Zambian Youth Research Articles

Digital natives, digital activists in non-digital environments: How the youth in Zambia use mundane technology to circumvent government surveillance and censorship

This study investigates the technological strategies the youth in Sub-Saharan Africa employ to circumvent government surveillance and censorship. Centered on the 2020 Zambian youth protests and informed by interviews with 37 participants, we explore the youth's innovative use of mundane skills to build digital communities, evade government surveillance, and leverage algorithms. The findings indicate that despite limited online access and government restrictions, the Zambian youth creatively employed their local skills to build social networks, disseminate information, and mobilize for social change. However, two contrasting narratives emerge: one celebrating the innovation and resilience of these young people, with the other raising concerns about the broader implications of their actions. Notably, some youth transitioned from influential activists to government insiders, a shift that may have diluted their capacity to champion social justice. The study emphasizes the need to scrutinize the balance between technological cooperation and potential discord, urging a more profound exploration of technology's role in shaping the trajectory of democracy, especially in settings akin to sub-Saharan Africa. We argue for further research into the role of digital influencers in electoral processes and democratic systems.

Evidence for employing post-secondary educated youth as research assistants in global health disability research

This paper presents a participatory qualitative case review of the employment of postsecondary educated assistants in a global health research program. The research program was initiated by a visiting Canadian researcher who was a supervised principal investigator exploring disability in Western Zambia. This research was supported by eight paid Zambian research assistants (RAs), three of whom participated in the case review. The case review was informed by a dialogue in which participants identified and shared their perspectives regarding the effects of the employment of RAs in the program. The perspectives of the RAs about the effects of their employment were identified as two themes: professional skill acquisition and increased quality of life. The perspectives of the visiting researcher regarding the effects of the RA employment were identified as four themes: increased productivity, access to skills, increased integration in the community, and continuity. From the collective perspective of all co-authors, the employment of RAs made this research program more productive, rigorous, and equitable while also creating opportunities for Zambian youth. The co-authors recommend that global health researchers consider employing post-secondary educated RAs and engage in a wider dialogue about expanding and improving this arrangement. These perspectives and recommendations have been generated according to a radical, participatory action, research tradition that should be taken into account as other members of the global health community assess this evidence to inform their own activities.

Political Conflict, Violence and Zambian Youth

Youths remain central to political conflict and violence within the Zambian polity. This article discusses the nature, extent, causes and effects of politically motivated conflict and violence among Zambian youths. As part of a doctoral project, the study was conducted in Kalulushi constituency, one of the conflict hotspots in Zambia’s Copperbelt region during the 2016 general elections. Using a convenience sampling method, 395 young people were surveyed, together with eight senior political leaders and 32 young party supporters purposely recruited from the Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), Patriotic Front (PF) and United Party for National Development (UPND). The study highlighted increased political and electoral violence in 2019, with senior political leaders and young PF and UPND party supporters culpable in keeping the inter-party belligerence afloat. The research illustrates how Zambian youths’ poor socioeconomic status predisposes them to being co-opted into political and electoral violence. More specifically, the disruptive effects of violence on communities, voters, ordinary citizens and its overall impediment to consolidating democracy are identified.

Youth and Patriotism in Zambia: is Voting the Only Way to Show Patriotism?

This study sought to establish the level of patriotism among youths in Zambia and to establish whether voting was the only way to show patriotism among the youths. This study employed a qualitative approach to generate data because the views and opinions of the youths in Zambia were sought. A descriptive research design was used. The target population were all youths in Zambia. The sample consisted of 50 youths and 5 senior citizens who were purposively selected. 20 youths and 5 senior citizens were subjected to interviews and 30 youths were subjected to Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), thus 5 FGDs comprising of 6 members were used to gather data. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Key findings were that youth were able to define patriotism though this appeared rhetoric. Voting was not the only way to show patriotism but just one of the ways patriotism may be expressed. Patriotism had to do with the emotional attachment to a nation. The spirit of patriotism should be rooted in the ideas that gave birth to a nation. Based on the findings, this study recommends to the government through the Ministry of Education to strengthen patriotic values in schools and this should begin at kindergarten. Civil Society Organizations in Zambia should come up with awareness programmes targeted at the youths on patriotism.

Unreported and unaddressed: Students with disabilities experience of school violence in Zambia.

BackgroundViolence against school children is a prevalent global issue. Despite the high prevalence of school violence in Zambia, there is limited research on students with disabilities’ experiences of school violence.ObjectivesGuided by the socio-ecological model for bullying, the aim of this study was to understand students with disabilities’ experiences of school violence in the Lusaka and Southern provinces of Zambia.MethodsA qualitative descriptive study was conducted with 14 purposively sampled boys (n = 6) and girls (n = 8) with disabilities. Data were generated using semi-structured interviews and child-friendly methods. Child-friendly methods were co-constructed with Zambian youth with disabilities in order to ensure cultural appropriateness and included vignettes, cartoon captioning, photograph elicitation, drawings, and sentence starters. Qualitative data were analysed by thematic analysis.ResultsThe themes illuminated that violence against students with disabilities occurs frequently but goes unaddressed. Moreover, students with disabilities were being blamed for causing the violence, and therefore, considered a risk to others. Participants reported that they turn to trusted teachers for support.ConclusionThis study illuminates the violence students with disabilities experience within the Zambian education system, with implications for school policies and programmes, peer education, and teacher training to create a safer education environment for students with disabilities.

Cognitive and academic performance of rural Zambian youth exposed to HIV

ABSTRACT Studies focusing on children affected by HIV have shown that they have generally lower academic performance, however, few studies separate children who are HIV exposed and infected (CHEI) and those who are HIV exposed but uninfected (CHEU). Importantly, in rural sub-Saharan Africa, the majority of studies on CHEI and CHEU examine academic performance indirectly based on cognitive test scores. Therefore, studies assessing the effects of HIV on academic achievement directly for CHEI and CHEU are needed. This article evaluates the effects of HIV-infection on cognitive and academic performance by comparing CHEI (n = 82) and CHEU (n = 1045) aged 7–17 years old using cross-sectional data from an ongoing longitudinal study in a rural area of Zambia. Youth completed cognitive and academic assessments; their height and weight were assessed to generate Body Mass Index (BMI). Caregiver questionnaires provided information on youths’ years in school and household socio-economic status (SES). Results indicated that while HIV infection status did explain some of the variance in performance between CHEI and CHEU, age, BMI, years of schooling and SES accounted for additional variance. The effect of years of schooling on both cognitive and academic performance demonstrated that CHEI’s performance may be greatly improved by consistent school enrollment.

Adverse Childhood Experiences and Associated Mental Distress and Suicide Risk: Results From the Zambia Violence Against Children Survey.

Purpose: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are a global public health concern. Little research exists on the prevalence and health consequences of ACEs in Zambia. The current study examined associations between individual and cumulative ACEs, mental distress, and suicide risk among Zambian youth. Methods: Data from Zambia Violence Against Children and Youth Survey were used (18-24 years old, n=1034). Bivariate and adjusted logistic models were performed with independent variables (i.e., experienced physical violence (PV), sexual violence (SV), and emotional violence (EV); witnessed intimate partner violence (IPV) and community violence (CV); orphan status; cumulative ACE exposure) and dependent variables (i.e., mental distress and suicide risk). Adjusted models controlled for demographic and social characteristics. Results: 76.8% of Zambian youth experienced one or more ACEs, and more than 30% witnessed CV (38.4%) or IPV (30.2%), or experienced PV (35.1%), prior to age 18. 27.5% were orphans, and less than 20% experienced EV (17.3%) or SV (15.4%) in childhood. 42.4% experienced mental distress in the past 30 days, and 12.5% reported lifetime suicidal thoughts or suicide attempts. PV, EV, cumulative ACE exposure, older age, being single, and stronger friendships were significantly related to experiencing mental distress. Cumulative ACEs exposure was associated with significantly higher suicide risk. Conclusions: Preventing ACEs can reduce mental distress and suicide risk among Zambian youth. Youth with cumulative ACE exposure can be prioritized for mental health intervention. More research is warranted to investigate the broad-based prevention of ACEs, especially PV and EV, and protective factors that can promote resilience among youth who have experienced ACEs.

GROW Zambia: A pilot cluster-randomized trial of a spiritually-based character strengths training curriculum to enhance resilience among Zambian youth

ABSTRACT Few studies have examined the impact of resilience training on youth in lower/middle income countries (LMICs). This study assessed feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of GROW, a 24-week character-based resilience curriculum rooted in positive psychology and spirituality and taught via storytelling. Our pilot design – a mixed method, cluster-randomized controlled trial – was conducted with 28 classes of 643 Zambian youth ages 10–13 (M = 11.39, SD = 0.95, 55.4% female). Classes were divided into initial-start and delayed-start intervention phases. In 17 focus groups, parents, teachers, GROW leaders, and children affirmed the program’s excellent cultural fit. Adult stakeholders observed positive impacts on school attendance, academic performance, and students’ character and behavior. Initial-start students showed a pre-post increase in psychological resilience (p < .05). Together, these findings suggest GROW has promise for improving early adolescents’ positive development. This strengthens the evidence base for the potential impact of culturally appropriate, spiritually-oriented programs delivered by lay providers for LMIC youth.

Changes over time in HIV testing and counselling uptake and associated factors among youth in Zambia: a cross-sectional analysis of demographic and health surveys from 2007 to 2018

IntroductionZambia is among the countries with the highest HIV burden and where youth remain disproportionally affected. Access to HIV testing and counselling (HTC) is a crucial step to ensure the reduction of HIV transmission. This study examines the changes that occurred between 2007 and 2018 in access to HTC, inequities in testing uptake, and determinants of HTC uptake among youth.MethodsWe carried out repeated cross-sectional analyses using three Zambian Demographic and Health Surveys (2007, 2013–14, and 2018). We calculated the percentage of women and men ages 15–24 years old who were tested for HIV in the last 12 months. We analysed inequity in HTC coverage using indicators of absolute inequality. We performed bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to identify predictors of HTC uptake in the last 12 months.ResultsHIV testing uptake increased between 2007 and 2018, from 45 to 92% among pregnant women, 10 to 58% among non-pregnant women, and from 10 to 49% among men. By 2018 roughly 60% of youth tested in the past 12 months used a government health centre. Mobile clinics were the second most common source reaching up to 32% among adolescent boys by 2018. Multivariate analysis conducted among men and non-pregnant women showed higher odds of testing among 20–24 year-olds than adolescents (aOR = 1.55 [95%CI:1.30–1.84], among men; and aOR = 1.74 [1.40–2.15] among women). Among men, being circumcised (aOR = 1.57 [1.32–1.88]) and in a union (aOR = 2.44 [1.83–3.25]) were associated with increased odds of testing. For women greater odds of testing were associated with higher levels of education (aOR = 6.97 [2.82–17.19]). Education-based inequity was considerably widened among women than men by 2018.ConclusionHTC uptake among Zambian youth improved considerably by 2018 and reached 65 and 49% tested in the last 12 months for women and men, respectively. However, achieving the goal of 95% envisioned by 2020 will require sustaining the success gained through government health centres, and scaling up the community-led approaches that have proven acceptable and effective in reaching young men and adolescent girls who are less easy to reach through the government facilities.

‘So hurt and broken’: A qualitative study of experiences of violence and HIV outcomes among Zambian youth living with HIV

ABSTRACT Emerging data show associations between violence victimisation and negative HIV outcomes among youth in sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted in-depth interviews with adolescents and young adults living with HIV (aged 15–24 years) in Ndola, Zambia, to better understand this relationship. We purposively selected 41 youth (24 females, 17 males) with varied experiences of violence and virologic results. Analysis used thematic coding. Two-thirds of participants said violence affected their medication adherence, clinic attendance, and/or virologic results. They focused on the negative effects of psychological abuse from family members in homes and peers at schools, which were the most salient forms of violence raised, and sexual violence against females. In contrast, they typically depicted physical violence from caregivers and teachers as a standard discipline practice, with few impacts. Youth wanted HIV clinic settings to address verbal abuse and emotional maltreatment, alongside physical and sexual violence, including through peer mentoring. Violence – especially verbal and emotional forms – must be recognised as a potential barrier to HIV self-management among youth living with HIV in the region. Further testing of clinic, home, and school-based interventions may be critical to reducing levels of violence and improving HIV outcomes in this vulnerable but resilient population. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04115813.

Regional Brain Volumes Associated with Neurocognitive Performance in Zambian Youth with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (5042)

Regional Brain Volumes Associated with Neurocognitive Performance in Zambian Youth with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (5042)

The Impact of Youth Unemployment on the Zambian Economy

This research looks at the issue of youth unemployment and how this affects the Zambian economy. The paper focuses on examining how the productive age in Zambia has been disadvantaged by the introduction of some regulations and policies. The paper brings into perspective the shrinking employment opportunities for the youth and how this effects productivity in key economic sectors such as mining, agriculture and the private sector. The findings indicate that the increase in the pensionable age disadvantages the youth and further increases the unemployment rate for the youth and women. The findings have also brought out the challenges that are faced by the unemployed youth and how they have been forced to engage in crime and political violence in order for them to make a living. The youth in Zambia represent 60% of the total employable age yet instead of being in well-paying and productive jobs; they are involved in crime, prostitution, drug abuse and alcohol abuse. The research outcomes also indicate that the definitions of a youth in the Zambian youth policy and the definitions of a youth by the United Nations are different and this may pose a challenge in terms of statistics and planning purposes. The paper takes a secondary research approach by reviewing research findings that have been drawn from analysing the different opinions, facts and findings from researchers on the topic of youth unemployment and government policies and laws on youth employment. Indicators from the findings are that youth unemployment is a global problem, which affects even rich countries such as the UK that has a huge GDP than that of Zambia. The conclusion in the paper is that there is a direct connection between youth unemployment and economic growth and that governments must ensure that they put youth employment at the centre of national economic planning. Keywords: unemployment, youth, government, economy, policy, labour, productivity DOI: 10.7176/JESD/11-6-09 Publication date: March 31 st 2020

Association of Adverse Childhood Experiences with Health Risk Behaviors Among College Students in Zambia.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been linked to long-term health outcomes, while the impact of such experience has not been investigated among Zambian youth. This study examined the associations of ACEs with individual and clusters of health risk behavior among college students in Zambia. A total of 624 college students participated in this cross-sectional study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on their ACEs and health risk behaviors. There were 58.3% (364) reporting some forms of ACEs, with 27.6% (172), 16.3% (102), and 14.4% (90) being exposed to 1, 2, and ≥ 3 ACEs, respectively. The prevalence of health risk behaviors ranged from 6.0 to 34.2%. Overall, ACEs were associated with increased risk of smoking, binge drinking, suicide attempt, risky sexual behaviors, and illicit drug use. Logistic regression suggested that participants with ≥ 3 ACEs (OR, 3.62; 95% CI, 2.14-6.13) were more likely to engage in the unhealthy cluster, characterized by the presence of any health risk behavior, than those without ACE. ACEs were associated with individual and clustering of health risk behaviors among Zambia college students. Our study suggests that early intervention is needed to prevent long-term adverse health consequences in this population.

Exploring gender and partner communication: Theory of planned behavior predictors for condom use among urban youth in Zambia

To understand how knowledge and perceptions of condoms and partner communication influence use of condoms in a high HIV prevalence setting and gender-specific differences. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Zambia from 2015 to 2016. The survey included questions on demographics, sexual behavior, contraceptive perceptions, and behaviors. We constructed multivariate regression models using the Theory of Planned Behavior to determine associations between knowledge, perceptions, and perceived control with intended, communicated, and reported use of condoms by gender. The participants were 2388 sexually active urban residents aged 18-24years. In the sample, 1646 (69%) were female, 841 (35%) married,and 1894 (61%) unemployed. Partner communication was the predictor most associated with use of condoms. Among women, partner communication was associated with over three times higher odds of condom use (odds ratio [OR] 3.51, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.65-4.65) but being married reduced the odds of condom use by 76% (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.17-0.33). For men, a network of friends that was supportive of the use of contraception was associated with increased odds of 55% for use of condoms (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.10-2.18). Public health programs aimed at increasing safer sexual behavior and use of condoms must consider improving gender equity and partner communication, as knowledge of contraceptives and positive perceptions are not enough to ensure their use.

Of bulls and bulbs: aspirations, opinions and perceptions of rural adolescents and youth in Zambia

ABSTRACTIn Africa, policymakers and development practitioners focus heavily on making farming more attractive for the youth. To reach this goal, different actions are proposed, often emphasising the need for modern technology. These proposed actions are mostly based on anecdotes and prior policy beliefs. Using interviews and drawing exercises, this article shows that the aspirations, opinions and perceptions of adolescents (pre-youth) and youth are more diverse than assumed by the prevailing orthodoxies. The findings suggest that policymakers and development practitioners should pay more attention to their views, comprising environmental and social concerns, to avoid misguided policies.

Neurocysticercosis and HIV Among Zambian Youth: A Geographic Approach (P2.6-038)

Neurocysticercosis and HIV Among Zambian Youth: A Geographic Approach (P2.6-038)

Cognitive Performance and Total and Regional Brain Volumes in Zambian Youth with HIV (P4.9-001)

Cognitive Performance and Total and Regional Brain Volumes in Zambian Youth with HIV (P4.9-001)

Gender Differentials in Primary Sexual Abstinence among the Youth in Zambia

Gender Differentials in Primary Sexual Abstinence among the Youth in Zambia

Of Bulls and Bulbs: Aspirations and Perceptions of Rural Youth in Zambia

During the last years, policymakers and development-practitioners focused heavily on making farming more attractive for the rural youth in Africa. To reach this goal, different actions are proposed, often emphasizing the need for modern farming and information and communication technologies. These proposed actions are mostly based on anecdotes and prior policy beliefs, but not on empirical evidence since scientists have largely neglected this topic. This paper aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the aspirations and perceptions of young people and therefore to the formulation of policy actions that fit these aspirations. Two research methods were used to explore the aspirations and perceptions of rural youth: interviews and drawing exercises, a novel method in this context that allows for both a qualification and quantification of aspirations. The results show that rural youth have very diverse opinions and aspirations. In contrast to the literature, young people were found to reflect carefully about the positive and negative sides of farming, rural and urban life, and of foreign countries. Imagining their future farm, young people mostly envisioned using draught animals and having electricity (which explaining the reference to bulls and bulbs in the title of this paper). In addition, the young people aspired to greater farm diversity and applying more fertilizer. Few respondents mentioned the use of modern technologies such as tractors, and none mentioned ICTs. While it is difficult to generalize our results, the findings suggest that policymakers and development-practitioners need to pay more attention to the actual aspirations of the rural youth to avoid well-intended but misguided policies.

Ethnicity, politics and Zambian youth

ABSTRACTZambia is a very young nation in the midst of economic and political turbulence. The current trials are exacerbated by a youth bulge. Zambian youth have been exposed to a globalising world, and their expectations often exceed the current realities of the country. The country's economy has been decimated by daily power outages and falling copper prices. The fragile democracy has seen ethnic politics expand in the face of two presidential elections in less than two years. There have been concerns about the potential for increased political and ethnic violence as a result of these financial and political challenges. In this article, we draw upon a survey of 419 public university students in order to uncover how ethnic identities contribute to the democratic landscape for the nation's youth. We find that Zambian youth consider ethnicity to be an important part of personal identities, but they do not believe ethnicity should be a political factor. Contrary to this desire, the youth overwhelmingly perceive politicians to be engaging in political tribalism. The data suggest that the youth's widespread dissatisfaction with the perceived ethnic politics has contributed to lower voter turnouts, especially among Zambia's largest tribe.