash, Robert; Fatusin, Bolatito B.; Madela-Mntla, Edith; Butler, Christopher
This article outlines the essential features of clinical trials for doctoral or early career researchers. The World Health Organization has recently emphasised the need for higher quality clinical trials, more trials from low- and middle-income countries, as well as primary care, more engagement with patients and communities and adoption of innovative trial designs. In sub-Saharan Africa, primary care researchers need to move beyond quasi-experimental and before-and-after designs to conduct randomised clinical trials. The article describes the key methodological requirements of a randomised controlled trial: the hypothesis, design, setting, recruitment, randomisation, sample size, intervention, assessment, results, interpretation and extrapolation. We also discuss the aspects of ethical and well-organised trials that respect study participants, engage with collaborative processes, have appropriate governance and transparent dissemination of results. Finally, we outline innovative designs such as step-wedge, clinical trial networks and adaptive platform designs.
Mainstreaming of biomedical waste management : best practices for clinical laboratories in Africa
(AOSIS, 2025-07) Machingura, Pasipanodya Ian; Chale-Matsau, Bettina
No abstract available.