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A study of the effect of the treasury single account on commercial banks deposits and lending in Zambia.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Business Administration in Management StrategyThe implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) in Zambia brought about drastic changes in the management of public funds. The Bank of Zambia assumed custodianship of public funds while Commercial Banks remain revenue collection agents throughout the country. This study investigated the effect of the TSA on Commercial Banks Deposit Mobilization and Lending in Zambia. Secondary and Time series data were collected from the Bank of Zambia (BOZ) annual reports covering the pre- and post-TSA implementation eras, over a ten-year period (2010-2019). The independent variable was represented by Government Deposits (representing the TSA), while aggregate Commercial Banks Deposits and Loans and Advances were the dependent variables. The data were analysed using descriptive, regression and correlation analysis, with the aid of IBM SPSS Statistics version 28. The findings of the study revealed that Government Deposits have a significant positive effect on Commercial Banks Deposit Mobilization. The P-value was found to be <0.001 which is less than 0.05 meaning that the P-value is statistically significant at 5% level. The study also revealed that Government Deposits have significant positive effect on Commercial Banks Loans and Advances. The P- value was found to be <0.001 which is less than 0.05 meaning the P-value is statistically significant at 5% level. The trend analysis of Government Deposits further revealed a slow growth in Government Deposits after TSA implementation. Between 2010 and 2014 which is the pre-TSA era, Government Deposits in Commercial Banks grew by 163%, whilst between 2015 and 2019, which is the post -TSA era; Government Deposits grew by 74%. The trend analysis of Loans and Advances revealed a slower growth in Loans and Advances during the post -TSA era (35%), compared to 136% growth during the pre -TSA era. The study therefore concluded that the TSA which aims to withdraw Government Deposits from Commercial Banks has a negative effect on Commercial Bank Deposits and their lending ability. The study recommended that banks should develop strategies to attract private sector deposits, to fill the void created by the implementation of the TSA. Banks should come up with innovative solutions to tap into the unbanked population. It is important that banks develop attractive savings products to encourage the culture of saving among citizens. The study further recommended that the Ministry of Finance should consider allowing Commercial Banks involved in revenue collection, a few days float before revenue is remitted to the main TSA account at Bank of Zambia (BOZ)
Assessment of nonbiological determinants of African swine fever and porcine cysticercosis in free range pig value chains in the Gwembe valley of Southern Zambia : a systems thinking approach.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Science in One Health Analytical EpidemiologyThe pig production sector in Zambia, particularly in Southern province, has exhibited consistent growth owing to the substantial pig populations in these regions. However, the industry faces significant challenges primarily arising from diseases such as African Swine Fever (ASF) and porcine cysticercosis (PCC), which hinder its expansion and sustainability. Consequently, the aim of this study was to conduct an assessment of nonbiological determinants of ASF and PCC in free range pig value chains in the Gwembe valley of Southern Zambia. A cross-sectional study that incorporated the Spatial Group Model Building (SGMB) process, using the LayerStack tool, was conducted in October 2023. This participatory method engaged 11 members of the Gwembe pig value chain in a focus group discussion using a semi-structured guide as well as two District Veterinary Officers (DVOs) as key informants. The study revealed that socio-economic factors, traditional farming practices, and market dynamics significantly contribute to the persistence and spread of these diseases. Poor access to veterinary services, especially in remote areas, delayed disease management, while traditional free-range farming practices facilitated disease transmission through unsanitary environments and contact with contaminated human waste. Cultural practices, such as pig movement during ceremonies, and economic pressures, including the sale of infected pigs in informal markets, further exacerbated the situation. The study also identified gaps in biosecurity measures, inadequate disease awareness, and financial constraints as major barriers to effective disease control. A systems thinking approach, using the SGMB, highlighted the spatial and socio-economic dynamics that sustain the prevalence of ASF and PCC, underscoring the need for integrated, multi-dimensional interventions that address both cultural and economic challenges. It is recommended that efforts be focused on improving access to veterinary services in remote areas. To address the delay in disease interventions, veterinary outreach programs should be strengthened, ensuring timely disease prevention and control
measures. Based on the findings that traditional free-range farming practices significantly contribute to disease transmission, it is recommended that pig farming practices be modernized through the promotion of confined and semi-confined farming systems. Going forward, exploring the socio-cultural factors that influence farmers' acceptance and adoption of modern biosecurity measures could shed light on ways to bridge the gap between traditional practices and disease control
An assessment of the effects of micro finance credit on public service workers: a case study of Lusaka province.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Business Administration Management Strategy.This study sought to assess the effects of microfinance credit on public service workers. The study was conducted in Lusaka province, with an extension of one district in Central Province. The study adopted a mixed research approach and used a concurrent nested research design. The data used in the study was collected using a mixed research approach through a survey and in-depth interviews. Data analysis was done using statistical packages for social sciences for quantitative data and a thematic approach for qualitative data. Regression, correlation, and analysis of variance were the main empirical analysis approaches for the quantitative data. The results have established a negative but insignificant effect of microfinance institution loans on the livelihood of households. The control variables of family size and salary scale also produced insignificant results. The study identified loose collateral requirements, less paperwork, and quick access to money as the factors that influence the preference of microfinance institution loans over bank loans by households. Despite the move to
utilise more microfinance institution loans than bank loans, the study identified challenges that public service workers face when accessing loans from microfinance institutions. Long-distance coverage was one of the main challenges identified. Other challenges include poor access to internet facilities
and low-income levels. The study therefore recommended that the government should improve the operating environment for microfinance institutions in order to attract many microfinance institution formations. This may reduce the long-distance challenge identified in this study. In addition, the study
prescribed that microfinance institutions need to standardise their loan policies countrywide in order to attract many public service workers. The study also identified the need to set policies that would restrict borrowing from microfinance institutions. This will reduce overborrowing and, thus, the
extent of loan defaults. Finally, the study recommends that other researchers extend the study to other sectors and improve the contribution to the body of knowledge on the subject matter
Energy conservation practices at household level in Chalimbana ward, Chongwe district.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Science in Environment and Natural Resources ManagementEnergy conservation is a subject that has continued to attract global attention as it is essential in ensuring that the growing energy demand does not pose a threat to the environment. In view of this, the current study aimed at finding out the household energy conservation practices used in Chalimbana ward of Chongwe District, Zambia. The study adopted a convergent mixed method research design. Qualitative data from 10 purposively sampled key informants was collected through in-depth interviews using semi-structured interview guides. Additionally, quantitative data from 175 households selected through cluster sampling technique was collected using a questionnaire. The qualitative data was analysed through content analysis, whereas quantitative data was analysed through descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression. The study found that most households in Chalimbana ward depend on traditional biomass
expenditure on household energy consumption in the study area was influenced by social and economic factors such as family size, house size and education. To conserve energy, the households in this area used a variety of conservation methods, of which the most used involves switching or putting off unused household energy appliances or sources. The energy used among these households is perceived to cause air pollution, habitat loss, land use change, and exposure to hazardous waste, among other environmental atrocities. While the study findings show that households in Chalimbana ward do practice energy conservation, this is not done at a substantive level that can yield sustainable environmental, economic and
social benefits of household energy conservation
Effects of field and laboratory larval inhabited water physical chemicals and background colour on oviposition site selection by gravid female anopheline mosquitoes in Lusaka province.
Get PDFThesis of Doctor of Philosophy in Entomology.Knowledge of factors that regulate oviposition site selection by gravid anopheline mosquitoes is still limited and yet it is of great importance in the quest to develop alternative malaria vector control methods. In order to contribute to data and knowledge on the subject, this study characterised and determined the effects of water physical chemicals including pH, temperature, turbidity, conductivity, larval pre-inhabited water and five different background colours on oviposition site selection behaviour by gravid anopheline mosquitoes. The study was conducted in three districts of Lusaka province, between July 2018 and February 2023. Potential anopheline oviposition sites were sampled by scooping in water at the sites using a 350mls dipper. The anopheline oviposition sites were confirmed by the presence of anopheline larvae which were identified by their parallel water surface resting positions. Larval density was determined as mean larval counts in scoops using the dipper. Portable water testers were used to record temperature, pH, turbidity and conductivity in the field. Late instar mosquito larvae were kept in breeding containers until adults emerged from them later for mosquito identification using both morphological and molecular techniques. Field oviposition water in 1 litre capacity containers was placed in an insulated cooler box which was transported to the laboratory to determine its efficacy in influencing oviposition behaviour in gravid Anopheles gambiae s.s. KISUMU mosquitoes. Effects of larval pre-inhabited water on oviposition site selection was determined by presenting 30mls of the treatment water in 36mls capacity oviposition cups to groups of 30 gravid Anopheles gambiae s.s., KISUMU mosquitoes in 30 x 30 x 30 cm cages. The effect of water background colour on oviposition site selection, on the other hand was tested by presenting 30mls of water in five differently coloured oviposition cups to groups of 30 gravid mosquitoes in 30 x 30 x 30 cm mosquito cages. After 24 hours, the oviposition cups were inspected for eggs deposited by gravid females. The data generated were analysed statistically using IBM SPSS Statistics software, version 26 and Windows Microsoft Excel. Out of a total of 43 sites sampled in this study, only three were confirmed as anopheline oviposition sites in the study area, two were in Nyamphande location (Site-A and Site- B) and one was in Shiala location, respectively. A total of 1,795 anopheline larvae were counted from the three sites. Two anopheline mosquito species namely, Anopheles gambiae s.s. (97.5%), and Anopheles pretoriensis (2.5%), were found to occur in Shiala location while Anopheles coustani (95%) and Anopheles gambiae s.s. (5%), occurred in the Nyamphande area. Larval density was higher at
Nyamphande site-A when compared to site-B, t-test P 0.05(95%CI) in physical, and chemical properties of water between the two sites of Nyamphande. The Spearman linear regression coefficient (rs), showed no significant correlation between larval density and water pH, temperature, turbidity, and conductivity at the three study sites. Laboratory reared gravid female Anopheles gambiae s.s., KISUMU laid more eggs in field oviposition water from Nyamphande site-A than in water from site-B or in distilled water, the control, P black (23%) > blue (16%) > green (11%) >
yellow (7%). The larval density and egg counts of anopheline mosquitoes were not related to water pH, temperature, turbidity or conductivity but to factors within the larval pre-inhabited water and to the background colour of the water. The discovery of dominance in Rufunsa district by Anopheles
coustani mosquito, a secondary malaria vector in this study is significant for purposes of malaria control in the area and calls for an expanded study to establish whether the species plays an important role in malaria transmission in the area. This study has generated information that may be relevant for use in improving the efficacy of some existing vector control methods or for the development of alternative vector control methods. The study recommends that more research be undertaken to identify and understand factors or sources of factors that influence oviposition site selection by gravid female anopheline mosquitoes at oviposition sites of the study area
Categorisation of sexual reproductive health short messages texts into thematic areas using text mining (a case study for the Zambia u-report).
Get PDFThesis of Masters of Science in Computer Science.In Zambia, the U-report platform was launched to improve young people's understanding of sexual reproductive health and access remote counseling services. This free texting program is run by the National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council supported by UNICEF. Millions of messages have been exchanged, but categorizing them manually to see what topics adolescents frequently ask about is challenging. This research explored using computers, to automatically classify these messages into different subject areas, making it faster to identify knowledge gaps in sexual health and related domains. The study investigated how U-report messages are currently categorized and built a system to automatically sort them into different topics. The new system was compared to the manual method currently used and it was found that the automated system is faster and more accurate, giving an accuracy score of above seventy percent. In the first stage of the research, administrators of the platform were interviewed to understand how they categorize messages. This helped identify the different categories they use. Then, a classification model was trained to sort messages into these categories using machine learning. This model has the potential to significantly improve how quickly and accurately messages are categorized on the Zambia Ureport SMS system.
Keywords—Feature Extraction, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Text Classification, Text Mining, Text Extraction
An assessment of the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in selected townships of Lusaka province.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and InnovationThe outbreak of the Coronavirus of 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic affected the entire globe socially and economically. The Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) were not spared. This study aimed at assessing the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Performance of SMEs due to the significant economic roles they play. The Zambian economy comprises 97% SMEs, who create employment for over 88% of citizens and contribute 70% of the GDP. Therefore, the objective of the study was to assess the effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the SMEs in selected townships of Lusaka Province. The snowballing method was used to collect data using the mixed method approach and SPSS version 20 for data analysis. The results showed that 62.9% of the SMEs employed less than 5 employees, 17% employed between 5 and 10 employees and 19.98% employed more than 10. From the total study population 99.4% had
registered businesses with the local authorities. The results from the study on SMEs financial liquidity reviewed that 97% of the SMEs experienced reduction in revenue. The SMEs experienced a 75% reduction in the number of customers and 36.8% of the SMEs confirmed experiencing disruptions in the supply chain for essential goods. However, the SMEs devised mitigation measures to withstand the effects of the Pandemic, such as offering promotions, credit, and discounts to royal customers, extended their working hours, shared spaces with other businesses to reduce the costs of rentals. There was also a rise in electronic business (ECommerce). The SMEs advertised their products and services on social media platforms, conducted virtual meetings and trainings. To ensure that they had capital for their business the SMEs formed informal banking group called village banking. Therefore, the SMEs have shown that they are able to adapt to change.
Key words: Small and Medium Enterprise, COVID-19 Pandemic, mitigation measures
Advancing prostate cancer therapy: synthesis and characterization of docetaxel-loaded magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for controlled drug release.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Science in Chemistry.Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men worldwide, and current drug administration methods of front-line drugs like Docetaxel (DXL) face challenges, including non-specific treatment causing several side effects and the development of drug resistance, which affects patients' response and quality of life during treatment. Hence, there is a need for drug carriers such as Iron oxide nanoparticles, which are suitable for novel drug delivery systems due to low toxicity, biocompatibility, loading capacity, and controlled drug delivery to cancer cells. The purpose of the present study was to synthesize DXL-loaded pegylated magnetic Iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4NPs) for controlled drug release in prostate cancer cells. In this study, Fe3O4NPs were synthesized by the co-precipitation, functionalized with folic acid (FA), loaded with DXL and encapsulated with polyethylene glycol (PEG). Structural analysis was done using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy which showed changes in absorption spectra with each attached molecule a blue shift was observed due to particle size increase. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern showed that pure magnetite nanoparticles were synthesized. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) results showed a peak at 583, 1089, and 1584 cm-1 these confirmed that Fe3O4 NPs were synthesized. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm model (R2 =0.9947) was favoured over the Freundlich (R2 =0.9441) and Temkin (R2=0.8218). Drug release was faster at a potential of Hydrogen (pH) of 4.8 compared to pH 6.0, 7.0, and pH 7.45 with drug release percentage of 62.4%. 37.8%, 28.3%, and 24.0% respectively after 72 hr. Un-PEGylated Docetaxel-loaded nanoparticles showed a rapid drug release of about 98.8% after 7 hr. Drug release follows the Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model (R2= 0.9949) via the Fickian release mechanism. This study showed that Docetaxel-loaded pegylated Fe3O4NPs could be beneficial for increasing the effect of anticancer drugs on cancer cells while minimizing side effects
Risk factors associated with mortality of breast cancer patients after surgery: the case of Zambia.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Science Degree in Statistics.Breast cancer (BC) has become a public health problem world-wide due to its high mortality rate among women in both developed and developing countries. Numerous studies have been conducted to determine prognostic factors for breast cancer mortality and projection of mortality in developed countries. However, little was known of how factors related to both patients care and personal attributes in the case of Zambia, with a different environmental and cultural setting. Therefore, this study identifies the factors that affects survival rates and estimates a 5-year mortality of BC patients after surgery. We conducted a retrospective study encompassing 233 women who had undergone BC surgery between 2013 and 2018, and were followed-up to the end of 2019. The data were gathered from medical records of patients from the cancer center registry at Cancer Disease
Hospital (CDH) in Lusaka, Zambia. We determined the prognostic factors of BC mortality after surgery using the Logistic regression model. The most commonly used statistic of comparison was the odds ratio (OR). Further, 5-year mortality rates for various age groups were estimated using the fitted model. A total of 54 deaths were recorded during the study period. The results of the study showed that age at surgery, marital status, HIV status, BMI, BC stage, histologic grade, Progesterone Receptor (PR) status were statistically and significantly associated with mortality of BC patients after surgery, using a multiple logistic regression model. It was also established that factors which had two response categories (positive or negative) had higher mortality rates for subjects who were found to be positive on that factor compared to subjects who were negative. For other factors such as tumor size, lymph node status, BC stage and histologic grade, the odds of death increased with the degree of severity across the levels of the factor.
Additionally, the odds of death were higher for both HIV positive and the single patients compared to the HIV negative and married ones, respectively. Further, the odds of death for obese or overweight patients were more than twice of those classified as not obese or overweight. Furthermore, the 5-year mortality of different age groups using multiple logistic regression stood at 74.1% for the younger group (≤ 35 years) and 98.9% for the older group (50 <= age). Therefore, the study recommends the need for early detection of breast cancer along with the availability and accessibility of appropriate treatment.
Keywords: Breast cancer, mortality, survival, logistic regression, prognostic, retrospective stud
An assessment of the Lusaka decongestion project (LDP): a case study of great east road.
Get PDFThesis of Masters of Science Degree in Geography.Traffic congestion is becoming a common occurrence in many major urban centres in Sub Saharan Africa as the numbers and users of motor vehicles increase. This results in a range of undesirable consequences. The purpose of the study was to investigate the decongestion of traffic on the Great East Road after completion of the Lusaka Decongestion Project. The study had four main objectives as follows: To assess the effectiveness of the Lusaka Decongestion Project in reducing traffic congestion along the Great East Road; to investigate the major causes of traffic congestion on Great East Road; to ascertain major points of traffic congestion on Great East Road; and to examine the perception of affected stakeholders on Great East Road after the Lusaka Decongestion Project. The study employed a case study design. It employed a mixed method approach, questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data. The respondents comprised of key informants from 4 government institutions namely; Ministry of Local Government and rural development, Lusaka City Council, Zambia police Traffic division, and Road transport and safety Agency; 22 public bus drivers; 30 passengers; and 8 private motorists. Observations were made by the researcher on the ground and car counts were done using a video recording device. The study found that indeed the Lusaka Decongestion Project has been effective in bringing about traffic congestion reduction, as it has been shown through the reduction of the queue length of traffic especially during peak hours. It further revealed that the leading cause of the continued traffic congestion is the increase of vehicles on the road. The major points of traffic congestion on Great East Road were Munali Flyover Bridge, up to NRDC bus stop mainly during peak hour. The study recommends that the government should construct road infrastructure to cater for the increase of vehicles, and the other roads should also be expanded and more alternative roads be constructed from where the LDP ended as these were the mostly congested areas. Lastly the city should also create a big bus station at NRDC so that mini-buses do not park on the main road and cause congestion.
KEY WORDS: Decongestion, Congestion, Lusaka Decongestion Project, Traffic Congestion and Redesignin