Zambia Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

This article tries to understand the prosperity gospel in a way that enables us to distinguish what is valuable and what is not in this phenomenon. The article starts by recognizing the puzzling aspects of the prosperity gospel. Someone... more

This article tries to understand the prosperity gospel in a way that enables us to distinguish what is valuable and what is not in this phenomenon. The article starts by recognizing the puzzling aspects of the prosperity gospel. Someone might be tempted to dismiss it straightaway as simply unchristian and foolish. Looking at the people who are attracted to the prosperity gospel, however, helps in recognizing the prosperity gospel instead as a genuine protest against certain tendencies in the mainline churches. The article suggests that the prosperity gospel might be a celebration of the dignity in pure, spontaneous religious impulses and the dignity in enjoying or wishing to enjoy the good things in life This leaves us with the question of how we can distinguish between a genuine form of the prosperity gospel and forms that are simply is unchristian and foolish. To find answers to these questions the prosperity teaching's interpretation of Abraham is compared to Sören Kierkegaard's reading of Abraham as a knight of faith. This leads to a kind of litmus test to distinguish a genuine prosperity gospel from theologically unacceptable forms of it. Four criteria are presented: 1. Our faith should show gratitude rather than being a form of manipulation; 2. We should recognise the value of both tradition and resignation; 3. A genuine prosperity gospel would be a personal affair always enacted in fear and trembling; and 4. It should be about God and not about you. When these criteria are met, the prosperity gospel can be a theologically valid way to express dignity, so this article concludes-the dignity in pure, spontaneous religious impulses, and in enjoying or wishing to enjoy the good things in life.

As is common in many Bantu societies, Zambian names come from the natural environment, circumstances of birth and the social setting. Names from circumstances of birth include physical appearance, position of birth, place of birth, and so... more

As is common in many Bantu societies, Zambian names come from the natural environment, circumstances of birth and the social setting. Names from circumstances of birth include physical appearance, position of birth, place of birth, and so on. Those from the natural environment include names from plants, animals and other natural phenomena. Nevertheless, the broadest category in Zambian nomenclature is the socio-psychological environment. My recent unpublished quantitative analysis of selected publicly available school registers in Kitwe and Lusaka showed that between 2013 and 2017, 71% of the 13 thousand students sampled used foreign first names-the remaining meagre percentage used local language based first names. This chapter is, however, descriptive rather than structural, of traditional Zambian anthroponyms as they exist at present.

This response document will briefly address concerns about the ethical, legal and methodological flaws with past research informing aspects of present PEPFAR program areas; concerns about adverse consequences of PEPFAR program areas; and... more

This response document will briefly address concerns about the ethical, legal and methodological flaws with past research informing aspects of present PEPFAR program areas; concerns about adverse consequences of PEPFAR program areas; and concerns about the absence of oversight of the activities of PEPFAR funding recipients.

Penicillinase-producing strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) were detected in nine out of 27 (3 2%o) treatment failures in 310 cases of acute gonococcal urethritis in men in Lusaka, Zambia. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of... more

Penicillinase-producing strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) were detected in nine out of 27 (3 2%o) treatment failures in 310 cases of acute gonococcal urethritis in men in Lusaka, Zambia. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of penicillin for 17-2% of 233 gonococcal isolates were<0 05 I,g/ml, for 38-20%o between 0 125 and 0 25 Ag/ml, and for 46-607o)0 5 Ag/ml. At present the prevalence of PPNG in African countries is not known but is likely to increase rapidly unless simplified control schemes are adopted within the existing primary health care programmes. Endemic pockets of PPNG in a few countries can threaten worldwide efforts to control gonorrhoea.

Zambia has high HIV prevalence and low voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) rates, heightening the need for effective VMMC demand generation strategies for HIV prevention. A 3-arm randomized controlled trial measured the impact of 2... more

Zambia has high HIV prevalence and low voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) rates, heightening the need for effective VMMC demand generation strategies for HIV prevention. A 3-arm randomized controlled trial measured the impact of 2 short message service (SMS) campaigns on self-reported and verified VMMC uptake over 6 months in Lusaka Province. The study enrolled 2312 uncircumcised males aged 15-30 previously subscribed on Zambia U-Report, an existing SMS platform providing confidential, free counseling services relevant to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Participants in the "Conventional" campaign group received a standard package of messages promoting VMMC. Messages sent to the "Tailored" campaign group were targeted at participants' intention level to get circumcised. The control group had routine counselor access through SMS. Data were collected using SMS surveys, and verification of self-reported VMMC uptake used health facility clie...

Objectives: To determine if sexual harassment was a problem at the University of Zambia (UNZA); to explore UNZA student's perception on the nature of sexual harassment; and determine student's knowledge and understanding about... more

Objectives: To determine if sexual harassment was a problem at the University of Zambia (UNZA); to explore UNZA student's perception on the nature of sexual harassment; and determine student's knowledge and understanding about sexual harassment.

Background: Despite the increases in health promotion and educational programs on HIV and AIDS, lack of information and communication on HIV and AIDS for the visually impaired persons continues. The underlying factors that create the... more

Background: Despite the increases in health promotion and educational programs on HIV and AIDS, lack of information and communication on HIV and AIDS for the visually impaired persons continues. The underlying factors that create the information and communication gaps have not been fully explored in Zambia. It is therefore important that, this situational analysis on HIV and AIDS information dissemination to persons with visual impairments at Kang'onga Production Centre in Ndola was conducted. The study commenced in December 2014 to May 2015. Methods: A qualitative case study design was employed. The study used two focus group discussions with males and females. Each group comprised twelve participants. Eight in-depth interviews involving the visually impaired persons and five key informants working with visually impaired persons were conducted. Data was analysed thematically using NVIVO 8 software. Ethical clearance was sought from Excellency in Research Ethics and Science. Reference Number 2014-May-030. Results: It was established that most visually impaired people lacked knowledge on the cause, transmission and treatment of HIV and AIDS resulting in misconceptions. It was revealed that health promoters and people working with the visually impaired did not have specific HIV and AIDS information programs in Zambia. Further, it was discovered that the media, information education communication and health education were channels through which the visually impaired accessed HIV and AIDS information. Discrimination, stigma, lack of employment opportunities, funding and poverty were among the many challenges identified which the visually impaired persons faced in accessing HIV and AIDS information. Integration of the visually impaired in HIV and AIDS programs would increase funding for economic empowerment and health promotions in order to improve communication on HIV and AIDS information. The study showed that, the visually impaired persons in Zambia are not catered for in the dissemination of HIV and AIDS information. Available information is not user-friendly because it is in unreadable formats thereby increasing the potential for misinformation and limitations to their access. This calls for innovations in the communication on HIV and AIDS information health promotion to the target groups.

People interested in the research are advised to contact the author for the final version of the publication, or visit the DOI to the publisher's website. • The final author version and the galley proof are versions of the publication... more

People interested in the research are advised to contact the author for the final version of the publication, or visit the DOI to the publisher's website. • The final author version and the galley proof are versions of the publication after peer review. • The final published version features the final layout of the paper including the volume, issue and page numbers. Link to publication General rights Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. • Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research. • You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain • You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal. If the publication is distributed under the terms of Article 25fa of the Dutch Copyright Act, indicated by the "Taverne" license above, please follow below link for the End User Agreement:

Concurrent partnerships may cause more rapid spread of HIV in a population. We examined how the prevalence of parallel relationships changed among men and women aged 15-49 in Zambia from 1998 to 2003 using data collected during the Sexual... more

Concurrent partnerships may cause more rapid spread of HIV in a population. We examined how the prevalence of parallel relationships changed among men and women aged 15-49 in Zambia from 1998 to 2003 using data collected during the Sexual Behavior Surveys 1998Surveys , 2000Surveys , and 2003. Predictors of concurrent partnerships among men were studied by univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Thirteen percent of rural and 8% of urban men reported more than one ongoing relationship in 1998, and these proportions declined to 8% and 6%, respectively in 2003. The proportion of women reporting concurrent relationships was 0-2%. The most important predictors of concurrency were early sexual debut, being married, early marriage and absence from home. The reduction in concurrent sexual partnerships is consistent with reductions in other sexual risk behaviors found in other studies and may have contributed to the recently observed decline in HIV prevalence in Zambia.

Background: Like many sub-Saharan African countries, Zambia is dealing with major health issues, including HIV/AIDS, family planning, and reproductive health. To address reproductive health problems and the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Zambia,... more

Background: Like many sub-Saharan African countries, Zambia is dealing with major health issues, including HIV/AIDS, family planning, and reproductive health. To address reproductive health problems and the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Zambia, several social marketing and health communication programs focusing on reproductive and HIV/AIDS prevention programs are being implemented. This paper describes the reach of these programs and assesses their impact on condom use.

Taenia solium taeniasis/cysticercosis is a zoonotic disease endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. It is associated with poor sanitary practices, free-range pig husbandry and lack of disease awareness in endemic communities. A comparative... more

Taenia solium taeniasis/cysticercosis is a zoonotic disease endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. It is associated with poor sanitary practices, free-range pig husbandry and lack of disease awareness in endemic communities. A comparative research was conducted with pre and post-intervention assessments in nine villages to evaluate Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) as an intervention measure for the control of porcine cysticercosis in Katete District in the Eastern Province of Zambia. Blood samples were collected from pigs for circulating antigen detection and a questionnaire focused on the household was administered to a total of 153 respondents whose pigs were examined (64 pre-intervention, 89 post-intervention), in order to obtain information on general demographic characteristics, pig husbandry practices, sanitation practices and associated knowledge and awareness of T. solium infections. The first sampling was conducted prior to the implementation of the CLTS and second sampling eight months after triggering of CLTS in the selected villages. A total of 379 pig serum samples were examined using the B158/B60 Ag-ELISA to detect T. solium cysticercosis, 104 pre-intervention and 275 post-intervention, of which 14 (13.5%) and 45 (16.4%) were positive, respectively. Wald test p-values were computed to assess significant differences in the variables of interest mentioned above for the pre and post CLTS. The research revealed that CLTS as a control measure did not significantly improve T. solium infections in pigs. The research also revealed that the sanitation practices and awareness of cysticercosis did not change. It is recommended that a longer term evaluation be undertaken when the villages have been declared open defaecation free. In addition, the research recommends that health education, mass drug treatment and pig vaccination be incorporated, as an essential component of prevention and control programmes for T. solium infections.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of rapid syphilis tests (RSTs) on syphilis testing and treatment in pregnant women in Kalomo District, Zambia. Methods: In March 2012, health workers at all 35 health facilities in Kalomo Distract were... more

Objective: To evaluate the impact of rapid syphilis tests (RSTs) on syphilis testing and treatment in pregnant women in Kalomo District, Zambia. Methods: In March 2012, health workers at all 35 health facilities in Kalomo Distract were trained in RST use and penicillin treatment. In March 2013, data were retrospectively abstracted from 18 randomly selected health facilities and stratified into three time intervals: baseline (6 months prior to RST introduction), midline (0-6 months after RST introduction), and endline (7-12 months after RST introduction). Results: Data collected on 4154 pregnant women showed a syphilis-reactive seroprevalence of 2.7%. The proportion of women screened improved from baseline (140/1365, 10.6%) to midline (976/1446, 67.5%), finally decreasing at endline (752/1337, 56.3%) (P b 0.001). There was no significant difference in the proportion of syphilis-seroreactive pregnant women who received 1 dose of penicillin before (1/2, 50%) or after (5/48, 10.4%; P = 0.199) RST introduction with low treatment rates throughout. Conclusion: With RST scale-up in Zambia and other resource-limited settings, same-day test and treatment with penicillin should be prioritized to achieve the goal of eliminating congenital syphilis.

English translation of a Bemba novelette by Stephen A. Mpashi, published in 1957 by Oxford University Press. The booklet gives a slice-of-life picture of urban life on the Copperbelt during Zambia's (then Northern Rhodesia)... more

English translation of a Bemba novelette by Stephen A. Mpashi, published in 1957 by Oxford University Press. The booklet gives a slice-of-life picture of urban life on the Copperbelt during Zambia's (then Northern Rhodesia) pre-independence days. (Class Notes: Zambian Literature in Translation -- University of Wisconsin, 1975)

The LDS Church History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah houses extensive archival materials documenting the LDS Church’s expansion in postcolonial Sub-Saharan Africa. These records, including journals, correspondence, local church records,... more

The LDS Church History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah houses extensive archival materials documenting the LDS Church’s expansion in postcolonial Sub-Saharan Africa. These records, including journals, correspondence, local church records, and oral histories, constitute a crucial resource for reconstructing the continent’s postcolonial history, offering invaluable insights into African social, cultural, and religious practices from the 1960s onward.

Macha Works operates from its base in a rural area in the Southern Province in Zambia. It is a cooperative entity endeavouring to provide community-based progress, for over ten years. In the area of Information and Communication... more

Macha Works operates from its base in a rural area in the Southern Province in Zambia. It is a cooperative entity endeavouring to provide community-based progress, for over ten years. In the area of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Macha Works operates participatory networks under the LinkNet brand and facilitates Vision Community Radio Macha. The example set by Macha Works spread to a number of other communities throughout Zambia and in Zimbabwe.
Macha Works operates with a long-term strategy involving community engagement, workforce development, and thought leadership. Precipitation of the emergence of ICT access through participatory networks, operations and training in rural areas is among the objectives of Macha Works.

The selection of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors has the potential to compromise any insecticide-based malaria vector control program. To ensure that transmission-interrupting tools remain effective, and their choice is evidence... more

The selection of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors has the potential to compromise any insecticide-based malaria vector control program. To ensure that transmission-interrupting tools remain effective, and their choice is evidence based, insecticide surveillance and monitoring is essential. This study assessed and compared the residual efÞcacy of an organophosphate insecticide pirimiphos methyl (ACTELLIC 300 CS, 0-2-diethylamino-6-methylpyrimidin-4-yl 0, 0-dimethylphosphorothioate) at 1 g/m 2 and the pyrethroid deltamethrin (K-Othrine WG 250, (S)-␣-cyano-3phenoxybenzyl (1R, 3R)-3-(2,2-dibromovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylate) at 20 mg/m 2 for indoor residual spraying on cement and mud-rendered walls inside houses. Insecticide susceptibility proÞles of local malaria vectors were also assessed using World Health Organization standard protocols. The residual efÞcacy of ACTELLIC 300 CS on cement and mud walls lasted for 5 mo on both surfaces, with complete mortality of Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto Giles (Kisumu strain) (Diptera: Culicidae) in cone assays. By 8 mo, the average residual effect of ACTELLIC 300 CS remained much better on cement walls than on mud walls but not signiÞcantly different from deltamethrin-treated cement walls. Anopheles funestus sensu stricto Giles was resistant to 0.05% deltamethrin and 0.01% bendiocarb but remained completely susceptible to 5% malathion and 4% dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane. The duplicated P450 genes, CYP6P9a and CYP6P9b, were found to be highly overexpressed in deltamethrin-resistant An. funestus s.s as compared with bendiocarbresistant individuals. Pirimiphos methyl CS is recommended for intra-domiciliary spraying for malaria control and could replace dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane within the context of an insecticide resistance management strategy.

Completion of a construction project within time and cost, without disputes, claims or tensions are the main indicators of good project delivery. However, the construction industries in developing countries seldom deliver projects within... more

Completion of a construction project within time and cost, without disputes, claims or tensions are the main indicators of good project delivery. However, the construction industries in developing countries seldom deliver projects within the aforementioned parameters due to risks. The allocation of risks by contracting parties affects performance negatively if improperly allocated. As a consequence, proper risk allocation is always desirable. An understanding of how risk allocation can be enriched through human performance improvement is vital for the construction industry in developing countries to improve project delivery. This research explores how risk allocation can be enhanced through identifying the human performance improvements that can be harnessed from the use of Gilberts Behavioural Engineering Model. The study used interviews and questionnaire survey to explore how Gilbert's management model can be used to improve risk allocation in the construction building sector. It was found that firms have un-formalised and un-systematic risk management practices, clients offer incentives occasionally for risk liability; and lack of knowledge and skill in quantitative risk analysis is wide spread. Additionally, risk monitoring is not done by most professionals. The study focused only on how Gilbert's Behavioural Engineering Model can be used to improve risk allocation in the construction industry from a human perspective. The identification of human performance areas for risk allocation could enable construction professionals and stakeholders appraise themselves and thereby improve the allocation of risk leading to improved project delivery.

Of the 1124 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients studied, one or more cutaneous lesions were found in 113 (98.3%) of the 115 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and in 541 (53.6%) of 1009 patients with... more

Of the 1124 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients studied, one or more cutaneous lesions were found in 113 (98.3%) of the 115 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and in 541 (53.6%) of 1009 patients with AIDS-related complex (ARC). Kaposi's sarcoma, multidermatomal, necrotic herpes zoster, and pruritic maculopapular rashes are common cutaneous manifestations of AIDS and its related complex (ARC) in Zambia. The maculopapular rash results from a lymphoplasmacytic angiitis in the dermis, possibly in response to the presence of HIV in the dermis. Candidiasis, severe genital herpes, extensive molluscum contagiosum, and tinea corporis were less frequent and usually refractory to treatment. Drug reactions are also frequent in Zambians with AIDS. In seven patients given streptomycin, thiacetazone, and rifampicin for treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome occurred shortly after therapy was begun, and two died despite high-dose prednisone and discontinuance of tuberculosis therapy. Extensive seborrheic dermatitis refractory to topical fluorinated corticosteroids is also an associated condition in AIDS patients who have pulmonary tuberculosis. (J AM ACAO DERM~,TOL 1988;19:451-7.) Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, like most systemic infections, produces skin lesions that represent cutaneous markers of disease. Recurrent bacterial, viral, and fungal cutaneous infections occur with increased frequency in individuals infected with HIV. ~ We report here the pattern and frequency of skin lesions in Zambian patients presenting with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and its related complex (ARC).

This dissertation aims to address the role of history in shaping the perceptions and behaviours of Chinese mining companies in Zambia. Borrowing from Paul Cohen’s characterisation of the Boxer Movement as successively, an experience for... more

This dissertation aims to address the role of history in shaping the perceptions and behaviours of Chinese mining companies in Zambia. Borrowing from Paul Cohen’s characterisation of the Boxer Movement as successively, an experience for its participants, an event for historians to analyse, and a myth for nationalists to utilise, the dissertation analyses the ways that the past is remembered and articulated in the present, through which a particular form of historical legacy is constructed by a variety of actors. In the context of China-Zambia foreign relations across half a century, two sub-questions are addressed in sequence: firstly, what have been the standard historical accounts of this engagement that are available as an influence on contemporary discourse; and secondly, by which actors and in what ways has history been deployed to influence the exploitation of copper wealth.

Background: Progress toward universal health coverage in many low-and middle-income countries is hindered by the lack of an adequate health workforce that can deliver quality services accessible to the entire population. Methods: We used... more

Background: Progress toward universal health coverage in many low-and middle-income countries is hindered by the lack of an adequate health workforce that can deliver quality services accessible to the entire population. Methods: We used a health labour market framework to investigate the key indicators of the dynamics of the health labour market in Cameroon, Kenya, Sudan, and Zambia, and identified the main policies implemented in these countries in the past ten years to address shortages and maldistribution of health workers. Results: Despite increased availability of health workers in the four countries, major shortages and maldistribution persist. Several factors aggravate these problems, including migration, an aging workforce, and imbalances in skill mix composition. Conclusions: In this paper, we provide new evidence to inform decision-making for health workforce planning and analysis in low-and middle-income countries. Partial health workforce policies are not sufficient to address these issues. It is crucial to perform a comprehensive analysis in order to understand the dynamics of the health labour market and develop effective polices to address health workforce shortages and maldistribution as part of efforts to attain universal health coverage.

By Robert Cancel -- It is surprisingly difficult to tell a good story about storytelling. It is harder still to make the storytellers themselves come alive, helping their in situ oral performances flourish in text on a printed page.... more

By Robert Cancel -- It is surprisingly difficult to tell a good story about storytelling. It is harder still to make the storytellers themselves come alive, helping their in situ oral performances flourish in text on a printed page. Robert Cancel achieves both of these goals, and more still. Storytelling in Northern Zambia is a masterful book in which Cancel grapples with collection, representation and fieldwork ethics, and a work that showcases the agency of his interlocutors (from the Foreword).

This book examines the public stockholding policies of selected developing countries from the perspective of WTO rules and assesses whether the provisions of the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) could hamper these countries’ efforts to... more

This book examines the public stockholding policies of selected developing countries from the perspective of WTO rules and assesses whether the provisions of the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) could hamper these countries’ efforts to address the challenges of food security. Further, it highlights the need to amend the provisions of the AoA to make WTO rules just and fair for the millions of people suffering from hunger and malnutrition in developing countries. This book highlights that 12 countries namely China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Kenya, Morocco, Pakistan, Tunisia, Turkey, Zambia and Zimbabwe are facing or will face problems in implementing the food security policies due to the provisions under AoA. These provisions need to be amended for permitting developing countries to address hunger and undernourishment. Progress in WTO negotiations on public stockholding for food security purposes are also discussed and analysed. The findings of this study greatly benefit trade negotiators, policymakers, civil society, farmers groups, researchers, students and academics interested in issues related to the WTO, agriculture and food security.

本文的研究对象是在非中国移民的组织化生活。我们认为在中非关系中，不仅有来自中国国家层面的交流（国企、外交团体、援助工程等）、非国家层面的交流（永久性移民、往来于中非之间的商人、学生），还有一种被以往研究忽视的交流：多数在非洲有单位的华人，或是自己经营的商人，都是某些华人社团的成员。这些社团形成了一种结社的空间，存在于国家与非国家的交集之间，这其中包括了独立创办且历史悠久的传统社团、商会，也包括了由中国国企和政府资助成立的社团（在这种情况下可以被认为是政府组织的非政府组织GON... more

本文的研究对象是在非中国移民的组织化生活。我们认为在中非关系中，不仅有来自中国国家层面的交流（国企、外交团体、援助工程等）、非国家层面的交流（永久性移民、往来于中非之间的商人、学生），还有一种被以往研究忽视的交流：多数在非洲有单位的华人，或是自己经营的商人，都是某些华人社团的成员。这些社团形成了一种结社的空间，存在于国家与非国家的交集之间，这其中包括了独立创办且历史悠久的传统社团、商会，也包括了由中国国企和政府资助成立的社团（在这种情况下可以被认为是政府组织的非政府组织GONGO），还包括了中国使馆不时组织的主题式的政治动员活动。在这个空间里，中国移民、企业的个人利益和商业利益与他们所在的社团交织在一起，与其它国家的移民相比，他们的生活更具政治性。

Essay Prospects of oil and gas industry in Zambia: A doorway to industrialisation. Middle East, the world's oil field has been turned into a geopolitical battle field. Policy makers in Zambia recently announced the exploration of oil and... more

Essay Prospects of oil and gas industry in Zambia: A doorway to industrialisation. Middle East, the world's oil field has been turned into a geopolitical battle field. Policy makers in Zambia recently announced the exploration of oil and gas in Zambia and citizens hope this results in industrialisation rather than conflict. What are the prospects of an oil and gas industry in Zambia?

Human resources for mental health care in low-and middle-income countries are inadequate to meet the growing public health burden of neuropsychiatric disorders. Information on actual numbers is scarce, however. The aim of this study was... more

Human resources for mental health care in low-and middle-income countries are inadequate to meet the growing public health burden of neuropsychiatric disorders. Information on actual numbers is scarce, however. The aim of this study was to analyse the key human resource constraints and challenges facing Zambia's mental health care system, and the possible solutions. This study used both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The WHO-AIMS Version 2.2 was utilized to ascertain actual figures on human resource availability. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were conducted to assess key stakeholders' perceptions regarding the human resource constraints and challenges. The results revealed an extreme scarcity of human resources dedicated to mental health in Zambia. Respondents highlighted many human resource constraints, including shortages, lack of post-graduate and in-service training, and staff mismanagement. A number of reasons for and consequences of these problems were highlighted. Dedicating more resources to mental health, increasing the output of qualified mental health care professionals, stepping up in-service training, and increasing political will from government were amongst the key solutions highlighted by the respondents. There is an urgent need to scale up human and financial resources for mental health in Zambia.

The wealth of any nation is gauged by its performance in infrastructure provision through its construction industry. The construction industry is large, volatile, and requires tremendous capital outlays. For developing economies, road... more

The wealth of any nation is gauged by its performance in infrastructure provision through its construction industry. The construction industry is large, volatile, and requires tremendous capital outlays. For developing economies, road construction constitutes a major component of the construction industry. This means that much of the national budget on infrastructure development is channelled to road construction projects. The aim of the study reported in this paper was to identify causes and effects of cost escalation and schedule delays in road construction projects. Using a detailed literature review, structured interviews and questionnaire surveys, the results of the study confirmed the prevalence of cost escalation and schedule delays in road construction projects in Zambia. The study established that bad or inclement weather due to heavy rains and floods, scope changes, environmental protection and mitigation costs, schedule delay, strikes, technical challenges, inflation and local government pressures were the major causes of cost escalation in Zambia's road construction projects. On the other hand, delayed payments, financial processes and difficulties on the part of contractors and clients, contract modification, economic problems, materials procurement, changes in drawings, staffing problems, equipment unavailability, poor supervision, construction mistakes, poor coordination on site, changes in specifications and labour disputes and strikes were found to be the major causes of schedule delays in road construction projects. Appropriate project management practices are thus required to curb the causes and effects of cost escalation and schedule delays in road construction projects.

Africa is still relatively undiscovered as a tourist destination. One of the lesser-known countries in Africa is Zambia. The country can offer a wide spectrum of tourist attractions from natural (e.g. Victoria Falls, wildlife safaris) to... more

Africa is still relatively undiscovered as a tourist destination. One of the lesser-known countries in Africa is Zambia. The country can offer a wide spectrum of tourist attractions from natural (e.g. Victoria Falls, wildlife safaris) to cultural ones. Discovering the native cuisine can be the main purpose of travel, as in the case of culinary tourism. This paper aims at discussing the possibilities of developing such tourism in Zambia. The indigenous cuisine of this country is based on <em>nshima</em> made from maize flour (<em>mealie-meal</em>). <em>Nshima</em> is mostly eaten with side dishes prepared from different kinds of vegetables, meat, fish or insects. Local people and tourists can buy food in modern shopping centres and restaurants or at local markets where street food is sold. The process of globalization, the development of the country and changes in urban space induce transformation of gastronomic services. The primary stage of this ...

Debates on whether people in Zambia cast their votes for a presidential candidate based on the good policies of the party or the qualifications of their candidate are peppered with tales of ethnicity, tribalism, corruption, and the... more

Debates on whether people in Zambia cast their votes for a presidential candidate based on the good policies of the party or the qualifications of their candidate are peppered with tales of ethnicity, tribalism, corruption, and the education levels of the voters. These problems have undermined the credibility of the winning candidates as being put into office, based not on their qualifications, but on the desire for individual voters to have someone of their tribe as president. While some scholars have argued that people are not naïve to vote for a candidate irrationally, others hanker on the fact that party policies are barely known to the Zambian voter who takes different forms of communal identities. The two approaches underscore the nascent debates of voting behaviors in Zambia today. Therefore, the aim of the study is to examine the voting behaviors of Zambians in the 2011 Zambian presidential election. Quantitative evidence suggests that party policies and manifestos in the Za...