The information needs of people with albinism in Khomas Region, Namibia
type: CreativeWork
description: The dissertation is a report of an investigation of the information needs of people with albinism in Khomas region, Namibia. The investigation aims to ascertain the information needs of people with albinism (PWA), including the kind of information needs they have. It also seeks to establish the mechanisms used by PWA to seek information and to determine who initiates their information-seeking activities. Furthermore, the study identifies the challenges PWA in Khomas region face on a daily basis when seeking information and recommends information services that could be suitable for PWA in Khomas region. For its theoretical framework, the study applies Moore (2002) and Wilson’s (1996) model of information behaviour. It is situated within the interpretivism paradigm following a qualitative approach. The research design is that of a case study with aspects of autoethnography resulting from the researcher’s personal memory of her lived experiences of albinism as a mother of two children with albinism. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with sixteen people with albinism; six parents of children with albinism (CWA); and two key informants from associations dealing with PWA in Namibia. The findings reveal that PWA have information needs related to their condition, specifically skin and eye care, as well as other basic needs, such as shelter, employment opportunities, education prospects and the process of their acquisition of identity and travel documents. The study revealed that the internet (especially Google), the radio and television, healthcare professionals and Support in Namibia of Albinism Sufferers Requiring Assistance (SINASRA) and Namibia Albino Association Trust (NAAT) are some of the sources and mechanisms used by participants when searching for information. The organisational participants revealed that they provide a range of services to PWA, including information about skin care and protective clothing, as well as applications for disability grants. PWA w…
abstract: The dissertation is a report of an investigation of the information needs of people with albinism in Khomas region, Namibia. The investigation aims to ascertain the information needs of people with albinism (PWA), including the kind of information needs they have. It also seeks to establish the mechanisms used by PWA to seek information and to determine who initiates their information-seeking activities. Furthermore, the study identifies the challenges PWA in Khomas region face on a daily basis when seeking information and recommends information services that could be suitable for PWA in Khomas region. For its theoretical framework, the study applies Moore (2002) and Wilson’s (1996) model of information behaviour. It is situated within the interpretivism paradigm following a qualitative approach. The research design is that of a case study with aspects of autoethnography resulting from the researcher’s personal memory of her lived experiences of albinism as a mother of two children with albinism. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with sixteen people with albinism; six parents of children with albinism (CWA); and two key informants from associations dealing with PWA in Namibia. The findings reveal that PWA have information needs related to their condition, specifically skin and eye care, as well as other basic needs, such as shelter, employment opportunities, education prospects and the process of their acquisition of identity and travel documents. The study revealed that the internet (especially Google), the radio and television, healthcare professionals and Support in Namibia of Albinism Sufferers Requiring Assistance (SINASRA) and Namibia Albino Association Trust (NAAT) are some of the sources and mechanisms used by participants when searching for information. The organisational participants revealed that they provide a range of services to PWA, including information about skin care and protective clothing, as well as applications for disability grants. PWA w…
author: Ngula, Anna Kaukowe
language: eng
date published: 2018
date modified: 2026-07-22T22:23:30Z
provider: University of Cape Town
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: Library and Information Studies Centre (LISC)

PropertyValue
property ID: Handle
value: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/29278