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An assessment of the effects of climate change on human health: A case of Bangweulu Constituency
(University of Lusaka, 2025) MWELWA, Tresina M
A study was undertaken in Bangweulu Constituency with the aim of assessing the effects of climate change on human health. The research was anchored on the following specific objectives: to identify the common climate change related hazards in Bangweulu Constituency; to find out the common climate change impacts in the study area and to find out how the health sector is negatively impacted by climate change in the study area. The study adopted a qualitative methodology with a sample of 60 respondents from three wards of Chimana, Mano and Katansha that were drawn using a non-probability sampling. In terms of data collection methods, focus group discussions and key informant interviews were used. Data were analyzed using thematic approach and reflected the objectives, alongside triangulation with literature review. The study's findings indicated that climate change has led to increased occurrences of diseases such as malaria, scabies, waterborne illnesses, respiratory issues, and malnutrition due to poor nutrition. The study observed that the damage floods were causing to the environment, infrastructure such as roads, health facilities and bridges impacted so heavily on the development of the health sector. The study concluded that all these were consequently affecting the performance of the health sector in addressing the disease outbreaks caused by climate change. In view of the findings, the study recommended that government needed to develop a robust climate-health model for quantifying the relationships between climate variability and disease prevalence in flood prone areas like Bangweulu. Investigate the effectiveness of the implementation of mitigation and adaptive measures of climate change in the country and also assess the effectiveness of targeted public health programs in addressing and mitigating the impacts of climate change related health hazards, such as increased vector-borne diseases and heat-related illnesses, in the Bangweulu constituency.
Factors contributing to delays of selected government construction projects in Lusaka, Zambia
(University of Lusaka, 2025) MAKUBALO, William
In Zambia, most government projects are finished beyond the original time frames that were established. Project delays hinder growth, have enormous financial consequences for society, and damage the reputations of those involved in carrying out the initiatives. The country's backlog of projects has seen a rise in funding in recent years, but the people who stand to gain from these projects don't care that the infrastructure gets completed. This study set out to investigate the causes of the delays in government construction projects in Lusaka, Zambia. The research design used in the study was descriptive, and it combined quantitative and qualitative approaches. All stakeholders in the construction industry based in Lusaka made up the study population. Using a census, the researcher selected all the potential participants from the study population, from which 71 successfully completed the closed ended questions. Stakeholder involvement, project budgeting and fiscal management, and project management practices comprised the three primary categories into which the study divided the causes of delay. Regression and theme analysis were utilised in the study to analyse the quantitative and qualitative data, respectively. Delays in government construction projects can stem from various factors such as inadequate project planning and management, leading to budget overruns, design errors, procurement issues and bureaucratic red tape and administrative inefficiencies. The World Bank's research highlights the above challenges, which can impact project timelines and delivery schedules. Regarding the hypotheses tested, it was found that
there was no significant relationship between project management practices and delays in government construction projects, nor between stakeholder involvement and project delays. However, there was a notable correlation between project budgeting and fiscal management and delays, indicating that effective management of financial resources could mitigate project delays in government construction endeavours. Government construction projects in Zambia often face delays due to weak project planning, bureaucratic procedures, and external factors like weather, limited resources, and labor conflicts. The World Bank's research highlights these challenges, which can impact project timelines and delivery schedules. The study found that project management practices, including planning, initiation, execution, monitoring, control, and closure, are crucial for project success, with prepared plans being a foundational element. Rigorously prepared plans are foundations for project success according to several studies. It was discovered that stakeholders’ such as clients’ payments for the contractor's labour caused delays which have a negative impact on the project timeframe. Studies found that contractor's lack of experience, inadequate administration and oversight of the project site, and insufficient funding to begin the job are stakeholder related causes of project delays. Prior research indicates that financial management and project budgeting play a role in the delays that occur in building projects. All initiatives in the public sector should utilise efficient project planning and commencement procedures. Adopting and consistently implementing best practices for project management throughout the organisation will help achieve this. Additionally, this study suggests emphasizing implementation efforts to guarantee that plans are carried out successfully to completely achieve goals. According to the terms of the building contract, the customer must honour payments made to contractors in a timely manner. At the implementation stage, the client and users must make sure there are enough financial resources for the project to prevent work from stopping on-site owing to cash flow issues. To reduce unnecessary bureaucracy, the government should give employees greater authority and reduce the hierarchy of the organizational structure. This would ensure that decisions are made by people other than those at the top.
Key words: Construction Delays, Project management practices, budgeting and fiscal management, stakeholder involvement
Determining the critical success factors for the Public-Private Partnership in health service delivery at the University Teaching Hospital
(University of Lusaka, 2025) KOSITIMU, Mwang'a
Zambia, like numerous other governments worldwide, is struggling with the escalating expenses of healthcare and the growing need for healthcare services while dealing with limited financial resources. Zambia dedicates itself to delivering high-quality healthcare services to its population, recognising health as a crucial area for the nation's well-being. Governments are increasingly utilising Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to address the challenges of limited healthcare resources and improve outcomes. The private sector's participation is partly driven by the prevailing perception that public sector bureaucracies are inefficient and unresponsive. It is believed that market processes can enhance efficiency and provide cost-effective, high-quality services. The study employed a mixed method paradigm approach to gather data. The research employed both qualitative and quantitative research paradigms. Quantitative data were obtained through the use of research questionnaires that had closed-ended questions, while qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews that included open-ended questions. The analysis revealed that the health sector was in dire need of improvements, as supported by 70% of respondents. Similar to other government organisations, it lacked the financial capacity to undertake these initiatives. The study utilised descriptive statistics to analyse the quantitative data. The results revealed a mean value of 0.22, which was evenly distributed across all thematic areas. The data collected from the field followed a normal distribution, with the standard deviation fluctuating around the mean, as indicated by the calculated standard deviation of 0.17. The kurtosis fell within the normal range and exhibited a right skew, with all values in the range of +/-1.0 across the thematic areas. This indicated that the obtained data followed a normal distribution with no outliers. The study also identified key determinants of success for implementing Public Private Partnerships (PPP) in the health sector. These determinants include: strict adherence to the terms and conditions of the agreement; establishment of a transparent and efficient procurement process; appropriate allocation of risks in the agreement; effective coordination and cooperation among stakeholders; and active involvement of the private sector. Subsequently, the study established a framework by incorporating the Critical Success Factors.
Key Words: Critical Success Factors, Public Private Partnership and Healthcare Givers
The Socioeconomic effects of regulatory compliance costs on food processing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises: A Multi-Stakeholder Assessment
(University of Lusaka, 2025) MUSONDA, Chishimba
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, known as MSMEs, are crucial to Zambia's economy, making up 97% of businesses, contributing 70% to the GDP, and employing 88% of the workforce. However, these businesses face challenges, especially from the costs of meeting regulations, which hinders their growth, market reach, and financial health. Focused on 50 food processing MSMEs in Lusaka, the research adopts a qualitative approach, employing Google Forms for data collection from the respondents and Google Meet Interviews for qualitative insights from key informants. The research highlights the significant impact of regulatory compliance expenses on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), resulting in workforce downsizing and restructuring. Consumers exhibit a predilection for patronizing MSMEs owing to their affordability and interpersonal rapport with proprietors, thereby underscoring a proclivity towards supporting local businesses. Moreover, consumers demonstrate a discernible willingness to incur higher costs for food products to ensure their safety. Notably, the study uncovers a lack of strategies among MSMEs to mitigate these costs. Recommendations include proactively budgeting for compliance costs to avoid financial strain, leverage consumer preferences for affordability, and the consolidation of certain taxes into annual payments. Collaboration with private sector organizations is advised to enhance regulatory efficiency and leverage industry expertise. The study underscores the need for broader research encompassing a diverse MSME sample to enhance generalizability. Future research should explore additional facets beyond financial health, production, marketing and sales, business performance, and growth.
Keywords: Regulations; Financial Health, Socio-economic wellbeing, Consumers, Affordability
Knowledge and acceptability of HIV Pre - exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) among adolesecnts in Lusaka District, Zambia
(University of Lusaka, 2025) KUMWIMBA, Mutombo Yvonne
This study aimed to assess HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness and uptake among adolescents in Lusaka District, Zambia. With a high HIV prevalence in the region and adolescents being a vulnerable population, understanding their awareness and attitudes toward PrEP is crucial for designing effective HIV prevention strategies. A mixed-method survey was conducted among 120 adolescents in Lusaka District, Zambia. Data was collected through structured questionnaires, capturing information on PrEP knowledge, acceptability, HIV risk perceptions, and key demographic characteristics. Descriptive statistics were used to present the data, and chi-square tests were performed to explore associations between key demographic characteristics and PrEP acceptability. The findings revealed that 70% of the participants had prior PrEP knowledge, but there were misconceptions about its purpose, with some equating it with antiretroviral drugs. While there was willingness of PrEP use as an HIV prevention method, concerns were raised about its effectiveness, safety, and suitability for individual circumstances. Younger adolescents (15-19 age group) were more likely to consider using PrEP than older adolescents (20-24 age group). Gender was also associated with PrEP acceptability, although further exploration is needed. Participants demonstrated awareness of HIV risk and expressed worry about acquiring HIV, but misconceptions about the effectiveness of condoms in preventing HIV were evident. The study revealed the need for focused awareness campaigns to improve accurate PrEP knowledge and dispel myths surrounding its use. Addressing concerns about effectiveness and safety is essential to promote PrEP acceptability among adolescents. Tailoring interventions to different age groups and genders can enhance PrEP uptake. The findings underscore the importance of comprehensive sexual education and risk reduction strategies to address HIV risk perceptions. These insights have implications for public health interventions aiming to increase PrEP uptake and reduce the burden of HIV/AIDS among adolescents in the Lusaka District, Zambia.