The University of Zambia Journals
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THE CIVILIAN AND THE INTRICACIES OF CORRUPTION IN NIGERIA’S FOURTH REPUBLIC: A CASE STUDY OF BUHARI’S ADMININSTRATION (2015-2022)
Get PDFThe paper investigates the civilian and the intricacies of corruption during President Buhari administration. This article is a conceptual paper based on content analysis. It forwards its arguments using neo-patrimonial theory. The article reveals that the scale of corruption in Nigeria under Buhari’s administration is massive, widespread and pervasive. It contends that the politicisation of anti-corruption crusade of Buhari as well as “sacred cows” in his government have created doubt in the fight against corruption. This is quite evident in the records of various allegations levelled against political office holders. The content analysis shows that the limited political will of the anti-graft agencies, and inadequate resources hinder the drives towards attaining the Buhari’s tripod vision of fighting corruption, defeating terrorism, and fixing the economy. The article concludes that, despite the anti-corruption crusade, there are still rising insecurity, democratic backsliding which have hindered anti-kleptocracy efforts, and created new corruption opportunities for unscrupulous officials and their enablers. Therefore, it recommends autonomy of the anti-graft agencies; improved standard of living of people above poverty line; strong institutions; public awareness by the civil society on the threat posed by corruption, and value re-orientation of the people
COMPARING CORRELATES OF READING COMPREHENSION BETWEEN TRANSPARENT AND OPAQUE ORTHOGRAPHIES: A CASE OF CHINYANJA-ENGLISH BILINGUALS IN ZAMBIA
Get PDFOrthographic transparency has a significant impact on reading and its development. Transparent orthographies are more beneficial for the reading process compared to opaque ones. This hypothesis was explored to examine the factors contributing to reading comprehension among bilingual children in Zambia. Two groups of fourth to sixth graders were administered equivalent measures of letter discrimination, phonological awareness, word reading, pseudo-word decoding, and reading comprehension skills in both Chinyanja and English languages. The results indicated that overall, reading proficiency is influenced by the writing system. Children tested in the transparent Chinyanja orthography performed better on all sub-tests compared to their counterparts tested in English, except for phonological awareness. The predictive power of the four variables on comprehension was specific to each orthography, with high correlations within each orthography. Word reading significantly predicted English reading comprehension, while pseudo-word decoding better predicted Chinyanja comprehension. The data from the English language aligned better with the conceptualised model of reading comprehension. This finding supports Share’s (2008) argument that reading models centred on the English language cannot be universally applied across orthographies with varying levels of transparency, as the English writing system is considered an exception
Exploring School Readiness and Transition Dynamics: Enablers and Disablers in Early Childhood Education Programmes of Zambia
Get PDFThis qualitative study investigated the complex issues and dynamics associated with the transitions in early childhood education (ECE) within Kabwe, Kapiri, and Choma districts of Zambia. Utilising an exploratory methodology, the research thoroughly explored the various factors that impacted school preparedness and the progression from early childhood education to primary schools. Diverse perspectives from parents, educators, community leaders, and legislators were examined through in-depth interviews, focus groups, and participant observations. The results of this study shed light on several significant factors such as limited parental involvement arising from knowledge gaps and financial constraints, digital inequality affecting children’s adaptability, and the absence of well-structured transition programmes leading to mismatches in instructional approaches. Thematic analysis reveals nuanced insights, emphasising the crucial role of digital inclusion initiatives, programmes promoting parental engagement, and collaborative efforts between ECE institutions and primary schools
Risk Factors Associated with Mortality of Breast Cancer Patients After Surgery: The Case of Zambia
Get PDFBreast Cancer (BC) has become a public health problem worldwide due to its high mortality rate among women in both developed and developing countries. The association between BC mortality and patient care and personal factors has been widely studied in developed countries. However, scarce data regarding BC mortality and its prognostic factors is available in Zambia. This research aimed to identify the factors affecting survival rates and to estimate a 5-year mortality of BC patients after surgery.
Retrospective data was collected from medical records of patients from the Cancer Diseases Hospital (CDH) in Lusaka, Zambia. The records encompassed 233 women who had undergone BC surgery between 2013 and 2018 and were followed up until the end of 2019. Prognostic factors of BC mortality after surgery using a Logistic regression model were determined. 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.
Age at surgery, marital status, HIV status, BMI, BC stage, histologic grade, and PR status were significantly associated with the mortality of BC patients after surgery. The odds of death increased with the degree of severity across the levels of factors such as tumour size, lymph node status, BC stage and histologic grade. Also, the odds ratio for mortality increased with the age of patients. Additionally, the odds of death were higher for HIV-positive and unmarried patients compared to the HIV-negative and married ones. Further, the odds of death for obese or overweight patients were more than twice that of those classified as not obese. Furthermore, the 5-year mortality of different age groups using multiple logistic regression stood at 75.4 per cent for the younger group (≤ 35 years) and 99 per cent for the older group (5
Analysis of the Socio-Economic and Cultural Factors Affecting Malaria Prevention in Provinces with High Malaria Prevalence in Zambia
No full textMalaria, which is endemic in all the provinces of Zambia, remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Records of the high prevalence of malaria is evident in Northern, Eastern, Muchinga and Luapula provinces, despite the implementation of malaria control and prevention strategies aimed at interrupting the disease transmission, which includes the use of treated mosquito nets, indoor residual spraying, presumptive, and treatment therapy among others. These provinces' socio-cultural and economic factors were explored to ascertain if they might contribute to the altered effectiveness of malaria control interventions that have proved successful in other provinces. This study analysed the socio-cultural and economic factors affecting malaria prevention in provinces with high malaria prevalence in Zambia. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was administered to selective households in the four study provinces.1,580 people participated in the study, with a response rate of 98.8%. 684 were male, and 896 were female. Findings suggest practices and beliefs concerning socio-cultural and economic factors influence the success of malaria control interventions in the provinces. Low levels of education and lack of it, directly impacted the understanding of malaria prevention, transmission, and interventions. Self-medication, use of leftover medicines, and seeking treatment late were attributed to low-income levels in all the four provinces. Type of housing and occupation exposed individuals to malaria infection. Tailoring malaria preventive measures to the socio-cultural and economic practices of the provinces will help reduce malaria cases in the province
Detection of IgG Antibodies Against T. gondii and Associated Risk Factors in Domestic and stray Cats in Lusaka, Zambia
Get PDFToxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a nearly ever present organism that infects humans, wildlife, birds, domestic and food animals. T. gondii has been reported in pigs, chickens, sheep, goats, and cattle. However, only members of the cat family (Felidae) are the definitive host and shed the environmentally resistant oocyst form of the organism in their faeces. Transmission to humans usually occurs by ingesting cysts in undercooked meat and exposure to soil and water which is contaminated by oocysts. Feline infections are typically subclinical; congenitally infected kittens are the ones that are most likely to have clinical signs of infection, but previously clinically healthy adult cats may also be affected. Despite the disease’s significance in public health, very few studies have been done on T. gondii in Zambia. This study was a cross-sectional survey to investigate the seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasmosis. A survey was carried out using a questionnaire that was distributed to cat owners who attended the veterinary clinics. The questionnaire had demographic data for the cats, questions related to the risk factors of Toxoplasmosis in cats, and practices surrounding the cat owners, like how they handle cat litter, whether their cat was indoor or outdoor, contact of the cat with other cats, and straying behaviour of their cat. A total of178 blood samples were collected from both stray and domestic cats in this study. Of the 178 samples tested for T. gondii IgG antibodies, 88 were from domestic cats and 90 from stray cats. Thirty out of 178 samples were positive for antibodies, indicating an overall seroprevalence of 16.85%. Of the 30 positive seropositive samples, 60% (18) came from domestic cats and 40% (12) from stray cats. The seroprevalence for domestic cats was found to be 20.4% and that of strays 13.3%. The two risk factors found to be associated with toxoplasma Seropositivity were sex (p=0.007, 95%, CI 0.071,0.976) and diet (p=0.038, 95%, CI 1.395,95.418) It was concluded that Toxoplasma gondii was widely spread in the study population. The presence of the antibodies indicated that at one point in their lives, these cats were actively infected and shedding oocysts in the environment, thereby posing a risk to humans and other species like sheep and chickens
An Assessment of the Impact of Effective Leadership on Organizational Performance in Nigeria: A Study of Kala Palm Oil Company
Get PDFThis research assessed the impact of effective leadership on organizational performance in Nigeria. The study was confined to Kala Palm Oil Company (Pseudo name). Leadership plays a crucial role in the management of organisations which help to accomplish organizational targets .The impact of leadership in an organisation is a necessary component and key to the successful process of managing any firm or enterprise .However, an effective leader plays an important role in organizational growth and employee performance at any point because the overall and effective improvement of organizations depend to large extent on the inputs of their leaders. The study further shows there is need for an effective leader to carry out its stated goals in line with management interest within the organisation which help to provide positive means of achieving target goals in an organisation if the needed resources are put in place. This research adopted the qualitative approach and made use of the secondary source of data collection to analyse its findings .The study anchored on path-goal theory as its framework of analysis. Findings showed that effective leadership promotes mutual collaboration between employers and employees. Also, the study revealed that effective leadership is a special way to help incorporate employees in an organization to achieve its objectives and promotes the efficiency of a leader which basically centres on the accepted style by the manager towards the management of the organization. The study concludes that effective leadership in Kala Palm Oil Company has greatly helped in influencing the company’s goals. In addition, it has helped the company to promote inspirations and attracts customers to activities of the company. Therefore, the paper recommends among others, that there should be mutual collaboration between leaders and employees in the organisation for efficient and effective service delivery
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with disabilities: A review
Get PDFIntroduction: The global COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on people worldwide, with some countries experiencing more severe consequences than others. Vulnerable populations, such as individuals living with disabilities, faced pre-existing disparities and inequities, making it crucial to examine the specific effects of the pandemic on this group. This review aims to analyze articles discussing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with various disabilities.
Methods: A comprehensive search for articles was conducted on Google Scholar using keywords such as "COVID-19 and disability," "COVID-19 and ADHD," "COVID-19 and blindness," and "COVID-19 and developmental disabilities." A total of thirteen (13) relevant articles were carefully selected and reviewed. Results: People living with disabilities were significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The effects faced by individuals with disabilities varied, depending on the specific type of disability they had. This underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing the unique challenges faced by each disability group during the pandemic.
Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the difficulties faced by individuals living with disabilities. It is crucial for governing bodies, policymakers, and decision-makers to consider the needs and experiences of people with disabilities, taking into account the added challenges they encountered during the pandemic. By incorporating disability-inclusive policies and initiatives, we can work towards a more equitable and supportive society for all, especially during times of crisis
Investigating social-cultural factors contributing to low reporting levels of gender-based violence cases
Get PDFIntroduction: Gender-based violence remains a critical societal concern, characterized by both its prevalence and the challenge of underreporting. Understanding the social-cultural factors contributing to low reporting levels of GBV cases is essential for effective intervention. This qualitative case study aimed investigating the social-cultural factors that hinder the reporting of GBV cases within the context of Chibuluma compound in Zambia's Copperbelt Province. Materials and Methods: Employing qualitative methods, the study involved interviews and focus group discussions with key stakeholders including police officers, YWCA officials, and women residing in the compound.
Results: The findings reveal a complex interplay of factors that contribute to low reporting levels of GBV cases. Economic dependency on spouses, cultural norms that tolerate violence, and lack of trust in the judicial system emerged as prominent barriers. Marital violence took various forms, including wife battery, abandonment, and infidelity
Conclusion: The study highlights the necessity of collaborative efforts involving governmental agencies, non- governmental organizations, and international bodies to effectively address GBV. Recommendations include fostering women's economic empowerment, strengthening legal enforcement mechanisms, and challenging cultural norms that perpetuate violence. By uncovering the intricate socio-cultural dynamics contributing to underreporting, this research offers valuable insights for designing comprehensive strategies to combat gender-based violence in Chibuluma compound and beyond
INTERROGATING MOSES SAKALA’S FUNERAL SONG, ‘CHOBABA’: SOME DISCOURSE INSIGHTS
Get PDFFuneral songs are a type of discourse commonly played or sung by Africans and Zambians in particular, to celebrate the memory of the dead. The songs could also be used to evoke emotive responses. ‘Chobaba’, is a typical Cinyanja funeral song composed and played by Moses Sakala, one of Zambia’s famous musician. This song was composed following the passing on of Levy Sakala, Moses’ once long-time music partner. The main aim of this study is to conduct a discourse analysis of Moses Sakala’s tribute song to his friend titled Chobaba ‘pain’ to show how language is constructed and represented to demonstrate pain, grief, and love. The study also aims at analysing how, by the same token, the song provides emotional release, honour the memory of the deceased, and offer comfort and support to the bereaved. Ultimately, the article demonstrates how funeral songs can capture the essence of the human experience of pain. The analysis identifies four themes, which include pain as a collective experience, pain as a personal struggle, the need for spiritual guidance, and hope and comfort. These themes provide insights into how human beings come to terms with pain resulting from death and how they are able to comfort themselves by invoking spiritual intervention in their experience with pain