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Assessment of awareness of health implications caused by the use of shisha smoking among at the University of Lusaka
(University of Lusaka, 2025) MUSONDA, Twaambo
Shisha smoking has become increasingly popular among university students in Zambia, despite evidence of its adverse health effects. However, little is known about the awareness of these health implications among this population. This qualitative study aims to assess the awareness of health implications caused by the use of shisha smoking among students at the University of Lusaka. A qualitative approach using semi-structured interviews was used to collect
data from 20 university students who were regular shisha smokers. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling, and interviews were conducted face-to-face. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Various key themes emerged from the data analysis following in line with the three research focus areas: (1) The level of awareness among students at the University of Lusaka regarding the health implications caused by the use of shisha smoking, (2) Where the students get or access the Shisha from; (3) How students at the University of Lusaka perceive and respond to the use of shisha smoking? Most participants had some knowledge about the health implications of shisha smoking, with some believing that shisha was less harmful than cigarettes. However, the study found that social and cultural factors such as peer pressure, perceived social status, and cultural traditions influenced the uptake and continuation of
shisha smoking. The study highlights the need for increased awareness and education about the health implications of shisha smoking among university students in Zambia. Interventions should address misconceptions about the relative safety of shisha compared to other forms of tobacco and also take into account social and cultural factors that contribute to its popularity. These findings may inform future public health campaigns and policies aimed at reducing the
prevalence of shisha smoking among university students in Zambia.
Keywords: Shisha smoking, health implications, awareness, university students,
Zambia.
Assessing the knowledge, attitudes and practices on malaria interventions among Mansa residents in Luapula Province
(University of Lusaka, 2025) MWEWA, Tom M
In Zambia, Northern, North Western, Muchinga, and Luapula Province are the region’s most susceptible to the disease due to the excessive rainfall they have in those seasons. The prevalence in the province of Luapula is 600 to 700 cases per 1000 population annually. The highest rate of malaria in Luapula Province has been recorded in Mansa and it was found that Mansa had a total population of 257,517 with a total of 189,407cases of which 86% were laboratory confirmed and recorded in the year 2015. The qualitative research was conducted with a case study design and data was collected through in-depth interviews and questionnaires (N = 20) focused on pregnant women, mothers of under-five children. The results showed that most participants had knowledge about Malaria prevention intervention and positive attitudes towards them. In spite of this few participants were still not aware and had prioritized other means of dealing with malaria. The majority of study participants had awareness of malaria or were well informed about it, however some participant’s attitudes and practises were contrary to the matter. Health institutions offer free malaria treatment and routine IRS spraying, but because of unfavourable experiences and a lack of awareness, the initiative has not been able to get the necessary full coverage.
Effects of COVID 19 on the delivery of Maternal and Child Health Care Services before and during the pandemic in Lusaka.
(University of Lusaka, 2025) MWEEMBA, Tessy Nambozi
The aim of this study was to explore and measure the urgent need to understand how the health systems have responded to effectively, efficiently, and equitable sustain routine service delivery of maternal and child health services during the COVID-2019 pandemic. A retrospective study was conducted to assess the delivery of maternal and child healthcare services at kanyama general hospital before and during the first wave of COVD-19. Data was collected from routinely reported programme data. The quantitative data was used to answer the objectives. For birth attended to by skilled birth attendant after running a paired t-test found that the significance value (p-value) associated with the two-tailed test was 0.008, suggesting that the observed difference in the number of births attended to by skilled personnel before and after COVID is statistically significant. For family planning attendance we found the significance value (p-value) associated with the two-tailed test was 0.000, which we rounded off to 0.001, which is lower than the conventional threshold of 0.05. This indicates a highly significant difference in family planning attendances before and after COVID. For ANC visits before and after we found that, although the significance levels for these visits were slightly higher (p = .025 and p = .039), indicating less robust evidence, they still suggest a notable decline in the number of antenatal care visits during the pandemic. For under five fully vaccinations there was a significant difference observed while vitamin A supplementation there was no significant difference from the results recorded before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings of this retrospective analysis on the effects of COVID-19 on the provision of maternal, child, and nutrition services showed that there were significant disruptions in a number of areas of maternal and child healthcare.
Knowledge of Occupational Health and Ergonomics amongst nurses in selected Health Facilities in Mumbwa District
(University of Lusaka, 2025) GOMBWA, Terry
The safety and well-being of healthcare professionals, especially nurses who are constantly exposed to diverse workplace dangers, are greatly aided by occupational health and ergonomics (chiou et al., 2013). It is crucial to understand nurses' degree of knowledge and understanding of these perspectives in order to establish targeted treatments and enhance occupational health procedures in healthcare environments. Semi-structured interviews were used and a cross sectional qualitative research design to collect data. A variety of nurses working in various healthcare settings were chosen using a convenience sampling method. The use of thematic analysis was used to determine important themes and
patterns in the data to ascertain the knowledge of occupational health and ergonomics. Preliminary findings revealed that nurses displayed varying levels of knowledge and awareness regarding occupational health and ergonomics including the risks associated with their profession. The results show a lack regard and neglect to OHS coupled with shortage of equipment and policies to strengthen awareness and knowledge of OHS. The findings highlight the need for resources and equipment to effectively enhance OHS practices. The need for comprehensive educational programs that focus on OHS and ergonomics, as well as the importance of organizational support in promoting a culture of safety and implementing ergonomic interventions. The recommendations include creating in-depth instructional programs for nurses on occupational health and safety. offer organizational assistance and resources. To create ergonomically comfortable surroundings, include ergonomic considerations into the structure and organization of healthcare facilities, which include the choice of equipment, furniture as well as devices, and lighting.
Assessing the knowledge and attitudes associated with abortion among female students at the University of Lusaka
(University of Lusaka, 2025) NAMBEYE, Temwa
Abortion is an issue of public health concern as there are millions of induced abortions being recorded each year globally. The biggest problem about abortion is that most of them are unsafe and they contribute to 13% of maternal related deaths worldwide. There have been efforts to address unsafe abortion such as the introduction of comprehensive abortion care by the World Health organization, however, there is still a large number of women who resort to unsafe abortion due to different factors. In Zambia, abortion was legalized under the termination of pregnancy (TOP) act but despite this intervention, comprehensive abortion care remains inaccessible to most women in Zambia. To assess the knowledge and attitudes associated to abortion among female students at the University of Lusaka. This was a qualitative study conducted at the University of Lusaka, Leopards hill campus and convenience sampling was used to select the sample. Data collection was done by carrying out in-depth interviews and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results of the study indicate that female students the University of Lusaka have sufficient and good knowledge on the causes of abortion and the consequences of unsafe abortion. The results revealed that most of the female students had adequate knowledge on the legality of abortion in Zambia and that they have a positive attitude towards safe abortion. The factors in the conceptual framework that were associated to the knowledge and attitudes that one would have towards abortion were discussed and they include age, level of education and religion. The results of the study indicate that knowledge and attitudes towards abortion were related to age, level of education and religion.