The University of Zambia Journals
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Perceptions of School Administrators, Teachers and Pupils on their Impact on Formation of Morals in Marist Catholic Mission Secondary Schools in Zambia, 2018-2022
No full textIn Zambia, there has been political and social debate as to whether it is good for school pupils to use mobile phones in school or not. Prompted by the perceived effects of mobile phones on the formation of morals of pupils, the study assessed the impact of mobile phones on the formation of morals of pupils. The study used an embedded mixed-method design. 248 respondents were sampled in this study thus, included pupils, class teachers, deputy head teachers and head teachers. The study was carried out in two selected catholic mission secondary schools in Copperbelt and Central Provinces of Zambia. Data was collected through questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. A mixed sampling procedure involving probability and non-probability sampling designs was used. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics in form of graphs, charts, tables of frequencies and percentages, while Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis through grouping and coding themes based on the questions and objectives, and illustrated through bar graphs and pie charts. The study’s findings indicate that most of the teachers and school administrators had a negative attitude towards pupils possession of mobile phones, citing misuse of mobile phones for illegal content such as pornography, sexting, cyber-bullying, and watching or exchanging obscene materials among other illicit content. The study also revealed that the teachers identified behavioural issues among students who were attributed to the use of mobile phones which include: misconduct, isolation, bad relationships, indecent dressing, and misdemeanour. Contrary to this, the study found that learners did not agree with the negative views of their teachers, but considered mobile phones as useful educational tools. From these findings, the study recommends that the Ministry of Education to implement a policy that guides schools on the constructive use of mobile phones and that, schools should establish protocols that embrace modernisation in the background of maintaining and promoting traditional and family values among learners
Contradictions of a Society in Transition: A Look at Henry Musenge's Novel Changing Shadows
Full text linkThis article seeks to highlight the contradictions that characterise a society in transition in relation to cultural change. It focuses on Henry Musenge’s novel Changing Shadows. The novel depicts a people in a dilemma with regard to the appropriate culture between the traditional ethnic culture and the new modern culture. Some members in this society wish to adhere to tradition and at the same time, attempt to demonise the new emerging culture. On the opposite extreme end, others regard the traditional culture as backward and outdated; one that should be disposed of completely, and eagerly wish to embrace the new modern culture. And still, others wish to embrace both cultures – or the hybrid of both cultures. The contradiction lies in the fact that, on one hand, there is a (national) call to uphold (selected) traditional values and practices as these are said to enforce national identity and national pride and on the other hand, there is a ‘public’ call for change and a call to embrace the new modern culture: Thus, ‘tradition is good’ versus ‘tradition is bad, evil, retrogressive and outdated’. This bi-polar approach to culture happens in one society and consequently degenerates into internal divides in the same society. The challenge is that these two cultures in many respects tend to be mutually exclusive; the practices are conflicting. This calls for the need for society to revisit and be guided properly seeing that the ambivalent/dual-structured cultural disposition creates confusion and contradictions. This article is largely guided by the sociological approach which posits that literature should serve as a mirror of society as well as to provide solutions for society. However, it is also guided by theories surounded cultural studies and multiculturalism
Intercultural Communication Practices in Chinese Firms in Lusaka, Zambia: Perspectives of Zambian Employees
Full text linkThis article highlights the Intercultural Communication Practices in Chinese Multinational Companies (MNCs) in Zambia with a particular focus on Zambian employees’ perspectives. It explores communication practices in Chinese firms in Lusaka, understanding Zambian workers’ perceptions of communication with Chinese counterparts, and identifying barriers to effective communication. Employing a Phenomenological approach, two (02) Chinese MNCs in Zambia were studied: China Jiangsu International and Avic International (Zambia) Limited. Ten employees were interviewed. The findings indicate the use of interpreters, oral communication, and gestures for daily activities exchange. While some found these practices effective, others faced challenges due to intercultural differences. Barriers include lack of respect for elders, disregard for pleasantries, and impatience among Chinese employees. The study concludes that Chinese MNCs lack adequate attention to intercultural communication strategies, thus recommending the implementation of deliberate improvement measures
Evaluation of Smallholder Dairy Farmers’ Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices and Factors Contributing to Hygienic Production of Raw Milk in Malawi’s Blantyre Agriculture Development Division
Full text linkDairy products provide nutrition to households but, could also serve as a source of many milk-borne diseases when produced under poor hygiene conditions. This quantitative, cross-sectional study administered 410 questionnaires, collected 90 raw milk samples and visited 90 farms to evaluate hygienic milk production practices in Malawi’s Blantyre Agriculture Development Division (BLADD). Descriptive statistics were used to summarise questionnaire, farm and laboratory observations data.The majority of farmers 86% and 66.6% (n=410) had formal education and structured pre-training in hygienic milk production respectively. The overall KAP knowledge was only 54%, most smallholder dairy farmers reported positive attitudes at 88% and excellent practices at 63%. Few farmers (27.1%; n=410) had low aggregate score of knowledge, attitude and practice were six (OR=5.910, 95% CI: 1.997-17.489) times less likely to produce hygienic milk. Inadequate pre-training and a low aggregate score were identified as key factors behind the failure of smallholder farmers in Malawi’s BLADD to meet Malawian and European Union (EU) standards, raising concerns about potential milk-borne diseases. Out of 90 raw milk samples analyzed for presence of E. coli, 11 (12%) and 50 (55.5%) raw milk samples were within acceptable limits of Malawian and European Union standards respectively. These low percentages obtained could be attributed to unsanitary animal quarters, as half of smallholder dairy farmers in Malawi’s Blantyre Agriculture Development Division do not remove waste daily and some workers milk cows without supervision. In conclusion, smallholder dairy farmers had positive attitudes and good milk hygiene practices without grounded knowledge and it was difficult to meet legal limits of Malawi and European Union Standards for E. coli. Therefore, regular ongoing annual refresher farm management trainings and monitoring of hazards in raw milk production are important for safe mil
Precolonial Foundations of One Zambia, One Nation: The Role of Ethnic Cousinship (Ichimbuya) in Forging National Unity in Independent Zambia
Full text linkCommunity cousinship refers to social engineering to promote social integration, political reconciliation, and tolerance. This diverse interaction emerged in pre-colonial into colonial and post-colonial Zambia. In the western part of the country, the Kaonde and the Lozi have a cousinship dating back to when the former survived a Lozi military onslaught using Kamusongolwa Hill near Kasempa. Similar experiences persist in the northeastern part of Zambia. The Ngoni and the complex amalgam known as the Bemba enjoy this relationship. This arose from a 20-year war between Zwangendaba and Chileshe Chepela with no outright winner. It was only during the reign of Chitapankwa that the Ngoni were finally driven out. This article argues that ethnic cousinships, ichimbuya in Bemba, exist in Zambia as a form of respect for ethnic sovereignty after pre-colonial stalemates in military encounters. These cousinships were utilised in colonial times as shared colonial oppression established and consolidated solidarity between the Ngoni and the Bemba. The colonial state in North-Western Rhodesia was built on a network of community cousinships between the Tonga-Lozi-Kaonde-Lunda group and the Tonga. In North-Eastern Rhodesia, the Ngoni, Nsenga, Chewa, and Tumbuka established cousin relations with societies where Ichibemba was adopted and evolved from 1929 as the original language. Drawing from several diverse incidents, the article demonstrates that the great heritage of national unity, peace, and reconciliation expressed in the motto One Zambia, One Nation has historical foundations. Using cousinship as social joking, Zambian societies have succeeded in healing from past trauma, collaborated against a common enemy, and assisted one another in deprivation. The paper concludes with references to contemporary events that show how easy ichimbuya networks build courage and collaboration
Dealing with Racial Discrimination Exploring the Coping Strategies Utilised by the Protagonist in Alice Walker's Meridian
No full textCombating, eliminating and dealing with racial discrimination is not an easy undertaking. The historical and social-political space in which it is embedded somewhat intensifies its complexity. However, communal and individual efforts ought to be made in a bid to reduce and eradicate this negative issue. Drawing on Alice Walker’s Meridian, this article attempts to explore racial discrimination and the utilisation of coping strategies to deal with this problematic issue in the aforementioned novel. The stress and coping theory
is central in the analysis as it provides insights into the specific coping strategies utilised by the main character in this narrative. Textual analysis was conducted anchored on the stress and coping theory during the collection of data and a thematic analysis was rendered afterwards. The principal findings of this research are that, Meridian utilises emotion focused, avoidance and problem focused strategies to deal with the recurring issue of racial discrimination. The wide range of strategies deployed enable her to cope,
press on and deal with the various race-oriented challenges she encounters, highlighting the significance of individuals acquainting themselves with strategies of this nature
Phytochemical composition and Di-phenyl picryl hydrazil (DPPH) radical scavenging activities of some essential oils
No full textEssential oils, derived from aromatic plants are known for their antioxidant and bioactive properties. They have shown promise in inhibiting lipid oxidation and conferring functional properties to food products. This research was carried out at the Animal Products and Processing Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan; it was designed to examine the phytochemical composition and radical scavenging activities of selected essential oils as potential bioactive and antioxidant additives in edible products.
Four different essential oils namely; Cinnamon bark essential oil (CEO), Oregano essential oil (OEO), Thyme essential oil (TEO) and Lemon essential oil (LEO) were selected for this study and obtained from a reputable processor. The selected oils were subjected to evaluation of phytochemical composition and Di-phenyl picryl hydrazil (DPPH) radical scavenging activities using standard procedures.
Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of saponin, alkaloid, flavonoid, tannin and reducing sugar in the oils. Tannin and alkaloid were highest in Cinnamon oil and lowest in Thyme oil. While flavonoid was highest in Lemon oil and lowest in Cinnamon oil. Reducing sugar was highest (7.28) in Thyme oil and lowest in Oregano oil. DPPH was highest (75.07%) in Thyme essential oil and lowest in Cinnamon bark essential oil (70.31%) while values for oregano essential oils and lemon essential oils are (73.42% and 68.29%).
Cinnamon essential oil had the highest tannin, alkaloid, and saponin content (which play key roles in antioxidation). DPPH analysis however showed that thyme essential oil as potentially stronger in inhibiting lipid oxidation, among the evaluated oils. Thus, it is concluded that thyme essential oil and cinnamon essential oil are more likely to reduce lipid oxidation and improve food functionality. Researchers in food processing could focus on the synergistic effects of thyme and cinnamon essential oil in reducing lipid oxidation and improving functional properties of food
Seasonal Variations in Waterbird Diversity and Threats to the Barotse Floodplain
No full textThis study explored waterbird diversity and associated threats in the Barotse Floodplain, Zambia, a critical wetland in the Zambezi River Basin. Field surveys conducted along a 202 km transect during the cold-dry and hot-dry seasons revealed higher waterbird diversity in the hot-dry season, as indicated by the Shannon-Wiener Index. Chi-square analysis demonstrated significant variations in species distribution across habitat types and seasons. Human settlements and fishing were identified as the primary threats to waterbird populations, emphasising the need for targeted conservation interventions. Grasslands and inland wetlands were the most utilised habitats, underscoring their essential role in supporting waterbird communities. Additionally, the comparable reliance of migratory and non-migratory species on the floodplain suggests its importance for both groups. These findings highlight the ecological significance of the Barotse Floodplain and provide a foundation for developing conservation strategies to protect its avian biodiversity
Struvite Urolithiasis in a Two-Year-Old Female Dog: Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Surgical Management
No full textUrolithiasis frequently causes urinary issues in small animals. This report details a successful diagnosis and surgical removal of a struvite bladder stone in a two-year-old female Maltese at the University of Zambia Veterinary Teaching Clinic. The dog presented with haematuria, stranguria, inappetence, mild weight loss, and dullness over two weeks. Imaging and laboratory tests confirmed a large cystolith, which was removed through ventral cystotomy. The dog recovered well, with no recurrence after six months. Timely diagnosis, imaging, and surgery are essential when medical dissolution is unlikely
Exploring Dietary Patterns and Nutrition Status of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients attending a Teaching Hospital in Zambia
Full text linkThis study explored food consumption patterns based on the Zambian Food-Based Dietary Guidelines and assessed the nutritional status of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients attending a diabetic clinic at a teaching hospital in Zambia. A cross-sectional design with quantitative methods was employed for data collection, analysis, and presentation. The hospital was purposively selected as it is the only teaching hospital in the district. A total of 146 consecutively diagnosed T2DM patients were recruited during the study period. Data on the types and frequency of food consumption across the six food groups were collected using a researcher-administered questionnaire. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated using standard procedures for measuring height and weight. Blood glucose readings were extracted from patient records. Research tools were pre-tested on a separate group of T2DM patients not included in the main study.
Results showed that 87% of participants had received dietary counselling following their diagnosis. Nearly all participants (97.3%) had consumed foods from the cereals, starchy roots, and tubers group in the previous seven days. While a high proportion (87.7%) reported vegetable consumption during the recall period, the mean vegetable intake score was relatively low (2.00 ± 1.24 SD). Only a quarter (25.3%) reported fruit consumption, with a mean score of 0.32 ± 0.61 SD. Over one-third of participants (36.3%) were overweight, with women comprising the majority (39.3%). BMI was significantly associated with age and sex (p 0.05).
The findings suggest that while patients generally adhered to the Zambian Food-Based Dietary Guidelines by consuming foods from all six food groups, fruit and vegetable intake remained suboptimal. Additionally, the high prevalence of overweight and obesity highlights the need for targeted interventions to promote healthier dietary practices among T2DM patients