BREAKING THE SILENCE: A DICHOTOMY PREVALENCE AND PROTECTION CHALLENGES OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN ZAMBIA

This analysis, titled "Breaking the Silence: A Dichotomy of Child Sexual Abuse Prevalence and Protection Challenges in Zambia," examines the trends and challenges associated with child sexual abuse in Zambia from 2017 to 2023. The study aims to explore the prevalence of child sexual abuse over the specified period and evaluate the effectiveness of Zambia's legal framework in protecting children from such abuse. Utilising a qualitative research design, the methodology involved document analysis of Zambia Police Victim Support Unit reports and an assessment of the legal framework. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS to identify trends and differences across pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic periods, while qualitative content analysis was used to examine the legal context. The findings reveal fluctuating abuse rates, with notable increases in 2019 and persistently high levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gender disparities were observed, with girls disproportionately affected. The study highlights significant gaps in the legal framework, including inadequate protection for older adolescents and limited statutory definitions of abuse. Challenges such as cultural taboos, socio-economic issues, and legal inefficiencies continue to hinder effective child protection. The analysis stresses the need for enhanced reporting mechanisms and legal reforms to safeguard children better and address the complexities of child sexual abuse in Zambia.  Article visualizations

Migration of nurses and the perceived impact on the public health care system in Zambia.

Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2007.The subject of international migration has become an important social issue and feature of globalized labour market in health care. International migration of nurses has increasingly become a concern and the volumes are reported to be increasing particularly from the developing world where, in some countries, is a leading cause of attrition and subsequent shortage of nurses as a human resource. This has implications on the capacity of health systems to respond to the challenge of health care delivery to populations considering that nurses form the largest health workforce in most countries. In Zambia, nurse migration has equally been a concern including the absence of relevant studies with evidence to inform policy direction, planning and management of nursing human resource. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of nurse migration, the reasons why nurses resign their employment positions and leave the country, why other nurses do not migrate and to further determine the perceived nurse migration impact on the public health care system. The study was a non-experimental descriptive survey design that used both quantitative and qualitative approaches to data collection and data analysis. A triangulation approach was used in data collection involving various methods; multistage, stratified and systematic sampling; purposive and snowball with a range of data collection instruments; semi-structured for focused interviews of nurse migrants, nurses seeking verifications and policy makers; self-administered questionnaire that enlisted data from clinical nurses and nurse educators on the perceived impact of nurse migration on the public health care system and topic guides for focus group discussions. Computer software were used to code and analyze data; SPSS version 11.0 for quantitative data and NVivo7 for qualitative data. A total of 309 clinical nurses and 23 nurse educators responded to the self administered questionnaire. Thirty three key informants participated in focus group discussions conducted in four health facilities situated in four districts. There were five directors at provincial, district and national levels and 13 nurse migrants interviewed. Data on nurses with verification of qualifications sent to countries were collected from a total of 1,142 records; 931 for RNs and 211 for ENs. The study was guided by a conceptual framework developed from two migration theories namely the World Systems Theory and the Push and Pull Theory. The World Systems Theory structured the world into three zones of Periphery (poor countries), Semi-Periphery (Transitional economies) and the Core (industrialized wealthy countries). Push factors caused people to leave the Periphery to the Semi-periphery and to the Core where the Pull factors attracted those from the Periphery and Semi-periphery. Major findings of the study showed dissatisfaction with work conditions, poor living conditions, lack of professional recognition and autonomy and lack of access to professional development as being among the push factors while the pull factors included attractive work conditions, conducive work environment and access to professional development, among others. The perceived impact included nurse shortage, excessive workload, long working hours and poor quality of patient care. Findings on issues for policy on managing nurses leaving for greener pastures were in the form of interventions that would address the push factors and formed the basis for recommendations from the study

Counterfeit and Substandard Medical Products: Zambia’s Legal Response

The presence of counterfeit and substandard Medical Products is a problem of growing concern in African countries, and Zambia has not been spared. Their use causes medical complications among patients and in some cases, death. They also add to the challenges faced by an already burdened health care system. This article explores Zambia’s regulatory framework for the control of Counterfeit and Substandard Medical Products. This study examines the extent to which the Zambian law, namely, the Medicines and Allied Substances Act, protects the general public from Substandard and Falsified Medical Products. Further, it identifies the challenges faced by the Zambian regulatory authority for pharmaceutical products, the Zambia Medicines Regulatory Authority (ZAMRA), in controlling of the import, manufacture and sell of Counterfeit and Substandard Medical Products. The study adopted a qualitative research approach through a systematic review of literature. This was done by following a key word search on literature that is relevant or related to regulation of counterfeit and substandard products. The study found that the Medicines and allied Substances Act has empowered ZAMRA to protect the Zambian public from counterfeit and substandard medical products. However, it faces various challenges which include an insufficient availability of financial resources and low staffing levels. The study recommends that the Zambian government should provide incentives and policies to support investment in the pharmaceutical industry. It also recommends for an increase in the financial and human resources availed to ZAMRA, in order to solve the challenges that it faces

Improving Mental Health Literacy and Reducing Psychological Problems Among Teachers in Zambia: Protocol for Implementation and Evaluation of a Wellness4Teachers Email Messaging Program (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Primary, basic, secondary, and high school teachers are constantly faced with increased work stressors that can result in psychological health challenges such as burnout, anxiety, and depression, and in some cases, physical health problems. It is presently unknown what the mental health literacy levels are or the prevalence and correlates of psychological issues among teachers in Zambia. It is also unknown if an email mental messaging program (Wellness4Teachers) would effectively reduce burnout and associated psychological problems and improve mental health literacy among teachers. OBJECTIVE The primary objectives of this study are to determine if daily supportive email messages plus weekly mental health literacy information delivered via email can help improve mental health literacy and reduce the prevalence of moderate to high stress symptoms, burnout, moderate to high anxiety symptoms, moderate to high depression symptoms, and low resilience among school teachers in Zambia. The secondary objectives of this study are to evaluate the baseline prevalence and correlates of moderate to high stress, burnout, moderate to high anxiety, moderate to high depression, and low resilience among school teachers in Zambia. METHODS This is a quantitative longitudinal and cross-sessional study. Data will be collected at the baseline (the onset of the program), 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months (the program midpoint), and 12 months (the end point) using web-based surveys. Individual teachers will subscribe by accepting an invitation to do so from the Lusaka Apex Medical University organizational account on the ResilienceNHope web-based application. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 25 with descriptive and inferential statistics. Outcome measures will be evaluated using standardized rating scales. RESULTS The Wellness4Teachers email program is expected to improve the participating teachers’ mental health literacy and well-being. It is anticipated that the prevalence of stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, and low resilience among teachers in Zambia will be similar to those reported in other jurisdictions. In addition, it is expected that demographic, socioeconomic, and organizational factors, class size, and grade teaching will be associated with burnout and other psychological disorders among teachers, as indicated in the literature. Results are expected 2 years after the program’s launch. CONCLUSIONS The Wellness4Teachers email program will provide essential insight into the prevalence and correlates of psychological problems among teachers in Zambia and the program’s impact on subscribers’ mental health literacy and well-being. The outcome of this study will help inform policy and decision-making regarding psychological interventions for teachers in Zambia. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT PRR1-10.2196/44370 </sec

Improving Mental Health Literacy and Reducing Psychological Problems Among Teachers in Zambia: Protocol for Implementation and Evaluation of a Wellness4Teachers Email Messaging Program

Background Primary, basic, secondary, and high school teachers are constantly faced with increased work stressors that can result in psychological health challenges such as burnout, anxiety, and depression, and in some cases, physical health problems. It is presently unknown what the mental health literacy levels are or the prevalence and correlates of psychological issues among teachers in Zambia. It is also unknown if an email mental messaging program (Wellness4Teachers) would effectively reduce burnout and associated psychological problems and improve mental health literacy among teachers. Objective The primary objectives of this study are to determine if daily supportive email messages plus weekly mental health literacy information delivered via email can help improve mental health literacy and reduce the prevalence of moderate to high stress symptoms, burnout, moderate to high anxiety symptoms, moderate to high depression symptoms, and low resilience among school teachers in Zambia. The secondary objectives of this study are to evaluate the baseline prevalence and correlates of moderate to high stress, burnout, moderate to high anxiety, moderate to high depression, and low resilience among school teachers in Zambia. Methods This is a quantitative longitudinal and cross-sessional study. Data will be collected at the baseline (the onset of the program), 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months (the program midpoint), and 12 months (the end point) using web-based surveys. Individual teachers will subscribe by accepting an invitation to do so from the Lusaka Apex Medical University organizational account on the ResilienceNHope web-based application. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 25 with descriptive and inferential statistics. Outcome measures will be evaluated using standardized rating scales. Results The Wellness4Teachers email program is expected to improve the participating teachers’ mental health literacy and well-being. It is anticipated that the prevalence of stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, and low resilience among teachers in Zambia will be similar to those reported in other jurisdictions. In addition, it is expected that demographic, socioeconomic, and organizational factors, class size, and grade teaching will be associated with burnout and other psychological disorders among teachers, as indicated in the literature. Results are expected 2 years after the program’s launch. Conclusions The Wellness4Teachers email program will provide essential insight into the prevalence and correlates of psychological problems among teachers in Zambia and the program’s impact on subscribers’ mental health literacy and well-being. The outcome of this study will help inform policy and decision-making regarding psychological interventions for teachers in Zambia. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/44370 </jats:sec

Design and Process Development for Smart Phone Medication Dosing Support System and Educational Platform in HIV/Aids-TB Programs in Zambia

The widespread adoption of cell phones and other mobile platforms represents an opportunity to extend the benefits of personalized, point-of-care, healthcare applications to providers and patients in the developing world. However, the challenges facing the effective deployment of mobile health care applications are complex, and thus require a scalable, flexible, and configurable approach. A service-oriented-architecture-based conceptual framework is proposed to address the challenges of developing and deploying mobile health care applications. A particular emphasis of the framework is a service-agent-modeling-based composite process-personalization support that is needed to support the diverse and adaptable needs of the users

The Zambian HIV Nurse Practitioner Diploma Program: Preliminary Outcomes from First Cohort of Zambian Nurses

This article describes the implementation and evaluation of a program to prepare HIV Nurse Practitioners in Zambia. Thirty nurses from all nine Zambian provinces participated in this program. Data on a variety of indicators were collected at baseline and throughout the one-year program including student and supervisor assessments, student performance on pre- and post-tests, clinical and case study assessments, documentation of care in patients’ health records, and their performance on final oral and written examinations. Findings indicated that the students were able to achieve the identified competencies and that their supervisors perceived that they would be able to implement their expanded skills to improve care for patients with HIV and AIDS in Zambia. Lessons learned from this initial pilot project will be used to expand the program in order to ensure successful task-shifting to address the critical shortage of health workers in Zambia in the context of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.</jats:p