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The relationship between political corruption and human rights violations in Zambia: a diachronic analysis.
Full text linkArticle analysising the relationship between political corruption and human rights violations in Zambia: This paper examines the intricate interplay between political corruption and human rights violations, anchored in a diachronic approach, within the context of Zambia. The paper employs a qualitative research design, examining the nuanced dynamics that link corruption in the political sphere to the infringement of human rights. The investigation relies on a comprehensive analysis of secondary data, encompassing scholarly
articles, reports, and governmental documents to provide a holistic understanding of the subject of corruption. The paper begins by employing a Pierre Bourdieu-inspired social capital framework, embedded in a diachronic analytical theoretical framework that elucidates the potential causal links and mechanisms connecting political corruption and human rights violations, as mirrored in semiotics and police detentions. Through a nuanced
qualitative approach, the article analyzes specific instances and patterns of language habitus and corruption practices within Zambia's political landscape, examining the reasons why and how they have contributed to or directly resulted in human rights violations. Special attention is given to identifying key actors, systemic vulnerabilities, and institutional failures that facilitate this relationship. The findings of the paper contribute to the existing body of knowledge on linguistic corruption and human rights violations, offering insights into the specific manifestations of this relationship in the Zambian context. The qualitative diachronic analysis sheds light on the lived experiences of individuals affected by the intersection
of corruption and human rights abuses, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and policy reforms. The article's implications extend to both academic discourse and policymaking, providing a foundation for future research on corruption and human rights in Zambia and potentially informing strategies to mitigate these issues. This research paper underscores the importance of addressing diachronic corruption within the political
sphere as a means to safeguard and promote human rights, fostering a more just and equitable society in
Zambia
Exploring school administrators’ practices for inclusion of learners with special educational needs in regular schools: a case of Livingstone district, Zambia.
Full text linkThesis of f Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education.This was a qualitative study of administrators’ practices towards the inclusion of learners. This study investigated administrators’ practices towards the inclusion of learners with special educational needs in three selected regular schools. The objectives of the study were to establish school administrators’ practices employed to promote the inclusion of learners with special educational needs in regular schools, to assess how administrators’ practices had helped promote the inclusion of learners with special educational needs, to explore support given to administrators to promote the inclusion of learners with special educational needs, and to suggest a framework that can support school administrators’ propensity to promote inclusive education for learners with disabilities in schools. A qualitative descriptive case study design was used. The sample comprised 14 participants: 3 head teachers, 3 deputy head teachers, 3 senior teachers, and 5 class teachers. Data were collected through interviews, focus group discussions and observation checklist. Participants were selected through use of expert purposive sampling technique. Analysis of data was done thematically. The study revealed that the most common administrators’ practices used by most participants were monitoring, coaching, sensitisation and enrolment of learners with special needs in the study schools. It was established that through monitoring, the administrators made sure that the needs of learners with special educational needs were met. Administrators also made sure that all learners were treated in the same way regardless of the individual needs, and also that the teachers used the right pedagogies when teaching, especially when it came to learners with special educational
needs (LSEN). The study further, revealed that through administrators’ practices there were high enrolment of LSEN in regular schools. Administrators were also modifying the existing infrastructure to become user-friendly for LSEN although the modification may not be up to the expected standards for such learners. Furthermore, the study revealed that to promote inclusive education school administrators regularly collaborated with other stakeholders. However, during enrolment of learners with special education needs, administrator never followed the right procedure of referring the children to the hospital for medical assessment, instead they just enrolled them based on the chronological age of the child. This led to wrong
placement of the children in the school. The Government were funding regular schools to promote inclusive education. Short training courses in the form of continuous professional development (CPD) meetings, workshops and seminars in inclusive education were done to equip the administrators and teachers without knowledge in special education. To help learners with health conditions the government introduced health rooms within the schools where such learners were easily attended to. The study recommends that there is need for every school administrator to be trained in inclusive education so that they become competent on how to handle learners with special educational needs in their schools. There is also need for all the
school community to be sensitised on matters concerning learners with special educational needs. There is need for teacher assistants in the schools to help the class teachers when they attend to learners when they are not feeling well.
Keywords: Administrator, Practice, Inclusion, Learners and Regular schoo
Enhancement of online learning strategies in public and private higher education institutions in Zambia.
Full text linkThesis of Doctor of Philosophy in Education Administration and Management.The study investigated the innovative strategies for enhancing online learning in higher education institutions in Zambia. The research was guided by the Constructivist Learning Theory and Social Cognitive Theory. The researcher employed a pragmatist paradigm and a descriptive survey research design. Maximum variation purposive sampling technique was used to come up with the study sample. The sample was made up of 180 educators who were purposely selected from four universities. Additionally, 4 Directors of Distance Education in charge of Online Learning in the four universities, 1 ICT Expert from the Ministry of Technology and Science and 1 ICT engineer from the Internet Service Provider in the selected universities were also purposely selected. Four research instruments were used to collect data; a questionnaire which was used to collect quantitative data from educators and three interview guides which were used to collect qualitative data. Data was analyzed thematically. The findings of the study showed significant steps taken by the Government of Zambia to enhance online learning such as introduction of 5G technology, connection of Zambia to satellite internet via Star Link, and mandating and funding of ZAMREN to provide cheaper and quality internet connectivity. Additionally, the study showed that some higher learning institutions conducted online learning without a clear policy guideline. Three out of the four sampled learning institutions relied on distance learning policy developed many years ago for guidance. The study revealed that educators were generally satisfied with the computer expertise they acquired, but were not satisfied with the resources that were provided by the respective universities, the ICT support provided and generally had a negative perception of the online learning pedagogy. Furthermore, the study showed efforts made by Internet Service providers
to enhance online learning in higher education institutions in Zambia through provision of learning management systems for free. On the other hand, the study brought to the fore some of the strategies that could be used to enhance online learning in Zambia such as facilitation of learners' acquisition of ICT gadgets at an affordable price, pushing more investment in online learning software such as zoom, introduction of mandatory ICT courses in colleges and universities, and introduction of tax incentives on all ICT equipment bought by higher learning institutions. The study also highlighted innovative strategies for funding the purchase of ICT gadgets for disadvantaged learners in remote areas such as the use of Constituency
Development Fund under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. The major contribution of this study to the body of knowledge is the development of a contextualised regulatory policy framework on online learning in institutions of higher learning in Zambia, which, if adopted, will help to enhance effective instructional delivery in colleges and universities. In view of the findings, the study recommends the adoption of the proposed
online learning regulation policy framework by the Government of Zambia through Ministry of Education and introduction of mandatory ICT training courses for both learners and educators in the training curriculum by Higher Learning Institutions
Characterisation of surface water quality in the Luapula river basin and developing a WQImin model for potential inter-basin water transfer to the Kafue river basin.
Full text linkThesis of Master of Science in Integrated Water Resources ManagementThis study underscored the importance of water quality, providing insights for sustainable resource management in decision-making and development planning. The study focused on the Luapula River Basin (LRB) in Zambia, a potential donor for inter-basin water transfers to the Kafue River Basin (KRB). The research objectives included establishing baseline data on surface water quality and developing a cost-effective Water Quality Index model (WQImin) for regular monitoring. Data was collected during both the dry and wet seasons of 2022 and 2023, respectively. Two triplicate samples were collected from each sampling point using the grab sampling method from 57 sampling points in the dry season and 91 sampling points in the dry and wet seasons. The samples were analysed according to the standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. In the dry season, Electrical conductivity (EC) ranged from 8 µs/cm to 225 µs/cm, Total dissolved solids (TDS) values ranged from 5 mg/L to 162 mg/L, pH values ranged from 6.19 to 8.4 and temperature ranged from 18.50C to 28.10C, potassium ranged from 1.7 mg/L to 12 mg/L, sodium ranged from 5.3 mg/L to 36.3 mg/L, chloride ranged from 8 mg/L to 55 mg/L, turbidity ranged from 1.39 NTU to 37.2 NTU, iron ranged from 200 CFU/100 ml in both seasons. The concentrations of nitrate, phosphate and sulphate were below the detection limit of 0.01 mg/L. Similarly, the levels of manganese and lead were below the detection limits of <0.002 mg/L and <0.01 mg/L, respectively, in both seasons. The spatial-temporal variations were influenced by precipitation patterns, geological factors and anthropogenic activities, notably evidenced by elevated coliforms, iron, turbidity, sodium and chloride levels in specific areas. Hydro-chemical analysis characterised the surface water as a calcium–magnesium–bicarbonate type, indicating underlying geological geology rich in silicates. The WQI indicated that nine per cent of the sampling points in the LRB were unsafe, seven per cent were very poor, four per cent were poor, 2 per cent were good and 58 per cent were excellent for ambient purposes. The poor and unsafe WQIs in specific locations were mainly attributed to iron and turbidity. However, the overall WQI for the LRB was 38 per cent, indicating that the LRB has good-quality water making the implementation of inter-basin water transfer to the KRB feasible. A multi-linear regression model was developed for predicting the WQI value based on only five parameters (the WQImin value). The use of WQImin has the potential to save on the costs and time associated with water-quality monitoring. This model has the potential to aid in understanding challenges linked to inter-basin transfer and support the formulation of management strategies prioritizing water availability and ecosystem and livelihood sustainability
Amplifying teachers' voices: advancing teacher education and professionalism through competency-based curricula in Africa.
Full text linkThe evolving landscape of 21st century education, highlights the need for a teacher-centered approach to curriculum reform. "Amplifying Teachers’ Voices: Advancing
Teacher Education and Professionalism through Competency-Based Curricula (CBC) in Africa" explores the critical role of teachers in shaping and implementing
CBC to improve educational quality, inclusivity and professionalism. This paper examines how CBC reforms impact teacher education, professional development and
classroom practices across Africa, emphasizing the importance of valuing teachers' voices in curriculum design, implementation and policy formulation. Despite CBC's
promise in fostering learner-centered education, challenges such as inadequate teacher training, limited resources and institutional support hinder its effectiveness. Grounded in Teacher Agency theory, the study analyses teachers' experiences and contributions to CBC implementation. Drawing understandings from successful CBC initiatives, it advocates for policies that empower teachers as agents of educational transformation, calling for collective action to ensure a well-supported, professional teaching workforce capable of achieving meaningful learning outcomes
Nurses’ adherence to nursing care practices for ventilated patients in the adult intensive care unit at the University teaching hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.
Full text linkThesis of Master of Science in Critical Care Nursing.Background: Adherence to nursing care practices for ventilated patients is crucial for preventing complications, ensuring patient safety, and optimizing recovery outcomes. In the intensive care unit (ICU), maintaining high adherence to these practices is essential for delivering quality care. The demand for mechanical ventilation has been increasing steadily, with an annual rise of 10% over the last five years. However, existing literature has primarily focused on general nursing competencies for critically ill patients, leaving a gap in understanding adherence to nursing care practices specifically for mechanically ventilated patients.
Aim: To assess nurses’ adherence to nursing care practices for ventilated patients in the adult intensive care unit (ICU) at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka.
Method: This study employed a quantitative approach using a descriptive cross-sectional design. It was conducted in the ICU of the University Teaching Hospital, targeting all eligible nurses. Despite considering a census approach, not all nurses participated as some were unavailable at the
time of data collection. In total, 58 nurses who met the inclusion criteria participated in the study. Data were collected using a semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire following ethical approval from the local Ethical Committee. Written informed consent was obtained from all respondents before participation. Data analysis was performed using Fisher’s exact test and binary logistic regression.
Results: The study found that nurses’ adherence to nursing care practices was significantly associated with their qualifications (p = 0.033), knowledge (p = 0.025), and staffing levels (p = 0.013). Nurses with degree qualifications were 4.2 times more likely to adhere to nursing care practices compared to those with diploma qualifications (OR = 4.2, 95% CI: 2.65 – 6.90), p = 0.033). Adequate knowledge was also a significant predictor, as knowledgeable nurses were 4.8 times more likely to adhere (OR = 4.8, 95% CI: 12.43–23.46, p = 0.025). Additionally, staffing levels played a crucial role, with nurses in well-staffed ICUs being 7.5 times more likely to adhere to nursing care practices (OR = 7.5, 95% CI: 3.28 - 4.54, p = 0.013).
Conclusion: Adherence to nursing care practices for ventilated patients is significantly influenced by staffing levels, knowledge, and educational qualifications. To enhance adherence and improve patient outcomes, continuous education programs for ICU nurses should be prioritized, along with
strategic staffing interventions. Nursing Implications: Policy makers should use these results to design targeted training and supportive supervision structures that promote adherence, ultimately leading to improved patient care and reduced complications among ventilated patients
Keywords: Adherence, Nurses, Nursing Care Practices, Ventilated Patients, Intensive Care Unit
Utilization of modified early warning score among ward nurses at Konkola mine hospital, Chililabombwe, Zambia.
Full text linkThesis of Master of Critical Care Nursing.Background: Hospitalized patients, including those in the Intensive Care Unit, often experience clinical deterioration. The Modified Early Warning Score helps healthcare providers monitor patients’ conditions to anticipate serious adverse events. The recognition, response, and treatment of deteriorating patients are essential for improving patient outcomes and reducing unexpected deaths,length of stay, and cost of Intensive Care Unit care. Therefore, improving patient monitoring, using a simple and user-friendly tool like the Modified Early Warning Score system, remains crucial for early detection and prompt treatment to prevent severe adverse effects.
Aim: To establish the utilization of Modified Early Warning Score and its associated factors among ward nurses at Konkola Mine Hospital, Chililabombwe, Zambia.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 81 randomly selected nurses using simple random sampling. Data were collected using a validated structured questionnaire. All ethical guidelines were upheld. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 27 employing Chi-square and
binary logistic regression tests.
Results: The study results revealed suboptimal utilization of the Modified Early Warning Score at 68% with significant associations between age group (p= 0.029), gender (p = 0.001), level of education (p = 0.001), training in Modified Early Warning Score (p = 0.001), attitude (p = 0.001), and knowledge (p = 0.001). Training had a significant impact on Modified Early Warning Score utilization as respondents who had not received training were less likely to utilize MEWS compared to those who had received training (AOR = 11.76; 95% CI, 1.34–103.19; p = 0.026). Respondents with a positive attitude towards Modified Early Warning Score were more likely to utilize it compared to those with a negative attitude (AOR = 5.28; 95% CI, 1.08–6.24; p = 0.003). Knowledge was another important predictor, with respondents who had adequate knowledge of MEWS being more likely to utilize it than those with inadequate knowledge (AOR = 3.05; 95% CI, 0.01–0.32; p = 0.002).
Conclusion: This study highlights the suboptimal utilization of Modified Early Warning Score among ward nurses, with significant gaps in knowledge and training. The results underscore the need for targeted education and training programs to enhance nurses' understanding and adoption of Modified
Early Warning Score, ultimately improving early detection and response to patient deterioration. Addressing these gaps is critical to ensuring the effective implementation of Modified Early Warning Score and enhancing patient safety and outcomes.
Keywords: Modified early warning score, utilization, clinical deterioration, intensive care uni
Experiences of mothers nursing their neonates on end of life care in neonatal intensive care unit at women and newborn hospital, university teaching hospitals, Lusaka Zambia.
Full text linkThesis of Masters of Science in Neonatal Nursing.Introduction: Neonatal intensive care unit is important to save the lives of a sick neonates; however, mothers are challenged by several stressful conditions during their stay including the ones nursing end of life care neonates. End of life care is a unique healthcare situation embedded with the scope of palliative care provision.
Methodology: The study had twelve participants and the participants were selected using purposeful sampling. The study was a phenomenological (descriptive) qualitative study. Data was collected using an interview guide and analysed using thematic analysis.
Findings: The study revealed that mothers suffered from inadequate emotional support and inadequate information as staff working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit were not readily available to give them emotional support, and lack of time for updates as the staffs seemed all busy.
Conclusion: This study explored the experiences of mothers nursing their neonates on endof-life care in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Women and New-born Hospital, University Teaching Hospitals. Main findings indicated that parents experienced both psychological and emotional problems such as, anxiety, stress, worry, hopelessness, confusion and anger. In addition, the study revealed that mothers suffered from inadequate emotional support
and differences in information delivery, lack of updates from staff and inadequate communication. Furthermore, mothers reported to have no emotional support from the spouse and little or no financial assistance
The effect of entrepreneurial orientation on performance of agriculture cooperatives: a study of solar milling plant cooperatives in Southern province of Zambia.
Full text linkArticleThe Solar Powered Milling Plants Project, a cornerstone of Zambia’s Presidential Milling Initiative, was introduced to boost the economy and improve rural livelihoods by providing sustainable milling solutions. Despite substantial support from the government, stakeholders, and donor agencies, the performance of agricultural cooperatives especially in Zambia’s Southern Province has remained suboptimal. With agriculture contributing only 2.74% to the country’s GDP and cooperatives accounting for 12% of agricultural GDP, there was a clear gap between potential and realized impact, raising concerns about the effectiveness of these cooperatives in meeting economic and social objectives. This study examined the influence of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) on the business performance of solar milling cooperatives in Southern Province of Zambia, aiming to uncover strategies to enhance their success. The research employed an embedded mixed
methods design, primarily focusing on quantitative data while incorporating qualitative insights. Data were gathered from 364 cooperative members using survey tools and semi-structured interviews. Convenience and purposive sampling techniques ensured targeted participant engagement, with 308 respondents forming the final analysis group. Among these respondents, 70.5% were female and 25.3% were male, reflecting the significant role of women in cooperative operations. The study revealed that EO dimensions, including innovation, pro-activeness, and risk-taking, had a measurable and positive effect on cooperative business performance. A strong positive correlation (p < 0.01) was identified between EO and performance, suggesting that entrepreneurial practices could drive significant improvements in cooperative outcomes. Further, the study examined the interplay between internal and external business environments
and cooperative performance. The findings demonstrated a robust positive relationship between these environments and performance, with a correlation coefficient of 0.947. Combined, internal and external factors explained 89.7% (R-Square: 0.897) of the variance in business performance, underscoring their critical role. Internally, cooperatives faced challenges
related to operational costs, leadership capabilities, and technical skills, while externally, government policies, market accessibility, and raw material availability emerged as key influencers. The thematic analysis also highlighted that cooperatives capable of organizing their grain supplies and engaging in commercial milling achieved better financial results than those relying on toll milling. This finding emphasized the need for skill development programs, particularly in entrepreneurship and equipment repair, to enhance operational efficiency. The study concluded that EO, alongside both internal and external environmental factors, plays a pivotal role in determining the success of solar milling cooperatives. Key recommendations included fostering innovation, promoting entrepreneurial training, and addressing external barriers such as market access and policy restrictions. By strategically leveraging EO dimensions and improving their internal and
external operational frameworks, cooperatives can enhance their financial performance and sustainability. This research contributes valuable insights into improving the efficiency and resilience of agricultural cooperatives, aligning with Zambia’s broader goals of rural development, economic diversification, and food security
Lived experiences of former drug abusers during their rehabilitation process at Chainama Hills hospital.
Full text linkThesis of Master of Public Health in Health Promotion and Education.One of the most serious health problems affecting people of all age groups, especially young people, today is drug abuse. Considering the effects of drug use on individuals who use drugs, efforts are being made to improve the rehabilitation of drug users in Zambia. However, in Zambia, there is a lack of comprehensive research and data on the lived experiences of individuals struggling with drug use. Hence, the purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of former drug users during their rehabilitation process at Chainama Hills Hospital. A qualitative phenomenological study design was used and data was collected through in-depth interviews with former drug abusers at Chainama Hills Hospital. Twenty-five participants of
both sexes aged 18 years and above took part in the in-depth interviews, which were determined through purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was used using both inductive and deductive approach. The study identified two themes and twenty sub-themes. The first theme was Facilitators to Recovery which encompassed treatment, psycho-emotive support (counselling and medication), familial and social support (including desire to repair relationships, and spiritual support), and personal factors (avoiding triggers, changing habits, and self-improvement), while Barriers to Recovery theme included personal struggles (dietary, cravings, stigma, and withdrawal), familial and social challenges (peer influence and loneliness), treatment-related obstacles (confinement and medication issues), and facility-related difficulties (shared wards and poor conditions). Recovery from drug abuse is influenced by a combination of treatment access, social and spiritual support, and personal factor, while factors such as stigma, cravings, poor facility conditions, and lack of social support affect recovery. These findings underscore the importance of a holistic approach to treatment, encompassing medical, psychological, social, and personal dimensions.
Key Terms: Drug Abuse, Drug Rehabilitation, Recover