https://space.mu.ac.zm/xmlui/handle/123456789/6 Thu, 07 May 2026 02:40:28 GMT 2026-05-07T02:40:28Z https://space.mu.ac.zm/xmlui/handle/123456789/195 Title: Determinants and inequalities in access to improved water sources and sanitation among the Zambian households Authors: Mulenga, James N.; Bwalya, Bupe B.; Chishimba, Kunda Kaliba Abstract: Improved water sources and sanitation are crucial for human survival. The study focused on examining the inequalities and determinants of access to water and sanitation between rural and urban households. This study analysed the household data sets from the 2013-14 Zambia Demographic and Health Surveys (ZDHS) with a total sample size of 15,920 households. To determine the percentage distribution, inequalities and determinants of access to improved water and sanitation, the study used univariate analysis, the Erreygers concentration index (E) and the logistic regression, respectively. Sixty five percent (64.5%) of the households had access to improved water source compared to 35.5% who did not while only a quarter (25.4%) of the households had access to improved sanitation compared about three quarters (74.6%) without access. The results also show that access to improved water and sanitation is concentrated among the wealthier households and increases with increasing wealth quintile in both rural and urban areas. Further, study showed that wealth index, gender of household head, region and type of place of residence were all positively associated with access to improved sanitation. Wealth index and sex of household head were found to be positively related with access to improved water. To enhance access to improved water and sanitation among the poor households it is imperative that government and other stakeholders intervene by providing the amenities or by subsidising the provision Wed, 01 Nov 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://space.mu.ac.zm/xmlui/handle/123456789/195 2017-11-01T00:00:00Z https://space.mu.ac.zm/xmlui/handle/123456789/145 Title: Role of community based nutrition education in combating stunting among under-five children in Livingstone Authors: Catherine, Muhau Abstract: Recent figures on Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) indicate that 45% of Zambian children are stunted. Maternal exposure to nutrition and health information are essential elements that may influence the nutritional status of under-five children. However, very few studies have placed emphasis on community based nutrition education. The aim of this study was to contribute to the pool of knowledge with regard to the nutritional status of the under-five children in Zambia with special reference to Livingstone district. Specifically, the study wanted to determine the role of community based nutrition education on the nutrition status of under-five children. The study used a mixed research design which was a combination of both qualitative and quantitative methods. A semi-structured questionnaire and interview guide were used to collect qualitative data. The heights and weights (quantitative data) of the children in all the communities were also taken. A random sample of 350 caregivers was chosen from four communities of Livingstone – two of which were receiving community based nutrition education and the other two were not. Those that were receiving the nutrition education were Mahatma Gandhi and Libuyu (three years and one year respectively), while those that were not receiving were Dalice and Linda. The results showed that apart from Libuyu where children’s heights were lower (P = 0.026), the heights of children in other communities were similar. The study established that community based nutrition education on its own was not useful in fulfilling the role of combating stunting among under-five children. This is because it was limited by economic factors and other factors. In view of this, it is recommended that community based nutrition education be expanded to include supporting factors to effectively deal with the problem of under-five child stunting. It is further recommended that government in collaboration with other stakeholders should provide low interest loans payable over a long period of time to enable parents from chronically food insecure households engage in entrepreneurship ventures. Finally, further research is recommended to do a comparative study of nutritional status of under-five children being under the care of their parents and those under the care of maids. Tue, 01 May 2018 00:00:00 GMT https://space.mu.ac.zm/xmlui/handle/123456789/145 2018-05-01T00:00:00Z https://space.mu.ac.zm/xmlui/handle/123456789/142 Title: Chemical elements in rape (Brassica Napus L.) a case study of selected small scale farms in Kabwe district,Central province, Zambia Authors: Chakabveyo, Philippa Varaidza Abstract: A case study was carried out to investigate the concentration levels of chemical elements in different varieties of rape (Brassica napus L.) which were grown in five farms in Chowampanga, Kabwe district in Zambia. The purpose of the study was to monitor the levels of chemicals in locally grown vegetables in order to assist in achieving public health objectives of food safety and nutrition. The main objectives was to investigate the composition and concentration levels of chemical elements present in rape samples. In the farming season January to May 2018, 25 rape leaves were collected for plant tissue testing using Scanning Electron Microscopy. The results of the analysis showed the presence of 11chemical elements namely Nitrogen, Chlorine, Phosphorus, Sulphur, Aluminium, Calcium, Potassium, Magnesium, Silicon, Tellurium and Rubidium in most rape leaves. The concentration levels of chemical elements in the rape leaves were significantly different and characterised by higher levels of macro than micro nutrients and non-essential chemical elements, some which exceeded the Recommended Dietary Allowances. The rape leaves sampled from all the selected farms were therefore considered to be safe, valuable and important contributors to the diets of the people in Kabwe especially among the marginal income populations. Wed, 01 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMT https://space.mu.ac.zm/xmlui/handle/123456789/142 2018-08-01T00:00:00Z https://space.mu.ac.zm/xmlui/handle/123456789/141 Title: Perceived causes of suicide in Kabwe urban a case study of Kabwe urban Authors: Simutengu, Davy Abstract: This study focused on perceived casual factors of suicide in Kabwe urban. The need for the study emanated from an apparent increase of actual and attempted suicides. The phenomena of suicide and suicidal behaviour are global public health concerns, in developed and developing countries alike, and certainly not unique to Zambia. Despite the global and national significance of suicide there is a dearth of information relating to causes and strategies to significantly reduce suicide cases. Thus this study aimed to contribute to the body of knowledge of causes of suicide from perceptions of relevant people. The study attempted to contribute to knowledge relating to strategies that can be employed to significantly reduce its occurrence. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach and was conducted over two main phases to meet its objectives. It relied on an essentially qualitative method to explore the causes of suicide. Qualitative method was utilized to explore perspectives of the causes and strategies needed to reduce suicide cases. Purposive sampling was used to come up with the study sample, which was then subjected to random sampling (quantitative method) to select the 98 respondents. The findings indicated that family disputes, poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, marital disputes, and mental disorders were the main causes of suicide cases. Males were found to be more likely to commit suicide than, females. The consequences of suicidal behaviour differed depending on whether the suicide act resulted in death or not. In cases of suicide attempts, it was found that victims were left with physical injury, whose extent was dependent on factors which include how serious the intent was and the method used. The results indicate need for policy interventions to effectively prevent suicide at all levels. One is the adoption of a multi-sectoral approach that allows stakeholders in the education, family, health, social welfare, youth and gender sectors, to share practices and collaborate. In practice this could take the form of a National Platform for the stakeholders to coordinate and work in concert to address this phenomenon and its variants. This approach is important because any loss of life through suicidal acts was found to have significant consequences on the social, economic and health wellbeing of affected people. Further research on causal factor of suicide would complement interventions for reduction of suicide. Wed, 01 Aug 2018 00:00:00 GMT https://space.mu.ac.zm/xmlui/handle/123456789/141 2018-08-01T00:00:00Z