Reading culture in Zambia: perspectives of selected households of Zambia on their reading practices.

ArticleThe absence of reading habits has historically dominated much of Zambian households regardless of the presence or absence of reading materials. These reading practices were the focus of the present study that sought to address three research questions: (i) to determine the historical culture of reading in respondents’ households, (ii) to establish the views of selected Zambian residents on factors contributing to low reading culture in Zambia, and (iii) to ascertain the workable solutions to improve the reading culture among some Zambians. Data was collected using face-to-face and telephone interviews and open-ended questionnaire. The qualitative mode of inquiry was used to guide this study. Findings of the study revealed an increase in reading culture among some urban families with access to smart phones, tablets, and laptops. However, families that lacked such gadgets did not practice reading in their homes with exception of a few. Those that practiced reading had a bias to social media posts and shorter ones were preferred. Students liked reading but not for fun or pleasure, but it was a requirement for them to pass certain courses. In all homes, the history of consistent reading practices was absent to a considerable extent. Among the reasons cited for poor reading culture included historical background, Inadequate resources/poverty, and disinterestedness of readers. The provision of free internet in public places, the creation of public libraries in districts, creation of a reading hour in schools, and encouraging families to develop interest in reading to their children were among the recommendations.Sel

The role of traditional leaders in ending early child marriages for education: experiences from Kalonga Gawa Undi chiefdom of Katete district, Zambia.

ArticleThis paper explores the role of traditional leaders on ending early child marriages for education as panacea to the implementation of the ‘National Strategy on Ending Child Marriages in Zambia 2016 – 2021’. The Chewa Chiefdom of Zambia was used as a reference point on the role traditional leaders can play in implementing government policies. The article focused on how traditional leaders through their chiefdom structures discouraged early child marriages and supported girls and boys to continue with their education. A case study research design which was qualitative in nature was employed. Data was collected using face-to-face interviews, and observation of various practices among the Chewa people of Zambia. The interviews and observations covered historical information on traditions and cultural practices; including measures the chiefdom had put in place to ensure that all young girls and boys in the chiefdom have access to education. The article revealed that, in a quest to end early marriages and promote child education, Kalonga Gawa Undi had put in place several measures. These included; awareness campaigns, collaborating with support groups, and revising some traditional practices such as the times when Chinamwali and Nyau initiation ceremonies were expected to take place so that they do not disturb school going children. Respondents reported that, the measures positively reduced cases of early marriages and increased the number of children accessing education. Despite this improvement, lack of financial support remains a major constraint to ending early marriages and promoting child education in the Chewa kingdom. The article recommended among other things that, chiefdoms should have partnerships with stakeholders such as NGOs and government in supporting children’s education and discouraging early child marriages. In addition, more publicity was needed through various media; leaflets, posters, billboards in Chewa language and community dramaSel

Effects Of Methanolic Leaves Extract of Datura Alba Nees On Haematological Parameters In Male Wistar Rats

Haematological parameters are essential parameters that need to be assessed periodically to ascertain the levels and ensure that it is within the normal values in other to maintain good health. Blood cells are important because they have specific role as: RBC is for oxygen, and nutrient transportation, WBC is for body defense and platelet is for coagulation. Decrease in any of these formed elements may affects the body system and it must be within limits. The aim of the study is to evaluate the Effects of Methanolic Leaves Extract of Datura alba nees on Haematological Parameters in Male Wistar rats. Twenty (20) rats were randomly selected and placed into four groups with five rats per group. The control group was fed with rodent chow and water, the low dose group was given 500mg/kg/bwt of the extract, medium dose group was given 1000mg/kg/bwtof the extract, the high dose group was given 2000mg/kg/bwt of the extract. All the extracts were given orally. Administration lasted for 21 days and on the 22nd day, animals were weighed and sacrifice, blood samples were collected for haematological analysis. Data were analysed using ANOVA and SPSS version 25 were used and p < 0.05 was said to be significant. The results shows significant decrease in the white blood cells of the animals administered with both low and medium dose of the extract. Result also shows significant decrease in the red blood cells of the rats administered with medium dose of the extract. No significant difference in platelet counts. There is no significant difference is the haematological indices and differentials (neutrophils, monocytes, leucocytes and eosinophil of the rats administered with the extract. The result showed that, this extract induced dyslipidemia in male Wistar rats

Parasite clearance and protection from Plasmodium falciparum infection (PCPI): a two-arm, parallel, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomised trial of presumptive sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine versus artesunate monotherapy among asymptomatic children 3–5 years of age in Zambia

Background: The 2022 malaria chemoprevention guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend the provision of a full treatment course of an antimalarial medicine at predefined intervals, regardless of whether the child is infected with malaria, to prevent illness in moderate to high perennial malaria transmission settings. Sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) is usually used for this intervention, now called perennial malaria chemoprevention (PMC). The K540E mutation in the dihydropteroate synthase (dhps) gene circulating in Africa is thought to be associated with treatment failure and reduced chemoprevention efficacy in children but the exact effect remains unclear. Methods: This protocol is for a two-arm, parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial in Zambia that is designed to evaluate the effect of parasite genotypes on the efficacy of single-dose SP among asymptomatic children between 3 and 5 years of age. Children are randomly allocated to one of two groups for directly observed treatment. Over seven consecutive days (7 days before day 0), children in the SP group (n= 400) receive placebo artesunate (AS), then active SP (day 0). In contrast, children in the AS group (n = 200) receive active artesunate for seven consecutive days, followed by placebo SP (day 0). Then, on days 0, 2, 5, 7, and weekly thereafter until day 28, children provide blood for thick smear slides. Dried blood spots (DBS) are collected on the same days and weekly from day 28 to day 63 for quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and genotype analyses using a platform based on PCR followed by targeted next-generation sequencing. Discussion: We will report unblinded results including: (i) time-to-parasite clearance among SP recipients who were positive on day 0 by qPCR and measured to day 63; (ii) mean duration of SP protection against infection, and (iii) mean duration of symptom-free status among SP recipients who were parasite free on day 0 by qPCR. Our conclusions will reflect on the utility of WHO’s new malaria chemoprevention efficacy study protocol with its follow-up to day 28 versus day 63