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Objectives Low job satisfaction levels among pharmacists are associated with poor motivation and performance in the workplace. However, in Zambia, the job satisfaction levels of pharmacists remain unknown. Therefore, the aim of this article was to explore levels of job satisfaction among pharmacists from the public and private health sectors in Zambia. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among Zambian pharmacists between April and August 2019. We used a previously validated self-administered questionnaire to measure job satisfaction. We sent out 200 questionnaires, of which 156 (78.0%) were returned. Bivariate analysis and an adjusted general linear regression model were fitted to determine factors affecting job satisfaction levels. Key findings Among 156 respondents, 46 (29.5%) were males, 114 (73.1%) and worked in the public sector. Overall, the mean job satisfaction score of the responding pharmacists was 3.05 (SD = 0.64) (on a scale of 1–5). Job satisfaction scores were significantly lower for pharmacists working in the public health sectors (regression coefficient (β), −0.34; 95% confidence interval (CI), −0.59 to −0.10), adjusting for age, sex and income. Income was independently associated with levels of job satisfaction. Conclusions Overall, pharmacists in Zambia were neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with their job. Nevertheless, pharmacists working in the private sector were more likely to report higher job satisfaction levels than those in the public sector. Therefore, the present study findings could contribute to developing and refining rational criteria to increase job satisfaction in pharmacy settings.

Medication administration omission errors (MAOE) are very common and often affect patient outcomes and length of stay in the hospitals. This study was a cross-sectional study in which the frequency and causes of MAOE over four weeks at Ndola University Teaching Hospital (NUTH) was assessed. It involved reviewing patients’ drug charts and observation of nurses during the administration of medications to inpatients to detect the MAOE. A total of 259 drug charts were reviewed using a checklist and administered semi-structured questionnaires to 50 nurses who were involved in medication administration to solicit the cause of MAOE. To assess factors associated with MAOE, multivariate logistic regression was used. In this study, 259 drug charts were reviewed of which 220 (84.9%) had one or more MAOE. Of the 1100 doses prescribed to 259 inpatients, 317 doses were omitted resulting in an overall MAOE frequency of 28.8%. In multivariate regression analysis, increased number of medications that the patient used (AOR: 2.18, CI: 1.62-2.94; p=0.0001), being male (AOR: 2.42, Cl: 1.05-5.53: p=0.036) and surgical wards (AOR: 8.56, CI: 3.04 -24.1; p=0.0001) were significant predictors of MAOE. The most common causes of MAOE were the unavailability of medication on the ward followed by work overload. The most omitted class of medication was anti-infective. Medication omission errors are common and affect adult inpatients at Ndola Teaching. There is a need to highlight the magnitude of this problem to promote awareness so that specific interventions are put in place to address the identified causes. Key words: Medication omission, administration errors, frequency, medication administration.

Pollution has increased soil lead levels to several thousand parts per million; the primary cause of soil lead contamination in Kabwe district is the weathering from the former Zinc-lead mine. Soil lead is a health risk when directly ingested or inhaled as and it is of particular concern for children less than 6 years because of its implication on their growth. Hence this study set out to assess the lead soil content in four different sites of Kabwe district, Central province of Zambia. Literature was reviewed from studies that covered soil lead contamination. A quantitative analytical study was carried out, and it involved geographical mapping of four different sites the north, South, East, and West of Kabwe district which were conveniently selected to collect soil Samples which were taken to The University of Zambia School of Mines, Geology Engineering Laboratory to determine the Levels of soil Lead content using a technique called Geo-Chemical Analysis. The results suggest that the Chowa area is highly polluted with lead metal according to the globally recommended WHO guidelines and Zambia Environmental Management Agency, which all states that Residential areas should not exceed 400Kg/mg or parts per million.

Background. Sub-Saharan countries have experienced centuries of high morbidity and mortality due to malaria. In addition to insecticide-treated mosquito nets and indoor residual spraying, modern antimalarial medicines have been developed to reduce disease prevalence, although the emergence of drug-resistant strains has compromised their efficacy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the current status of malaria diagnosis and treatment and to monitor the therapeutic efficacy of antimalarial drugs.Materials and Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted from 2011 to 2013 at 10 district hospitals in Zambia designated as malaria sentinel sites as well as at the National Malaria Control Centre. District medical officers at each site completed interview questionnaires.Results. Although basic infrastructure necessary for monitoring antimalarial drug resistance (such as laboratory, dispensary, admission ward, database unit, administration offices, bed space, examination and emergency rooms) was present at all sites, there was a shortage of licensed healthcare personnel. At some sites, antimalarial drugs were prescribed for malaria-like symptoms without diagnostic confirmation by blood smear. There was no regular monitoring of antimalarial drug resistance: only one trial was conducted among all sites in the previous 24 months.Conclusion. A lack of antimalarial drug resistance monitoring might be associated with personnel and funding shortages. Additional financial support would be necessary to avoid the development and spread of drug-resistant malaria in Zambia.

Background: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a serious global health problem that has negatively impacted the mental health of students.Methods: We conducted an online descriptive cross-sectional study among 273 undergraduate pharmacy students at the University of Zambia from August to September 2020. A partial proportional odds regression model was used to determine the predictors of anxiety. All statistical tests were set at 95% confidence level (p