The University of Zambia Journals
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Attitudes of Pre-Service and In-Service Teachers Towards Students Who Stutter in Selected Zambian Schools
Get PDFTo establish whether there are differences in attitude of regular education teachers, special education teachers, regular student teachers, and special education student teachers toward stuttering and students who stutter (SWS) in some selected institutions of learning in the Copperbelt, Luapula, Lusaka, and Muchinga provinces of Zambia. It also sought to determine whether attitudes of teachers differed based on gender, geographic location or educational level. The survey had a random sample of 324 participants who completed the Public Opinion Survey of Human Attributes - Stuttering (POSHA-S) questionnaire. Nonparametric analyses were employed to determine any significant differences among the four groups of teachers surveyed. Significant differences in attitude toward stuttering and SWS were noted between practicing teachers and student teachers (N = 133 97.0), U = 1526.000, p =.002. However, no significant differences were observed in attitude of teachers based on gender and geographic location except for educational level. Neither exposure to college curricular on special education alone nor classroom interactions with learners who stutter without a special education background is enough to instill a positive attitude in teachers towards stuttering. In-service special education teachers have a comparatively positive attitude toward stuttering because of the nature of their training and experience of working with learners with special education needs. Finally, the study asserts that the concept of attitude toward stuttering should be considered as a continuum and not as a negative-positive dichotomy
Teacher Preparedness to Utilize Emergent Literacy for Teaching Initial Literacy in Selected Schools of Mansa District
Get PDFEffective teaching of initial literacy in Grade 1 demands more of the teacher’s attention to pupils’ emergent literacy skill sand consideration of how they learn. The emergent literacy skills children acquire lay a firm foundation for their learning to read and write in the conventional sense. Some of the skills that children develop under emergent literacy include phonological awareness and phonological sensitivity, which give children the ability to hear, recognize, manipulate and distinguish the sounds of the language they have acquired. These are key language skills which teachers will need to utilize in their teaching of reading and writing skills to Grade 1 learners in the classroom. A study was carried out whose purpose was to investigate whether primary school teachers in Mansa District utilized emergent literacy skills in their teaching of conventional reading and writing skills to the learners in Grade 1considering the fact that emergent literacy lays a firm and solid foundation for continuous development of the literacy skills. The study was a descriptive survey and qualitative in nature since it required the researcher to describe the state of affairs as found and observed in their natural setting in the research sites. The qualitative methods of data collection and analysis were used. The sample for this study comprised 62 Grade 1 teachers and 3,594 Grade 1 primary school pupils. Only those schools teaching initial literacy in the local familiar language using the Breakthrough to Literacy(BTL) methodology were targeted for this research. The findings indicated that: (1) Teachers lacked knowledge about emergent literacy and did not know how useful it was for continuous literacy development among the children.(2) Most of the teachers ignored pupils’ prior literacy knowledge and considered their learners as complete illiterates who knew nothing about literacy skills. (3) Teachers never designed extra teaching and learning materials for teaching literacy. Rather, they relied on the New Breakthrough to Literacy (NBTL) kit materials. (4) The class sizes were large and meaningful scaffolding was lacking in most of the classes. This study concluded that the Ministry of Education in Zambia should consider emergent literacy as the foundation for conventional literacy development in Grade 1. One recommendation was that teachers should be equipped with knowledge of emergent literacy through deliberate training. They need to understand and appreciate emergent literacy as an essential body of knowledge to be utilized for successful conventional literacy development among Grade 1 learners
Didactic Titles in Literature: A Look at Selected Zambian-Language Literary Works
Get PDFThis paper is a descriptive exploration of selected titles of Zambianlanguage literary works that contain in them didactic aspects, that is, forms of general advisory statements and proverbs/sayings as actual titles of the particular books. It demonstrates that the use of proverbial titles makes these works of fiction more concerned with didacticism rather than
entertainment. This moralistic disposition which apparently seems to be a trademark of many authors in Zambian languages is a manifestation of the influence of traditional African orature in general and Zambian oral cultures in particular which places emphasis on the teaching of moral values in storytelling. This paper is guided by two literary theoretical approaches namely: the sociological approach which posits that literature should act as a mirror of society as well as to provide solutions for the society; and the ethical approach especially the idea that art should be morally sound
VN Phrasal Compounds in Cinyanja
Get PDFThis article aims at discussing verb-noun compounds with a locative prefix in the nominal part of the compounds in Cinyanja. The singular and plural forms of the compounds have been presented to show that the complex forms are nouns. With regard to the internal structure, the compounds show that they have a phrasal structure. Since verb-noun compounds in this study resemble the structure of synthetic compounds in English, the analysis of these words followed the syntactic approach. The results show that internally, the compounds with a locative have a verb phrase internal structure, and follow the verb-argument word order. In the syntactic context, it is shown that the compounds with the phrasal internal structure function as determiner phrases because they can appear in the subject and object positions in simple sentences and relative clauses. Further, the entire compound word can be modified by adjectives, and be coordinated with simple nouns, which suggests that the compounds with a locative are indeed determiner phrases. Finally, with the application of the lexical integrity hypothesis, the results reveal that the compounds with the locative in the nominal part are genuine compounds because they adhere to the lexical integrity principle
Youth Conversion from Mainstream to Pentecostal Churches: A Case of Selected Churches in Matero and Emmasdale Townships in Lusaka District
Get PDFThe study sought to investigate the reasons that led to youth conversion from mainstream to Pentecostal churches in Emmasdale and in the neighbourhood of Matero. The study was guided by Horton’s intellectualist theory of conversion in Africa. It used a case study design. The method of data collection included semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaire. Findings of the study were that, there was automatic conversion taking place among the youths in mainstream churches to Pentecostalism. This was evident in all respondents in mega Pentecostal Church who had a mainstream background. Church leaders in mainstream churches were aware of youth converting to Pentecostal churches by accepting back the youths who had converted to a Pentecostal Church but had later made up their minds to go back. The study further revealed that non-Pentecostal parents supported and encouraged their children who converted to a mega Pentecostal Church owing to incentives such as; scholarships, employment and supportive programmes provided to their children. The study recommends that: sermon presentation should be revised in some mainstream churches. Explaining scriptures should not be exegetical only but linking scriptures to real life struggles of the youth. The church leaders in mainstream churches must formulate programmes that are more practical and youth oriented like charismatic prayer service, provision of scholarship, employment and positions of responsibilities through different ministries within the mainstream churches. Non-Pentecostal parents should not be too sceptical about children who associate themselves with Pentecostalism but encourage them to genuinely convert to this brand of Christianity
Prevalence of Hypocalcaemia in Term Neonates and the Clinical Characteristics of the Affected Neonates Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia
Get PDFAnaemia is a public health problem globally affecting 293.1 million children and 28.5% of these children are in the sub Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anaemia and the associated risk factors of anaemia in children aged 6 months to 15 years admitted to the University Teaching Hospital. There have been no studies done at University Teaching Hospital to establish the burden of anaemia in children.
A cross sectional study was conducted from July 2016 to December 2016. 351 children were recruited through convenient sampling methods. Data collection sheet was used to collect socio demographic and anthropometry data. The prevalence, associated risk factors of anaemia, and morphological types of anaemia were determined after blood investigations were done. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 21.0. The association between predictors and outcome variables were measured by using by logistic regression and bivariate analysis. Ethical permission was obtained, consent from parents/guardians was taken and confidentiality was maintained.
A total of 351 children were studied. The mean age was 3 years (IOR 2-7 years). 45.9% were females and 54.1% were males (P=0.12). The mean cell volume was 74. 5fL.Malnourised children were 37.9% among those who were anaemic as compared to 33.7% in the non-anaemic group.7.4% children had positive malaria by rapid diagnostic test (RDT). 23.8% had a positive sickling test. The prevalence of anaemia was 161/351 (45.9%). Mild, moderate, severe anaemia was 47/161(29%), 86/161(53%) and 28/161(17%) respectively. The age group 6 months to 5 years was the most affected with 59% mildly, 69.8% moderately and 71.4% severely anaemic. On bivariate analysis malnutrition, HIV, malaria, age and sex were not associated with anaemia and there was no statistical difference. Logistic regression analysis revealed that presence of haemoglobin S was the only risk factor independently strongly associated with Anaemia (CI-0.2-0.7), p value-0.001.
Anaemia is a health problem at University Teaching hospital and the under-five age group is the most affected. Predictors of mild, moderate and severe anaemia is sickle cell disease. Therefore, improving on early screening of sickle cell disease and investigating the role of iron deficiency anaemia are some of the strategies to be advocated
Changes in Selected Electrolytes in Adult Intensive Care Patients at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
Get PDFThe importance of regulating electrolyte levels is well recognized in most Intensive Care Units (ICU). Various institutions across the globe have found varying figures on the extent and causes of electrolytes derangements in ICUs. The extent of electrolyte and fluid imbalance in patients being admitted and already admitted to the Main ICU (MICU) at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Lusaka Zambia is unknown.This study aimed to explore the 24hour changes in sodium and potassium in adult MICU patients at the UTH, Lusaka, Zambia.
This was a prospective cohort study of the patients admitted to the MICU at UTH, Lusaka, Zambia. Data was collected over a four-month period (August to November) in 2017. Only consenting patients 18 years and above admitted for at least 24 hours in the unit were enrolled. On admission routine baseline investigations were obtained from every patient which included a full blood count and renal function tests. The second set of investigations was collected 24 hours post MICU admission. The blood samples were obtained from a peripheral vein in heparinized bottles for renal function tests. Serum electrolyte analysis was done was at UTH. Normal serum concentrations of sodium and potassium were considered as 135-145mmol/l and 3.5 - 4.5mmol/L, respectively. Comparisons between means were done with the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between dependent and independent variables. A p – value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Statistical analysis was performed with STATA 13 SE.
A total number of 100 patients were included in this study with a mean age of 36.8 years (SD = 12.1). The mean value of sodium level was 136.7 (SD = 8.9) mmol/L and 139.0 (SD = 11.6) mmol/L, on admission and 24 hours post admission respectively. This difference in serum sodium level was shown to be statistically significant with a P-value = 0.0051. Hypernatremia was shown to be associated with an increased risk of death (p = 0.021) in the Unit with an odds ratio of 4.0 at 95% confidence interval of 1.3 to 13.8. Hyponatremia was the most prevalent electrolyte imbalance but was neither shown to be associated with mortality (P-value = 0.18) nor prolonged ICU stay (0.56) at 24 hours post admission. The mean value of potassium level was 4.2 (SD = 1.1) mmol/L and 4.3 (SD = 1.1), on admission and 24 hours post admission respectively. This difference was not statistically significant (P-value = 0.57).
There was a statistically significant change in serum sodium levels after 24 hours post admission but there was no statistically significant change in potassium. Hyponatremia was the most prevalent abnormality whilst hypernatremia had a statistically significant association with mortality. Therefore, electrolyte imbalances can occur as early as the first day of admission in ICU with fatal complications. Correcting electrolyte imbalances in MICU patients is an urgent necessity and should not be delayed
Assessment of Caregivers’ Knowledge about Medications and Medical Conditions by Time of Discharge in the Paediatric Department at University Teaching Hospital of Zambia
Get PDFDischarge is a period of transition from hospital to home that transfers responsibilities from the inpatient health care providers to patients and primary Caregivers. The study assessed Caregivers’ Knowledge about medications and medical conditions by the time their paediatric patients are discharged.
A Cross-Sectional Study was carried out at University Teaching Hospital, paediatric department in Lusaka city of Zambia. A total of 369 caregivers were assessed on the level of knowledge about their discharged paediatric patients’ medical conditions and medications using data collected by a Pre-Tested Interview administered questionnaire. A knowledge index was developed, representing the number of correct answers. Chi-square test analysis was used to indicate the significance of the results.
Most Caregivers were married (78.8%),Parents (82.2%), Unemployed(57.7%) with Primary level of Education (45.5%).The study found that 35.5% were very knowledgeable,27.6% had average knowledge, and 36.9 % were not knowledgeable about Medical conditions. 16.5% were very knowledgeable,35.5% were averagely knowledgeable, and 48.5 were not knowledgeable about Medications. The overall knowledge about Medical condition and Medications was poor, with only 11.9% very knowledgeable,35.5% average knowledgeable and 52.6% not knowledgeable. Study of Pearson Chi-square reviewed that there is a statistically significant association between Age(P=0.000), Gender(P=0.023), Duration of Hospital stay(0.000), of education (0.000), Occupation (0.000) and Relationship of Caregiver (0.002) to the level of knowledge.
Generally, Caregivers were not knowledgeable about Medical conditions and Medications of their paediatric patients. However, the study findings indicated that Caregivers were more knowledgeable about medical conditions than medications. Female parent caregivers are more likely to be knowledgeable than male Caregivers. Similarly, those who stay longer in hospital, with a high level of education, and health workers are likely to be knowledgeable
Are Fresh Stillbirths from Caesarean Sections Associated with Socioeconomic Status? A Case Control Study at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia.
Get PDFIntroduction: Stillbirths occur worldwide at a rate of 3.2 million per year. There is however lack of interest in stillbirths especially those from caesarean sections. Discrepancy of high stillbirth rates from caesarean sections in low to middle income countries as compared to developed countries may indicate the influence of socioeconomic status. This study was designed to investigate if socioeconomic status is associated with caesarean section fresh stillbirths.
Methods: The study involved 330 women who underwent emergency caesarean sections from October, 2013 to August, 2014. Of these, 110 were cases and 220 were controls. Data collection was done using an interviewer administered questionnaire in the immediate postoperative period.
Results: Low socioeconomic status was associated with increased odds of caesarean section fresh stillbirths. The association was however not statistically significant
Effects of Hydrothermal Ageing on the Microbond Interfacial Shear Strength of NaOH Treated Sisal Fibre Reinforced Polyester Composites
Get PDFEngineering structural failures can be related to the fracture of one or more of the constituent materials that form a composite. Such failures often occur unpredictably and suddenly. It is, therefore, necessary to minimise undesired failures and their consequences when designing and analysing modern-day structures. To suitably design structural components, not only do the fundamental mechanical properties of the components’ material constituents need to be known, but also the effects of the service environment on these properties. Moisture is one critical environmental factor that can be destructive to properties of composite materials. Composite constituent components, most especially in natural fibre- reinforced composites constantly absorb or desorb moisture due to varying temperature and relative humidity levels in their service environment. In this regard, this paper presents results of a study on the influence of hydrothermal effects on the composite material microbond interfacial shear strength as a function of ageing period under different thermal loading states. Results from the microbond test coupled with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) fractographic analyses indicate that debonding is an established fracture mechanism in this hydrothermally aged NaOH treated sisal fibrepolyester composite systems