https://space.mu.ac.zm/xmlui/handle/123456789/24 2026-05-06T13:43:11Z https://space.mu.ac.zm/xmlui/handle/123456789/149 Disaster risk preparedness strategies against fire in urban markets in Zambia : a case study of Chisokene market in Kitwe Mwila, Brain This study investigated disaster risk preparedness strategies against fire at Chisokone market in Kitwe, Zambia. The aim of the study was to analyse disaster risk preparedness strategies against fire at Chisokone market in Kitwe to ensure safety at the trading place. The objectives were to identify fire risks at Chisokone market in Kitwe. To establish disaster risk preparedness strategies against fire at Chisokone market in Kitwe. To determine the challenges being faced in implementing disaster risk preparedness strategies against fire at Chisokone market in Kitwe. To analyse efforts being made by the local authority and market committees to reduce fire disasters at the market. Qualitative research design was used with a sample size of 120 respondents in which 108 respondents were stratified and randomly selected from marketeers and customers. On the other hand, 12 respondents were purposively selected from Kitwe City Council, Market Associations and Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) respectively. Primary data for the study were collected using administered questionnaires, observations and interviews while Secondary data were obtained from already published journals and other published materials. Data collected were subjected to appropriate statistical analysis tools such as Microsoft Excel 2007. Results obtained revealed that out of the five preparedness strategies identified, formation of the neighborhood watch was the most important strategy followed by conducting market inspections. Others were encouraging insurance amongst marketeers, conducting awareness meetings and enhancing communication with the fire brigade department. Based on the above findings I recommend that the government speeds up the implementation of re-designing and modernizing the Chisokone market. The shop owners and market managers should invite fire experts to give talks of fire safety and the need for having firefighting equipment in their shops. ZESCO should install pre-paid metres at the market to avoid illegal connection of electricity. Further research needs to be carried out to determine the compliance level on preparedness and mitigation measures adopted by market authorities. 2018-08-01T00:00:00Z https://space.mu.ac.zm/xmlui/handle/123456789/148 Assessing uptake and perceptions of dairy technologies by smallholder farmers’ of Monze, Choma and Kalomo districts of Zambia. Miyanda, Mayaba The use of dairy technologies can substantially increase farm productivity and income. Despite this fact, adoption of such technologies has been generally low among smallholder farmers in developing countries. The purpose of this study was to assess uptake and perceptions of dairy technologies by smallholder farmers of Monze, Choma and Kalomo districts of Zambia. The study sought to identify dairy technologies that had been introduced, factors influencing the uptake and farmers understanding of the technologies. A cross-sectional study was carried out and data was collected from 104 smallholder dairy farmers who were members of milk collection centers. The farmers were randomly selected using the simple random sampling technique. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The dairy technologies investigated in this study included improved dairy breeds, artificial insemination, estrus synchronization, improved animal nutrition, improved animal health and structures. Results on training of farmers in animal nutrition and structures showed that a majority response of 62% was obtained. An average milk yield of 16 liters per animal per daywas reported by the farmers. Dairy technology uptake indicated that the least adopted were breeding technologies, artificial insemination (60%) and estrus synchronization (44%). Knowledge levels indicated that they understood the importance of incorporating them in milk production. These results suggest that dairy technology uptake among smallholder farmers in Zambia is sustainable. However, poor access of breeding technologies, lack of affordable and quality dairy breeds, poor access of pasture seed and inadequate feed, inadequate land, inadequate extension visits, inadequate training, poor sensitization and dissemination of information are some of the major hindrances of dairy technology uptake. From the study findings, it is recommended that the Government and donors need to allocate more resources toward animal breeding services, fodder seed production and extension service delivery. Projects should also consider initiating financial lending services for individual smallholder dairy farmers at low interest rates with flexible modes of payment. 2018-05-01T00:00:00Z https://space.mu.ac.zm/xmlui/handle/123456789/147 Analysis of road safety awareness and road user behaviour among public service vehicle drivers: a case study of kabwe Kamelu, Kavuyi Road traffic accidents have become common place in Zambia and they are responsible for the death of hundreds of people in our country annually. Recent times have witnessed a number of measures being implemented by the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) in order to make our roads safe but ultimately to reduce road carnage and save lives. However, with all these things in place, instead of going down, the number of Road Traffic Accidents in our country continues to rise. The study was carried out to “Analyse Road Safety Awareness and Road User Behaviour among Public Service Vehicle Drivers”. The study was conducted in Kabwe the provincial capital of Zambia’s Central province. This study was important because it sought to establish the reasons why RTA rates continue to rise despite measures put in place to bring them down. Results obtained showed a heightened level of formal driver education among the PSV drivers, low Road Safety knowledge levels, bad road user behaviour and how young PSV drivers tend to be more reckless in driving and less compliant to road safety rules. Such behaviour is responsible for the ever increasing RTA rates that we continue to record as a country. Road traffic accidents hamper economic growth as they gobble huge financial resources which government can channel to more urgent developmental programmes. There is need for government and other stakeholders to look into massive investment in the education of drivers and other categories of road users on the importance of Road Safety as well as upgrading our existing road infrastructure to a standard the ensures the safety of vehicles and passengers. Future studies should look into whether measures implemented by RTSA to ensure Road Safety have led to a decline in road traffic accidents. 2017-05-01T00:00:00Z https://space.mu.ac.zm/xmlui/handle/123456789/145 Role of community based nutrition education in combating stunting among under-five children in Livingstone Catherine, Muhau 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. 2018-05-01T00:00:00Z