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A framework for public digital archives administration in Zambia : current practices, procedures and prospects.
(The University of Zambia, 2023) Ng ‘andwe, Euphrasia
The aim of this study was to establish the framework for digital archives administration in Zambia, focusing on the current practices, procedures and prospects. A case study design using concurrent mixed research methods was adopted for this study. Purposive, and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 13 archivists and 30 users respectively. Data were collected using closed and open ended questions and scheduled interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed using statistical centrality, position and variability with aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 26 for descriptive statistics for easy interpretation and analysis of data, while content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. The study established that the National Archives of Zambia was yet to develop standard procedures , manuals and policies for the adminstration of digital archives. Although, the National Archives of Zambia draws its manadate from the National Archives Act of 1995 CAP 175. Archivists indicated lack of digital skills required in processing digital skills. The study recommended that there was need to develop institutional policies and procedures to guide the process of digital archives administration, and revise the National Archives Act of 1995. In addition, there was need to train archivists in handling of digital archives. The study further recommended a model for adoption by the National Archives of Zambia.
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Analysing the communication strategies the government is using in implementing the re-entry policy in Zambia’s education system : a case study of Chongwe district.
(The University of Zambia, 2025) Nkonde, Fridah
Zambia's Re-entry Policy was introduced in 1997 to allow girls who become pregnant to return to school after giving birth. The policy's goal is to prevent young mothers from being excluded from education and to prevent girls from dropping out of school after giving birth. Despite the policy being introduced 27 years ago, many young girls have continued to drop out of school due to challenges encountered in their pursuit for education. The purpose of this study is to analyse the communication strategies the Government of the Republic of Zambia is using in implementing the Re-entry Policy in Chongwe district of Lusaka Province. This study used the qualitative approach to analyse the communication strategies the government is using to implement the Re-entry Policy in Zambia’s education system. Purposive and random sampling were both used in this study to help the researcher rely on her own judgement when identifying and selecting the individuals, cases, or events that can provide the best information to achieve the study’s objectives. In this study, the sample consisted of three (3) Head Teachers, three (3) Guidance and Counselling Teachers, three (3) Teachers, three (3) teen mothers and three (3) parents or guardians of the teen mothers. The sample also consisted of twenty (20) pupils of which ten (10) were girls and the other ten (10) were boys. The total number of participants in the study was thirty-five (35) participants all picked from the selected five Primary and Secondary schools in Chongwe district and from the community. The findings indicate that the Government had not employed specific communication strategies targeting the implementation of the re-entry policy in the country. The findings were also clear on the fact that despite the introduction of the Re-entry Policy, there were no clear messages delivered through appropriate platforms tailored for diverse audiences on the Re-entry Policy. On the part of the Guidance and Counselling Teachers, the findings indicate that most teachers were not getting proper guidance from the Ministry of Health concerning means and ways of communicating the policy to the pupils. This study recommends that the Government, through the Ministry of Education should embark on awareness raising activities on the Re-entry Policy using Television, Radio, Newspapers, and various Social Media Platforms.
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Risk factors associated with the outbreak of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia in Chisamba district, Zambia.
(The University of Zambia, 2024) Kamasongo, Oscar Kamaya
Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) is a highly contagious and severe infectious disease of cattle that is listed as a notifiable disease by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). CBPP is caused by Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides small colony, which can lead to severe cattle losses. In 2022, two districts in Zambia, Chibombo and Chisamba, recorded outbreaks of CBPP. To halt the spread of CBPP to nearby districts, a mass slaughter exercise was conducted in which livestock farmers lost their cattle. It was thus the objective of this study to determine the risk factors that facilitated the occurrence of the disease in the district of Chisamba and assess the knowledge of cattle farmers on CBPP. Chisamba district is known for having many farms and for its agricultural activities hence the impact of a CBPP outbreak on the economy cannot be ignored. Data was collected using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised a total of 42 questions, divided into three sections namely, demographic information of the participants, cattle management practices on the farms, and knowledge of CBPP of the participants. The questionnaire was administered to 55 participants who comprised both commercial (10) and small-scale (45) livestock farmers in Chisamba district. Only adults (18 years and above) who owned cattle or farm workers actively involved in cattle management, and had agreed to participate by way of a signed consent, were enrolled in the study. A snowball sampling technique was employed to select the individual participants and purposive sampling was used to select the farms. Of the 55 farms from which the participants were drawn, only 2 farms had recorded positive cases of CBPP. Eight risk factors were assessed and these were the age of cattle, sex of cattle most affected, herd size, mode of feeding, source of water, cattle trading, access to veterinary services, and housing facility of cattle. In the current study, only trading of cattle (p-value = 0.039: RR = 1.238, 95% CI), was strongly associated with the occurrence of CBPP, suggesting that trade and movement of infected cattle which were mixed with the old healthy herds could have precipitated the CBPP outbreak in the district. Moreover, the low numbers (13.8%) of participants with some knowledge of CBPP and the factors associated with it were worrying. Hence the study recommends that the government, relevant bodies, as well as farmers must strictly check the health status of animals before they can engage in cattle trading. Furthermore, there is a need to regularly engage livestock farmers and educate them about diseases of economic importance such as CBPP. The study will help raise awareness on better cattle trading practices and knowledge of farmers.
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Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of selected foodborne associated bacteria from cockroaches.
(The University of Zambia, 2024) Kapansa, Lawrence
Cockroaches appear to be suitable mechanical transmitters for a wide range of food borne pathogenic microorganisms due to their habit of feeding on excreta or garbage and occurrence in places where food is stored or handled. Therefore, they can play a significant role in the dissemination of microorganisms between the environment. The objective of the study was to determine the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of selected bacterial food-borne pathogens isolated from cockroach species. A total of 278 cockroaches were collected from 50 rooms at University of Zambia and 40 houses in Kalingalinga between November 2023 and January 2024. Two species of cockroaches namely Periplaneta americana and Blattella germanica were identified using identification keys. The distribution of these species was found to be statistically insignificant between the two study sites, with B. germanica being more prevalent, accounting for 66.7% of the cockroaches at UNZA and 58.2% at Kalingalinga. Wash homogenates of the external and gut surfaces were used for culturing on selective and differential media. The isolated bacteria were identified using biochemical tests. Bacterial pathogens were isolated from both the external and gut surfaces of the cockroaches, with 39 foodborne-associated bacteria identified. These included Escherichia coli (12 isolates), Salmonella species (7 isolates), and Staphylococcus aureus (7 isolates) from P. americana, and from B. germanica, Escherichia coli (6 isolates), Salmonella species (3 isolates), and Staphylococcus aureus (4 isolates). Of the 39 bacterial isolates, 79% were from the cockroach gut, while 21% were from the external surface, showing that the gut is a significant reservoir for pathogenic bacteria. The distribution of these pathogens was not statistically significant across the study sites or cockroach body parts. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of the bacterial isolates revealed varying degrees of resistance. S. aureus showed high resistance to Penicillin G, while Salmonella and E. coli exhibited notable resistance to Ciprofloxacin and Cefotaxime, with 66.7% of all bacterial isolates being resistant to at least one class of antibiotics. Furthermore, 35.9% (N=39) of the isolates were multidrugresistant (MDR), with the MDR rate being 39% (n=18) in E. coli, 40% (n=10) in Salmonella and 27% (n=11) in S. aureus. Phenotypic testing detected Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria among the isolates, with 8 E. coli and 3 Salmonella identified as potential ESBL producers. After screening on Cefotaxime/MacConkey agar, 3 E. coli and 2 Salmonella were confirmed as ESBL producers. PCR analysis revealed the presence of blaCTX-M and blaTEM genes in these ESBLproducing isolates, with blaCTX-M detected in 2 E. coli isolates and blaTEM detected in all 5 ESBLproducing isolates. The findings from this study highlight the potential role of cockroaches as vectors for foodborne pathogens and multidrug-resistant bacteria in residential and institutional settings. Given the high percentage load of pathogenic bacteria, particularly in the gut of cockroaches, and the observed antimicrobial resistance, the results underscore the need for effective pest control strategies and prudent use of antibiotics to mitigate the spread of resistant bacteria. Moreover, the presence of ESBL-producing E. coli and Salmonella emphasizes the importance of ongoing surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in both healthcare and environmental contexts to protect public health.
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The role of the army in advancing national development : an in-depth analysis of the Zambia Army’s contributions to infrastructure, healthcare, education, and civilian projects.
(The University of Zambia, 2024) Nyambe, Happy Akashimiketwa
The study explores the multifaceted role of the Zambia Army in national development, with a focus on its contributions to infrastructure development, healthcare services, education, and other civilian-related projects. Traditionally seen as a security institution, the Zambia Army has expanded its scope to include socio-economic development activities, addressing critical gaps in underserved communities. This study utilized a qualitative research approach underpinned by the interpretivism paradigm. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, including Zambia Army personnel, government officials, and project beneficiaries, and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that the Zambia Army significantly contributes to infrastructure development, particularly in rural and remote areas, by constructing roads, bridges, and housing units that enhance connectivity and economic integration. In healthcare, the Army plays a critical role in providing medical services through military hospitals, mobile clinics, and emergency epidemic responses, such as during the cholera and COVID-19 outbreaks. Furthermore, the Army’s involvement in education includes managing schools and vocational training programs that improve literacy and address skills gaps in Zambia’s workforce. These initiatives align with Zambia’s Eighth National Development Plan (2022–2026), which emphasizes inclusive and sustainable development. The study states examples such as, the Zambia Army having established military-led vocational training programs and secondary schools in underserved areas, thus, improving education. Further, Military-run technical institutions teach engineering, mechanics, and agriculture to civilians. Additionally, it was revealed that, Defence education strategies prepare military personnel for civilian careers and improve the national workforce. The study further shows through secondary sources that military-run schools enhance academic performance and character development by offering disciplined and structured learning settings. The findings show evidence that in marginalised populations, military schools have increased literacy and access to quality education. However, challenges such as resource constraints, limited inter-agency coordination, and the absence of comprehensive monitoring frameworks impede the Army’s ability to maximize its developmental impact. The study highlights the need for stronger collaboration between the Army and civilian institutions, enhanced policy integration, and increased resource allocation to sustain and scale its contributions. Drawing insights from international best practices, the study concludes that the Zambia Army possesses significant untapped potential to drive sustainable development, particularly in addressing infrastructure deficits, healthcare disparities, and educational challenges. This research contributes to the growing discourse on military involvement in national development, offering practical recommendations for optimizing the Zambia Army’s developmental role. Future research could further explore the long-term socio economic impacts of military-led development initiatives.