Thesis & Dissertations - ތީސީސް އަދި ޑެޒަޓޭޝަން
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Item An archaeological study of the Maldive Islands : inestigating the Islamic period settlements(University of East Anglia, 2019) Jaufar, Shiura; ޝިއުރާ ޖައުފަރުThis thesis presents an archaeological investigation of the remote Indian Ocean islands of the Maldives during the medieval Islamic period, through the excavation of three selected sites. The importance of the Maldives in medieval Indian Ocean trade networks, due to their geographical position at a crucial transit point and their exportation of cowry shell money (Monetaria moneta), is well known. However, these islands have received limited archaeological research, and that has focused largely on the pre-Islamic period. An archaeological study is important because the existing historical sources are on the whole relatively late and there has been a tendency to extrapolate them uncritically to earlier periods. Moreover, the Maldivian archaeological heritage faces various threats from development and environmental issues. Therefore, with the aim of documenting heritage at risk and filling some of the existing gaps in knowledge, the research is underpinned by four objectives: (1) investigating the landscape history and archaeology of the Islamic period in the Maldives; (2) creating a detailed typology of the pottery excavated; (3) examining the extent of intra-regional differences in the material culture; and, (4) shifting the focus away from the capital Male’ towards the poorly studied rural islands. The research objectives are addressed through the study of three archaeological sites dating to the Islamic period, discovered in the course of this doctoral research and located in the north, central and far central regions of the Maldives. The core dataset is the pottery recovered, and this thesis presents the first typological study of a scientifically excavated, stratigraphically contextualized and dated pottery assemblage recovered from medieval contexts in the Maldives. Other items of material culture recovered, including faunal remains and non-ceramic material culture, are also discussed. Together, these allow an exploration of the role of the Maldives and of their place in the Indian Ocean trade system during the medieval period. Indeed, both material culture and historical sources provide evidence for connections, over the longue durée, to several regions of the world, such as South Asia, China, Arabia, Persia and Europe. The thesis concludes that the Maldives were a nation with a strong maritime identity and suggests that Maldivian communities played an active and autonomous role in the Indian Ocean trade network.Item Exploring the factors contributing nurses turnover in Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital(School of Nursing, 2019-02-02) Waheed, HasrathOBJECTIVE : Objective of this study was to explore the factors contributing nurses turnover in Indhira Ghandhi Memmorial Hospital METHOD : The design selected for research was descriptive qualitative study. Sampling method chosen for the study was purposive convenient sampling method. Population of the study was Maldivian registered nurses who have resigned from IGMH last five years. This study was carried out in Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital Male, Maldives. Total numbers of seven nurses were included in the study. Data collection method was face to face interview. Semi structured interview guide was used to collect data. All the interviews were audio taped and field notes were made during the interview. The length of interviews varied from 10 to 20 minutes. Participants who has given interview in Dhivehi language was translated to English with the help of translator. Data in this study was analyzed by using Collaizi’s (1978) method. RESULT : From the analysis of this study five themes were identified. They are lack of opportunities for job advancement and career development, in adequate support from practice environment, Low pay and compensation practices, Heavy workload and unconventional working hours and difficulty in balancing family and work life. CONCLUSION: Findings from the research revealed that there are many factors that contribute nurses turnover. It was identified that salary and allowances are unsatisfactory, training and development opportunities are not adequate, workload is too high and there were no supportive working environment. Moreover study indicated lack of recognition, appreciation and rewarding systems makes staff to leave the organization. These factors need to be adequately addressed and proper management system and retention strategies to be formulated to retain nurses.Item Socio-economic, political and social capital factors that influence the state expenditure: a comparison of rural communities in the Maldives(School of Public Administration : National Institute of Development Administration, Bangkok, 2019-10) Zahir, Mohamed; މުހައްމަދު ޒާހިރުThe Maldives is a nation in the Indian Ocean that includes approximately 1200 coral islands in 21 clusters known as atolls. For administrative purposes, these atolls are grouped into seven provinces located geographically in the Central, Northern, and Southern areas. These island communities operate as groups, which explains to some extent the unequal allocation of resources among the rural communities and Central city, as many studies have supported. Therefore, to understand the unequal distribution of wealth in rural communities, it is very important to determine the factors associated with the provision of public funding as a whole. This study’s goal was to use multidimensional variables to estimate the factors that determine the provision of public funding, and economic, political, and social capital factors were combined to determine their relation to the Maldives’ total expenditures. More interestingly, after 2010, many rural areas have made huge improvements in their education level, healthcare services, and infrastructure development. The constitutional reform in 2008 that mandates multiparty democratic elections are suspected to be the root cause of these improvements. Ideally, citizen participation and engagement are intended to foster any state’s development. The Maldives government always has been criticized for its process of electing government officials, specifically influences on the part of candidates and other stakeholders, either by mutual benefits or malfeasance. However, it is clear that there is an expectation on both sides’ part. This basically indicates that public spending will be higher when it caters to the public’s demands. However, to what extent is this statement true in the case of rural development? Therefore, this study attempted to analyze the provision of public funding at both the island and provincial levels, and two models were developed to investigate these relations.Item ސިޔާސީ މީހުންގެ ވާހަކަދެއްކުމުގައި މެޓަފަރ ބޭނުންކުރަނީ ކިހައިވަރަކަށް އަދި ކޮން ބޭނުމަކު ހެއްޔެވެ؟(ފެކަލްޓީ އޮފް އާރޓްސް, 2015-11) ސަޢީދާ, މަރްޔަމް; Saeeda, Maryamދިވެހިރާއްޖެއަށް ޑިމަކްރަސީ ތަޢާރަފުވުމާ ގުޅިގެން، ސިޔާސީ ޕާރޓީތަކާއި ސިޔާސީ މީހުންނާއި ސިޔާސީ މީހުނގެ ވަހަކަތައް ދިވެހީންގެ ތެރޭގައި މަޤްބޫލުވުމުގެ ސަބަބުން ސިޔާސީ ފަރާތްތަކަށްދައްކާފައި ހުންނަ ވާހަކަތަކާއި ބުނުންތަކަށްވެސް އާއްމުންގެ ސަމާލުކަން ލިބެމުންދެއެވެ. ބައެއް ފަހަރު މިފަދަ ބުނުންތަކުގެ ސަބަބުން، އެބުނުން ބުނި ފަރާތަށް އާއްމުންގެ ތަޢުރީފުގެ ބަސްތައް ލިބޭފަދައިން ބައެއްފަހަރު މަލާމާތުގެ ބަސްތައްވެސް ލިބޭކަން ފާހަގަ ކުރެވެއެވެ. ވުމާއެކު، މިދިރާސާ އަމާޒުކުރެވިފައިވަނީ، ސިޔާސީ މީހުންގެ ވާހަކަދެއްކުމުގައި މެޓަފަރ ބޭނުންކުރާ މިންވަރާއި، މެޓަފަރ ބޭނުންކުރާ ބޭނުން ދެނެގަތުމަށެވެ. މިގޮތުން މިދިރާސާގެ މައިގަނޑު މަޤްޞަދަކީ، ސިޔާސީ ފަރާތްތަކުން، ސިޔާސި ޕޯޑިއަމްގައި ތިބެގެން ދައްކާ ވާހަކައިގައި، މެޓަފަރ ބޭނުންކުރާ މިންވަރާއި، މެޓަފަރ ބޭނުންކުރ ބޭނުން ހޯދައި ދެނެގަތުމެވެ. ވުމާއެކު ސިޔާސީ ފަރާތްތަކުން، ރައްޔިތުންގެ ރުހުމާއި ތާއީދު ހޯދުމަށްޓަކައި، ވާހަކަ ދައްކަމުންދާއިރު ބަސްމަގު ހުންނަ ގޮތް ދެނެގަތުމަށާއި، މިފަދަ މީހުންގެ ވާހަކަދެއްކުމުގައި މެޓަފަރ ބޭނުންކުރަނީ ކިހައި މިންވަރަކަށްކަމާއި ކޮން ބޭނުމަކުކަންވެސް އެނގިގެންދާނީ މިފަދަ ދިރސާއަކުން ކަމަށްވާތީ މިއީ ކުރުން މުޙިއްމު ދިރާސާއެއްކަން ގައިމެވެ. މިދިރާސާއަށް ބޭނުންވާ މަޢުލޫމާތު ހޯދުމަށް މިދިރާސާ ކުރެވުނީ މިކްސް މެތަޑް އެޕްރޯޗުންނެވެ. މިދިރާސާ ކުރުމަށްޓަކައި، 2013 ވަނައަހަރުގެ ރިޔާސީ އިންތިޚާބުގެ ދުވަސްވަރު ސިޔާސި ފަރާތްތަކުން ދައްކާފައި ހުރި ވާހަކަތަކުގެ ތެރެއިން، ތެރެއިން 6 މީހުންގެ ވާހަކަދެއްކުމަށް ބެލުނެވ. ހަމަމިއާއިއެކު، ސިޔާސީ ޕޯޑިއަމްތަކުގައި ވާހަކަދައްކާ ފަރާތްތަކުގެ ތެރެއިން 5 ފަރާތަކާ ސެމީ-ސްޓްރަކްޗާރޑް އިންޓަރވިއުވެސް ކުރެވުނެވެ. މިދިރާސާއަށް ސާމްޕަލް ނަގާފައިވަނީ ޕާޕޯސިވް ސާމްޕަލިންގް ދަށުންނެވެ. ދިރާސާގެ ހުރިހާ ބައިވެރިންވެސް މެޓަފަރ ބޭނުންކުރާކަމާއި، މެޓަފަރގެ ވައްތަރުތަކުގެ ތެރެއިން ފަސް ވައްތަރެއްވެސް ބޭނުންކުރާކަން ހާމަވިއެވެ. ބައެއް ފަރާތްތަކުން ގަސްތުގައި މެޓަފަރ ބޭނުންކުރާއިރު، ގަސްތަކާއި ނުލާ މެޓަފަރ ބޭނުންކުރާ ފަރާތްތައްވެސް ވާކަން މިދިރާސާއިން ފާހަގަ ކުރެވުނެވެ. ހަމަމިއާއިއެކު، ސިޔާސީ ފަރާތްތަކުގެ ވާހަކަދެއްކުމުގައި، އަންނައުނާއި ހަށިގަނޑުގެ އިތުރުން ދަތުރުފަތުރާއި ސިޔާސީ މީހުންގެ ވާހަކަދެއްކުމުގައި މެޓަފަރ ބޭނުންކުރަނީ ކިހައި މިންވަރަކަށް އަދި ކޮން ބޭނުމަކު ހެއްޔެވެ؟ ފުޓުބޯޅައާ ގުޅުވައިގެން މެޓަފަރ ބޭނުންކުރާކަންމި ދިރާސާއިން ދައްކައެވެ. މެޓަފަރ ބޭނުންކުރަނީ، ދައްކާ ވާހަކައިގެ އަސަރާއި ފޯރި ގަދަކުރުމަށް ކަމަށްވެފައި، މިކަމަށްޓަކައި ހާލަތާ ގުޅުވައިގެން މެޓަފަރ ބޭނުންކުރުމަކީ ކުރަންޖެހޭ ކަމެއްކަން ދިރާސާއިން ހާމަވިއެވެ. މީގެ އިތުރުން ސިޔާސީ މީހުންގެ ވާހަކަތަކުގައި މެޓަފަރ ބޭނުންކުރުމުގެ ސަބަބުން ބައެއް ފަހަރު، ނޭދެވޭ އަސަރު ކުރާކަންވެސް މިދިރާސައިން ހާމަވިއެވެ. އެހެންކަމުން، ސިޔާސީ ފަރާތްތަކުން ވާހަކަތައް އަޑުއަހައި އެފަދަ ވާހަކަތައް ބައްޓަންކޮށްފައި ހުންނަ ގޮތާމެދު ވިސްނުން ގެންގުޅޭ ފަރާތްތަކަށް، މިދިރާސާއަކީ ބޭނުންތެރި އެއްޗަކަށް ވާނެއެވެ.Item The rule of law in the maldives and the tax regime’s contribution to its failure(University of Canterbury, 2018) Holmes, KevinThe thesis comprises an examination of the application of rule of law principles in the nascent democracy of an Islamic developing country – the Maldives – with a particular focus on the design and application of the country’s newly-enacted tax legislation. The benchmark against which that investigation is undertaken is the features of the rule of law enunciated in the literature and jurisprudence in developed Western countries and parallel notions in Islamic jurisdictions. The study concludes that, contrary to the fundamental tenets of Islam, which the Maldives embraces, application of the rule of law generally has failed. The way in which the tax regime was established and is administered has contributed to that failure. This research demonstrates the need for a seismic change in the mindset of those people in the Maldives who draft, enact, administer and adjudicate taxation legislation and other laws. Consequently, the thesis offers some recommendations on how a more focussed recognition and application of the rule of law might be achieved in the tax arena and more generally in the Maldives.Item Reducing risk for erosion in Maldives : Comparative case study of local people’s and resort’s adaptive capacity in Laamu atoll(Lund University, 2014) Borgudd, JuliaThis study is a comparative case study and investigates how local people on two islands called Maamendhoo and Maavah, and one resort operator called Six Senses in Laamu atoll, Maldives reduce their risk for erosion. This has been done by performing capacity analyses for these islands and the information has been collected mainly from interviews. The capacity analyses are based on which adaptive capacity they have regarding the risk reduction and adaptation measures; hazard reduction and avoidance, vulnerability reduction, preparedness for response and preparedness for recovery. It involves how local people and the resort operator both have adapted in the past and how they currently adapt (used capacity). Further it involves how they plan to adapt, which lacking capacities and also which unused capacities they have. The capacity analyses are analyzed to see if there are any gaps or weaknesses in their adaptive work and if the adaptive capacity differ between the resort island and the local islands and what the reason for this may be. The result from the capacity analyses shows that the resort have a lot of used capacity and implement many measures to reduce their risk to beach erosion compared to what local people have. The reason for this is mainly because the resort have more economic capacity to implement measures against erosion. The study shows that local people have more gaps in their adaptive work since they do not use all the measures and they have much more unused and lacking capacities compared to the resort island. The study is also investigating the interaction between local people/the resort and authorities. The result shows that authorities and Six Senses are supporting each others work with erosion, they are complementing each others work and the authorities are assisting with the resources the resort is requesting. The result also shows that local people do not think the authorities are supporting them in their adaptation work. The local people are complementing the authorities gaps/weaknesses in their adaptation work to a certain extent. The local people do not in general get the help they are requesting from the authorities, and they think that the authorities have not done enough to prevent the risk of erosion.Item Reducing risk of beach erosion in Maldives : Comparative case study of authority ́s adaptive capacity in Laamu Atoll(Lund University, 2014) Englund, BodilThe low-lying island nation Maldives is vulnerable to sea level rise and beach erosion. This study is a comparative case study investigating national, regional and local authorities risk reduction and adaptation work of beach erosion on two local islands and one resort island in Laamu atoll, Maldives. The aim of the study is to investigate if the authorities risk reduction works differ depending on if it is a resort island or a local island, if there are any gaps in the authorities’ adaptive work and if they are prioritizing any specific kind of measures. In the study capacity analyses are carried out for each island based on Wamsler’s theoretical and operational framework. The authorities’ adaptation measures are mapped out and categorized based on the initial risk factors the measures are intended to reduce. Furthermore the interaction between the authorities and the resort operator and local people on the selected islands are also analyzed by comparing the result of a parallel study carried out by Borgudd (2014). The main method used in the study is a qualitative semi structured interview method where officials and councilors were interviewed at the three authority levels. By analyzing the capacity analyses it shows that the authorities’ adaptation work for the local islands Maavah and Maamendhoo are similar compared to the resort island Six Senses Laamu. Compared to the investigated local islands authorities have taken fewer adaptation measures on the resort island. This may be because resort islands have to undertake and pay for their own protection measures. The authorities lack economic resources to prevent beach erosion on the two local islands. In general all authority levels need to improve their risk reduction work against beach erosion because they are now mostly focusing on hazard reduction and avoidance measures.Item އިސްލާމާއި ދިވެހިން ފާސްވި : ކޮބާ މައްސަލައަކީ؟(ކޮލިޓީ އެޝުރަންސް ޑިޕާރޓްމަންޓް، މިނިސްޓްރީ އޮފް އެޑިޔުކޭޝަން, 2016) ުޢަބްދުالله ނަޒީރ; ުއިޙުސާން ޢަޙުމަދ; ުމުޙައްމަދު އަބޫބަކުރ; Nazeer, Abdulla; Ahmed, Ihusaan; Aboobakuru, Mohamed,ސުކޫލު މަދަރުސާތަކުގެ ސާނަވީ މަރުޙަލާގައި ކިޔަވައިދޭ އިސްލާމާއި ދިވެހި މާއްދާ ކިޔަވަން ދަރިވަރުން ޝައުޤުވެރިނުވާ ވާހަކަ އާއި އެމާއްދާތަކުން ދަރިވަރުން ހޯދަމުން އަންނަ ނަތީޖާ އޯލެވެލް އާއި އޭލެވެލް އިމްތިޙާނުތަކުގެ އެހެން މާއްދާތަކާ އަޅައި ބަލާއިރު ނިސްބަތުން ދަށްވަމުން އަންނަ މައްސަލަތަކަށް ޢިލްމީ ނަޒަރަކުން ބަލައި، ހޯދައި، .ތަޙުޤީޤުކޮށް، މިދިރާސާގައި ވާނީ ހިމަނާފައެވެ ރާއްޖޭގެ ސުކޫލު މަދަރުސާތަކުގައި ކިޔަވައިދޭ މަޖުބޫރު ހަތަރު މާއްދާގެ ތެރެއިން، އެންމެ މަތީ ނިސްބަތަކުން ދަރިވަރުން ފާސްވަނީ އިސްލާމާއި ދިވެހިންނެވެ. އެ ދެ މާއްދާއިން ދަރިވަރުން ފާސްވާ އެވެރެޖު ނިސްބަތް، ވޭތުވެދިޔަ 10 އަހަރުގެ ތެރޭގައި ވަނީ 60 އިންސައްތަގައި ހިފެހެއްޓިފައެވެ. މި ދެ މާއްދާއިން ކިތަންމެ ބޮޑު ނިސްބަތަކުން ދަރިވަރުން ފާސްވިކަމުގައި ވިއަސް، ވޭތުވެދިޔަ އަހަރުތަކުގައި އެ ދަރިވަރުންނަށް މި މާއްދާތަކުން ލިބޭ«''އޭ'' ގުރޭޑު ނިސްބަތުން ދަށެވެ. މިގޮތަށް މިކަން ދިމާވާ އެންމެ ބޮޑު ސަބަބެއްކަމަށް މި ދިރާސިން ފާހަގަ ވަނީ އެސް.އެސް.ސީ. އާއި އެޗް،އެސް.ސީ. އިމްތިޙާނު ކަރުދާސްތައް އެކުލަވާލުމާއި ދަރިވަރުންނަށް ލިބޭ ސާފު މާކުސް ގުރޭޑުތަކަކަށް ބަދަލުކޮށް ނަތީޖާ އެކުލަވާލުމުގައި، ޢަމަލު ކުރާނެ އުޞޫލުތަކެއް ނެތި، ބައިނަލްއަޤުވާމީ މިންގަ ނޑުތަކުގެ .ބޭރުން، ދަރިވަރުންގެ ނަތީޖާތައް ޕްރޮސެސް ކުރުމެވެ މި ދިރާސާއިން ފާހަގަކުރެވުނު ދެވަނަ ކަމަކީ ސުކޫލު ތަޢުލީމުގައި ކަ ނޑައެޅިފައިވާ މަޖުބޫރު މާއްދާތަކަކީ ދަރިވަރުންގެ ދިރިއުޅުމާއި މަސައްކަތުގެ މާޙައުލުގައި ކޮންމެހެން ބޭނުންކުރަން ޖެހޭނެކަމަށް ޤަބޫލުކުރެވޭ ލިޔެކިޔުމުގެ )ލިޓެރަސީ( ހުނަރާއި އަސާސީ ވިޔަތަކާއި )ނިއުމަރަސީ( މަޢުލޫމާތާއި ރިވެތި ސިފަތައް ދަރިވަރުންގެ ކިބައިގައި އަށަގެންނެވުމާއެކު މުސްލިމެއްގެ ހައިސިއްޔަތުން ކުރުމަށް ކަ ނޑައެޅިފައިވާ މިންވަރަށް ތަކެތި އުނގަންނައި 6 ދިނުންކަމެވެ. އެހެނަސް އެނގުނު ކަމަކީ މި ދެމާއްދާގެ ކަރިކިއުލަމްގައި ވެސް ދަރިވަރުންގެ ޢާއްމު ދިރިއުޅުމުގައި ބޭނުންކުރަން ނުޖެހޭ ބައިތައް ހުރެމެ، އެ ބައިތަކުން ދަރިވަރުން އިމްތިޙާނު ކުރެވެމުންދާކަމެވެ. މިގޮތަށް އޮތުމުގެ ސަބަބުން ދަރިވަރުންގެ ދިރިއުޅުމުގެ މުޢާމަލާތްތަކާއި މި މާއްދާތަކުގެ ގުޅުމާމެދު ސުވާލު އުފައްދައި، މިމާއްދާތަކަށް .ދޭ ސަމާލުކަން ކުޑަވެ، ކިޔެވުމަށްދޭ ޝައުޤުވެރިކަން ކުޑަކަމަށް ފާހަގަ ކުރެވުނެވެ .އަދި ބައެއް ޓީޗަރުން މި މާއްދާތައް އުގަންނައި ދިނުމުގައި ރޭވުންތެރިކަން ކުޑަވެ އުނގަންނައި ދިނުމުގައި ޒަމާނީ އުކުޅުތައް ބޭނުންނުކުރުމުގެ ސަބަބުން ދަރިވަރުންގެ .ޝައުޤްވެރިކަން ކުޑަވެ، ކިޔަވަން ފޫހިވާކަމަށް މިދިރާސާގެ ބައިވެރިން ހާމަކުރިއެވެ ވުމާއެކު، އިސްލާމާއި ދިވެހި މާއްދާއިން އުނގެނޭ މައުލޫމާތާއި ހުނަރާއި ދެވޭ ތަރުބިއްޔަތަކީ ,ދަރިވަރުންގެ މުޅި ޢަމަލީ ހަޔާތުގައި ބޭނުންކުރުމަށް އެކަށައެޅޭ ތަރަހައަކަށް ހަދައި މި ދެމާއްދާއަށް ލޯބިޖައްސައި ޝައުޤުވެރިކަން އިތުރުކުރެވޭނެ ގޮތްތަކަކަށް މަންހަޖާއި އުންގަނައިދިނުމާއި ވަޒަންކުރުމުގެ ނިޒާމަށް ބަދަލުގެންނަންޖެހޭކަން ފާހަގަކުރަމެވެ. ވަކިން ޚާއްޞަކޮށް ދަރިވަރުންނަށް އިންސާފުވެރި ނަތީޖާއެއް ކަށަވަރުކުރުމަށް، ބައިނަލްއަޤުވާމީ މިންގަ ނޑުތަކަށް އެސް.އެސް.އީ. އާއި އެޗް.އެސް.ސީގެ އިމްތިޙާނު ކަރުދާސްތައް އެކުލަވާލުމަށް ބޭނުންވާ ސްޓޭންޑަ ރޑްތަކާއި އުޞޫލުތައް ލިޔެ، ދަރިވަރުންގެ މާކުސްތައް އެ މިންގަ ނޑުތަކަށް ޕްރޮސެސްކުރުމަށް، ކަމުގެ މާހިރުންގެ އެހީތެރިކަމާއެކު، ޒަމާނީ ފެންވަރުގެ ''އިމްތިޙާނުކުރުމުގެ ނިޒާމެއް'' މިހާރުން މިހާރަށް ޤާއިމުކުރުމަކީ ކޮންމެހެން .ބޭނުންތެރި ކަމެކެވެItem Adaptive capacity of islands of the Maldives to climate change(James Cook University, 2018-11) ޢިބްރާހިމް މުހައްމަދު; Mohamed, IbrahimIn today’s world, small islands are exposed to unprecedented impacts of global climate change. The ability of small islands to adjust and cope with these impacts is based on a number of socio-ecological parameters. Research on adaptive capacity has gained momentum within the last decade, and opted assets-based theories, correlating adaptive capacity to utilisation of available opportunities and resources. While such methodologies have major limitations, there is a dearth of studies on adaptive capacity of small islands at the frontier of global climate change. The small island nations are threatened with loss of culture and disruptions to livelihoods, as well as ability to support human habitation from the predicted future effects of climate change. This thesis provides information on this life and cultural threatening issues by identifying the potential for, and limits to, climate change adaptive capacity in the islands of the Maldives through a lens of islandness. This thesis employed a multidisciplinary theoretical framework and contributed to a holistic understanding of adaptive capacity of small islands. The study utilised theory of islandness from an epistemological perspective of pragmatism. The concurrent mixed methods approach, based on analogue comparative case study methodology, involved both constructivist and positivist approaches. The study examined five case study islands from the Maldives and triangulated data obtained from document analysis, participatory climate change adaptation appraisal, stakeholder interviews, surveys, and spatial analysis of biogeophysical characteristics. The results of this study demonstrated that adaptive capacity of islands is a predicament of the biogeophysical characteristics, socio-politics and governance, socio-cultural, and socio economic factors. The analyses revealed that: (1) the most critical influence on adaptive capacity is from biogeophysical characteristics of islands, followed by socio-cognitive aspects related to belief efficacy of islanders; (2) at a household level, assets, social organisation and flexibility contributed significantly to adaptive capacity; (3) the islands are currently approaching their adaptive capacity thresholds, owing to non-linearity of responses of biogeophysical features of islands to ongoing climate change impacts, especially increases in temperature, sea level rise and changes in rainfall; (4) islands at the edge of crossing the adaptive capacity thresholds require engineered transformative adaptation; and (5) transformation of adaptive capacity into adaptive actions requires empowerment of islanders, democratisation of institutions, and strategic planning of hard and soft adaptation measures within an island context and scale. Consequently, encoding and decoding of adaptive capacity from an island epistemological view defines what socioecological aspects, and by which strategies, adaptation can be mobilised and enhanced. Emergent findings indicative of future research includes incorporating ethnography with phenomenology in the study of adaptive capacity and refining the methods used in data collection. Additionally, the present research confirmed that an adaptive capacity index does not translate how the adaptive capacity can be mobilised in to action in islands, and is not significant. The results of this thesis offer significant contribution for policy makers and adaptation practitioners on how climate change policies and strategies need to commensurate with the context of the dynamic socio-ecological system of the islands. The present study also offers an insight of strengths, limitations and challenges on islands in adapting to future climate change.Item The knowledge, attitude and practice regarging(regarding) the use of oral contraceptive pills among the ever married women in H.Dh.Kumundhoo(The Maldives National University, 2014-06) Adam, Ali; އަލީ އާދަމްIn South and South East Asia one third of pregnancies are not plan which results from low use of contraception, contraceptive method failure and the high unmet need for contraception (Sebastian, 2005). The main objectives of this study were to determine the level of knowledge, explore the attitudes and identify the practices regarding the use of Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs) among the ever married women in H.Dh.Kumundhoo. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a structured questionnaire and the sample size was 155 ever married women in H.Dh.Kumundhoo. The sample was selected randomly and the study was conducted from 26th April 2014 to 30th April 2014. The participants were interviewed about their knowledge on OCPs, their perception and attitudes to use OCPs and the practice regarding the OCPs. The study found that 14.2% (n=21) of the respondents were using OCPs while 85.8% (n=127) of them were not using any type of OCPs. Most of the participants had negative attitudes towards the usage of OCPS due to fear of side effects and husband’s disapprovals. The majority of the women heard about OCPs and almost half of them knew the regular intake of OCPs. However, the knowledge about the side effects and the correct period to start OCP was low. Despite 100% availability of OCPs at the health facility, the use of OCPs were considerably low due to negative attitudes and low knowledge on OCPs including the side effects, misinformation about the correct usage and other beliefs.