The University of Zambia Journals
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Influence of Teachers and School Factors on Use of Ict-Based Instructional Strategies in Secondary Schools in Ijebu·Ode,Ogun State, Nigeria
Get PDFThis study investigated the influence of teachers’ and school factors
on classroom use of ICT-based instructional strategies. A total of 240
participants randomly selected from 5 public and 3 private secondary schools
in ljebu-Ode Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria, participated
in the study. Using an ex-post facto research design of survey type, a pretested teacher factor inventory (TFI), school factors inventory (SFI) and
teacher use of ICT-based instructional strategies inventory (TISI) were used
to elicit data on the composite and relative contribution of teachers and
school factors on classroom use of ICT-based instructional strategies. The
data collected were analyzed using Multiple Regression Analysis. Findings
indicated that, teachers’ factor (teachers’ awareness, perception, readiness
and ICT experience) and school factors (resources availability, ICT culture
and community participation) were found to be predictors of teachers' use
of ICT-based instructional strategies. The school factors predicted teacher's
use of ICT-based instructional strategies more than teacher factors.
Therefore, it is recommended that conscious and deliberate efforts should
be made by the school, policy makers, and the government at various levels
to help teachers develop positive perception towards adoption of ICT-based
instructional strategies through attendance and participation in ICT-based
instructional strategies adoption seminars, workshops and conferences
Comparative Analysis: Cost of Two Community ART Delivery Models In the Urban Settings In Zambia
Get PDFIn the quest to improve and address the bottle necks of ART services to the affected population, Zambia has implemented three models of delivering this service which are; Standard of Care, Door to Door and Adherence Clubs. The aim of this study was to identify and cost the provision of ART services using the three models. A quantitative retrospective cross-sectional study was done to compare the cost of delivering two models, adherence clubs and door to door in relation to the standard facility-based model. The 2018 costing data for ART was collected retrospectively in the Kanyama and Chipata Health Urban Centers in Lusaka, Zambia. A checklist and a data costing tool was developed to help identify and cost all the costs items attached to the provision of ART services in the two Health Centers. The study shows that the total cost of delivering ART services to 11,225 patients at Chipata Health center was 53,087,649.54 ZMW (2,051.03) per patient. Furthermore, providing the same services at Kanyama to 12,293 clients costed 35,823,354.87 ZMW (2,350.86).The study concluded that it was more expensive to deliver ART through health facility model than community-based models. The major costs of ART services using three models of care were ARV drugs followed capital and personnel costs. In order to reduce barriers and costs ART services must be brought close to people as much as possible
Trends of Anticholinergics and Antipsychotics Prescribing at Chainama Hills College Hospital, Lusaka-Zambia
Get PDFIntroduction: Antipsychotics are the main pharmacological treatment for psychosis. Anticholinergic drugs are sometimes prescribed with antipsychotics to treat or as prophylaxis for extrapyramidal side effects. Antipsychotic treatment guidelines recommend that anticholinergics should not be prescribed indiscriminately as prophylaxis for extrapyramidal side effects to patients using antipsychotic drugs, but only when there is high risk or evidence of extrapyramidal side effects, as they can cause significant central and peripheral side effects which have a potential to affect treatment outcomes. The objective of the study was to assess the trends in the prescribing of antipsychotics and anticholinergics.
Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted at Chainama Hills College Hospital in Zambia. An open- ended questionnaire was administered to 26 prescribers and 311 files for patients were reviewed who had an antipsychotic or anticholinergic drug prescribed. The prescription pattern of patient files was compared with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines as a gold standard.
Results: The antipsychotic distribution showed that 76.1% were prescribed a typical antipsychotic, 18.1% an atypical antipsychotic and 5.8% were on both typical and atypical antipsychotic. 28.2% of the patients on antipsychotics were prescribed anticholinergics (Trihexyphenidyl). 46.2% of the prescribing clinicians stated that they prescribe anticholinergics when a patient develops extrapyramidal side effects rather than concurrently with antipsychotics or when a high dose of antipsychotics has been prescribed.
Conclusion: The trend in antipsychotic and anticholinergic prescribing in Lusaka-Zambia were not consistent with recommended guidelines. Majority of patients are on typical antipsychotics rather than atypical antipsychotics. Most patients were administered above optimal dose of antipsychotics though polypharmacy was solemnly practiced. Recommend that further studies to explore factors contributing to this trend are conducted
Effects of Steganotaenia Araliacae Root Extract on Contractile Function of Isolated Rat Ileum
Get PDFBackground: Various parts of a small tree, Steganotaenia araliacae are used as medicine in local traditional settings in Zambia to initiate and augment parturition although very little is documented about its physiological and pharmacological effects. Steganotaenia araliacae cold extract has been observed to cause contractions of uterus in rats but its effect on non- uterine muscle is unclear. The aim of this study was to establish the contractile effect of Steganotaenia araliacae cold extract on isolated rat ileum smooth muscle.
Method: Animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Abdominal incisions were made to expose and dissect three ileum segments from each rat. The ileum segments were immediately transferred and mounted in the organ bath containing Tyrode solution. The contractile effects of acetylcholine (a reference agonist) and Steganotaenia araliacae cold extract on ileum segments were investigated starting with the least effective doses, thereafter doubling the doses until maximal tissue response was observed. Antagonists that include atropine, indomethacin, mepyramine, ondansetron and nifedipine in the presence and absence of Steganotaenia araliacae cold extract were also investigated to establish the mechanism of action Results: Steganotaenia araliacae cold extract increased the contractile force of isolated rat ileum in a dose-response manner but had no significant effects on the frequency of the spontaneous contractions. Pre-treating the tissue with atropine, indomethacin, mepyramine or ondansetron did not inhibit the contractile force of Steganotaenia araliacae cold extract, while pre-treating the tissue with nifedipine inhibited its contractile force by 100% (
Effects of Aerobic Exercise on Fasting Blood Glucose and Blood Pressure Levels of Diabetic-Hypertensive Clients at a Diabetes Clinic in Accra, Ghana
Get PDFBackground: Hypertension and diabetes are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Effective interventions are therefore relevant in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with hypertension and diabetes. We set out to determine the effect of aerobic exercise on type-2 diabetic-hypertensive clients at a diabetes clinic in Accra.
Method: Twenty-one participants were recruited from the National Diabetes Management and Research Center in Korle-Bu in Accra. Participants undertook 30 minutes of aerobic exercise comprising, warm up, ergonomic cycling and cool down, three times a week for a period of eight weeks. Fasting blood glucose and blood pressure levels were measured and changes with respect to exercise were analysed. The mixed model ANOVA was used to test for the differences in the weekly blood pressure and blood glucose levels while the paired t-test was used to compare the baseline and final readings of blood pressure and blood glucose levels. Pearson’s correlation test was used to determine the relationship between age and change in blood pressure and blood glucose levels after eight weeks of exercise. Results: Mean systolic blood pressure reduced from 142mmHg to 135mmHg while the mean diastolic blood pressure also reduced from 89mmHg to 84mmHg post exercises. The baseline and eighth week post exercise average blood glucose level were 8.0 mmol/L and 5.2 mmol/L respectively. There were significant differences in baseline and week eight systolic (p = 0.0017), and diastolic (p = 0.006) blood pressure as well as blood glucose (p=0.0027) levels. There was also a significant positive correlation between age and change in blood glucose level (p = 0.036).
Conclusion: Aerobic exercise reduces the fasting blood glucose level and blood pressure in type-2 diabetic- hypertensives. Diabetic-hypertensives should therefore be encouraged to participate in aerobic exercises
INTEREST OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN VIRTUAL LEARNING MODES OCCASIONED BY THE NEW NORMAL
Get PDFThis study investigates the interest of undergraduate students in virtual learning modes occasioned by the new normal. Three research questions were generated for the study. A structured inventory was used for data collection. Data collected were analysed using frequency counts, mean scores and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) analyses. The findings of the study deduced that students found it difficult to learn virtually, it is difficult for them to learn virtually on regular basis, virtual learning is effective for coping up with missed lectures, proficiency in the use of computers makes virtual learning easy, productivity of students can be enhanced through virtual learning, virtual learning is economical in terms of time for students and lecturers while many believed that a number of problems were created by virtual learning rather than its solution while there was difference in the interest of undergraduate students in virtual learning and their level of its acceptability. Based on the findings, the necessary conclusions and recommendations were made. Three universities in Osun state were selected, 120 students from each institution were picked to make a total of 360 respondents used
Learning to Read in English in Different Environments: A Case of Selected Schools in Lusaka and Mufulira Districts
No full textThis study mainly focused on learning to Read in English in Differing Environments. Selected public and private schools in Lusaka and Mufulira urban districts in Zambia were targeted, with a population of all Grade 3 learners, totaling 150. Reading tests, semi-guided interviews, focus group discussions and a check list for lesson observation were done. A qualitative approach was used to probe and to get deep insights of how reading in English was taught. The qualitative data was analysed through the identification of teachers' common themes, descriptions and experiences. Conclusions were reached and analysed with reference to the research questions. Quantitative data was analysed using a t-test to compare the reading levels between learners in public basic and private schools. The findings indicate that learners in private schools have a conducive environment for learning how to read in English. The study found that public basic schools do not use the recommended PRP. Public schools did not have enough teaching and learning materials. It was established that learners in public schools did not read according to their reading levels while learners in private schools did that effectively. The recommendations were that the Ministry of Education needed to provide enough equipment and materials, and train teachers appropriately as well as early out regular inspection exercises. In the same way, it was incumbent on the school authorities to cooperate with parents
An Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Communication Strategies for Achieving Millennium Development Goals in Zambia
No full textAccording to various reports by the UN and other organizations, Africa is facing big challenges in achieving the world's anti-poverty Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This prompted a study by Muleba Matafwali (2010) which aimed at enhancing the understanding that communication plays a very critical role in the quest to attain development in Zambia. Key findings were that Twenty-Five point Five percent (25.5%) of the respondents indicated that television and radio documentaries were the most useful tool sources of information on MDGs for them. Forty-Three point Six percent (43.6%) indicated that community education on MDGs should be intensified. A total of 16.4% of respondents indicated that radio and television programmes should be prioritized in an effort to accelerate the achievement of MDGs. The findings also revealed that MDG experts and politicians make up 19.1% and 18.2% respectively of people who were good sources of information for them. A total of 126 people were sampled for the study. In the conclusion, the study noted that all key players in the MDG campaign were making significant efforts to reach the wider public with the MDG message. However there was need to accelerate these efforts in order to reach the wider population. The study recommended that MDG campaigners should use more inexpensive communication methods such as folk media alongside conversional means of communication such as radio
Factors Affecting Academic Performance of In-Service Students in Science Education: A Case of The University of Zambia
No full textThe study sought to determine factors that affected academic performance of in-service students in Science Education Degree Programme at the University of Zambia. The study was motivated by the knowledge gap as to why it was common in Science Education at the University of Zambia for both school leavers and in-service students to be excluded from school, repeat courses or change to non-science programmes due to poor academic performance. In order to have in-depth understanding of the phenomenon being studied, a case study design was used. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods were used to collect data from 88 respondents. Simple random and purposive sampling procedures were used to select the study sample. 80 students were selected by simple random sampling procedure. This procedure was used in order to allow all the students to have an equal chance to be selected for the sample. Purposive sampling procedure was used in order to select the lecturers and tutors. The procedure was used to select the lecturers and tutors because they were the only ones with adequate knowledge about Science Education Degree programme at the level of lecturers which the researchers were inquiring. The study findings showed that several factors adversely affected academic performance of the in-service students who were studying Science Education Degree programme at the University of Zambia. These included; inadequate supportive lecturer-student relationship, combining Science with Mathematics in one programme, dilapidated classroom infrastructure especially the laboratories, too much content in the curriculum of which some was considered irrelevant to what was taught in schools, personal life problems and responsibilities, pace at which material were being delivered in class was too fast for them, poor attendance to lectures and laboratories by students themselves. In addition, students were stressed by their own poor academic performance and they had difficult to comprehend advanced concepts in Mathematics. Based on these findings, the study recommended that (1) the school of Education should introduce a programme in Science Education specifically for student training to be teachers of science, (2) review its current curriculum so that its content relates with what is taught in schools, (3) in order to support the students who felt the pace of delivery was too fast for them, there was need to encourage group discussion among them,(4) the school should provide a conducive learning environment by preparing classroom infrastructure and providing adequate learning materials