University of Zambia Online Research Repository
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An exploration of youth involvement in the metal fabrication informal apprenticeship on Katima Mulilo roadside in Garden compound of Lusaka, Zambia.
Get PDFThesis of Doctor of Philosophy degree in Adult Education.The study explored youth involvement in the Metal Fabrication Informal Apprenticeship (MFIA) on Katima Mulilo roadside in Garden Compound of Lusaka Zambia anchored on the Situated Learning theory (SL) proposed by Wenger and Lave (1991). It was a case study design using qualitative approach. The target population of the study are all out-of-school youths (OSY) and artisans; Graduate Apprentices (GAP)(Journeymen) and Providers/Master trainers/Craftsmen (PMC). The study population of thirty participants comprised ten from each category of Participating out of school youth (POSY), GAP and PMC sampled using purposive, convenient and snowball techniques. Data was collected using semi- structured interviews and a participant observation at the participants’ workplaces. It was analyzed using the Thematic Analysis (TA) framework (Braun and Clarke, 2006). The findings of the study show that the youth apprenticeship on Katima Mulilo roadside of Garden Compound of Lusaka, Zambia is weak attributed to the ineffective methods of information dissemination kinship, individual (personal) inquiry and location employed. Most youth are not awareness of the MFIA on Katima Mulilo roadside in Garden Compound of Lusaka Zambia. The youth have a positive perception of the MFIA due to the value of the MFIA they acquire the metal fabrication skill. The skill enables them to find employment in the informal sector and become entrepreneurs. Not many youths participate in the apprenticeship in metal fabrication riddled with gender disparity favoring males. The youth in Garden Compound of Lusaka Zambia follow the SL theory recommended training process in the MFIA. The youth face numerous work-related challenges as employment supersedes training in the integrated apprenticeship in the MFIA. The findings further reveal the non-use of the education system to disseminate information about the MFIA on Katima Mulilo roadside in Garden Compound of Lusaka, Zambia causing youth not to be aware and participate in the apprenticeship in the MFIA. Other findings reveal that the MFIA on Katima Mulilo roadside in Garden Compound of Lusaka Zambia is a perilous working site without a governance system riddled with multiple challenges. The study concludes that the information dissemination methods in the MFIA are responsible for the non-awareness and participation of youths in the MFIA on Katima Mulilo roadside in Garden Compound of Lusaka Zambia. The study recommends that information about the MFIA on Katima Mulilo roadside in Garden Compound of Lusaka, Zambia should be made
available to the youth through the education system and other objective public methods to broaden youth apprenticeship. The MFIA on Katima Mulilo roadside in Garden Compound of Lusaka Zambia needs a governance system to sustain its operations. The significance of the study is the potential of the MFIA to mitigate poverty among the youth in Garden Compound of Lusaka, Zambia and the city of Lusaka in general through skills acquisition. If not redressed, the youth in Garden Compound of Lusaka Zambia will continue living in poverty
A framework for an early warning system for the management of the spread of locust invasion based on artificial intelligence technologies.
Get PDFThesis of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Computer Science.As the global population continues to grow, ensuring food security remains a paramount challenge, especially in light of threats like devastating locust invasions. The agricultural sector in Zambia, particularly in the Sikaunzwe area of Kazungula district, Southern Province, faces unique challenges including inaccurate locust species identification, a lack of field staff, and the inaccessibility of infested areas. Despite advancements in AI and sensor applications for pest management, existing approaches often fail to robustly adapt to varied agronomic conditions or to integrate real-time environmental data effectively. Furthermore, these methods generally lack sufficient engagement of local communities, crucial for the sustained success of locust management strategies. This research addresses these problems by introducing a comprehensive framework that enhances early warning and management of locust invasions. The methodologies employed include Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), semi-structured questionnaires, and field experiments using a Deep Learning model embedded in Internet of Things (IoT) devices and Cloud Computing. The research is guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and the Design Science Research Methodology, facilitating systematic development and evaluation of an AI-based early warning system. The development of mobile applications and SMS services has significantly enhanced the reach and effectiveness of locust management strategies. The research culminated in the creation and implementation of an advanced Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model, specifically the MobileNet version 2 quantized model, tailored for automatic identification of locust species. This model achieved an average precision rate of 91% for Locusta migratoria and 85% for Nomadacris septemfasciata using a custom dataset of 1700 images from the study area. Beyond AI-driven identification, the research integrated low-cost IoT devices capable of capturing real-time locust images and uploading them to an online database only if they met an 80% accuracy threshold, while also collecting vital environmental data like temperature and humidity. This integration of AI, IoT, and real-time data collection represents a transformative approach to integrated locust pest management, setting a scalable model for future adoption in similar agricultural contexts. The framework not only addresses immediate locust management challenges but also enhances the broader path of technological progress in agriculture
Exploring lived experiences of COVID-19 survivors within their communities in Lusaka, Zambia.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Education in Guidance and CounsellingThe study explored the lived experiences of COVID-19 survivors within their communities in Lusaka District, Zambia. The exploration of the lived experiences was guided by three objectives which were; To explore experiences of COVID-19 survivors in terms of stigma from their communities during and after the illness, to ascertain experiences of COVID-19 survivors in terms of discrimination from their communities during and after the illness and to establish experiences of COVID-19 survivors in terms of support received from their communities during and after the illness. In order to have an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences of COVID-19 survivors within their communities in Lusaka District, Zambia, the study used the interpretive phenomenological design within a setting of qualitative methodologies. The population of the study comprised male and female COVID-19 survivors who lived and worked in Lusaka District, Zambia. Typical case purposive sampling procedure and snowball was used to come up with a sample size of ten (10). Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The semi-structured interview guide was used as the research instrument. The
study established that COVID-19 survivors had varied experiences in terms of stigma, discrimination and support in the communities. These experiences oscillated between presence and absence of stigma, discrimination and support in the communities. The experiences of stigma included humiliation, blame, condemnation, rejection, reprimands, and prejudice while forms of discrimination included avoidance, deprivation, isolation, neglect and abandonment. In terms of support, survivors received encouragement, love, care and warmth. The study's findings thus supported the assertions made in the literature that COVID-19 survivors had encountered stigma, discrimination and community support both during and after their illness. The provision of counselling services to stigmatization and discrimination victims was one of the recommendations made because the victims acknowledged being emotionally impacted. Additionally, in order to encourage behavior change and responsible actions toward COVID-19 survivors, the Ministry of Health should coordinate with the Ministry of Education to undertake awareness campaigns about the dangers of discrimination and stigma
The impact of coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) on household food security in high density residential areas of Lusaka, Zambia: experiences from Ng’ombe settlement.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Science in Geography.COVID-19 undermines food security both directly by disrupting food systems and indirectly through the impacts of lockdowns on household incomes and physical access to food. COVID-19 and responses to the pandemic weaken food production, processing and marketing but the most
concerning impacts are on the demand side, economic and physical access to food. This dissertation therefore, was assessing the experiences of residents of high density residential areas of Ng’ombe in terms of household food security before and during COVID-19 pandemic era. The objectives of the study were to: identify experiences attributed by COVID-19 on household food security, determine the dietary diversity before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and assess how the households are responding towards food security strategies associated with COVID-19 in Ng’ombe. A mixed method approach was used to conduct this study. The study sample was 235 respondents. Data was collected using interview guides and questionnaires. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired t-test and chi-square using R statistical computing software and excel. The results were presented using tables, pie charts and graphs. The study revealed that Ng’ombe residents had a devastating experience during the COVID 19 era among which include reduction in income, hunger, job loss, skipped or reduced meal sizes and compromised diet. The above findings would cause malnutrition and other illnesses in line with nutritional deficiencies. The Covid-19 had significant impacts on food security and dietary diversity in Ng’ombe. This dissertation also pinpointed on areas that government and other actors would intervene to protect the food security of households left vulnerable by COVID-19 for example empowering the affected households with money for businesses and jobs creation to those that have qualifications.
Keywords: COVID-19, Food security, High density areas, dietary diversit
School of agriculture science : past examnination papers 2022/2023
No full textExamination past paper
Exploring absenteeism in university meetings: lessons from School B at a public university in Zambia.
Get PDFArticleThis study explored the implications of growing trends of absenteeism in meetings with reference to a selected School (School B) at one of the public university in Zambia. The objectives of the study were to examine the attendance levels of meetings in the selected School of the public university, describe the possible reasons for members not attending meetings in the School, analyse the implications of absenteeism to meetings and to examine strategies of handling virtual and physical meetings in order to reduce absenteeism in the selected School and the university. This qualitative study used phenomenological research design in order for the researchers to interact with different participants and explore their common experiences on the issue at hand. Data were gathered from documents and
unstructured interviews held with 22 participants drawn from the Dean’s office, Departments, lecturers and Professors. Guided by ‘Five theoretical lenses for conceptualizing the role of meetings in organizational life’ theory which focused on how organisations could make meetings effective and achieve their objectives, the study revealed that there was no policy at the univeristy regarding measures to be taken against those who missed meetings without apology and that after the meeting, minutes were rarely shared with members until the next meeting. The study has provided valuable insights and recommendations for the institution’s leaders, and other leaders in Zambia and beyond, to come up with policies and guidelines that might foster the culture of punctuality and efficiency at meeting
attendance
The role of venture capital funding on the performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Lusaka, Zambia: a case study.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Business Administration Management Strategy.This Study aimed to investigate the role of venture capital funding in the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Lusaka, Zambia. SMEs play a vital role in the economic development of many countries, including Zambia. However, access to financing remains a significant challenge for SMEs, particularly in the early stages of their development. Venture capital funding has been identified as a potential solution to this problem, as it can provide the necessary capital and expertise to help start-up SMEs grow and succeed. Despite the potential benefits that venture capital can offer to SMEs, there is a gap in understanding the specific mechanisms through which venture capital funding influences the growth trajectory and overall
performance of these enterprises. Additionally, the contextual factors that may either facilitate or hinder the positive impact of venture capital on SMEs are not thoroughly explored. The study was underpinned by the economic theory of the entrepreneur under the theoretical framework. This theory emphasises the role of the entrepreneur in driving innovation, fostering economic growth, dynamism, and job creation. The research employed a mixed study design with data collection conducted through questionnaires that achieved a 100% response rate from the 102-sample size. A purposive sampling method was employed to select managers and owners of SMEs. Analysis of the findings, utilizing Excel, pie charts, mean and standard deviation indicate a positive influence of venture capital funding on SME performance in Lusaka. Furthermore, a positive relationship was identified between venture capital funding and other financial sources for SMEs, with financial management skills demonstrating a favourable impact on SME performance. The identified challenges encompassed limited access to venture capital firms, awareness issues, scalability concerns, regulatory and legal hurdles, challenges in market size assessment, and varying valuations by start-ups and venture capitalists. Recommendations include the development of growth-centric business plans, utilising venture capital funding to enhance investor confidence, investment in financial management training, especially for start-ups, and implementing initiatives to increase awareness of the benefits of venture capital funding in supporting SMEs
An assessment of the level of adoption and challenges of e-payslips in the civil service: case study of Livingstone district health office.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Science in Human Resource Management.In the realm of modern governance, the adoption of technology stands as a pivotal endeavour to streamline operations, enhance service delivery, and promote efficiency. This study delves into the realm of electronic payslips (e-payslips) adoption within the health sector, focusing its lens on the
Livingstone District Health Office in Zambia. Grounded in the theoretical frameworks of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and the Diffusion of Innovation Theory, this research endeavours to unearth the multifaceted factors influencing the embrace of epayslips and to present an intricate framework that facilitates their increased adoption. Leveraging a rigorous quantitative survey methodology, the study extracts insights from a well-crafted sample comprising 100 respondents—a cross-section of the health workforce. The regression analysis reaffirmed the substantial influence of Performance expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, and Facilitating Conditions on Behavioural Intention towards e-pay slip adoption (R Square = .912). Each predictor variable exhibited a significant positive relationship with BI (p < .001), emphasizing their pivotal roles in shaping behavioural intention towards e-pay slip adoption among health workers. The findings resonate with striking implications, underlining the pivotal role of user perception, tangible benefits, operational simplicity, and external encouragement in steering the adoption trajectory. The proposed framework, a culmination of these empirical discoveries, paints a holistic canvas for action. This canvas embraces tailored awareness initiatives, intuitive user interfaces, influential endorsements, provisions for essential resources, an unwavering support network, seamless integration with existing systems, and adept change management. Each stroke on this canvas harmoniously aligns with the research participants' voices and resonates with the theoretical underpinnings. As the dawn of digital governance continues to rise, this study is more than a mere exploration, it is a torchbearer illuminating the path toward a technologically empowered healthcare ecosystem. The insights derived from the study not only
extend the discourse on e-governance but also offer pragmatic directions to stakeholders, policymakers, and administrators who endeavour to orchestrate a symphony of transformation through e-payslip adoption. In a world of incessant change, this research bridges empirical wisdom
with theoretical constructs, paving the way for a more streamlined and efficient healthcare landscape
Socio-economic and psychological challenges experienced by caregivers of babies admitted at Princess Marina hospital neonatal intensive care unit Gaborone, Botswana.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Science in Neonatal Nursing.The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) has been denoted as a place of uncertainty, fear, anxiety and sorrow as the experience of having a baby admitted to the NICUis seldom unexpected, traumatic and demanding. Previous studies have discovered that families of NICU infants often experience various challenges following the birth of a baby requiring specialised care. Limited information is available in Botswana about the challenges encountered by caregivers during the period of NICU hospitalisation, as few local studies conducted mostly focused on difficulties faced by families of premature neonates. This study aimed to assess thesocio-economic and psychological challenges experienced by caregivers of babies admitted to Princess Marina Hospital NICU, and explored their coping strategies. A descriptive phenomenological study design was used to assess those challenges. In-depth interviews with ten mothers of babies admitted, 5 fathers and 2 grandmothers were conducted in private rooms within the postnatal ward and others at their homes, who were not accessible at the studysite( 4 fathers and 1 grandmother). Purposive sampling with data saturation determined the samplesize. 17 interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify themes in the data and 8 themes were extracted which included: the challenges of caregiving in the face of adversity, the struggles of caregivers amidst isolation and limited support, emotional and religious displacement in healthcare settings, cultural expectations and responsibilities of fathers in healthcare context, financial struggles and access to basic needs, healthcare staffing and service quality in neonatal care, the psychological struggles of caregivers amidst separation, stress and systemic challenges, as well as coping strategies. Findings revealed that the socio-economic and psychological challenges experienced by caregivers are complex and vary per family. Caregivers experiences were impacted by a range of factors including their proximity to the facility, the nature of their family relationships and support systems as well astheir financial circumstances amongst others. Consequently, some facility issues exacerbated the challenges incurred by NICU caregivers and hence formed the most significant component of the study findings. The provision of social and emotional support can act in the best interest of not only caregivers but also lead to improved health outcomes for neonates. Measures including staffing consideration, incorporating FCC and regular training of staff are also mandatory to achieve sustainable and satisfactory neonatal care.
Keywords: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Caregivers, Challenges, Healthcare Professionals, Experiences, Psychological, Social, Economi
Inclusive teaching-efficacy among early childhood teachers in Zambia.
Get PDFThesis of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Educational Psychology.Teachers' inclusive teaching-efficacy is fundamental to the success of inclusive early childhood education (ECE), as it directly influences their ability to support learners with diverse abilities and learning styles. While research highlights the importance of teaching efficacy in inclusive education, limited attention has been given to understanding the levels of inclusive teaching efficacy among early childhood educators in Zambia. This study investigates the inclusive teaching-efficacy of teachers in Zambian early childhood centers and examines how their understanding of inclusive education influences their confidence and effectiveness in implementing the country's inclusive education policy. Employing an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design, the study engaged 153 participants, including 150 inclusive ECE teachers from selected schools in Lusaka, Eastern, and Copperbelt provinces. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 ECE teachers, two educational officers, and one ECE college coordinator, all purposively sampled. The subsequent quantitative phase involved a survey of 133 randomly selected ECE teachers to examine the effects of knowledge, motivation, and demographic factors (such as age and gender) on teachers' inclusive teaching-efficacy. Qualitative data were analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), revealing key themes related to teachers’ self-efficacy, including the influence of knowledge, training, exposure, and continuous professional development (CPD). The findings underscore the necessity of preparing teachers for policy implementation, particularly by enhancing their self-beliefs, which drive motivation and the effective enactment of inclusive education policies. Statistical analyses, including t-tests, demonstrated that teachers’ understanding of inclusive education positively correlates with their self-efficacy. Additionally, a strong positive and their motivation, which in turn reinforced both self-efficacy and knowledge. The study highlights the critical need for continuous professional development to strengthen teachers' self-efficacy in inclusive ECE. Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is one such framework that provides flexible, evidence-based instructional strategies to accommodate diverse learning needs, offering a structured approach for improving teaching-efficacy in inclusive settings. By embedding UDL principles multiple means of representation, engagement, and expression into teacher training, educators can better support all learners and enhance the implementation of inclusive education policies. Providing teachers with the
necessary knowledge and skills through targeted training initiatives is essential for addressing the diverse needs of learners and fostering successful inclusive learning environments. The study recommends expanding CPD opportunities for inclusive ECE teachers and strengthening teacher training curricula to ensure educators are adequately equipped to support learners in inclusive settings