Medicine
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- ItemCancer patient’s experience of long COVID-19 at the cancer diseases hospital, Lusaka, Zambia.(The University of Zambia, 2025) Mooya, ActiveCancer patients are particularly vulnerable to the effects of Long COVID-19 due to their immunecompromised state. The intersection of cancer and Long COVID-19 presents unique challenges, including disruptions in treatment, heightened psychological distress, and financial burdens. In Zambia, the impact of Long COVID-19 on cancer patients remains under-explored. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of cancer patients with Long COVID-19 at the Cancer Diseases Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. A qualitative descriptive phenomenological design was employed to explore the subjective experiences of cancer patients diagnosed with Long COVID19. The study purposively included 14 participants using data saturation technique. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed thematically to identify key themes related to the experiences of patients. The findings yielded four themes: impact of long COVID-19 on cancer treatment, Psychological distress from long COVID-19, healthcare access and support challenges. It revealed that Long COVID-19 significantly disrupted cancer treatment, leading to delayed chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Participants reported severe psychological distress, including heightened anxiety, depression, and fear of worsening cancer prognosis. Coping mechanisms varied, with some patients relying on social support, spirituality, and resilience strategies. However, healthcare access remained a major challenge, with limited resources, financial burdens, and delays in treatment exacerbating the difficulties faced by patients. Long COVID-19 has compounded the challenges faced by cancer patients in Zambia, affecting their physical and mental well-being. The study highlights the need for integrated healthcare approaches, improved mental health support, and policy interventions to ensure uninterrupted cancer care during pandemics. Addressing these gaps is crucial for enhancing the quality of life and treatment outcomes for cancer patients experiencing Long COVID-19. Keywords: Long COVID-19, cancer patients, healthcare access, psychological distress, coping mechanisms, treatment disruption.
- ItemLived experiences of former drug abusers during their rehabilitation process at Chainama Hills hospital.(The University of Zambia, 2025) Mukumwa, JulieOne of the most serious health problems affecting people of all age groups, especially young people, today is drug abuse. Considering the effects of drug use on individuals who use drugs, efforts are being made to improve the rehabilitation of drug users in Zambia. However, in Zambia, there is a lack of comprehensive research and data on the lived experiences of individuals struggling with drug use. Hence, the purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of former drug users during their rehabilitation process at Chainama Hills Hospital. A qualitative phenomenological study design was used and data was collected through in-depth interviews with former drug abusers at Chainama Hills Hospital. Twenty-five participants of both sexes aged 18 years and above took part in the in-depth interviews, which were determined through purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was used using both inductive and deductive approach. The study identified two themes and twenty sub-themes. The first theme was Facilitators to Recovery which encompassed treatment, psycho-emotive support (counselling and medication), familial and social support (including desire to repair relationships, and spiritual support), and personal factors (avoiding triggers, changing habits, and self-improvement), while Barriers to Recovery theme included personal struggles (dietary, cravings, stigma, and withdrawal), familial and social challenges (peer influence and loneliness), treatment-related obstacles (confinement and medication issues), and facility-related difficulties (shared wards and poor conditions). Recovery from drug abuse is influenced by a combination of treatment access, social and spiritual support, and personal factor, while factors such as stigma, cravings, poor facility conditions, and lack of social support affect recovery. These findings underscore the importance of a holistic approach to treatment, encompassing medical, psychological, social, and personal dimensions. Key Terms: Drug Abuse, Drug Rehabilitation, Recover.
- ItemDetermining potential health risks to residents from water sourced in Maloni compound of Livingstone district in Zambia.(The University of Zambia, 2023) Mukwasa, KamungaThis study is an investigation into the presence of bacteria from water sourced in Maloni Compound of Livingstone District in Zambia. The basic research objective of the empirical study was to investigate the presences of bacteria in water sourced from Maloni Compound of Livingstone District. Furthermore, to examine the potential health risks to the residents arising from the water sourced in Maloni Compound. A mixed research strategy was adopted that made use of questionnaire, interviews guide, observation and standard field sampling sample bottles to collect empirical data. The findings revealed that water in Maloni compound was sourced from submissive boreholes, hand pump fitted boreholes and shallow wells. The study further revealed that residents of Maloni Compound used on site sanitation system namely pit latrine and septic tanks. It also revealed that water sourced from Maloni Compound had the presence of bacteria with relatively high total coliform and faecal coliform contamination, the fact that may have compromised the public health status of the residents of Maloni Compound. The study recommended for the following: i. There is need for collaboration of various stakeholders up to the consumer level during the planning and implementation stage of urban and peri urban areas, to ensure that the allocation of residential plots is done simultaneously with the provision of necessary services such as water and sewerage reticulation systems. ii. There is need for SWASCO to directly provide water to existing residents of Maloni and to facilitate decommissioning of all contaminated water sources. iii. There is need for urban Planners and SWASCO to encourage households to also employ alternative methods in the water sector such as rain water that can be stored and used for flushing toilets. iv. There is need to formulate policies in water and sanitation, planning and in infrastructure design that will encourage research and development of innovations and technologies that will apply to our local scenario.
- ItemClinical and molecular evaluation of pseudomonas aeruginosa nosocomial infections among adult patients at the university teaching hospital in Lusaka province and Ndola teaching hospital in Copperbelt province of Zambia.(The University of Zambia, 2024) Ntanda, Patrice MukomenaPseudomonas is a type of bacteria commonly found in the environment, like soil and water. Of the many types of Pseudomonas, the one that most often causes infections in humans is called Pseudomonas aeruginosa, accounting for about 10% of hospital-acquired infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most commonly isolated nosocomial pathogen, often found in numerous reservoirs in hospital settings, such as disinfectants and medical devices. It has limited susceptibility to antibiotics, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Despite the previous research reports on Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Zambia, there is a paucity of data on clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa population diversity and molecular characterization of clinical isolates in correlation with clinical outcomes. Further, data on the genetic determinants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate hospital-acquired Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in selected hospitals of Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces in Zambia. The study assessed the clinical and molecular characteristics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and determined predictors of hospital-acquired infections with multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients at various study sites. The study also evaluated antimicrobial resistance patterns in patients infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa at different study sites. Frequencies were estimated, and the association between the outcome variable (positive culture) and categorical predictor variables was analyzed using the Chi-square test and logistic regression. Further, the study described phenotypic characteristics, assessed the genetic diversity of clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and assessed the clinical relationship between Pseudomonas aeruginosa phenotypes and genotypes with antimicrobial resistance and treatment outcomes. A year-long hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2020 to April 2021 at two large tertiary-level hospitals in Zambia. Hospitalized and out-patients with previous hospital contact were screened for nosocomial infections, followed by the collection of specimens (skin swabs, urine, or sputum) for bacteriological culture and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification of 16S rRNA gene fragments. Nosocomial infections were defined according to the World Health Organization case definitions. Clinical assessment and follow-up of patients till discharge, 30 days, or death were conducted to establish the clinical outcomes. The Kirby-Bauer's disk diffusion method was used to evaluate antibiotic resistance patterns. The resistance genes, bla IMP, bLaOXA 51, and other resistance genes were detected using PCR. Eight hundred and forty-one clinical specimens were collected and analyzed, 640 from the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka district and 201 from the Ndola Teaching Hospital in Ndola district. Of the 841 participants, 116 (13.7%) were diagnosed with Pseudomonas aeruginosa nosocomial infections. Among these, 96 participants were males (71.2%), and 20 were females (28.8%). The study participants ranged from 15 to 98 years, with a mean age of 51 (SD ± 18). Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (57%) were the most common, followed by those from pressure sores (38.7%). Antibiotic sensitivity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was best with amikacin and worse with cefepime. We observed a high prevalence of multidrug resistance (73.6 %). The Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was associated with carbapenem-hydrolyzing b-lactamase gene blaOXA-51, literacy level, and ward attendance. Conclusions: This study showed that multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa is highly prevalent in the hospital settings at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka province and at the Ndola Teaching Hospital in Ndola in the Copperbelt province of Zambia. This calls for establishing and implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs, using antimicrobial sensitivity to treat infection, and strengthening the AMR surveillance system and awareness at the two hospitals.
- ItemFactors influencing the use of HIV self-testing kits among adolescents: a case of Kalingalinga compound, Lusaka.(The University of Zambia, 2024) Mwansa, EthelIn Zambia, HIV self-testing is vital for HIV prevention, but there's limited understanding of its use among adolescents. In Zambia, HIV self-testing has become integral to HIV prevention and control, yet a knowledge gap exists regarding its prevalence, utilization trends, and determinants among adolescents. This cross-sectional investigation, conducted in the Kalinglinga compound of Lusaka district, engaged 391 participants, with a robust response rate of 97.7%. Employing a pretested questionnaire, data were analyzed at univariate, bivariate, and multivariate levels. Univariate analysis revealed a 79% non-usage prevalence. Bivariate analysis showed significant associations between non-usage and marital status (χ² = 7.064, p = 0.029), monthly income (χ² = 11.058, p = 0.030), kit availability (χ² = 16.868, p = 0.000), accessibility (χ² = 12.066, p = 0.002), and cost perception (χ² = 10.016, p = 0.007). Age, gender, education, religion, having a sexual partner, unprotected sex, and drug use didn't significantly affect usage (p > 0.05). The analysis identified several key factors associated with a higher prevalence of non-usage of HIV self-test kits among the study participants. These factors included being aged 18-19 years, male gender, having primary or no formal education, being single, having a higher income, lacking a sexual partner, never engaging in unprotected sex, residing in areas with limited availability and accessibility of self-test kits, and having uncertainty about the cost of acquiring these kits. These demographic and situational characteristics collectively contributed to a greater likelihood of non usage among the surveyed individuals. Multivariate analysis found higher income as a barrier (OR = 1.473, 95% CI: 1.222 - 2.252), while being single increased non-usage odds (OR = 2.424, 95% CI: 1.432 - 4.102). Areas without kits had higher non-usage odds (OR = 1.827, 95% CI: 1.129 - 2.956). Uncertainty about kit costs led to higher non-usage odds (OR = 2.708, 95% CI: 1.230 - 5.964). These findings underscore the need for tailored interventions addressing specific demographic, socioeconomic, and predisposing factors impeding HIV self-testing. The study enriches the body of knowledge on HIV self-testing, offering insights for policy and program development to bolster public health strategies for HIV prevention and control.