Search

This study administered 379 questionnaires to smallholder farming households to determine livestock ownership, climate change, and its impacts on livestock production, including measures to adapt livestock production to climate change. Data were analyzed using ordinary least squares regression model, Two sample Z proportions test, and percentages. Results indicate that few livestock were owned by households, commonly cattle, goats, pigs and chickens. Joint ownership dominated, followed by ownership by household heads, be they male or female, then spouses. Non-household heads rarely owned livestock. Joint livestock ownership significantly increases the total livestock units a household owns. The respondents overwhelmingly reported that the climate had changed, with a shorter rainy season, droughts, floods, and higher temperatures. There were slight variations in the perception of climate change across the study sites and by gender. Livestock production had been affected by increased incidences of disease, water, and fodder shortages, ultimately reducing livestock productivity across all the sites. Livestock households have adapted to climate change and other production constraints more broadly by addressing livestock health through administering vaccines, consulting with veterinary officials, and using traditional remedies for livestock diseases. Some respondents supplemented fodder and water, while others resorted to selling off the livestock. More men reported the provision of water as they more likely deal with large livestock that need bigger quantities of water. Similarly, while more commonly reported by men, the provision of fodder shows variability across chiefdoms, suggesting that fodder scarcity is a region-specific constraint. The use of traditional remedies such as herbs remained an important adaptive measure, especially among women. The study concludes that livestock production has high potential to contribute to inclusive climate change adaptation in the study region and more broadly but there is an urgent need to increase the percentage of livestock owning households and the size of the herds for livestock to make meaningful contributions to household welfare and climate resilience.

The adoption of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices among smallholder farmers remains low, particularly among women farmers. Understanding the relationship between assets, gender, and SLM adoption and how their interaction impinges on household food self-sufficiency and livelihoods is essential for developing gender-responsive SLM programmes that effectively promote sustainable livelihoods and address household food insecurity. This study examines the effects of asset type on SLM practices adoption, women farmers, and their implications on household incomes and food self-sufficiency. Data was collected through a cross-sectional survey of 761 households selected from 11 chiefdoms across six districts in Eastern Zambia. Analysis involved Structural Equation System framework and Propensity Score Matching techniques to examine relationships between SLM adoption, food self-sufficiency, and household incomes, considering various socio-economic factors. Results showed marital status and household size as significant demographics, with education positively correlating with household income and SLM participation (p

BackgroundWhilst malaria is a prominent aetiology associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) in many parts of Africa, a shift in the traditional AKI aetiologies has been witnessed in sections of the continent. Additionally, limited access to dialysis worsens patient outcomes in these low-resource settings. This retrospective cross-sectional study aimed to determine the associated aetiologies, predictors of need for dialysis and malaria-associated AKI (MAKI), and outcomes of AKI and dialysis among children evaluated by the renal service in Lusaka, Zambia.MethodsThe study sampled all children aged 16 years or below, diagnosed with AKI between 2017 and 2021, by the renal unit at the University Teaching Hospitals- Children's Hospital (UTH-CH), and retrospectively abstracted their records for exposures and outcomes. AKI was defined using the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) 2012 criteria. Frequency and percentage distributions were used to describe the occurrence of AKI aetiologies and treatment outcomes. Predictors of the need for dialysis, MAKI, and poor treatment outcome were identified by using multivariable logistic regression models.ResultsA total of 126 children diagnosed with AKI were included in this study. Malaria was the most frequent aetiology of AKI(61.1% (77/126, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 52.0%-69.7%)). Of the 126 children with AKI, 74.6% (94) underwent dialysis. Predictors of the need for dialysis were oliguria (p = 0.0024; Odds ratio (OR) = 7.5, 95% CI: 2.1-27.7) and anuria (p = 0.0211; OR = 6.4, 95% CI = 1.3, 30.7). A fifth (18.3%, 23/126) of the children developed chronic kidney disease (CKD), 5.6% (7/126) died and, a year later, 77% (97/126) were lost to follow-up.ConclusionAt UTH-CH, malaria is the most frequent aetiology among children with AKI undergoing dialysis and children from low-medium malaria incidence areas are at risk; a considerable proportion of children with AKI need dialysis and Tenchoff catheter use in AKI is advocated.

Introduction: Cerebral palsy is the leading cause of disability worldwide and Zambia has its fair share of cases. Most parents/caregivers of children with Cerebral palsy at University Teaching Hospital started attending physiotherapy late when their children were over one year Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of mothers towards factors contributing to late physiotherapy intervention of children with Cerebral palsy at University Teaching Hospital. Furthermore, assess the knowledge of mothers with children between 0-5 years on the role of physiotherapy in Cerebral palsy. Methodology: An exploratory study design using qualitative methods was used. Data collection techniques were FGDs that consisted of purposively sampling of 10 mothers of children with CP attending physiotherapy at University Teaching Hospital. Audio-recording from the FGDs was transcribed verbatim for each session by an independent person. The study employed thematic analysis for data analysis. The data was classified systematically by means of coding to identify key factors or issues such as concepts, categories, themes and the relationship between them. Results: This study identified four themes on factors that influence late physiotherapy intervention of children with Cerebral Palsy at University Teaching Hospital. These included: Socio-economic support; late referral for Physiotherapy; Caregiver's knowledge about Cerebral Palsy; and People's attitude towards Cerebral Palsy. Limited caregiver knowledge about the role of physiotherapy in Cerebral Palsy was reported to be due to; limited community awareness about physiotherapy; and lack of caregiver education. Conclusion: The present study sought to explore the perceptions of mothers towards factors contributing to late physiotherapy intervention in children with Cerebral Palsy. A diversity of factors that led to delayed intervention was highlighted. Rehabilitation professionals should be aware of the factors that impact mothers both positively and negatively in order to implement effective rehabilitation programs.

Adherence to treatment appointments by mothers of children with Cerebral Palsy is one of the factors affected in rehabilitation of a child with Cerebral Palsy, and this is cardinal to ensure effective rehabilitation outcomes for the child. Hence this study aimed to explore the factors influencing poor adherence to physiotherapy appointments by mothers of children with Cerebral Palsy at Chilenje Hospital, in Lusaka. A qualitative case study design utilising a phenomenological approach was conducted with a sample of 12 mothers of children with Cerebral palsy from Chilenje Hospital, Lusaka. Convenient sampling was utilized where mothers who were non-adhering were also purposefully selected into the study to better understand the factors affecting adherence to physiotherapy. The factors that contributed to caregivers defaulting scheduled therapy included economic constraints like unemployment and low education level, caregiver related factors such as marital challenges, and service centered factors such as challenges with the diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy and negative clinician attitudes. Majority of the caregivers admitted that they were motivated to attend therapy by observable improvements in their children. A combination of psychosocial, economic, child centered and service centered factors contributed to caregivers defaulting scheduled therapy. Interventions that may potentially improve caregiver attendance to scheduled therapy include community outreach services, efficient rehabilitation service provision at the hospitals, and facilitation of income generating programmes for mothers and caregivers.

Geoinformatics significantly enables the identification and tracking of global pandemic outbreaks such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), from spatial mapping at various sizes to location-based alerts. This article seeks to review online attempts to geographically map COVID-19, using several established techniques such as choropleth rendering, graduated circles, graduated pie charts, buffering, overlay analysis, and animation. The import of these mapping services is primarily to educate the public (especially travelers to potentially affected areas) and empower public health authorities in mapping spatial and temporal trends and patterns in COVID-19, as well as in assessing/reviewing the efficacy of current control protocols and actions.

The global coronavirus pandemic which has already caused unprecedented damage and misery has put an almost complete halt to our way of life. The epidemic will have significant and enduring economic and social implications in every corner of the globe. Only through successful cooperation and coordination between scientists, experts, innovators and policymakers can we solve the COVID-19 pandemic. Sharing observations and perspectives in real time will be crucial to improving the connection between research , policy and community, and leading to the solutions we need. When the Covid-19 pandemic is under control, and the world economy is back on track, it is important to reassess the status and fate of the 2030 Agenda, also known as Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs). The Decade of Operation was scheduled to kick-off the year 2020. With only 10 years to go, plans have been made to undertake “ambitious global efforts” to deliver the promise of 2030—by mobilizing more governments, civil society, businesses, and calling on all people to make their own the Global Goals.

INTRODUCTION: von Willebrand Disease (vWD) is the most prevalent bleeding disorder. Women are more likely to manifest abnormal bleeding symptoms due to physiologic events and menorrhagia is the most common presenting symptom. METHODS: this case-control study included 168 women aged between 18 and 45. The cases had menorrhagia whilst the controls did not. Blood grouping, activated partial thromboplastin time and von Willebrand factor activity tests were performed on samples collected from consenting study participants. Blood grouping, activated partial thromboplastin time and von Willebrand factor activity tests were performed on samples collected from consenting study participants. RESULTS: the mean age was 29.96 ± 7.37. Mean vWF activity of cases was 66.6% and of controls 97.8%. The mean activated Partial ThromboplastinTime (aPTT) of cases was 31.09s and of controls was 30.40s. There was no difference in the vWF activity between blood group O (86.3%) and non-blood group O (88.0%) participants. Eight women were diagnosed with von Willebrand disease, 6 cases and 2 controls. Higher odds of von Willebrand disease were seen in the cases (OR = 6.6). Epistaxis, von Willebr and factor activity levels and family history of menorrhagia were associated with an increased risk for menorrhagia. CONCLUSION: von Willebrand factor activity levels were associated with menorrhagia while activated partial thromboplastin time was not. vWF activity levels did not depend on any specific blood group. The prevalence of von Willebrand disease was significantly higher in participants with menorrhagia and repeated epistaxis and family history of menorrhagia pointed to a higher risk of menorrhagia.

Among the neglected population in NCD awareness is the population of people with hearing impairment or deaf. Little effort is made to ensure that people are deaf are covered in these NCDs awareness programs. Hence this study aimed at assessing the NCDs awareness among people who are deaf in Zambia, particularly assessing the knowledge of NCDs risk factors, diagnosis and treatment. The study utilized a phenomenological study type with were 10 participants who were purposively sampled. 5 males and 5 females were chosen, 2 from Grade ten, 4 from Grade eleven and 4 from Grade twelve. These were chosen because of their ability to adequately read and understand English language. The study highlighted that among the many factors, the major factors were identified as; lack of communication between the health personnel and the deaf person (pupil), attitude (stigma) of the health personnel towards the person who are deaf (pupil), lack of health education in the school curriculum and lack of specific information on NCDs. Other identified factors were lack of regular health campaign within the school premises, lack of health materials on NCDs and poor organization of physical education.some issues such as lack of communication between the health personnel and them, the attitude of the health personnel, lack of health education in the school curriculum and lack of specific information on NCDs were found to be the major cause of low awareness among the target

A good working environment or work is very important for global, national and local economic and social development. Legislation and inspection of workplaces is done to help monitor compliance with health and safety agencies and also insure health and safety in workplaces. Occupational health is a multi-disciplinary action that concentrates on protecting and promoting the health of workers by preventing and controlling occupational diseases and accidents. In Africa occupational health also looks at the factors and conditions that are hazardous to the health and safety of workers. Occupational health focuses on enabling workers to conduct socially and economically productive lives and contribute to sustainable development. According to the UN statistics about 300 million people are disabled in Africa. With the increasing number of people living with disability a number of countries have developed laws and regulations that allow disabled people to work. This paper aims at addressing different occupational and health issues which will help understand occupational health, the problems that comes it and how to address those problems. This article will also review the challenges of people living with disability face in employment and how they are treated at their workplaces. This review will be passed on other articles downloaded from google search. 14 articles where downloaded but only 11 where used. The others were excluded because of the limitation on the number of word and pages the review article was supposed to have.

As a result of physical disability after stroke, most of the patients need physiotherapy. Due to different backgrounds, knowledge, clinical experiences, personal preferences, and continually developing clinical practices, physiotherapists use different methods to treat their stroke patients. This study was designed to determine physiotherapists' perspective on the physiotherapy interventions for stroke patients at the University Teaching Hospital and Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka. This was a cross-sectional study. Data was collected through a standardized questionnaire with modifications to fit the scope of the study. A total of 36 participants consisting of 23 Physiotherapists and 13 physiotherapy Technologists was considered. The data obtained was analyzed by using descriptive analysis and chi-square test was used to test the association. The results showed that PNF/Brumstrom (92%) was the most taught approach among the respondents in their professional education. The preferred treatment approaches in stroke rehabilitation which are used by Physiotherapists and physiotherapy Technologists are repetitive functional task practice (72%), motor learning (69%) and PNF/Brumstrom (67%). There is need to incorporate the newer physiotherapy treatment approaches into the physiotherapy practice as the scope of practice that reflects the latest evidence base improves the provision of services and contributes to better and cost-effective physiotherapy interventions for stroke patients.

Abstract Background Cerebral palsy is a major cause of disability and most survivors are left with residual disability and are dependent on parents/caregivers for essential care. This study aimed to determine the experiences of parents/caregivers of cerebral palsy children receiving out-patient physiotherapy. A concurrent mixed methods was used to collect data in the present study. The modified caregiver strain index (MCSI-13) was used to detect Disturbed sleep, Inconvenient/Tiresome, Physical strain, Confining, Family changes, Changes in personal plan, Other demands, Emotional adjustments, Upsetting behavior, Patient has changed, Work adjustments, Financial Strain and Feeling Overwhelmed (strain morbidity) in 25 parents/caregivers of CP children. A purposive sample of 25 parents/caregivers was selected for both the quantitative part and qualitative part of the study. The study was conducted at Community Based Intervention Association Out-patients at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. The MCSI was used to collect quantitative data and in-depth interviews provided the qualitative data. Results The median age of the participants was 33.6 years and a range of 27 to 50 years. The study sample consisted of more females (92%) than males (8%). being overwhelmed and inconvenient/tiresome followed by family adjustments and work adjustment 72 and 68% respectively for each were the experiences mostly highlighted by the parents/caregivers in this study. When it came to the needs of the parents/caregivers more than half of them needed help with caring. To this effect participants expressed their perception; one mother had this to say, “…I need someone to help in caring. Sometimes I need to do some other things but can’t, because if I do then no one will remain with the child…”. Conclusion This study point out to some evidence that the burden inflicted on those caring for children with cerebral palsy should be addressed if the quality of care for those with cerebral palsy is to be improved.

Over the years, they have been suggestions that people with disabilities face barriers when accessing health care services unlike their abled counter-parts. However, information regarding the nature of these barriers, especially for those in low income and middle income countries is not abundant and very sparse. signing of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on May 3, 2008 is one of the most important disability actions taken to date which marked national recognition of the rights for persons with disabilities, of which included access. The studies explored in this article review issues related to access to health care and those mostly used in areas within the Sub-Saharan as their sample site. The following document contains published studies that determine if disability limits access to health care and to attempt to identify what contextual factors (environmental and personal factors), interact with to limit this access. The findings were that people with disability who came from rural areas did find it harder to access healthcare than their urban counterparts. The major reason behind this is transportation from home to the health facility. A number of other reasons were also considered, such as no services were available.

Many stroke survivors usually have permanent disability such as aphasia, which results in the need for support from caregivers. Care required for stroke survivors differs depending on the type of stroke but there is little research done in this regard. However, current literature provides evidence that support services and interventions for caregivers, especially in relation to managing affective symptoms, are unsatisfactory. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of caregivers handling aphasic stroke patients at the University Teaching Hospital. An explorative study utilizing qualitative phenomenological approach was utilized with sample of 15 participants who by purposeful sampling were drawn and using thematic method of analysis. This study found that caregivers go through a lot of things in caring for their loved ones and their experience involve a complicated and sometimes unpredictable interplay of multiple processes. Lack of preparedness in assuming the role of caregiving caused the caregivers to go through what seemed to be insurmountable challenges. There is therefore need of caregiver education so that they can deliver appropriate care to the stroke survivors.

Health care is important to everyone and everyone should have equal access to health care. The literature available focuses mainly on high-income countries. It is therefore important to bear in mind that many Deaf people, especially in low and middle-income countries, are suffering from much greater health disparities. Deaf people rely on a visual language that does not have a written form. These individuals may lack proficiency in written English. Health literacy, as defined by the National Institutes of Health refers to how well a person can get the health information and services that they need, and how well they understand them. To assess the Health Literacy of Deaf people in Kapiri Mposhi District. This research was a qualitative study; it used a cross-sectional descriptive study design. Snowball sampling was done. The sample size was 15 participants. 10 Deaf individuals and 5 health care providers altogether. Interviews were conducted and manual transcription was used to analyse the data and translate it into themes. Deaf people in Kapiri Mposhi are not aware of issues pertaining to health and wellbeing. It appears that Deaf people, because of communication barriers faced, do not receive full disclosure of their medical situation and the alternatives are not discussed with them. Even when disclosure does occur, many Deaf people may not fully comprehend the options available to them because of communication difficulties with health care providers. This entails that the Deaf people in Kapiri Mposhi District have their health literacy extremely low.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of severe handicap, disabling and impairing the ability to walk in 80% of all stroke survivors. Physiotherapists, all over the globe, use Observational gait analysis as a preferred method of gait assessment in their clinical practice to assess, monitor change, evaluate treatment and identify areas needing intervention in the rehabilitation of patients with gait disability. The objective of the study was to determine factors affecting the use of observational gait analysis in assessment of stroke survivors among physiotherapy practitioners at the University Teaching Hospital. The study was a cross sectional descriptive study aimed at determining the knowledge and factors affecting use of observational gait analysis and the adaption thereof as a Standard Observational Gait Assessment Tool at the University Teaching Hospital. The essential factors to the use of assessment tools were lack of guidelines and lack of knowledge on use of OGA. Also a lack of organizational support, lack of formal knowledge and no availability of assessment tools. To overcome these barriers, it is necessary to provide training of standardized assessment, and to recommend appropriate guidelines.

There is an empirical argument that Physiotherapists have a moral and professional obligation to move away from assessment and treatment methods based on anecdotal testimonies or opinion and upgrade their method of practice to Evidence-Based Practice in order to remain alive in the era of scientific research. It is essential to evaluate the quality of service being delivered by referral hospitals. This study aimed to establish linkages of knowledge and awareness of evidence-based practice in selected hospitals of Lusaka and the service quality at the physiotherapy outpatient departments. This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional study. The study was based on primary data collected through a standardized SERVQUAL tool measuring the mean expectations and perception of performance for the quality of physiotherapy care. A total of 75 respondents including both physiotherapists and patients contributed to the study. Limited utilization of EBP practice was seen with only 3(5.1%) participants always and 26(4.1%) mostly reading research to guide the clinical decision. 18(31%) and 14(24.1%) respectively strongly agreed or agreed that the insufficiency of basic EBP skills was the primary barrier to the application of EBP in clinical practice. A negative mean gap score was observed across all five dimensions of the SERVQUAL tool for patients. Despite Physiotherapists in Lusaka being knowledgeable of evidence-based practice, negative gaps in quality of care being offered still persist, an indication that there is a needs to improve on patients' satisfaction with the services being provided.

To ensure that there is inclusiveness in the provision of services for PWDs the Zambian government ratified to the UNCRPD by enacting the Zambia PWDs ACT No. 6 of 2012 to precisely look at promoting and protecting the rights of PWDs. Despite this, there has been a lack of implementation of the ACT and specifically about accessibility and mobility of PWDs to public buildings. The aim of this study was to explain barriers to implementation of part five division five of The Zambia PWDs on Accessibility and Mobility to public buildings in Lusaka for PWDs. A qualitative case study approach was utilized with sample of 8 participants who by a method of purposeful and convenient sampling were drawn and using thematic method of analysis. This study found that there is a knowledge gap and reduced general knowledge about the ACT among policy implementers. There is need for awareness among people that own building in Lusaka of the Disability ACT. For the policy makers there is a need for prioritization through national planning, budgeting and various national programs.