https://journals.unam.edu.na/index.php/ISTJN <p>International Science and Technology Journal of Namibia (ISTJN) is a diamond open access, journal of peerreviewed research and commentary in pure, applied and allied sciences and technology published by the Faculty of Science, University of Namibia. Aims and Scope The journal reflects the multidisciplinary nature of the field of science and technology. It addresses the needs of multiple, interlocking communities, including methodologists in mathematics, statistics and econometrics; as well as basic and applied scientists in biology, chemistry, physics, public health, medicine, education, mining, geology, computing, food, agriculture and engineering. The journal will strive to enhance the level of methodological rigour in pure and applied sciences and will contribute to the development of methodological standards in the fields of science and technology in Namibia. In pursuing its main objective, the journal will also provide a meeting ground for researchers from a number of traditional disciplines and will foster the development of scientific research and publication especially among younger practitioners</p> en-US rpuente@unam.na (Prof. Rafael Rodríguez Puentes) aleonard@unam.na (Anna Leonard) Wed, 02 Jul 2025 10:06:07 +0200 OJS 3.3.0.13 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 https://journals.unam.edu.na/index.php/ISTJN/article/view/2008 <p>Depression has a higher prevalence than other mood disorders, and the disability it causes is a global burden. Although mental health is an essential component of normal functioning and health, mental disorders such as depression are neglected. The study aimed to summarise the prevalence of depression, gender differences, and associated factors in inpatients and outpatients. A systematic review approach was used, whereby the PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus electronic databases were searched for studies published between the years 2010 and 2022 to identify observational studies with the above information on different continents. Data characteristics were extracted independently by two investigators. After scanning and evaluation, 52 articles were initially identified. After further screening, 29 articles were reviewed for the study. These 29 cross-sectional studies included a total of 46979 individuals. From the literature reviewed, common factors associated with depression included demographic characteristics, biopsychosocial factors, substance abuse, a history or family history of mental illness, and a history or family history of chronic illness. Women were more prone to depression than men (54.9%). In terms of geographical location, the prevalence of depression was highest in North America at 36.0% and lowest in Europe at 25.0%. Further studies are needed to evaluate the prevalence of depression and associated factors specific to other geographical locations.</p> Alberina Mariina Ndinelao Shatri, Tjiveta Copyright (c) 2025 International Science and Technology Journal of Namibia https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 https://journals.unam.edu.na/index.php/ISTJN/article/view/2008 Tue, 08 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0200 https://journals.unam.edu.na/index.php/ISTJN/article/view/1985 <p>Otavi Mountain Land province forms part of the Damara Orogenic Belt within the Neoproterozoic carbonate platform, which is well-known for its sedimentary-hosted, polymetallic mineralized zones, including the Cu-Pb(-Ag) Kombat deposit. The mineralisation at Kombat is of massive, disseminated, veinlet-controlled and brecciated mineralisation styles it comprises mainly of bornite, chalcopyrite, galena, covellite and chalcocite associated with quartz and calcite as gangue minerals. Mineralized zones are distinctly enriched in chalcophile elements, including Pb, Cu, As and Ag. For the analysis of such rocks, laboratory-based analytical methods, including inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), are well established, in contrast to on-site geochemical analytical methods. This study shows the applicability and limitations of portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) in the geochemical exploration of sulfide (Ag, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn) ores in carbonate matrix. By using additional ICP-MS/AAS data and certified reference materials, the applicability of such portable tools can be assessed for Kombat-type ores, resulting in pXRF data of excellent or very good precision for elements like Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb and Zn (RSD ≤10%), while other elements (Ag, Sr) show poor precision. The trace element concentrations obtained by pXRF are comparable to ICP-MS results yielding a good correlation (R² ≥0.85) and acceptable accuracy and precision. Portable XRF is identified as a low-cost tool that can be used successfully in the geochemical exploration for a list of elements in carbonate-hosted sulfide ores.</p> Ester Shalimba, Stephanie Lohmeier, Ansgar Wanke Copyright (c) 2025 International Science and Technology Journal of Namibia https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0 https://journals.unam.edu.na/index.php/ISTJN/article/view/1985 Wed, 02 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0200