Prevalence of cigarette and marijuana smoking and its associated factors amongst secondary school going adolescents in ndola urdan, Zambia

Introduction: The aim in this study was to determine prevalence and associated factors of tobacco and marijuana smoking among secondary school going adolescents in Ndola Zambia. Methods: Data was used from a selfadministered questionnaire based cross-sectional survey of grades 8’s and 10’s in five regions of Ndola Zambia. Outcomes were ‘been an ever and current cigarette smoker’ and ‘been an ever and current marijuana smoker’. Factors were socio-economic and demographic variables, personal and family behaviour, peer behaviour and media exposure. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the factors associated with the outcomes. Results: The total number of pupils who participated in the study was 400. The overall prevalence of cigarette smoking and marijuana smoking was 13% (53/400) and 3% (13/400) respectively. Smokers at home and alcohol consumption were found associated with smoking cigarettes; AOR=1.65 (95%CI = [1.16, 2.35]) and AOR=2.47 (95% CI = [1.67, 3.64]) respectively. Non-smoking friends, education on dangers of smoking and seeing cigarette brands on TV were found to be protective factors of smoking cigarettes; AOR=0.42 (95%CI = [0.28, 0.63]), AOR=0.45 (95% CI=[0.31, 0.67]) and AOR=0.67 (95% CI=[0.46, 0.98]) respectively. Smokers at home and alcohol consumption were found associated with marijuana smoking; AOR= 2.93 (95%CI = [1.50, 5.72]) and AOR= 2.98 (95% CI = [1.65, 5.37]) respectively. Conclusion: Both cigarette smoking and marijuana smoking are prevalent among secondary school going adolescents in Ndola Zambia. Family and friends’ behaviour, education and media messages, as well as alcohol consumption are related to adolescent smoking of cigarettes and marijuana. This aspect needs to be integrated into design of programmes aimed at reducing use of the two substances

Uptake of HIV testing and its associated factors among long-distance truck drivers in Zambia, 2015

Introduction: Globally, long distance truckers have been reported to have an important role in the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Evidence on the uptake of HIV testing among this key population is not well established. We analysed the 2015 Behavioral Surveillance Survey (BSS) data to determine the uptake of HIV testing and assess factors associated with HIV testing among Long Distance Truck Drivers (LDTDs) in Zambia. Methods: We analysed secondary data from the 2015 BSS. The BSS was carried out in five of the 10 Corridors of Hope (COH) III project sites (Kazungula, Solwezi, KapiriMposhi, Chipata and Chirundu) among male LDTDs. The Zambian Corridors of Hope HIV and AIDS Prevention Initiative project was formed to address rising rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. The BSS study included LDTDs from truck depots, border sites, Zambia Revenue Authority offices and those parked along the road side. Association between independent variables and history of HIV testing was determined by bivariate logistic analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was done to control for confounders. Results: Overall, 1,386 male LDTDs were included in the study, with mean age of 38 years. Over 75% reported being currently married and living with a spouse while 82% reported having only one wife. Uptake for ever having tested for HIV among LDTDs was 83%. Having a relative or friend who was infected or who had succumbed to HIV/AIDS (adjusted OR: 0.61, 95%CI: 0.40 – 0.92) and having two or more wives (adjusted OR: 0.4, 95%CI: 0.2 – 0.6) were independent inhibitory factors for uptake of HIV testing. Conclusion: Knowledge of someone infected or died of HIV and having at least two wives were drivers for HIV testing. These findings suggest the need to implement focused Behavioral Change interventions and messages to increase uptake of HIV testing among LDTDs