Districts Of Zambia Research Articles

Assessment of Infrastructure Development Approach in Newly Created Districts in Zambia: Case Study

Assessment of Infrastructure Development Approach in Newly Created Districts in Zambia: Case Study

Exploring the Emotional Well-being and School Experiences of Pupils in Child-Headed Households in Selected Secondary Schools of Kabwe District in Zambia

This qualitative study explores the emotional well-being and school experiences of pupils residing in child-headed households in secondary schools in Kabwe district, Zambia. Adopting a phenomenological approach, the research aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the challenges and resilience exhibited by this vulnerable demographic. Through focus group discussions with participants from diverse backgrounds, the study delves into the factors influencing emotional well-being, the impact on academic performance, perceptions of school-based support, and the day-to-day challenges faced by pupils. The findings underscore the intricate relationship between emotional well-being and the secondary school context, emphasizing the need for tailored interventions and enhanced support systems. Recommendations include research and knowledge sharing, policy advocacy and implementation, mental health and well-being initiatives, and enhancing school-based support services. By shedding light on the lived experiences of pupils in child-headed households, this research contributes to the discourse on inclusive education and advocates for holistic support systems that empower and uplift students facing complex family dynamics.

Impact of Social Media on Academic Performance of Pupils. A Case Study of Chipepo Secondary School in Gwembe District

The study was the impact of social media on academic performance of pupils. A case study of Chipepo secondary school in Gwembe District in Southern Province, Zambia. The researcher used the descriptive quantitative research method supported partly by qualitative data. The population for the study consisted of 110 purposively selected grade 12 pupils in one (1) purposively selected secondary school (Chipepo) in Gwembe district in Zambia. A total sample of 40 grade 12 pupils were simple randomly selected using balloting from Chipepo secondary which was included in this study. The instrument used for the study was a thirty (31) item close ended questionnaire and an interview guide for research question 4. The data collected was coded and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings from the study revealed that male pupils used social media more than their counterparts the female pupils. Moderate time 61-90 minutes was spent by pupils on social media per day. The use of social media did not distract academic performance of pupils instead it helped them to improve academic performance. Pupils who used social media were middle aged to younger. Google was commonly used by pupils also WhatsApp and Facebook. It was therefore recommended that the Ministry of General Education and head teachers institute incentives that might help to encourage the use of social media in schools.

Factors influencing effective teaching and learning of mathematics: A case of selected secondary schools in Lusaka District, Zambia

Effective teaching in mathematics is crucial for students to develop a deep understanding of the subject, foster problem-solving skills, and cultivate a positive attitude toward math. While mathematics can be challenging for many students, a well-crafted teaching approach can make a significant difference in their learning experience. Hence, this study was carried out in Lusaka district and it aimed at investigating factors influencing effective teaching and learning of mathematics in secondary schools of Lusaka district in Zambia. The study was based on three major objectives: (i) to identify factors leading to poor learner academic performance in mathematics in selected secondary schools in Lusaka district, (ii) to establish challenges associated with the teaching and learning of mathematics in selected secondary schools in Lusaka district, and (iii) to suggest measures to promote effective teaching and learning of mathematics in selected secondary schools in Lusaka district. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods and a descriptive survey design that sampled head teachers, teachers, and pupils. Data was obtained from the respondents by means of interviews and questionnaires. Data were analyzed by the use of software; Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 26) and Microsoft Excel (version 16). Frequency tables, graphs, figures, and pie charts were also used to analyze the data. The study established that improving teacher deployment, procurement of textbooks and acquiring of personal study materials by pupils, proper time management among pupils on studies, consistency in class attendance, constructing math labs well equipped with textbooks and relevant instruments, and improving on monitoring and inspection to ensure consistency among teachers were among key factors that would influence/ promote effective teaching and learning of mathematics in secondary schools. The study therefore called for greater attention from school administrators, parents, the government, and other relevant stakeholders to cooperate and find ways of addressing challenges that are associated with the teaching and learning of mathematics in a bid to improve learner academic performance in secondary schools.

Two crops are better than one for nutritional and economic outcomes of Zambian smallholder farms, but require more labour

Sustainable intensification practices suitable for smallholders in southern Africa will be needed to counteract the impact of future climate change and soil fertility decline in the region. Diversification of maize-based farming systems with grain legumes could play a key role. Here, we compared the performance of different maize-legume diversification strategies (single-row intercropping, strip cropping, and crop rotation) with sole cropped maize under conventional ploughing and Conservation Agriculture in four Zambian districts in the Eastern and Southern Provinces. These options were assessed using the Sustainable Intensification Assessment Framework (SIAF), with metrics representing productive, economic, human, social, and environmental dimensions. Data were collected from on-farm trials over three growing seasons. We found no significant effect of cropping systems on individual maize and legume grain yield across growing seasons, but substantial nutritional and economic benefits of intercropping systems due to simultaneously growing two crops. In particular, maize-legume intercropping strategies (single-row intercropping and strip cropping) resulted in higher energy and protein yield at cropping system level than sole maize and maize-legume rotation, which had positive implications for human nutrition. Although there were increased labour requirements to manage the intercrops, and particularly the strip crops, these cropping systems had much higher net benefits and returns to labour and inputs than the other cropping systems tested. Farmer evaluations however did not show a preference for the intercropping systems over the maize-legume rotation or sole maize, most likely because labour and its availability may be as or more important for farmers than overall cropping system benefits. Soil organic carbon content and soil pH did not differ between the tested cropping systems at the start of the trials and after three cropping seasons, but decreased over this period independently of the cropping system. Overall, the results indicate that maize-legume strip cropping, and single-row intercropping can increase food and nutrition security as well as gross benefits from farming, but this comes at the expense of greater labour requirements throughout the growing season. The latter may be addressed through, e.g., appropriate-scale farm mechanization, if intercropping or strip cropping systems are to become a viable option for labour, not land, constrained farms in Southern Africa.

Understanding adolescent girls’ experiences with accessing and using contraceptives in Zambia

BackgroundGlobally, the unmet need for contraception among adolescent girls is high and is driven by barriers to access and utilisation of contraceptives. Understanding adolescent girls’ experiences with accessing and using contraceptives is crucial because it influences their decision to use and willingness to continue using health products and services. While determinants of contraceptive use have been extensively researched globally, few studies explore how adolescent girls experience contraceptive use in Zambia using qualitative methods. Therefore, this study aimed to understand Zambian adolescent girls’ experiences using contraceptives.MethodsThematic analysis was used to analyse data generated from 7 focus group discussions and three in-depth interviews with adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years in 4 districts in Zambia. NVivo version 12 pro (QSR International) software was used to manage and organise the data.ResultsResults revealed that adolescents’ experiences concerning contraceptives across the continuum of care are shaped by various factors, including knowledge of contraceptives which comprises sources of information and contraceptives; experience with using contraceptives, challenges with access to contraceptives, and misconceptions about contraceptives; perspectives about existing contraceptives; and preferred types of contraceptives.ConclusionThe multifactorial interaction relating to adolescents’ personal experience, their community and the environment in which they access contraceptive services all contribute to their overall experience and influence their contraceptive decisions. Therefore, qualitative studies exploring adolescents’ experiences with accessing and using contraceptives are vital for tailoring interventions responsive to the contraceptive needs of this age group.

Physician-Patient Interaction Quality Mediates the Association Between HIV-Related Stigma and HIV-Prevention Behaviors Among Sexual Minority Men in Zambia.

HIV-related stigma is a major challenge to HIV prevention for sexual minority men (SMM) in Zambia, but little is known about the underlying mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate whether physician-patient interaction quality mediates the relationship between HIV-related stigma and HIV-prevention behaviors among SMM. Data were collected using a cross-sectional survey from 194 SMM (aged: mean=24.08, SD=4.27) across four districts in Zambia between February and November 2021. Participants were asked about their demographic characteristics, HIV-related stigma, SMM-related stigma, physician-patient interaction quality, HIV-testing intention, and use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Path analysis was used to test the mediation effect of physician-patient interaction quality in the associations of HIV-related stigma/SMM-related stigma with HIV-testing intention and current PrEP use. Higher self-reported physician-patient interaction quality was negatively associated with HIV-related stigma (β=- 0.444, z=- 2.223, p < 0.05), and positively associated with HIV-testing intention (β=0.039, z=5.121, p < 0.001) and current PrEP use (β=0.008, z=2.723, p < 0.01). HIV-related stigma among SMM had a significant and negative indirect effect on HIV-testing intention (β=- 0.017, z = - 2.006, p < 0.05), and current PrEP use (β=- 0.004, z=- 2.009, p < 0.05) through physician-patient interaction quality. Contrary to our expectations, SMM-related stigma did not have a significant and negative indirect effect on HIV prevention behaviors through physician-patient interaction quality. Health interventions need to improve physician-patient interaction quality by offering healthcare provider training, targeting HIV-related stigma in healthcare settings, and devising inclusive healthcare policies to promote HIV prevention efforts.

Reclaiming the delinquent child: a proposed framework for a customary lawbased child justice system in Africa using Zambia as a case study

One consequence of Africa’s colonial history appears to be the subjugation of African customs and rites in favour of western values in the legal systems of several African countries. An example of this subjugation is the ‘repugnancy clauses’ that still populate the statute books of several African nations. The effect of the ‘repugnancy clauses’ has been multiplied bytheir suppression of African customs relating to the rearing of children alleged or adjudged to have committed a crime. The article draws upon limited research conducted in 2020 and 2021 in five districts of Zambia on children in conflict with the law as part of a limited study conducted by the author in the preparation of Zambia’s juvenile justice strategy (2021-25).The study collected quantitative data on the rates of children prosecuted in Zambia’s courts for the years 2012-17 and 2019-2020 and determined the rates at which these cases were diverted to customary institutions. It also collected qualitative data in the form of interviews with seven adjudicators, five law enforcement officials and one Chief to make sense of the quantitative data. The research found that although dealing with alleged child delinquents under customary law is a requirement under Zambia’s Juveniles Act, neither law enforcement officials nor magistrates referred cases tocustomary institutions. This article seeks to propose a framework for a balanced incorporation of customary law and its institutions in Zambia’s juvenile justice system. Such framework, the article argues, comports not only with the spirit of the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance, but also the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the UnitedNations Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Committee on the Rights of the Child’s General Comment 24.

Race Structure and Molecular Diversity of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum of Common Bean in Zambia.

Anthracnose, caused by the fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, is a major disease of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) worldwide. C. lindemuthianum is genetically highly variable, and understanding the pathogen's diversity and distribution is a key step in developing common bean varieties with durable anthracnose resistance. The objectives of this study were to (i) characterize the race structure of C. lindemuthianum in Zambia and (ii) assess the molecular diversity of C. lindemuthianum in Zambia. A field survey was conducted in 20 bean-growing districts in Zambia to collect anthracnose symptomatic bean plants. A total of 103 C. lindemuthianum isolates were collected and characterized based on their reactions on 12 common bean race differential cultivars. RAM and ERIC-BOX DNA markers were used to assess molecular diversity of 60 isolates. A total of 58 races were characterized from the 103 isolates. Race 5 was the least virulent, and race 1631 was the most virulent based on their reaction on the 12 race differential cultivars. Race 19 had the highest recovery frequency (11%) and was the most extensively dispersed among the 22 bean-growing districts from where the isolates were collected. Only six races had previously been reported in Zambia, and 52 races were identified as new races reported for the first time in Zambia. Two races were virulent only on Andean cultivars, 11 races were virulent only on Middle American cultivars, and 45 races were virulent on both Andean and Middle American cultivars. No individual isolate showed pathogenicity on all the differential cultivars, and no isolate overcame the Co-4, Co-5, and Co-7 resistance gene pyramid that naturally exists in G2333. Phylogenetic analysis categorized the 60 isolates in six major clusters and six subclusters. The 60 isolates showed high genetic heterogeneity among and within a race of the same virulence. The study has revealed the existence of both Andean and Middle American races and extensive molecular diversity of C. lindemuthianum in Zambia. The knowledge on the race structure of C. lindemuthianum that this study has provided will be valuable for making breeding decisions on the host plant resistance genes required for developing common bean varieties with durable resistance to anthracnose in Zambia.

Adequacy of completion of radiology request forms at St. Francis' Hospital of Katete District: A clinical audit in Zambia.

Most imaging examinations use ionising radiation which causes biological effects on the body. For this reason, only justified examinations should be requested by adequately completing the radiology request form (RRF) by clinicians. The RRF allows radiographers and radiologists to assess if the benefit outweighs the risk associated with medical radiation exposure. Inadequately or incorrectly filled RRFs leads to unnecessary radiation exposures, imaging errors, and delays in performing the examination. Therefore, this study aimed at auditing the adequacy of completion of general RRFs at St. Francis' Hospital of Katete District in Zambia. This was a quantitative study in which RRFs for general radiography from January to December 2020 were audited. Data were collected retrospectively using a checklist from a total of 974 RRFs. The filled-in forms were assessed for completeness of information related to the patient, examination, and referring clinician. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The standard of completeness was based on the Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) guidelines requiring all the designated variables completed on the RRF. Most N=881(90.5%), RRFs were incompletely filled. With regards to patient's identification, the findings revealed N=4(0.5%), N=597(61.3%), N=3(0.4%), and N=2(0.3%) RRFs devoid of patient's name, hospital number, age, and gender, respectively. Regarding the examination, the findings revealed N=3(0.4%), N=68(7%), N=449(46.2%), and N=336 (37%) RRFs devoid of requested examination, indication, clinical history, and level of urgency, respectively. Regarding the referrer, the findings revealed N=135(13.9%), N=173(17.8 %), N=472(48.5%), and N=31(3.2%) RRFs were devoid of information relating to the ward, clinicians' name, referring department, and signature, respectively. This audit reports that most of the RRFs were incompletely filled-in at St. Francis' Hospital. Furthermore, the hospital number, clinical history and level of urgency were the frequently unfilled variables. Overall, there were gaps in completion of RRFs requiring remedying.

Fostering Access to PrEP Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women Aged 16 to 24 Years at High Risk of HIV Through the DREAMS Initiative in Four Districts in Zambia.

Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in sub-Saharan Africa remain at high risk for HIV, yet limited data exist on implementation of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for this group. We examined PrEP uptake among AGYW using a retrospective cohort enrolled in the Determined Resilient Empowered AIDS-free Mentored Safe (DREAMS) initiative in Zambia between October 2020 and March 2022. Consent was obtained from eligible AGYW at substantial risk for HIV, and they voluntarily participated in PrEP. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with PrEP refills following initiation. Of 4,162 HIV-negative AGYW, 3,233 (77%) were at substantial risk and initiated on PrEP. Overall, 68% of AGYW had at least one refill, but this differed significantly by age group and district. DREAMS was successful at reaching AGYW with PrEP services. More evidence is needed to assess reasons for discontinuation and to improve persistence for those with sustained HIV risk.

Uncovering Administration Challenges Faced by Female Social Sciences Heads of Department in Selected Secondary Schools of Lusaka Urban District in Zambia

Managing a school department should be tilted towards achieving set goals and creating value for the education system. There seems to be poor performance in social sciences departments that are headed by females in secondary schools. This inefficiency at departmental levels has negative impact on the overall performance of schools. Therefore, the aim of this study is to unearth issues related to management of social sciences departments by female heads in some secondary schools in Zambia. The study followed a descriptive research design to generate evidence on experiences of female headed social sciences departments in some secondary schools. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews from a total sample of 25 participants. The data was analysed using a thematic approach with elements of comparative analysis especially across the gender spectrum. The findings show that subject loads, constrained resources especially teaching aids, managing high numbers of staff in the departments as well as teacher absenteeism were main challenges faced. It was also found that the high rate of permission, to be out of school, seeking behaviours to stay away from work by some teachers compromised teaching thereby testing the leadership of these female heads. Additionally, the limited office space or lack of adequate infrastructure for operations such lesson plan preparations hampered effective management of social science department. Therefore, the study concluded that challenges experienced by female social sciences heads of department are both structural and material. It is recommended here that the Ministry of Education should increase funding in social sciences departments as they represent the largest in schools. Also, the school administrators to be organizing and offering periodic training to the Heads of departments in various subject areas on their roles so as to get acquitted with new changes in the school system.

Determination of the Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium Associated with Poultry in Four Districts in Zambia.

The presence of antimicrobial-resistant Enterococci in poultry is a growing public health concern worldwide due to its potential for transmission to humans. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and patterns of antimicrobial resistance and to detect drug-resistant genes in Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium in poultry from four districts in Zambia. Identification of Enterococci was conducted using phenotypic methods. Antimicrobial resistance was determined using the disc diffusion method and antimicrobial resistance genes were detected using polymerase chain reaction and gene-specific primers. The overall prevalence of Enterococci was 31.1% (153/492, 95% CI: 27.1-35.4). Enterococcus faecalis had a significantly higher prevalence at 37.9% (58/153, 95% CI: 30.3-46.1) compared with E. faecium, which had a prevalence of 10.5% (16/153, 95% CI: 6.3-16.7). Most of the E. faecalis and E. faecium isolates were resistant to tetracycline (66/74, 89.2%) and ampicillin and erythromycin (51/74, 68.9%). The majority of isolates were susceptible to vancomycin (72/74, 97.3%). The results show that poultry are a potential source of multidrug-resistant E. faecalis and E. faecium strains, which can be transmitted to humans. Resistance genes in the Enterococcus species can also be transmitted to pathogenic bacteria if they colonize the same poultry, thus threatening the safety of poultry production, leading to significant public health concerns.

Motivators and Influencers of Adolescent Girls' Decision Making Regarding Contraceptive Use in Four Districts of Zambia.

Low contraceptive use in sub-Saharan Africa, and Zambia specifically, negates the potential benefits of contraception in preventing unwanted and early pregnancies. This study aimed to explore and understand the motivators and influencers of adolescent girls' contraceptive decision making. Using thematic analysis, we analysed qualitative data from seven focus group discussions and three key informant interviews with adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years in four Zambian districts. The data were managed and organised using NVivo version 12 pro (QSR International). Fear of pregnancy, fear of diseases, fear of having more children, and spacing of children (especially among married adolescents) were key motivators for adolescents' contraceptive use. Friends and peers motivated them to use contraceptives while fear of side effects and fear of infertility drove non-use. Peer pressure and fear of mocking by their friends were important deterrents to contraceptive use. Parents, peers and friends, family members, partners, churches, and religious groups influenced adolescent girls' contraceptive decisions. Mixed messages from these influencers, with some in favour and others against contraceptives, make adolescents' decisions to use contraceptives complex. Therefore, interventions targeting increased contraceptive use should be all-inclusive, incorporating multiple influencers, including at institutional and policy levels, to empower adolescents and give them autonomy to make contraceptive decisions.

Prevalence and correlates of Schistosoma haematobium infections among school going-children aged 5 to 17 years in Kawama, Ndola, Zambia.

schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease and remains a disease of public health concern. Despite its relative importance, paucity of information on schistosomiasis in urban settings such as Ndola remains. Here, we present findings on the prevalence and factors associated with Schistosoma haematobium (S. haematobium) infections among School-going children in the Kawama in Ndola district in Zambia, an urban area in the Copperbelt Province, Zambia. we employed a cross-sectional study design among 354 school going-children between 5 and 17 years of age between November 2020 and February 2021. A Multivariate forward step-wise logistic regression model was used to determine the associations of risk factors. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals are reported. of the 354 school-going children included in the analysis, 13.3% had S. haematobium infection. Children who swam in the stream/dam were more likely to have S. haematobium infection as compared to those who did not (aOR 6.531, 95% CI: 2.90-14.69). S. haematobium infection is endemic among school-going children in an urban setup of the Kawama area of Ndola City, Zambia. There is a need for targeted interventions to mitigate infections among this population.

An Analysis of Factors Influencing Uptake of Agriculture Index Insurance among Smallholder Farmers—A Case of Kasama District in Zambia

Kasama district is a rural farming district with a population of over 91,525 smallholder farmers. Smallholder farmers face several production risks including floods, pests and droughts which are being worsened due to climate change. To manage the impact of these risks, weather index insurance has been designed to help farmers hedge against the loss of income due to crop losses. However, the uptake of Weather Index Insurance (WII) in Zambia is low, and as for Kasama District, there is little documented information on factors influencing the uptake of WII among smallholder farmers. In this study, the Probit regression model was used to measure the expected change in the likelihood of uptake of WII given a unit change in the regressors. Data analysed were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire from 200 farmer respondents and an interview guide from 5 key informants purposively selected. The study drew participants from a population of smallholder farmers estimated to be 91,525 farmers in the district. SPSS and STATA were applied to analyse Quantitative data using the Chi-Square test at 5% and 1% levels of significance. The study concluded that age, knowledge of WII and alternative source of income were statistically significant factors influencing uptake of WII by smallholder farmers in Kasama district. In addition, whereas age and alternative income had a negative and significant effect on uptake, knowledge of WII had a positive and significant effect. Furthermore, the study concluded that education level, gender, the frequency of discussing WII during extension services meetings, perception on the price of WII, distance to the providers of insurance services from a farm, and use of traditional methods of managing production risks were not significant factors influencing the farmer’s uptake of WII. The research, therefore, recommended that policymakers, insurance service providers and multilateral partners in the sector should work to raise awareness of WII as it is critical to its uptake by smallholder farmers. It was further recommended that product design becomes inclusive of smallholder farmers in order to come up with products that meet the needs of the end users.

Applying the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) in Village Chicken Farmers’ Commercialisation Intention – Evidence from North Western Zambia

Purpose: This paper contributes to the smallholder agriculture commercialisation literature by applying the Theory of Planned Behaviour in a developing country context. The study examines the Influence of Attitude, Subjective norms and Perceived behavioural control on the Commercialisation scaling-up Intent among smallholder village chicken farmers in North-western Zambia. Furthermore, the mediating role of commercialisation practices Intention is examined. Design/methodology/approach: Based on a quantitative correlational design, primary sample data were collected using a structured questionnaire from 556 village chicken smallholder farmers from two farming blocks in North-western Zambia. The data were analysed using statistical correlation and regression models. Findings: The findings indicate that attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control as well as commercialisation practices Intention have unique positive significant effects on Commercialisation practices intention (CPI). Further, CPI in turn positively Influences Commercialisation scaling-up intention (CSI). Research limitations/implications: Notwithstanding the research limitations such as the study being cross-sectional and based on one district in Zambia, the findings have important implications. For policymakers and enterprise support institutions, understanding the socio-psychological factors of smallholder farmers are important before introducing any interventions to promote the commercialisation of the village chicken. Additionally, for scaling-up to occur, farmers need to be encouraged to adopt commercialisation practices in management, investment and marketing. This would increase the chances of transitioning from subsistence to commercial farming. Originality: The study is among the first to apply the theory of planned behaviour in the village chicken value chain in the under-researched Zambian context.

Reach and uptake of mass drug administration for worm infections through health facility, school, and community-based approaches in two districts of Zambia: a call for scale-up.

Helminthiases cause significant health deficiencies among children. Mass administration of anthelminthic drugs has had significant results to counter these effects. We assessed the effects on and determinants of treatment coverage of community-directed treatment among children in Zambia, using cross-sectional survey data, and using chi-square test and multilevel mixed-effects model. Of 1,416 children, 51.5% were males and 48.5% were females, while 52.7%, were school-age, and 47.3% were preschool-age. Overall treatment coverage was 53.7% (95% confidence interval (CI) 51.1, 56.4). More preschool-age children were treated compared to school-age ones, 65.2% versus 43.4%, P < 0.001. Similarly, more children under community-directed intervention were treated compared to regular mass drug administration (65.2% versus 51.1 %, P < 0.001). Treatment among school-age participants was associated with being male (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR 1.83, 95%CI 1.23-2.72), receiving community-directed treatment (AOR 5.53; 95%CI 3.41-8.97), and shorter distance to health facility (AOR 2.20; 95%CI 1.36-3.56). Among preschool-aged participants, treatment was associated with being residents of Siavonga district (AOR 0.03; 95%CI 0.01-0.04) and shorter distance to health facility (AOR 0.35; 95%CI 0.21-0.59). Community-directed treatment can be used to increase treatment coverage, thereby contribute to 2030 vision of ending epidemics of neglected tropical diseases.

Parental Child Neglect: Prevalence and Social Problems Associated with Neglected Children in Selected Secondary Schools of Mufulira District, Zambia

This paper sought to determine the prevalence of parental child neglect and assess social problems associated with neglected children. The sample comprised 200 randomly selected pupils from two secondary schools of Mufulira District in Zambia. The study employed a cross-sectional survey research design. The sample was administered with the Multidimensional neglectful behavioural scale (MNBS) to determine the prevalence of child neglect, while the personal relationships profile (PRP) test was used to document social problems associated with the identified group of neglected children. The results show that the prevalence of the overall child neglect proportion was 25% percent. Three prominent types of neglect identified were: cognitive neglect, supervision and emotional neglect. They correlated with criminal tendencies, antisocial personality behaviour and diminished social integration except physical neglect. In conclusion, the results revealed that prevalence of parental child neglect is quite high in Zambia and the neglected children are associated with social problems.

Peer community health workers improve HIV testing and ART linkage among key populations in Zambia: retrospective observational results from the Z-CHECK project, 2019-2020.

Zambia has made tremendous progress towards HIV epidemic control; however, gaps remain among key populations (KPs), such as female sex workers (FSWs), men who have sex with men (MSM), people who inject drugs (PWID) and people in prisons and enclosed settings due to cultural, social and legal barriers. The University of Maryland, Baltimore Zambia Community HIV Epidemic Control for Key Populations (Z-CHECK) project aimed to improve HIV case-finding, linkage and treatment adherence at the community level for KPs in Zambia. We describe Z-CHECK strategies and examine HIV positivity yield and antiretroviral therapy (ART) linkage among KPs to inform ongoing programme improvement. Z-CHECK recruited, trained and deployed peer community health workers (CHWs) for KP groups, with ongoing mentorship in community engagement. CHWs offered HIV testing in safe spaces and escorted newly HIV-diagnosed clients for same-day ART initiation. Z-CHECK also reached out to KP community leaders and gatekeepers for KP mobilization and trained healthcare workers (HCWs) on KP services and sensitivity. We conducted a retrospective observational review of routinely collected aggregate data for KPs aged ≥15 years at high risk for HIV transmission across five districts in Zambia from January 2019 to December 2020. Z-CHECK provided HIV testing for 9211 KPs, of whom 2227 were HIV positive (positivity yield, 24%). Among these, 1901 (85%) were linked to ART; linkage for MSM, FSW, PWID and people in prisons and enclosed settings was 95%, 89%, 86% and 65%, respectively. Programme strategies that contributed to high positivity yield and linkage included the use of peer KP CHWs, social network testing strategies and opportunities for same-day ART initiation. Challenges to programme implementation included stigma and discrimination among HCWs, as well as KP CHW attrition, which may be explained by high mobility. Peer CHWs were highly effective at reaching KP communities, identifying persons living with HIV and linking them to care. Engaging KP community gatekeepers resulted in high diffusion of health messages and increased access to health resources. The mobility of CHWs and HCWs is a challenge for programme implementation. Innovative interventions are needed to support PWID and people in prisons and enclosed settings.