Mapping Postgraduate Research at the University of Zambia: A review of dissertations for the Master of Medicine Programme

Background: The publication of a dissertation is an integral part of the four-year postgraduate degree of Master of Medicine (in clinical disciplines) within the School of Medicine at the University of Zambia. The governing research policy states that the subject matter of the dissertation is expected to cover a topic relevant to health care in the Zambian context, that it be conducted in a way that is consistent with international ethical guidelines for biomedical research involving human subjects, and that research outcomes should be maximally utilized. The aim of the study is to explore the characteristics of the Masters of Medicine research at the University of Zambia.Methodology: This descriptive study explores the subject matter and research methodology by type of clinical specialty of all dissertations from 1986 to 2009.Results: The 132 dissertations included 36 (27.3%) in Surgery, 35 (26.5%) in Paediatrics, 32 (24.2%) in Internal Medicine, 24 (18.2%) in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and 5 (3.8%) in Orthopaedic Surgery. Only 7 (5.3%) were interventional/experimental studies (4 of which were randomized controlled trials). Cross-sectional studies were the predominant type of the 125 observational studies (n=112, 84.8%). Thirty-three dissertations (25.0%) predominantly addressed HIV (16 Internal Medicine, 10 Paediatrics, 6 Surgery and 1 Obstetrics and Gynaecology); and 18 (13.6%) predominantly addressed infections, excluding TB (11 in Paediatrics). Other subjects included malignancy (n=6), TB (n=5), and diabetes mellitus (n=4). Over half of the dissertations (76, 57.6%) addressed the determinants of the cause, risk and development of diseases; and a third dealt with management and evaluation of diseases (26 and 18, respectively).Conclusions: Few dissertations were based on experimental designs and most addressed determinants of the cause of diseases through crosssectional studies. HIVand infections predominate as diseases reflecting the prevailing disease patterns in Lusaka in particular, and Zambia in general. Keywords: UNZA, Postgraduate, Researc

Factors affecting Knowledge Production, Diffusion and Utilisation at the University of Zambia School of Medicine

The aim of this paper was to explore the factors affecting knowledge production, diffusion and utilisation in a university environment taking the University of Zambia Medical School as a case of study. Methodologically, a survey of lecturers was carried out. Data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire; and analysed using MS Excel which was later presented in simple statistics of figures and graphs. The study established that knowledge production, diffusion and utilisation was affected by inadequate funding, time, interest, technology, availability of appropriate reading materials, incentives, internet research skills, heavy workload and lack of publication outlets. The study contributes to the understanding of the context of the factors that may play a negatively role in the knowledge production, diffusion and utilisation practices in Universities

Library Support Services at the University of Zambia amid the Covid-19 Pandemic: A SWOT Matrix

When the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) forced learning institutions in Zambia to abruptly transition to virtual instruction, library services adapted quickly to provide research services, instruction, and access to collections. This paper details how the University of Zambia Library used a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) Analysis framework to evaluate academic support services of the Library in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Key variables included the library collections, staffing, services and technology. The analysis revealed that strengths comprised qualified staff, technology support and a rich collection of information resources. Weaknesses are in the areas of poor funding and low staffing at paraprofessional and non-professional levels. Opportunities comprised emerging technology and consortia opportunities. Poor funding, competition from other providers and Covid-19 restrictions are threats. It is hoped that this analysis will help define strategic directions important to the library in an emergency or disaster. The study recommends that the library should leverage digital platforms to enhance service delivery

Knowledge production practices in higher institutions of learning in Zambia: a case of the University of Zambia

The core business of higher education institutions such as universities is knowledge production. This is achieved by conducting research which results in various research products being produced, as well as through teaching and the production of graduates. The main objective of the study was to explore and describe knowledge production practices and their attributes within a university environment at the University of Zambia. The study's major contribution to knowledge is that it indicates to what extent this objective is achieved. A mixed methods case study approach that used both quantitative and qualitative research methodology was adopted for the study. The mixed methods analysis framework was based on grounded theory, bibliometric techniques, and concurrent triangulation. The site of investigation was the School of Medicine at the University of Zambia. The sampling technique also adopted a mixed methods approach by using purposive, availability and stratified purposeful sampling to sample the respondents. The PubMed/Medline database, academic staff, key informants and the documents reviewed all served as the key sources of information for the study. Data obtained from PubMed/Medline, questionnaires and semi structured interviews were quantitatively analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software, while the more qualitative information that was gleaned from open-ended questions, semi-structured interviews and documentary sources was analysed thematically. The subject analysis of PubMed/Medline articles was done using the VOSviewer software and Microsoft Excel. The findings reveal that the yearly research output from 1995 to 2015 was 281 scholarly papers in 159 journals. The lowest number of papers published were recorded in 1997, 2000, and 2004 while the years 2013, 2014 and 2015 show the highest number of papers per year; and the highest was recorded in 2015. It was found that, except in 1997 and 2000, most of these papers were authored by more than five researchers. This indicates a high degree of collaboration. The journals in which the academic staff were publishing in emanated from all over the world; Asia, Africa, Europe and North America. The journals themselves are also a combination of both high impact factor journals such as the PLoS One, American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, The Lancet, Malaria Journal and those with no impact factor like the Medical Journal of Zambia. The results indicate that the respondents mostly investigated and published in subject fields related to diseases most prevalent in Zambia, i.e. HIV and Aids, Malaria and Tuberculosis. In addition, the findings indicate that the majority of the academic staff were born after 1960 (73%), with high digital information retrieval skills (95.2%), and with their research output published mainly in journals. The knowledge was produced for various reasons: 85.4% for research purposes, 80.5% for academic promotion, 80.5% for production of knowledge, 73.2% to improve teaching, 61% to provide evidence, 51.2% to change practice, 41.5% to improve policy, 41.5% for personal advancement, and 24.4% for research funding. The knowledge was produced ethically, advancing scholarship, and deemed to be beneficial to society. The overall conclusion drawn from the study is that the knowledge productivity of the School of Medicine has steadily increased over the years and that this is supported by various institutional policies. Additionally, there is increased collaboration with persons outside the continent, whilst there is less collaboration with countries in Africa. The key recommendation for the School of Medicine is that it should work with and within the various layers of the university's institutions such as the Library, Directorate of Research and Graduate Studies, University of Zambia Press, and the Centre for Information and Communication Technology. This would ensure that impediments to knowledge production, diffusion and utilisation are mitigated

Information, women's health and development : strategies for information provision in Africa

Bibliography: leaves 120-127.The literature relating to women's health in Africa focuses on health information seeking needs. It rarely focuses on how women's health information needs link to the development of the continent. The dissertation examines the interrelationships between women's health information needs and development. The study sought to establish the significance of information to women's health and development. In order to validate this link the study employed three data collection techniques - documentary research, interviews and electronic mail questionnaires. In illustrating that there is a relationship between women's health and development, the study argues that women's empowerment can only be achieved where sufficient information is provided for women to make informed independent decisions concerning health issues that affect them. This relates especially to when to have children; how to protect themselves against AIDS, what the early warning signals of breast and cervical cancer are, and how best to look after their children and the community at large. The study further argues that these types of challenges can only be met with an efficient and effective health information service that is both gender sensitive and context specific to the African continent

Knowledge Management Culture among Library Cataloguers: the University of Zambia Library Experience

This paper assesses knowledge management processes and practices of the Cataloguing department of the University of Zambia Library; investigates factors that lead to poor working systems among Cataloguers; cause inconsistencies and data redundancy in the library’s database. A case study approach was adopted, with the aim of getting detailed information and insights into the experienced problem of inconsistencies and duplication of the data. Structured questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect data. The results show that there is little knowledge sharing and transfer amongst the cataloguers; use of existing rules or standards such as Anglo American Cataloguing Rules and Library of Congress Cataloguing Schedules with its Subject Headings is compromised by the poor grounding of Cataloguers. The study indicates that there is no system in place to manage tacit knowledge; lack of proper training and skills in cataloguing and; not being able to seek help from colleagues; lack the ability of verifying the existence of materials in the database before working on them and simply human error. There is little systematic knowledge sharing and transfer of knowledge among cataloguers. Although there is use of existing standards; this is compromised by lack of knowledge of cataloguing. The study also identifies formulation of policies on the sharing of knowledg

KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION PRACTICES AND ATTRIBUTES AT UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE

Knowledge production practices and attributes of faculty are important in academia. The aim of the paper was to investigate the production, diffusion and use of knowledge products at University of Zambia School of Medicine. A survey methodology was adopted for the study; with data collected through semi-structured questionnaires. Using SPSS, data was analysed by simple descriptive statistics and Ms Excel for presentation into figures and tables. The results indicate the knowledge that is produced fits into the framework of knowledge produced by academia; the knowledge is produced, diffused and used frequently. The sources of information used in the knowledge production process are mostly from the internet and the university library. The knowledge is ethically and peer reviewed; frequently produced, utilised and diffused mostly through journals and books. The study concludes that the three processes of knowledge production, diffusion and use are frequently carried out at the University of Zambia School of Medicine

Nurses and Use of Research Information in Clinical Practice: a Case Study of the University Teaching Hospital in Zambia

The main objective of this study was to investigate nurses’ use of research information in their clinical practice at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. A case study that utilised both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection was adopted. Data was collected using a questionnaire in 2015. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS and qualitative data was analysed thematically. A purposive sample of 60 practicing nurses was used, 57 questionnaires were returned, giving a response rate of 95%. 54% of the nurses indicated that they used research information in their clinical practice. 12.28% of the nurses used research information very often in their clinical practice. Most of the nurses were prompted to seek information because of: emergency of new cases, to update themselves, to provide quality services, emergency of new technologies and due to a high disease burden. The importance of using research information by nurses in clinical practice has been clearly articulated by researchers