University of Zambia Online Research Repository
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Estimation of post-harvest losses on vegetable value chain in Lusaka open market.
Full text linkThesis of Master of Science in Human Geography.Vegetables are highly perishable and lack of storage facilities affects their marketability. Once vegetables are separated from their source of nutrients (plant) they undergo higher rates of respiration, resulting in moisture loss, quality and nutrient degradation, and potential microbial spoilage (Alegbeleye et el, 2022). Post-harvest losses (PHLs) contributes to organic waste in the market. Hence, Post-harvest food loss is a contributor to food insecurity in Zambia. The aim of this study was to estimate post-harvest loss on vegetable value chain in Lusaka city region, Zambia. The objectives of this study was to estimate the quantity of food losses at various nodes of the vegetable value chain in Lusaka city region, to investigate the main causes of post-harvest losses and coping mechanisms being used to reduce the losses at the retail stages. An instrumental case study design was employed in seven districts of Lusaka city food region using secondary quantitative data from the Africities Food Project, and primary qualitative data from purposively sampled local market authorities and retailers at Soweto open market in Lusaka city. The data was analyzed through thematic analysis and descriptive statistics using Minitab software. The results showed the quality loss of tomatoes to be 68.6%, and the loss of fresh vegetables to be 66.1%. The common causes of post-harvest losses in Lusaka region were mishandling (22.9%), high temperatures (20.1%), lack of storage facilities (17%), and pests or disease attacks (13.9%). Coping mechanisms employed were keeping the produce cool to avoid damage by the sun (23%), separating the injured, diseased or decayed produce from the fine produce (21%), proper clean storage (18%), avoid injury at all costs (15%), assess maturity and quality of produce immediately the produce arrives at the market (13%), and drying (10%). Post-Harvest Loss (PHL) of vegetables is considered to be a major problem for farmers and other actors’ involved along their supply chain. To reduce the post harvest losses of vegetables, agricultural training and extension services should be given to farmers and other actors on proper pre harvest practice, postharvest handling, type of packaging used, transportation system and storage condition and marketing systems
Curriculum implementation of career path-ways in secondary schools in Lusaka district: a case of the 2013 competency based curriculum framework.
Full text linkThesis of Master of Education in Curriculum StudiesThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the extent to which public secondary schools effectively implemented the 2013 curriculum framework in line with the provisions and guidelines of the curriculum framework career pathways in Lusaka district, Zambia. Although the Ministry of Education indicated that the Zambia Education Curriculum Framework (ZECF) of 2023 was a product of an evaluation of the ZECF 2013 implementation process, there was seemingly no independent research or evaluation that provided the details on the extent to which public secondary schools adhered to the specific career pathways as outlined in the ZECF of 2023. This is a qualitative study which employed a case study research design where data was collected from a sample of 129 participants that included 48 learners, 48 Subject Teachers, 6 Guidance and Counselling Teachers, 12 Head of Departments, 8 Senior Education
Standard Officers and 1 Assistant Director who were all purposively sampled. Besides, semi structured interviews and focused group discussions guides were used to collect data from the participants. Data was equally collected through document analysis of the school curriculum in every school sampled. Data was analysed thematically. The findings of the study revealed that in Lusaka district, out of the 6 (six) sampled schools only 1 (one) school fully adhered to the curriculum guidelines and provision. In addition, it was also established that most of the schools that were sampled faced inherent difficulties during the implementation of the curriculum especially the combined schools. Therefore, it concluded that the general level of adherence in the implementation of the ZECF 2013 was approximately around 66.7%. Besides, in curriculum theory and practice, there is a symbiotic relationship between a fully-fledged
school and effective implementation of ZECF 2013. The Ministry of Education should upscale budget allocation to secondary schools, in order to enhance effective implementation of various
curriculum career pathways
Lower bound estimates of the eigenvalue of the smallest modulus associated with a general weighted regular Sturm-Liouville problem with mixed boundary conditions.
Full text linkThesis of Master of Science in Mathematics.This study aims to obtain a lower bound on the eigenvalue of the smallest modulus in a general weighted regular Sturm-Liouville problem with mixed boundary conditions. The problem is expressed as -u′′(x) + q(x)u(x) = λr(x)u(x) over the interval [a,b] with u′(a) = u(b) = 0. In 1988 Mingarelli [31] and in 2016 Kikonko &Mingarelli [23] focused on finding lower bounds under Dirichlet boundary conditions with assumptions that q ∈ L∞(a,b) and q ∈ L1(a,b), respectively. However, to the best of our knowledge the case of mixed boundary conditions has not been covered. In this study we obtain the lower bound on the eigenvalue of the smallest modulus in the case of mixed boundary conditions. We consider two different assumptions on q, and obtain a bound in each case. To obtain the bounds we use the Fredholm integral operators alongside solutions of related Cauchy problem to compute the bounds. We then give examples to verify the results and compare them to those obtained under Dirichlet boundary conditions to show insights into the eigenvalue behavior. This study uses the ”Root Finding Analytic” package in Maple software for eigenvalue calculations and contributes to the broader understanding of Sturm-Liouville problems with mixed boundary conditions, highlighting key differences from Dirichlet cases. Finally, we raise some open questions for the future studies on general weighted regular Sturm-Liouville problems
Phenotypic and molecular characterization of coagulase negative staphylococci from pigs and humans in Lusaka province, Zambia.
Full text linkThesis of Master of Science Degree in Tropical Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis.Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are normal inhabitants of human and animal skin as well as mucous membranes, yet they have emerged as significant pathogens in healthcare settings, causing serious infections. Initially described as avirulent in 1884, CoNS, particularly Staphylococcus epidermidis, are now recognized for their role in healthcare-associated infections contributing to 30-40% of nosocomial infections. Recent studies have highlighted the public health implications of CoNS as they can transfer antibiotic resistance genes and cause infections such as urinary tract infections, endocarditis and surgical site infections. While CoNS have been primarily studied in hospital environments, data from community settings, particularly in Africa, remain scarce. This gap in knowledge hinders a comprehensive understanding of the epidemiology and challenges associated with CoNS infections in the region. The objective of this study was to characterize CoNS isolated from pigs and humans working with pigs on selected farms in Lusaka Province using phenotypic and molecular techniques including the prevalence and resistance profiles of CoNS in Zambia. This was a cross-sectional study which involved archived CoNS isolates from pigs and humans working with pigs on selected farms in Lusaka Province. Species
identification of the CoNS was done using traditional microbiological techniques such as culture and molecular methods like polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, while data was analyzed using SPSS version 28 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA). Common species identified were S. captis, S. warneri, S. xylosus, S. sciuri and S. caprae. The isolates were generally susceptible to antibiotics especially gentamycin (97%), chloramphenicol (96.3%) and ciprofloxacin (93.3%). Despite being susceptible, they also expressed a high prevalence of multidrug resistance at 60.7% to beta-lactams, tetracyclines, phenicols, sulfonamides, lincosamides and aminoglycosides. While, Methicillin Resistant-CoNS were prevalent when tested using phenotypic methods, none of the MR-CoNS tested positive for the mecA gene using PCR, suggesting other resistance mechanisms may be at work. These findings are significant to both animal and human health and suggest the importance of increased surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and research into resistance mechanisms of CoNS
Parental satisfaction with quality of neonatal care services provided at Kamuzu central hospital, Ethel Mutharika nursery unit, in Lilongwe, Malawi.
Full text linkThesis of Master of Science in Neonatal Nursing.Parental satisfaction with neonatal care is a crucial indicator of the quality of neonatal care standards. Satisfied parents comply with treatment and help reduce readmission and neonatal mortality. This study aimed to determine levels and factors associated with parental satisfaction at the Kamuzu Central Hospital, Ethel Mutharika Nursery Unit, Lilongwe, Malawi. An institutionbased cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 systematically selected parents who had neonates admitted for at least 48 hours. The satisfaction was measured using an adopted EMPATHIC-N questionnaire which was translated to a local language (Chichewa) and pre-testing of the instruments was done. The collected data was exported and analyzed using SPSS version 22. Descriptive statistics were done. Chi-Square and Fisher’s Exact test were used to identify factors associated with satisfaction. Finally, Multiple Binary Logistic regression analysis was used to predict the associations and Spearman Rank assessed the correlations. All statistical tests were set at 5% significance level. The research results indicates an overall parental satisfaction of 68%. The highest satisfaction was reported in the care and treatment domain 99.2%, lowest score in information domain 88.8%, parental participation and professional attitude domains both had
98.8% and organization had 98.4%. Tribe, health condition of neonate and admission ward were factors associated with parental satisfaction with neonatal care. Chewa Tribe, income below poverty line and admission in separated ward were important in predicting parental satisfaction. In
conclusion, parental satisfaction with neonatal care services was recorded at 68%, reflecting a moderate level of contentment. Based on the findings, there is need to enhance communication, cultural sensitive care, equality and overall parental satisfaction levels in the neonatal unit.
Key words: Parents satisfaction, neonatal care, quality care, family centered care
Lived experiences of parents with neonates nursed on mechanical ventilators in the neonatal intensive care unit at the university teaching hospital Lusaka, Zambia.
Full text linkThesis of Master of Science in Neonatal Nursing.The admission of a neonate requiring mechanical ventilation represents one of the most stressful experiences parents can face in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. In resource-limited settings, these challenges are often intensified by contextual factors including infrastructure limitations
and cultural considerations. Understanding parents' lived experiences is crucial for developing appropriate support systems and improving family-centered care practices. A descriptive phenomenological study was conducted to explore lived experiences of parents with neonates on mechanical ventilation in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia. Through purposive sampling and in-depth interviews, ten parents (six mothers and four fathers) shared their journey of navigating the complexities of having a critically ill neonate requiring ventilator support. Thematic analysis using NVIVO 14 was used to identify notable patterns and themes within the narratives of the participants. Thematic analysis revealed five key themes, which were emotional and psychological impact, communication challenges, coping strategies and support systems, environmental and structural challenges and inadequate professional support. The study participants represented diverse
backgrounds in age, education, and distance from the hospital, providing rich perspectives on the experience. Study results revealed parents experienced profound emotional and psychological impacts including initial shock, persistent anxiety, and disrupted bonding patterns, while facing significant communication barriers within the technical NICU environment. Parents developed various coping mechanisms, predominantly religious practices and peer support networks, though they encountered substantial environmental and resource challenges including infrastructure limitations, financial strains, and difficulties balancing presence with family responsibilities. The cultural dynamics and limited formal support systems, particularly regarding psychological services, highlighted critical gaps in addressing parents' comprehensive needs during their journey. The study emphasizes the need for developing culturally sensitive family support frameworks, enhancing multilingual communication protocols, and improving infrastructure to better support parents through their challenging journey. These findings provide crucial insights for healthcare providers and administrators working to enhance family-centered care practices within resource-limited settings.
Keywords: mechanical ventilation, parental experiences, psychological impact, cultural sensitivity, NICU support, resource-limited settings, family-centered care
Prevalence and factors associated with neonatal mortality at Ndola teaching hospital, Ndola Zambia.
Full text linkThesis of Master of Science in Midwifery and Women’s Health.Background: The impact of neonatal mortality continues to be a challenge worldwide. Globally, 2.4 million children died in the first month of life in 2020, representing 6,500 neonatal deaths every day. Some of the causes of neonatal deaths include; preterm birth, infections and asphyxia
neonatorum among others. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and factors that were associated with neonatal mortality at Ndola Teaching Hospital in Zambia.
Methodology: A case series retrospective quantitative analytical study design was used. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from 169 case notes from January to December, 2021 that were randomly selected from Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Ndola Teaching Hospital. Data
were entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 Chisquare test was used to test associations’ between variables and the level of significance was set at 0.05 and at 95% confidence interval.
Results: The prevalence of neonatal mortality was 8.9%. A significant proportion 98.8% of the neonates admitted to the NICU at Ndola Teaching Hospital originated from antenatal clinics. Concerning neonatal characteristics, 60.2% were male, and the most common length of stay in the
NICU was less than 5 days representing 75.7%. There was an association between being born preterm or very preterm and neonatal mortality (P-value= 0.001). Neonates who were resuscitated at birth and Neonates who were admitted at birth with subnormal temperatures (35 degrees or
below) were more likely die (P-value= 0.0001).
Conclusion: The study revealed that Neonatal mortality is very high among hospitalized neonates at Ndola Teaching Hospital in Zambia. The factors associated with neonatal mortality were multiple. Therefore, there is need to scale up interventions such as; strengthening antenatal care attendance by pregnant women, staff to be familiar with resuscitation of neonates and employing infection prevention measures to mitigate risk factors to neonatal mortality.
Keywords: Neonate, mortality, Prevalence, factors associated with neonatal mortality
Assessing knowledge, access, utilisation and perceptions of youth friendly spaces and services: a study on adolescent pregnancies and sexual reproductive health.
Full text linkThesis of Master of Science in Public Health Nursing.Background: This study assessed the level of knowledge, accessibility, utilization, and perception of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services among pregnant adolescents attending antenatal, post-natal and Youth-Friendly Health Spaces (YFHS) at Kalwala Health Post and Location Urban Clinic in Chinsali District of Muchinga Province in Zambia. Variables assessed included the level of accessibility, knowledge, utilization and perceptions of SRH services. Methods: The study used mixed research methods with embedded research approach that integrated both qualitative and quantitative techniques. The research also employed a Likert scale to evaluate the knowledge and views of adolescents, using linear regression analysis to examine the elements that affected access to and use of SRHS. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants with a sample size of 384 adolescents and 17 health care workers from Kalwala Health Post and Location Urban Clinic. The parametric statistical test that was used was linear regression analysis that compared relationships between the dependent and independent variables. Data were analysed using SPSS version 26 and Micro-Soft Excel 2016 (version: 16.0.4266.1001). Findings: The research revealed that, although 75.27% of adolescents indicated having access to SRHS, merely 42.86% used them, underscoring a disparity between access and actual usage. While 74.73% recognized services at YFHS, knowledge of particular services such as family planning and menstrual hygiene was limited. Regression analysis indicated that a 1% rise in the number of adolescents aged 15-19 boosted the chances of utilizing SRH services by 0.452% (p=0.001), while for those aged 10-14, it increased by 0.321% (p=0.004). Access frequency also boosted future use, with coefficients of 0.215 for "Not often" (p=0.049), 0.342 for "Often" (p=0.007), and 0.520 for "Very often" (p<0.0001). A positive correlation existed between SRH service access (β=0.250) and knowledge (β=0.150). Knowledge of services (β=0.450, p<0.001) and Youth-Friendly Health Spaces (β=0.320, p<0.001) increase service utilization. Negative perceptions, like the stigma around SRH services (β=-0.190, p=0.008), significantly reduced
utilization. Conclusion: The study urged the significance of addressing barriers through improved educational programmes, better service accessibility, and targeted interventions. Additionally, cultural and traditional values were observed from parents as main reasons for not discussing sex and sexuality with their children especially those of the opposite sex
Experiences of parents of preterm babies with healthcare staff in the neonatal intensive care unit at woman and newborn hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.
Full text linkThesis of Master of Science in Neonatal Nursing.Hospitalization of a preterm baby presents a significant burden to parents, especially the mother. This study explored the experiences of parents of preterm babies with healthcare staff in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Women and Newborn Hospital (WNH). The study utilized qualitative descriptive phenomenological design with purposive sampling of mothers of preterm babies admitted to the NICU. In-depth interviews were conducted with an interview guide until data saturation was reached at interview 12. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic content analysis. The findings showed parents of preterm babies in the NICU experienced a mix of supportive and challenging interactions with healthcare staff. Key themes included communication, emotional experience, parental involvement, cultural sensitivity, and pre-discharge preparation. Some parents reported receiving clear information and emotional support, while others felt excluded due to rushed explanations and neglect of their emotional needs. Active parental involvement in caregiving improved confidence, while limited engagement led to
anxiety and helplessness. Cultural beliefs were not always acknowledged, causing frustration. Additionally, many parents felt underprepared for home care due to inconsistent discharge education. Recommendations include improving communication through clear, and timely updates, providing emotional support with compassion and access to counseling, encouraging parental involvement in care and decision-making, and respecting cultural beliefs through sensitivity training and open dialogue with parents.
Keywords: Preterm babies, NICU, Experiences, Interpersonal relationshi
Strategies for improving students’ records management using technological advancements: a case of the university of Zambia.
No full textArticle on Strategies for improving Students RecordsPublic as well as private organizations are increasingly realizing that sound records management is linked to service delivery. However, Institutions of higher learning are yet to realize the role of records management to quality service delivery. This may be due to lack of policy frameworks on management, destruction of records and inadequate qualified staff among others. Keeping students' records is a crucial activity in every learning institution. Some learners misplace their results, and their only hope is to obtain a replacement from the institution. Records of what
students borrowed (books, equipment) become very important when students seek to clear before graduation. Learning institutions are facing challenges in how to maintain such records as numbers of students increase and years pass. This study therefore investigated the strategies that learning institutions like the University of Zambia can implement using technological advancements in different schools to enhance students’ record-keeping. A case study was conducted to collect data from 20 participants from one of the Schools at the University of Zambia. Non-random sampling was utilized to select key informants from the School of Education, Admission office, Academic office, Student registry and the Library.. Interviews were employed to gather primary data from respondents, while document analysis was used to collect secondary data to corroborate the primary data. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. The findings revealed that students’ records were stored in both hard copy (files) in the school registry and soft copy using software such as Cloud gadget in the Heads of Departments, although this was only in one
department. It was also revealed that the use of Atria and Moodle was not considered very reliable by students. The study further showed that the challenges in maintaining students’ records stemmed from the type of software and gadgets used, lack of staff training, poor internet
connectivity, and slow technological advancement. Based on these findings, the study recommends that the University of Zambia should adopt advanced technology to enhance students’ record-keeping, especially in internet infrastructure. Additionally, the study suggests that staff members should undergo Continuing Professional Development in the field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Moreover, the study recommends that staff from the Library and CICT department should collaborate with schools to improve students’ records.
Key words: Records management, Advanced Technology, Registry, Strategies, Internet connectivit