Social Cultural Change in The “New Normal”: An Ethno-phenomenological Study in a COVID 19 Early Infection Era in the City of Lusaka

The purpose of the study was to exhibit mental phenomena of insights into the enigma of life as experience it in form of meanings that are intentionally directed towards physical phenomena being COVID 19 measures on one hand and individual as well as collective behaviour in a COVID 19 early infection era in the City of Lusaka. An ethno-phenomenological study was chosen for this study. Data was collected using a transect walk using interviews and filed observations. Data was collected from (a) two markets in two townships and these are Matero and M’tendere and (b) two shopping malls and these are East Park and Manda Hill. Data analysis was done using an integrative approach comprising content analysis, van Manen's descriptive-interpretive phenomenological approach and Husserl’s phenomenological crystallization. The findings were organised under four themes which are determined a priori as social facts and these included (a) restriction of close personal contact – greetings (b) physical and social distancing (c) restriction of unnecessary public gatherings and (d) other measures. Verbal greetings dominated the new normal (AV.FR 5.8) From the prevailing culture in the City of Lusaka, it was not expected to have foot shakes and elbow bumps. These seemed to be permeating the new normal. The least mentioned social distance activity was working/teleworking ( AV.FR 1.3). Mass shopping and trading continued within the “new normal” (AV.FR 5.2). The findings tend to identify true differences based on affluence in terms of the elicited social behaviour following the prescribed expected behaviours of adhering to COVID 19 measures.  The conclusion of the study is that affluent people are more adherent to the prescriptions of the new normal than the non-affluent are. The affluent have adapted more to social change demanded by COVID 19 than the non-affluent. COVID 19 is a social force that has created social cultural innovation and cultural diffusion of practices from a distant place to Lusaka a locale. This is an opportunity for the government to consider embracing in an integrative way, the need to communicate to the public health effective messages that could bring about the expected social actions as well as health behaviours as doing so, would ensure the spread of communicable diseases in the future are minimised. Sociologists ought to rewrite the sociological history of social change by adding to the literature that colossal pandemic events, like COVID 19 though, bring about social cultural change instantaneously change and not over time as postulated in the current literature. Keywords: new normal, COVID 19, social cultural change, social action, health behaviour DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/13-12-01 Publication date:June 30th 202

The Theory of Desire for Quality Product: A Phenomenological Approach to Construction of Teaching Excellence

Purpose: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the elemental constructs of an emergent theory of teaching excellence that was grounded in the everyday lifeworld and lived experiences of practitioners of quality assurance of education actors about Teaching Excellence (TE) in Higher Education Institutions within Zambia. Design: Charmazian constructivist Grounded Theory Method was employed. Phenomenology as a philosophy and method guided this study and 29 participants were interviewed using criterion ‘I’ and maximum variation sampling. Findings: Two Theoretical thematic elements of Teaching Excellence emerged from the inquiry and these are Internal Related Teaching Excellence and External Related Teaching Excellence. The two were tied to one core category which is the desire for quality product. The core category “desire for quality product” entails producing a student with the attributes that make him or her fit to be granted the stated qualification to be accepted into the industry. This core category was the most proximal determinant of all behavioural teaching excellence acts. Originality: The theory linked to teaching excellence provides empirical contextual events and constructs of teaching excellence. Conclusion: The findings point to the fact that phenomenology is a potent research strategy that is well suited for quality assurance research and blends well with Charmazian Constructivist Grounded Theory Method. We seek to encourage quality assurance and teaching excellence scholars to think about the value of phenomenology when addressing their research questions by developing a better understanding of lived experiences. Keywords: Substantive theory, teaching excellence, phenomenology, higher education institutions DOI: 10.7176/JEP/14-31-05 Publication date: November 30th 202

Corporate Governance and Financial Performance of State-Owned Enterprises Compared to Listed Firms in Zambia: 2002-2017

The study was a comparative analysis of the corporate governance practices and firm financial performances between State-Owned Enterprises and listed firms in Zambia. Using a cross-sectional panel data set covering the period 2002 to 2017, the t-test statistic was employed to compare the corporate governance practices and firm financial performances between unlisted State-Owned Enterprises, listed State-Owned Enterprises and listed private firms. It was found that corparate governance practices and firm financial performances between State-Owned Enterprises and listed firms in Zambia were significantly different. The board sizes for listed firms were statistically significantly less than those of State-Owned Enterprises and the proportion of non-executive directors on the boards of listed firms were also statistically significantly less than those of State-Owned Enterprises. On the other hand the proportion of female directors on listed firms were statistically significantly more than those of unlisted State-Owned Enterprises. In terms of firm financial performance, it was found that the mean of the Return on Total Assets for listed private firms was statistically significantly greater than the mean for unlisted State-Owned Enterprises. There were significant effect sizes in all the measured variables. This was a country specific study that contributed to the empirical knowledge on corporate governance practices and financial performances in State-Owned Enterprises and listed firms. The findings are of interest to researchers, corporate governance practitioners and government policy makers

Integrating mental health into primary health care in Zambia: a care provider's perspective

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Despite the 1991 reforms of the health system in Zambia, mental health is still given low priority. This is evident from the fragmented manner in which mental health services are provided in the country and the limited budget allocations, with mental health services receiving 0.4% of the total health budget. Most of the mental health services provided are curative in nature and based in tertiary health institutions. At primary health care level, there is either absence of, or fragmented health services.</p> <p>Aims</p> <p>The aim of this paper was to explore health providers' views about mental health integration into primary health care.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A mixed methods, structured survey was conducted of 111 health service providers in primary health care centres, drawn from one urban setting (Lusaka) and one rural setting (Mumbwa).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There is strong support for integrating mental health into primary health care from care providers, as a way of facilitating early detection and intervention for mental health problems. Participants believed that this would contribute to the reduction of stigma and the promotion of human rights for people with mental health problems. However, health providers felt they require basic training in order to enhance their knowledge and skills in providing health care to people with mental health problems.</p> <p>Recommendations</p> <p>It is recommended that health care providers should be provided with basic training in mental health in order to enhance their knowledge and skills to enable them provide mental health care to patients seeking help at primary health care level.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Integrating mental health services into primary health care is critical to improving and promoting the mental health of the population in Zambia.</p

Associations of Sustainable Development Goals Accelerators With Adolescents’ Well-Being According to Head-of-Household’s Disability Status – A Cross-Sectional Study From Zambia

Objectives: We examined associations between accelerators (interventions impacting ≥2 SDG targets) and SDG-aligned well-being indicators among adolescents 16–24 years old in Zambia. Methods: We surveyed adults from 1,800 randomly sampled households receiving social cash transfers. We examined associations between accelerators (social cash transfers, life-long learning, mobile phone access) and seven well-being indicators among adolescents using multivariate logistic regressions. Results: The sample comprised 1,725 adolescents, 881 (51.1%) girls. Mobile phone access was associated with no poverty (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] 2.08, p < 0.001), informal cash transfers (aOR 1.82, p = 0.004), and seeking mental health support (aOR 1.61, p = 0.020). Social cash transfers were associated with no disability-related health restrictions (aOR 2.56, p = 0.004) and lesser odds of seeking mental health support (aOR 0.53, p = 0.029). Life-long learning was associated with informal cash transfers (aOR 3.49, p < 0.001) and lower school enrollment (aOR 0.70, p = 0.004). Adolescents with disabled head-of-household reported worse poverty, good health but less suicidal ideation. Conclusions: Social cash transfers, life-long learning, and mobile phone access were positively associated with well-being indicators. Adolescents living with disabled head-of-household benefited less. Governments should implement policies to correct disability-related inequalities

Mental health policy process: a comparative study of Ghana, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mental illnesses are increasingly recognised as a leading cause of disability worldwide, yet many countries lack a mental health policy or have an outdated, inappropriate policy. This paper explores the development of appropriate mental health policies and their effective implementation. It reports comparative findings on the processes for developing and implementing mental health policies in Ghana, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia as part of the Mental Health and Poverty Project.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study countries and respondents were purposively selected to represent different levels of mental health policy and system development to allow comparative analysis of the factors underlying the different forms of mental health policy development and implementation. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and document analysis. Data analysis was guided by conceptual framework that was developed for this purpose. A framework approach to analysis was used, incorporating themes that emerged from the data and from the conceptual framework.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mental health policies in Ghana, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia are weak, in draft form or non-existent. Mental health remained low on the policy agenda due to stigma and a lack of information, as well as low prioritisation by donors, low political priority and grassroots demand. Progress with mental health policy development varied and respondents noted a lack of consultation and insufficient evidence to inform policy development. Furthermore, policies were poorly implemented, due to factors including insufficient dissemination and operationalisation of policies and a lack of resources.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Mental health policy processes in all four countries were inadequate, leading to either weak or non-existent policies, with an impact on mental health services. Recommendations are provided to strengthen mental health policy processes in these and other African countries.</p

An assessment of mental health policy in Ghana, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Approximately half of the countries in the African Region had a mental health policy by 2005, but little is known about quality of mental health policies in Africa and globally. This paper reports the results of an assessment of the mental health policies of Ghana, South Africa, Uganda and Zambia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The WHO Mental Health Policy Checklist was used to evaluate the most current mental health policy in each country. Assessments were completed and reviewed by a specially constituted national committee as well as an independent WHO team. Results of each country evaluation were discussed until consensus was reached.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All four policies received a high level mandate. Each policy addressed community-based services, the integration of mental health into general health care, promotion of mental health and rehabilitation. Prevention was addressed in the South African and Ugandan policies only. Use of evidence for policy development varied considerably. Consultations were mainly held with the mental health sector. Only the Zambian policy presented a clear vision, while three of four countries spelt out values and principles, the need to establish a coordinating body for mental health, and to protect the human rights of people with mental health problems. None included all the basic elements of a policy, nor specified sources and levels of funding for implementation. Deinstitutionalisation and the provision of essential psychotropic medicines were insufficiently addressed. Advocacy, empowerment of users and families and intersectoral collaboration were inadequately addressed. Only Uganda sufficiently outlined a mental health information system, research and evaluation, while only Ghana comprehensively addressed human resources and training requirements. No country had an accompanying strategic mental health plan to allow the development and implementation of concrete strategies and activities.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Six gaps which could impact on the policies' effect on countries' mental health systems were: lack of internal consistency of structure and content of policies, superficiality of key international concepts, lack of evidence on which to base policy directions, inadequate political support, poor integration of mental health policies within the overall national policy and legislative framework, and lack of financial specificity. Three strategies to address these concerns emerged, namely strengthening capacity of key stakeholders in public (mental) health and policy development, creation of a culture of inclusive and dynamic policy development, and coordinated action to optimize use of available resources.</p

It Is What It Is – Giving in a Zambian Archdiocese: An Existential phenomenological Inquiry

Background: Church financing innovation has not been widely studied in faith-based organizations. The church has largely been viewed as a spiritual organisation which needs to be managed differently, possibly that there is no need for it to be involved in business undertakings. The purpose of this study was to test the assumptions of the theory of constraints if it holds in accounting for church financing innovation in the Catholic Church Archdiocese of Lusaka. Methods: This was a short ethnographic naturalistic inquiry rooted in existential phenomenology. The analysis was based on samples of archdiocese leaders, parish council leaders and priests across strata of churches in the Catholic Church Archdiocese of Lusaka. We integrated our analysis using Van Manen's methodical procedures for interpretive phenomenological analysis and methodological procedures for framework analysis by Braun and Clarke. Results: Based on the data we collected, we categorise our participants' lived experiences in six themes and giving is shaped by the socio-cultural and religious practices as well as congregational culture in which giving is enacted. Meanings of giving show are multifaceted and complex. They exhibit an interplay of patterns, across all themes.  Generally, participants agree that the amounts they give are not adequate specially to maintain infrastructure, meet staff and leadership salaries and stipends, the operational needs of the clergy and a number of welfare activities like supporting seminarians and catholic community schools. Conclusions: The findings provide initial evidence that believers in the Archdiocese ought to learn from the teachings of New Testament teachings on giving. The Church leadership has a moral obligation to teach about giving throughout its structures. Catholics just and like all other Christian believers must reunite the virtues which are received from God and by which Christians transformed in reality as new beings in the pursuit of the supreme goodness ought to abide into giving from the centre of the heart and cheerfully. Key words: Archdiocese, Church, giving, lived experiences DOI: 10.7176/JPCR/56-07 Publication date:August31st 2023

The Determination of the Relationship between Leadership Styles and Training Modes in the TEVET in Zambia

A leadership style which can be termed as the manner and approach of giving direction to an organisation, enables Institutional Managers to use a well-defined set of actions and activities that manifest in the daily institutional business that presumably guides the institutional outcomes. A training mode is a method and strategy for the delivery of instructional content that is structured by an educational or training institution. In the Zambian Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) sector there are six methods of training delivery that are used to increase access to TEVET and to enhance the training instruction. Nevertheless, there have been misgivings about the use of asynchronous methods of instruction in the TEVET sector to increase access and participation because of training institutions not having the requisite requirements to offer this kind of training. According to Chikoye and Siaciwena (2008) in recent years training institutions have either launched or are keen to launch new ODL programmes. However, the existing abilities of various institutions to offer ODL should be matched against necessary requirements for such programmes. Therefore, this paper determined if there was a relationship between leadership styles and training modes offered in training institutions by use of a descriptive correlation survey, furthermore, the importance of leadership styles in training modes is adduced and is the significant contribution to knowledge in TEVET leadership and quality. Keywords: leadership styles, training mode, TEVET DOI: 10.7176/JEP/14-4-08 Publication date: February 28th 202

Profile of Mobile Money and Financial Inclusion among Micro-Entrepreneurs in The Central Business District of Lusaka

The aim of this paper is to profile the state of mobile money financial inclusion/exclusion among micro-entrepreneurs (traders) in the Central Business District. This paper uses a case study approach and is based on mono method quantitative approachAn assessment of mobile line ownership as a gateway to one aspect of financial inclusion shows that majority of micro entrepreneurs n = (88.4%) were Airtel subscribers and a minority n = 93 (31.6%) were Zamtel subscribers The number of lines in possession varied in the sample with n = 38 (12.9%) maintaining three lines being in the minority group and those maintaining two lines n = 161 (54.8%) were in the majority. There was no statistically significant difference in the number of lines in possession by gender as p was &gt; 0.05 (0.397). Age as well did not show any significant difference as p was &gt; 0.05 (0.682). Micro entrepreneurs were able to use mobile money services once in a week and almost every day. Use was influenced by the facts that was it less expensive to deal with the mobile money service provider, customer trust of the mobile money financial services provider was more than other service sources and the micro entrepreneurs had the money a priori to do business. The paper’s call to action is for the government  to institute holistic financial frameworks that would cover the micro level by ensuring that mobile money service providers make their products more accessible, user friendly, quality and continue to be less expensive for the usage of  not only micro entrepreneurs. There is need to expand the use of mobile money financial services technology to deliver financial services to enhance inclusion. This may require adding more features on mobile ups and firms owning mobile money financial services to consider franchising. We propose context specific products that could be appreciated by people in the Progress out of Poverty Index 1 and 2 categories that includes micro traders and this would require evidence based financial solutions. Hence more research is being proposed in this area. Keywords: Profile, Mobile Money, Financial Inclusion, Micro Entrepreneurs, Central Business District DOI: 10.7176/JESD/14-2-08 Publication date: January 31st 202