Undergraduate Research Reports & Masters Dissertations

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Factors that cause Late Detection of Breast and Cervical Cancer among Women in Zambia: An Inestigative Cross-sectional Study conducted at The Cancer Diseases Hospital
(2021) MALEYA, Victoria Maambo
INTRODUCTION: Malignant growth is without a doubt one of the most widely recognized happening and driving non-transferable sicknesses. It dates as far back as 3000 BC when the primary malignant growth like illness was first announced in antiquated Egypt. In the year 2020, it was accounted for by the World Health Organization that an expected number of 2.3 million ladies were determined to have bosom disease and 685,000 deaths were accounted for universally. As of the year's end 2020, there were 7.8 million ladies alive who were determined to have bosom disease in the beyond 5 years, making it the most pervasive malignant growth. Worldwide, cervical disease is the fourth most successive malignant growth in ladies with a gauge of 570,000 new cases in 2018 representing 7.5 percent of all female disease deaths. On a worldwide scale, Zambia is assessed to have the second most elevated disease rates on the planet. This is credited to unfortunate admittance to screening administrations, portrayed by high death paces of cervical malignant growth at 58.0 and 36.2 per 100,000 ladies, separately. Thus, bosom and cervical disease has turned into a worldwide weight and one of the main sources of deaths among ladies in the Sub-Saharan Africa. METHODS: This study employed the qualitative approach method and used an investigative cross sectional study design to analyze a data saturation sample of 33 respondents. The respondents were selected through a purposive sampling procedure of data saturation method, the data was collected through interview using an interview guide and the data was analyzed using thematic analysis table. RESULTS: In this study, it was found that low levels of awareness and knowledge was the leading cause of late detection of cervical cancer and cancer of the breast among women in Zambia as the majority of the participants stated that they had little or knowledge on breast and/or cervical cancer. Source of information to be a contributing factor to women presenting with late presentation of cancer. In addition, it was also found from the majority that the perception and alternative medical preference by women are among the contributing factors causing women to present with late staged cancer when they go to the health facilities. CONCLUSION: In general, the inadequacy of knowledge and low awareness, cultural factors, socio economic status among others have continued to be important measures to determining the late detection of both cervical and breast cancer.
Understanding and Describing How E-Waste Is Being Managed At Mtendere Market
(2021) NYIRENDA, Christine
The study aim was to understand and describe how e-waste is being managed at Mtendere market. The method used was cross sectional qualitative study approach, data was collected through semi structured interview guides and was analysed through themes and coding. The findings reveal that (23.8%) had not attended any level of education, (42.9%) at least made it to primary school and the rest (33.3%) attained secondary education. However, most of the participants (86.4%) had no knowledge on e-waste management despite their education background. Also revealed is that participants (86%) were not aware of the existence of electronic waste, only (14%) had an idea on what e-waste was with most of them generally treating everything as cabbage. The study concludes that participants were not aware of the existence of e-waste and that social factors like education and knowledge played a part in the management of e-waste. The study recommends sensitization programs in local communities aimed at reducing or eliminating mismanagement of e-waste
Solid Waste Disposal and Management Practices in the Central Business District Of Lusaka, Zambia
(2021) CHIBESA, Robert
The study assessed how solid waste is managed and disposed off by the local authorities. The study also looked at the effects or diseases that may arise due to the improper management and disposal of solid waste in the central business district of Lusaka. The method used was the case study and the study population was selected using the simple random sampling technique. The results show that the study population has knowledge on how solid waste is managed and disposed off. Also revealed is that local authorities face a lot of challenges due to lack of resources for the proper implementation of improved solid waste management and disposal practices. The study concludes that there is need to sensitize the general public on the importance of proper solid waste management and disposal practices and for production companies to take responsibility of their waste products and disposal methods.
Factors that influence place of delivery choice among expectant mothers in Chisamba
(2022) BUNDA, Fredrick
Maternal mortality still remains a very serious threat to public health concern in both the United States and around the African countries. Many governments around the world are working hard to reduce these figures. Every year, an estimated number of 303,000 women die in the world during pregnancy period and delivery, with the majority of deaths occurring in underdeveloped economies. "Maternal mortality in Zambia is estimated at 183 deaths per 100,000 live births," according to (Phiri ML, Chasaya M, Ngomah MA 2020). Even the United Nations has expressed concern about preventable maternal fatalities, as evidenced by Sustainable Development Goals, which aspires to reduce global maternal mortality to less than 70 per 100 000 live births by 2030." A pregnant woman's birth location is decided by her entire family. When making such selection, many factors must be considered. The study's purpose was to look at the major factors that impact pregnant women's decisions on the location of where to give birth."
Assessing the Mental Health Care and Theraphy Service Delivery at Lewanika General Hospital, Mongu
(2022) SIMANDI, Monde
Access to mental health services is a serious issue worldwide, but it is particularly acute in underdeveloped nations like Zambia. Mental disorders, despite their importance in the comparison to other maladies such as infectious conditions, the global burden of disease receives less attention at the global, regional, and local levels. The objectives were to identify systems of treatment for mental illnesses, explore local concepts about mental illness and how these influence access to mental health services and to find out the experiences of people in accessing mental health services at Lewanika hospital in Mongu. A qualitative study was used in this research Study design It's exploratory because it goes further into an issue that hasn't previously been completely studied, with the purpose of identifying priorities, generating operational definitions, and refining the final. The study population was drawn from the residents of Mongu .An upper limit of 15 participants was used in the study according to the recommended number for qualitative type of research Data collection technique. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data obtained, which involved use of services has also been hampered by stigma from health care practitioners, the community, and family members. Lack of prioritising of mental health services in primary and certain secondary health institutions, as well as a lack of or limited awareness of mental health disorders, have contributed to the stigma. Despite its neglect, excellent mental health benefits everyone, thus these barriers must be overcome.The provided information that might be valuable in resolving obstacles at three levels: policy, facility, and individual, based on the research conducted. It can also help with the implementation of mental health policies because the roots of these impediments have been identified.
An exploration of factors leading to improper electrical waste disposal in Matero, Lusaka Province
(2022) PEREIRA, Owen
E-waste refers to electrical/Electronic gadgets that are discarded or no longer of use by the purchaser (Sansa-Otim et al. 2012). The rapid climb in electronic and IT trade has increased the volumes of e-waste in Zambia. In most urban areas, “due to uncertainty of the ways to treat e-waste, when electronic products reach their end life, electronic junks lie unattended in shops, offices, homes, etc and is commonly mixed with family waste, that is finally disposed of at waste disposal points which may be hazardous as the e-waste is not sorted and separated.” In this context, the research aims to explore the factors that lead to improper disposal of e-waste in Matero. The study utilized a qualitative approach and made use of a cross-sectional study design, data was collected through interview guides and was analyzed through themes and coding. The sample size was 31 and the sampling technique used was purposive sampling. The data collected was analyzed thematically (Thematic analysis). It was found that (6%) had attended primary education, (65%) had attended secondary education and (29%) attained tertiary education. Despite majority attaining some level of education, majority of the participants had little or no knowledge on e-waste management. Knowledge on e-waste was highly dependent on the level of education. The study also revealed that most participants were not aware about e-waste, whereas only a few had an idea on what e-waste was and social factors such as knowledge and education played a pivotal role in management of e-waste as most participants did not know what e-waste was, as e-waste was treated like any other waste. Furthermore, most participants stated that economic factors such as income and infrastructure influenced the management of e-waste, as it was highlighted that the indiscriminate disposal of e-waste is because of the lack of adequate infrastructure and that income is the reason why there is more e-waste in the area and people don't mind the management of e-waste because they know less about its effects as they are only trying to earn a living by dealing with it. Lastly it was noted that personal factors such as attitudes tend to influence the behaviour and practice of waste management in Matero. The study concluded that social, economic, and personal factors do indeed play a pivotal role in influencing the proper management of e-waste in Matero.
Factors Associated with Gender Based Violence against Women in Kalingalinga Compound
(2022) ZULU, Godfridah Ethel
Gender based violence (GBV) is defined as an act of violence that result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to a person. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that one in five of the world’s female population has been physically and sexually abused at some time in Sub-Saharan Africa. The proportion of women who experienced physical violence was between 13 and 45%. Zambia is ranked as having the highest number of GBV in Southern Africa, however there is little known about the factors associated with the vice in Kalingalinga Compound, Lusaka.” This study sought to explore factors associated with gender-based violence towards women in Kalingalinga Compound. “The study used qualitative method, with an open-ended questionnaire administered to GBV victims aged between 19 to 49 years. Total of 30 respondents participated in the study. Data was analysed using thematic methods.” The study indicated that majority of the respondents who experienced GBV were aged between 26 and 35, had attained secondary education and were knowledgeable of what gender-based violence is all about. Additionally, the study also reviewed that most of the respondents were married and had a monthly income of less than K5000. Furthermore, it was discovered that majority of the respondents’ spouses consumed alcohol.” It was noted that factors that contributed to GBV included income levels, cultural beliefs and alcohol consumption.
Factors Affecting the Delivery of Essential Newborn Care at Kanyama Level One Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia
(2022) HASALAMA, Matongo
Investing more resources in proven low-cost therapies aimed to address neonatal requirements could prevent millions of newborn deaths. Almost two-thirds of baby deaths are predicted to occur in the first month of life, with more than two-thirds dying in the first week and two-thirds dying in the first 24 hours. The goal of this study was to determine the characteristics that influence the delivery of critical infant care at Kanyama level one hospital in Lusaka. A cross sectional study was carried out on 370 women of procreative age at Kanyama level one hospital in Lusaka who had given birth during the previous year. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data, which was then analyzed descriptively in SPSS version 16.0. The chi-square test was used to examine the relationship between the components, with a 5% cut-off point for statistical significance. The findings show that attendants cleansed hands 90.29 percent of the time, 83.78 percent had their perianal part cleaned, and 95.41 percent of babies were inoculated with OPV/BCG after birth. The findings showed that 86% o f t h e p a r t i c i p a n t s gave breast milk as the first feed to newborns. majority of participants (68%) breastfed their children within 30 minutes and 1 hour following birth. 64% of those polled washed their breasts before breastfeeding. The study also showed that when either of them gets sick, the majority of participants (91.35 percent) indicated they'll go to the hospital, and 60% said they'll go to the drug shop to get medication. To keep their newborns from getting sick, about 85 percent of the participants said they bathed them with soap, sponge, and water, with or without disinfection (detol), while 7% of mothers washed their kids in herbal preparations. Except for the first feed after delivery, which was associated with age at p-value.16111, and feeding times, which was associated with marital status at p-value. 845287.This was based on self-reported data, and participants might not have remembered all of the events surrounding the childbirth episodes, resulting in ambiguous responses to the questions. It's also worth noting that the findings of this study are unique to Kanyama level one hospital, despite the fact that identical scenarios could arise in other contexts. Recommendations: To investigate other factors determining vital newborn care, more research with large sample numbers and multivariate models is needed. Keywords: Delivery, Essential, Newborn care
Utilization of Micronutrient Supplements in Mothers and Children to reduce Stunting in Peri Urban Lusaka
(2022) MULONGWE, Mubukwanu
According to UNICEF, Zambia has a high rate of stunting, which means that many children are not getting the best start in life. Stunting is now prevalent in 35 percent of Zambians (DHS 2018), down from 40 percent in 2014. This indicates that prior development was less than normal, which could be due to maternal nutrition. This study looked into how micronutrients can be used to reduce child underweight and the prevalence of stunting in children and mothers living in perilous areas of Lusaka. The association of iron and vitamin A supplementation and underweight in children less than 5 years in peri-urban Lusaka. The study employed cross-sectional descriptive research, the sample size of the study was 50 respondents, and this consisted of mothers and children under five years old of peri urban Lusaka. The research was a quantitative and the researcher used structured questionnaires to collect data from the respondents with 50 samples the study indicates that 37(74%) mothers had iron supplements whole pregnant while 26% did have iron supplements; The result for the level of vitamin A supplements in children under five out of the 50 children 42(84%) had been receiving vitamin A supplements and only 8(16%) of the children had not received vitamin A supplements. While on the association of iron supplementation in pregnant mothers and underweight in children, there was significant evidence that there was an association with a p-value of 0.001. and the association of vitamin A and underweight had a value of 0.131 which meant there was no significant evidence to claim there was an association between vitamin A supplements in children under five and underweight in children. In conclusion the study showed that 74% of the mothers in peri-urban Lusaka had iron supplementation intake which is the majority of the pregnant mothers had iron supplementation while pregnant which can help reduce stunting and underweight in children. In the infants and children below five years 84% had vitamin A supplementation which is very good because it shows that most children are less likely to suffer from vitamin A deficiency or underweight as a result of micronutrient However, the study showed that there was an association between maternal iron supplementation and infant nutritional status, hence the utilization of iron supplements can help reduce underweight and stunting in children. While the study, did not show any association between vitamin A supplementation and infant nutritional status this could have been because only Bauleni clinic was selected as the study site and not the whole peri-urban Lusaka hence further research is recommended. However, this study would rather be considered exploratory, which suggests a follow up study with sufficient sample size.
Factors Influencing the Acceptability of ISONIAZID Preventative Therapy among Healthcare Workers at Kabwata Health Centre
(2022) MIYANDA, Memory Abigail
Tuberculosis (TB) is classified as an occupational illness, and health care workers (HCWs) are among the most vulnerable populations to contracting the disease due to its transmission mechanism in a healthcare setting. The health facility serving as a source of infection for HCWs produces a deadly TB infection cycle that spreads throughout the community. Isoniazid (INH) preventive therapy (IPT) is recognized as an important component of TB infection control activities. INH therapy of latent TB infection has been shown to reduce the incidence of active TB by >60%, where adherence could be guaranteed. Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) among HCWs has not been fully utilised hence very little research has been conducted around it. Therefore, this study helped explore information on the Factors Influencing the Acceptability of Isoniazid Preventive Therapy among Healthcare Workers at Kabwata Health Centre so as to improve IPT uptake. The study was guided by the use of a cross sectional study approach. A descriptive and study was used. Primary data was collected through actual field research using questionnaires that were distributed to the respondents. Data was coded manually into themes through the use of content analysis. The study comprised 30 participants, which include Clinical Officers, Nurses and treatment supporters from chest clinic at Kabwata Health Centre. All the 30 respondents that were interviewed had knowledge about IPT and that it did not influence acceptability. 90% of the HCWs interviewed reported that IPT duration influenced their acceptability of the treatment pointing out that the treatment duration was too long to endure through. Furthermore, reported side effects negatively influence acceptability such as fear of organ damage secondary to INZ administration. Isoniazid preventive therapy is effective and reduces the occurrence of tuberculosis infection in HIV-infected individuals significantly. However, its use in the prevention of tuberculosis among HCWs in this health facility is extremely poor. An adequate supply of isoniazid, as well as increased awareness among health care providers who are occupationally exposed to tuberculosis, will improve IPT uptake. As well as creating awareness and policies supporting IPT administration to the first line health workers. Effective and on-going adherence counselling for eligible clients, will aid in lowering the rate of IPT defaulters.
Knowledge, Attitude, Practices of Marketeers towards Solid Waste Management in Kalingalinga Compound of Lusaka District
(2022) MUFUKULI, Lisa Nandi
The research assessed the knowledge, attitude and practices of Marketeers at Kalingalinga Market on solid waste management. Quantitative methods were used and the sample size was 59. The findings reveal that 88.7% of the participants know what solid waste is and risks associated with it, while 11.3% did not know solid waste nor the risks associated with it. Concerning waste polluting the environment; 88.7% admitted to it, 1.9% said no, 1.9% were not sure and 7.5% did not know. Results on attitude included solid waste needs immediate attention; 83.0% I agree, 13.2% I disagree, 1.9% not sure, I don’t know 1.9%. Results on how they felt about how waste is handled; comfortable 56.6%, uncomfortable 39.6%, not sure 1.9%, I don’t know 1.9%. On practices; 79.2% used waste bins, 20.8% did not use waste bins. Also revealed is that 64.2% of the participants obey laws, 35.8% do not. The research concludes that Marketeers have relatively high levels of knowledge about solid waste and attitude is above average even though this did not influence good solid waste disposal practices. The study recommends local authorities to sensitise marketeers and involve them in the solid waste management decision making process.
Comparative Study on The Healthcare Seeking Practices of Insured and Uninsured Residents of Lusaka
(2022) TEMBO, Chiteau
Health insurance is a type of insurance that covers medical expenses that arise due to an illness. These costs can be related to hospitalization costs, costs of medicines or doctor consultation fees. Due to differences in seeking practices it has led to health seeking disparities among citizens that are medically insured and those that are not especially in the effort of Zambia is trying to achieve health for all by 2030. This study aimed to understand the differences in patients seeking health care services, and also ascertain if there were differences in health seeking practices between medically health insured personals and non-medically insured persons. In addition, to determine whether moral hazard is present among medically insured personals and if moral hazard is present from the health facility when somebody is medically insured. A descriptive analytical study was conducted among 116 participants who sought medical care from south point hospital. The primary data was collected using a structured questionnaire and was analysed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) and association of factors was tested using the chi-square test at 5% significance level. The results showed minimal differences in the health seeking behaviour among the insured and uninsured residents of Lusaka. The results also revealed that the number of visits to health facility was associated to the presence of insurance (p=0.003). In conclusion, outcomes of this study have shown that people who are covered by medical insurance make more frequent visits to the health facilities than those without medical insurance. In addition, there is a significant association between frequency of visits to the hospital among the insured and uninsured participants.
Factors Associated with Alcohol Consumption among students at Lewanika School of Nursing
(2022) MUBITA, Anthony
Introduction: Alcohol is a common addictive beverage that is mostly consumed in society. The high levels of alcohol consumption have not just centered among the aged, but also among the adolescents. Research findings across the globe have revealed that a sharp increase in alcohol consumption has been identified among students in learning institutions; hence this study was carried out to investigate the factors that were associated with alcohol consumption among students -at Lewanika. The specific objectives of the study assessed how psychological, personal, and socio economic factors were influencing alcohol consumption among students at Lewanika school of nursing. Method: The study was carried out at Lewanika school of nursing using a cross-sectional study approach and the target population were only students that consumed alcohol. Data saturation point was used to arrive to the sample size of 30 students and participants were randomly selected. The snowball sampling technique was utilized in identifying other students who consumed alcohol. Findings: The study revealed that psychological factors such as mood and stress caused school pressure, disappointments, and excitement which influenced the students to consume alcohol. The findings also revealed that alcohol was consumed by students with the motive of coping with the stress they experienced. Personal factors such as peer pressure and age were also identified as contributing factors influencing students to consume alcohol. Some of the students stated that they consumed alcohol because they felt they were old enough, while other students claimed that peer pressure was behind their alcohol consumption behavior. Furthermore, socio-economic factors such as high-income level and having a family that consumes alcohol were also contributing to alcohol consumption among students. The findings further revealed that lack of awareness of alcohol consumption from the families also contributed to alcohol consumption behaviors among students at Lewanika school of nursing. Conclusion: The psychological, personal and socio-economic factors had a huge impact on the prevalence of alcohol consumption among students at Lewanika school nursing, and appropriate mitigation measures that could help reduce the public health problem included implementing good policies and carrying out more research studies. Keywords: alcohol consumption, students in higher learning institutions, factors associated with alcohol consumption.
Risky Sexual Behaviours and their Correlates among College and University Students in Sub- Saharan Africa: A Meta-Analysis
(University of Lusaka, 2022) LUNGU, Anderson
Students at higher education institutions are often overlooked when it comes to reproductive health interventions because they are assumed to be aware of HIV/AIDS risks/preventative strategies and reproductive health difficulties. Young people may continue to engage in behaviours that put them at higher risk of HIV infection, STIs, and unintended pregnancy unless age-appropriate and institution-targeted interventions are introduced. To find the most relevant peer-reviewed publications in Sub-Saharan Africa that have been published in the recent ten years, a meta-analysis was undertaken to select main peer-reviewed articles. In order to find relevant papers for inclusion in the meta-analysis, we examined databases such as Pubmed, African Journals Online, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, as well as reference lists from significant publications. Random effects were used in Meta XL to assess the aggregate influence of each outcome. Study participants in Sub-Saharan Africa were included in 28 studies, totaling 18495 participants. Majority of the studies were from Ethiopia (n = 18) followed by Nigeria (n = 3), South Africa (n = 3) while the remainder of the studies were from Kenya, Zambia, Togo, Cameroon, and Togo. Over half (51.0 percent) of college and university students were predicted to engage in sexual behaviour (95 percent CI: 43.0 percent - 59.0 percent). Multipartner sexuality was associated with a prevalence rate of 36.0% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 30.0-42.0%), inconsistent condom use was associated with a prevalence rate of 53.0% (CI: 46-61.0%), and at least one risky sexual behaviour was associated with a prevalence rate of 65.0% (48.0-81.0%). When it comes to having numerous sexual partners, men were three times more likely than women [OR: 3.05; 95% CI: 2.59 – 4.37] to have several partners. Males were 2,99 times more likely than women to participate in at least one risk sexual behaviour [OR: 2,99; 95% CI: 1,40 – 6,40]. There was a link between watching porn and having more than one relationship, however this study found no significant outcomes [OR: 2.67; 95 percent CI: 0.81 – 8.83]. There was a 3.81 [OR: 3.81; 95 percent CI: 1.99 – 7.27] increase in the likelihood of several sexual partners and at least one risky sexual behaviour when drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol had neither a favourable or negative effect on the usage of condoms [OR: 1.17; 95 percent CI: 0.24–5.57]. Sub-Saharan African universities and colleges continue to have high rates of risky sexual behaviour. Risky sexual behaviours such as irregular condom usage and many sexual partners persist among university students.
Exploring The Burden of Suicide among University of Lusaka Students
(2023) HAAMAUNDU, Mweene
Suicide is a tragic act in which an individual takes their own life. It is a global public health concern, with approximately 703,000 people dying by suicide each year. This makes suicide a leading cause of death worldwide, surpassing diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, homicide, and war. Suicidal thoughts are a common experience, with the majority of people having transient or brief episodes of such thoughts at some point in their lives. Suicide accounted for more than 1% of all deaths in 2019.The main objective was to explore the burden of suicide among university of Lusaka students. This study used a qualitative design method .data was collected from final year school medicine and health science students at UNILUS using focus group discussions. The respondents were chosen using a data saturation and convenience sampling procedure, the data collected was analysed using thematic analysis. A total of 48 respondents took in the discussions, The findings revealed that emotional distress and various social stressors were significant factors leading to suicidal ideation and suicide, with sub-themes including experiences of abuse, interpersonal relationships and mental illness. Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the burden of suicide is a significant issue among University of Lusaka students. The study has shed light on the factors that contribute to suicidal ideation and the challenges that students face when seeking help. The findings also highlight the need for targeted interventions to address the mental health needs of university students in Zambia.
Knowledge and Utilization of HIV Post-exposure Prophylaxis among Healthcare Workers at Buchi Clinic in Kitwe: a facility based cross-sectional study
(University of Lusaka, 2023) NANKAMBA, Prisca
Healthcare providers (HCPs) face an increased vulnerability to occupational exposure to HIV as a result of their frequent interaction with blood and various bodily fluids. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) plays a pivotal role in averting HIV transmission following such incidents. The objective of this study was to evaluate the awareness and utilization of HIV PEP among healthcare workers stationed at Buchi Clinic in Kitwe, Zambia. A cross-sectional study was carried out at Buchi Clinic in Kitwe, involving a total of 76 healthcare workers. Data pertaining to participants' socio-demographic background, knowledge pertaining to PEP, and the utilization of PEP services were collected using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze the collected data. Out of the 76 participants, the majority were female (62.5%) and aged between 25 and 35 years (52.6%). The findings indicated that 72.4% of participants had good knowledge about HIV PEP. However, only 41.4% had received training on PEP, and 51.3% knew the ideal timeframe for commencing PEP after exposure. Of those reporting exposure incidents, 36.8% utilized PEP services. Factors associated with PEP utilization included awareness of the correct timeframe for initiating PEP and previous training on PEP. Although a majority of the healthcare workers at Buchi Clinic accessed and utilized PEP, knowledge of PEP services was suboptimal. Strengthening training programs and providing regular updates on PEP guidelines and procedures may enhance healthcare workers' knowledge and utilization of PEP services. These findings underscore the importance of continuous education and support to safeguard the safety and well-being of healthcare workers in preventing occupational HIV transmission.
Assessing Factors associated with Stress among Nursing Students at Choma College of Nursing in Choma District
(University of Lusaka, 2023) HAZEMBA, Natasha
Stress is a sensation of emotive or physical pressure (MedlinePlus , 2022). Stress can originate from any incident or thought that makes one feel unfulfilled, annoyed, or anxious. Stress is also defined as any type of adjustment that causes physical, emotive, or psychological tension (Scott, 2022).This research assessed the factors associated with stress among nursing students at Choma College of Nursing. The researcher explored, academic factors, personal factors, environmental factors and stress levels. The main objective was to identify risk factors associated with stress among nursing students of Choma College of Nursing. The study espoused a quantitative study approach and the study design engaged was in this study was a cross-sectional study as it is considered the most operative when looking at factors associated with stress among nursing students. Data was collected using a structured survey and a professed stress scale for measuring stress levels for the stress scores was used. From the results obtained 79.6% of the sampled population showed high levels of stress and 20.4% showed moderate levels of stress. Among the sampled no participant showed low levels of stress. The study had more female participants 54.6% than males 45.4%. The findings showed academic factors, examinations to be the most stressful factor among the study participants though the results were statistically insignificant with a p-value 0.949>0.05 which showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups (stress and examinations). Majority of the participants were above 20 years 77.6% and less than or equal to 20 years 22.4%, with mean age 24.32 and standard deviation 4.91622 of which the minimum age was 17 and maximum 40. The study consisted of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd years of which the majority of the students were the 3rd years 50.0%, 2nd year 31.6% and 1st years 18.4%. This study provides some unique evidence that stress at Choma College of Nursing is prominent among students and is mostly as a result of academic factors. Academic factors such as examinations, workload and assignments were reported as the most cause of stress among the students. High levels of stress have been under looked among students because there are no infringements that have been executed to help nursing students deal with stress in their learning environment.
Associated Factors of Drug Resistance among Tuberculosis Patients at Kafue District Hospital
(University of Lusaka, 2023) SABAO, Nathan
Drug resistance in tuberculosis (TB) poses a significant public health challenge worldwide. This dissertation investigates the associated factors contributing to drug resistance among TB patients, shedding light on critical aspects of TB management and control. The study employed a mixed methods approach, including retrospective patient record analysis and qualitative interviews. The analysis of patient records revealed a concerning rise in drug resistance rates, particularly at Kafue District Hospital. Factors associated with drug resistance included inadequate treatment adherence, previous TB treatment history, and comorbidities such as HIV infection. Qualitative interviews with TB patients and healthcare providers provided valuable insights into the social and healthcare-related determinants of drug resistance. Stigmatization, economic constraints, and limited access to quality healthcare services emerged as significant challenges faced by TB patients. This dissertation underscores the multifaceted nature of drug resistance among TB patients. It highlights the urgent need for tailored interventions, improved treatment adherence support, and enhanced access to comprehensive healthcare services. Addressing these factors is crucial to mitigating the growing threat of drug-resistant TB and advancing global efforts toward TB control and elimination.
Adherence to Occupational Health and Safety Practices at Konkola Copper Mines, Chililabombwe District Zambia
(University of Lusaka, 2023) NALWAMBA, Patience Mbughi
In the majority of emerging nations, the modern period of globalization, fast industrialization, and urbanization have emerged as twin brothers. ILO standards on occupational safety and health provide essential tools for governments, employers, and workers to establish safe practices for providing maximum safety at work. The ISO 45001 standard serves as the foundation for the mining sector's occupational health and safety management systems in Zambia. It is probable that about 2.2 million people die annually from work related accidents and diseases, and a further 270 million workers fall victims of nonfatal occupational injuries. This results in substantial human and economic costs to workers and their families, employers, and society. The objective of this study was to assess the occupational health and safety practices at konkola copper mines. A facility based cross-sectional study was used among KCM underground miners prior to the study in 2023 in Chililabombwe district. A structure questionnaire was used to collect data. The data was analysed using STATA. The minimum age of respondents was 22 years old and the maximum was 56 years old with the mean age of 36.8 (SD=6.8) years. The majority of the participants 90(23.7%) were between 31-40 years old. Females were the most responds who adhered to occupational health and safety guidelines 43(82.69) compared to males with (28.57). The majority of respondents attended Primary (50.00) education level who adhered to occupational health and safety guidelines compared to those who attended secondary and university (33.33) and (16.67) respectively. The study concluded that there was awareness of emergency procedures and accident reporting and investigation vital for some enhancement. In general, the findings emphasize the significance of continuous education and preparation to maintain a safe and sound workplace, as well as the importance of ongoing observation and evaluation of workplace security strategies and practice. It may be necessary to enforce stricter adherence to safety guidelines and the use of personal protective equipment in order to improve safety and cut down on accidents. Training on safety rules and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE) should be given more frequently and more thoroughly.
A study to determine the factors contributing to the rise in malaria prevalence in Mumbwe District of Zambia
(University of Lusaka, 2023) LUMAI, Robert
Malaria is a common and life-threatening disease caused by a plasmodium parasite, transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes in many tropical and subtropical areas. Malaria is caused by the protozoan parasite called Plasmodium. Human malaria is caused by four different species of Plasmodium namely P. falciparum, P. malariae, P. ovale and P. vivax. There are two categories of malaria infections namely uncomplicated and severe or complicated infection. Uncomplicated malaria lasts 6-10 hours and it consists of a cold stage, a hot stage and a sweating stage. This study sought to assess the factors that contribute to the rise in malaria prevalence in Mumbwa District. The study used quantitative research using descriptive cross-sectional study on 39 participants. The respondents were knowledgeable of the importance of using treated bed nets, the time of using it, types of nets and source of information pertaining to LLINs utilization. In this study the utilization of ITNS for respondents has shown that majority of them (74percent) were using bed nets when they went to sleep, while only a few (17percent) who were not using bed nets in regular bases during their sleep. A higher malaria prevalence is associated with a number of factors that lead to lowered malaria transmission, like increased literacy levels, higher access to malaria health awareness campaigns and health education, as well as being able to afford disease prevention methods and treatment. According to the present study, 72.3% of participants had a history of malaria infection however, only 26 were infected with malaria. In particular, individuals who had a family history of malaria were 1.53 times more likely to be infected by Plasmodium species compared to their counterparts (p < 0.00). The result showed that malaria is still one of the most serious public burdens in the study area. The main infection factors linked to the infection in the study area were age, sex, marital status, family size, use of LLIN and IRS, presence of mosquito breeding sites, and openings on their wall/roof. In addition, the main reason for rejecting LLIN is misconceptions about the toxicity of the treated net. The burden of malaria could be reduced by focusing on changing the attitudes towards malaria prevention and control through continued health education.