How much do Blantyre dispensers in hospital and community pharmacies know about the new Malaria treatment guidelines?

ObjectiveTo determine the knowledge of dispensers in hospital and community pharmacies within Blantyre on new malaria treatment guidelines.MethodsAn interviewer administered questionnaire was used for data collection and the questions focused on the knowledge of dispensers on the new malaria treatment guidelines and whether the subjects were involved in the preparation or implementation of the guidelines or had undertaken any training on how to dispense the new anti-malarial medicines.ResultsNone of the participants had been involved in the preparation of the treatment guidelines and only 45.5% of the participants had undertaken the pre-implementation training. Ninety percent of the interviewees had knowledge concerning the appropriate treatment of malaria in pregnancy. However, as many as 90.9% of the interviewed participants could not mention any possible five or more side-effects of LA and only 13.6% knew how to properly manage the possible effects. Only 27.3% knew the correct dose regimen of LA and none of them knew the condition of taking LA with a fatty meal for improved absorption.Conclusion and RecommendationsLack of involvement of the pharmaceutical personnel working in hospital and community pharmacies, from the preparation of new malaria treatment guidelines to their implementation, inadequate training and qualifications of the dispensing personnel contributed to their lack of knowledge and skill on how to rationally dispense the medicines. Pharmaceutical personnel dispensing in the pharmacies need to be involved from the beginning in the preparation of treatment guidelines. Adequate training should be provided and followed by continuous professional education

Accounting for the Shift Towards ‘Multifaith’ Religious Education in Zambia, 1964 -2017

This article sheds light on the factors that contributed to the development of ‘multifaith’ Religious Education (RE) in Zambia after 1964. Our analysis makes a contribution to the discourse on inter-religious RE in Zambia by demonstrating how Zambia became a multifaith society, a context in which political statements and ideologies have influenced the framing of the aim, and selection of, the content of the subject. Research for this article consisted of interviews with Christian missionaries who shared with us their involvement in developing, teaching and evaluating standards of the teaching of RE. We also carried out an appraisal of literature related to the topic so as to complement our arguments. Contrary to widely held perceptions which attribute RE to the missionaries’ influence, this article argues that Christian missionaries, immigrants and local politics all had their own influence on the move to develop a ‘multifaith’ RE. Missionaries developed the kind of RE that responded to Zambia’s religious context, local politics, the multiracial, multicultural and multifaith situation in the country, and invested their time, energy and money in the subject. These efforts to move towards ‘multifaith’ RE were challenged by internal and external forces. In the context of shifting political ideologies, the current nature and content of RE has been challenged to reflect a multifaith RE which mirrors the religious context of the country. We argue that Zambian scholars of RE can learn a number of valuable lessons from the missionaries such as their hard work and passion to ensure that RE remains a curriculum subject with required books. As the next RE research agenda in Zambia, we propose researching on the subject in terms of its rationale and its educational basis

Accounting for the Shift Towards ‘Multifaith’ Religious Education in Zambia, 1964 -2017

This article sheds light on the factors that contributed to the development of ‘multifaith’ Religious Education (RE) in Zambia after 1964. Our analysis makes a contribution to the discourse on inter-religious RE in Zambia by demonstrating how Zambia became a multifaith society, a context in which political statements and ideologies have influenced the framing of the aim, and selection of, the content of the subject. Research for this article consisted of interviews with Christian missionaries who shared with us their involvement in developing, teaching and evaluating standards of the teaching of RE. We also carried out an appraisal of literature related to the topic so as to complement our arguments. Contrary to widely held perceptions which attribute RE to the missionaries’ influence, this article argues that Christian missionaries, immigrants and local politics all had their own influence on the move to develop a ‘multifaith’ RE. Missionaries developed the kind of RE that responded to Zambia’s religious context, local politics, the multiracial, multicultural and multifaith situation in the country, and invested their time, energy and money in the subject. These efforts to move towards ‘multifaith’ RE were challenged by internal and external forces. In the context of shifting political ideologies, the current nature and content of RE has been challenged to reflect a multifaith RE which mirrors the religious context of the country. We argue that Zambian scholars of RE can learn a number of valuable lessons from the missionaries such as their hard work and passion to ensure that RE remains a curriculum subject with required books. As the next RE research agenda in Zambia, we propose researching on the subject in terms of its rationale and its educational basis

Conceptualising the factors affecting retention in care of patients on antiretroviral treatment in Kabwe District, Zambia, using the ecological framework

BACKGROUND. HIV remains a major public health challenge in Zambia.The roll-out of antiretroviral treatment (ART) has engendered new challenges in retention in care. OBJECTIVE. To conceptualise the factors affecting retention in care of ART patients at three primary healthcare facilities using the ecological framework. METHOD. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews with 45 ART patients and three focus group discussions with 20 healthcare providers from three primary healthcare facilities in Kabwe district, Zambia, and subjected to thematic content analysis. RESULTS. Individual level barriers to retention in care included side effects, gaining weight, belief in faith healing, and use of herbal remedies and alcohol. Interpersonal barriers such as stigma and nondisclosure of HIV status were reported. At the institutional level, inadequate space in the clinic, long waiting times, long travel distances, and shortage of third-line drugs presented barriers to retention in care. Food shortages and patient mobility were reported as community barriers to retention in care. CONCLUSION.The ecological framework conceptualises the complex and dynamic factors affecting retention inART care and highlights the need formultifaceted interventions that combine health education, disease management, and opportunities for income generation in a socially responsive and accountable environment.Scopu

Quantitative Risk Assessment of Developing Salmonellosis through Consumption of Beef in Lusaka Province, Zambia

Based on the Codex Alimentarious framework, this study quantitatively assessed the risk of developing salmonellosis through consumption of beef in Lusaka Province of Zambia. Data used to achieve this objective were obtained from reviews of scientific literature, Government reports, and survey results from a questionnaire that was administered to consumers to address information gaps from secondary data. The Swift Quantitative Microbiological Risk Assessment (sQMRA) model was used to analyse the data. The study was driven by a lack of empircally-based risk estimation despite a number of reported cases of salmonellosis in humans. A typology of consumers including all age groups was developed based on their beef consumption habits, distinguishing between those with low home consumption, those with medium levels of home consumption, and those with high levels through restaurant consumption. This study shows that the risk of developing salmonellosis in this population, from consuming beef, was generally low. At ID50 of 9.61 × 103 cfu/g and a retail contamination concentration of 12 cfu/g, the risk of developing salmonellosis through the consumption of beef prepared by consumers with low and medium levels of beef consumption was estimated at 0.06% and 0.08%, respectively, while the risk associated with restaurant consumption was estimated at 0.16% per year. The study concludes that the risk of developing salmonellosis among residents in Lusaka province, as a result of beef consumption, was generally low, mainly due to the methods used for food preparation. Further work is required to broaden the scope of the study and also undertake microbiological evaluation of ready-to-eat beef from both the household and restaurant risk exposure pathways

Performance of climber common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) lines under Researcher Designed Farmer Managed (RDFM) system in three bean agro-ecological zones of Malawi

An on-farm study was carried out in 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 growing seasons under rain-fed condition in five sites namely Thondwe and Matapwata in Zomba and Thyolo districts respectively, Chipuka inNtchisi district, Ntchenachena and Ngong’a in Rumphi district representing three bean agro-ecological zones of Malawi. Seven climber common bean entries; CAB 19, RWV 1046, BCMV B4, AND 659, RWV1042-2-3, 5P/5 and DC 86-244 were evaluated for their performance and stability across sites and two seasons under Researcher Designed Farmer Managed (RDFM) system. Entries DC 86-244, AND 659 andBCMV B4 were early maturing in most sites of the trial. DC 86 244 and AND 659 were also high yielding and had larger seed sizes compared to other entries. RWV 1046 and RVW 1042-2-3 were also highyielding though had smaller seed sizes. Stability analysis identified entries CAB 19 and DC 86 244 as stable entries across sites and seasons. Among environments, Ng’onga, Chipuka and Thondwe werehigh yielding. Ntchenachena was more stable but lower yielding compared to other sites. Matapwata was highly unreliable as heavy rains followed by dry spells characterised the site which resulted in lossof all bean entries in 2004-2005 growing season

Yield performance of dwarf bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) lines under Researcher Designed Farmer Managed (RDFM) system in three bean agro-ecological zones of Malawi

An on-farm study was carried out under rain-fed condition in 2003 - 2004 and 2004 - 2005 growing seasons in five sites namely Ntchenachena and Ngong’a in Rumphi district, Chipuka in Ntchisi district, Thondwe and Matapwata in Zomba and Thyolo districts respectively representing three bean agroecological zones of Malawi. Seven dwarf bean entries; DC 96-95, PC 490-D8, BCMV-B2, SDDT-54-C5, APN 130, F6BC (19) and DOR 715 were evaluated for their yield stability across sites and two seasons under Researcher Designed Farmer Managed (RDFM) system. Yield stability of the entries across years varied significantly. Entries SDDT-54-C5, PC490-D8 and DOR 715 were stable across all sites and between the two seasons. DOR 715 was also high yielding entry in Thondwe and Ntchenachena sites followed by BCMV B2 though the latter was unstable. Among sites, Thondwe was the best because yields of most of the bean entries were stable at this site

Learning and livelihoods: The experience of the FSIPM project in southern Malawi

Do resource-poor farmers in sub-Saharan Africa face severe crop losses from pests and diseases? What are the different ways that rural households earn a living, and who are the poor? How does social organization shape the way that new technology is used and shared? How can we encourage farmers to participate in the design and evaluation of field experiments, yet still obtain results that are statistically valid? How can we create 'learning projects' that can change direction in response to the needs of their clients and what they find on the ground? These were some of the questions that challenged the Farming Systems Integrated Pest Management Project during four years of intensive fieldwork with resource-poor farmers in the Blantyre Shire Highlands, southern Malawi. In searching for answers, the project drew on expertise from pest management, agronomy, economics and anthropology. Learning and Livelihoods: The Experience of the FSIPM Project in Southern Malawi reflects on the project's experience, reviews the major lessons learned, and outlines an agenda for a follow-up project that addresses smallholders' needs for food security, cash income and information about new technology. The book will appeal not only to those interested in Malawi but also to those concerned with the wider issues raised by developing technology with resource poor farmers

Effect of HIV self-testing on the number of sexual partners among female sex workers in Zambia: A randomized controlled trial

Objectives: To assess the effect of two health system approaches to distribute HIV selftests on the number of female sex workers’ client and nonclient sexual partners. Design: Cluster randomized controlled trial. Methods: Peer educators recruited 965 participants. Peer educator–participant groups were randomized 1 : 1 : 1 to one of three arms: delivery of HIV self-tests directly from a peer educator, free facility-based delivery of HIV self-tests in exchange for coupons, or referral to standard-of-care HIV testing. Participants in all three arms completed four peer educator intervention sessions, which included counseling and condom distribution. Participants were asked the average number of client partners they had per night at baseline, 1 and 4 months, and the number of nonclient partners they had in the past 12 months (at baseline) and in the past month (at 1 month and 4 months). Results: At 4 months, participants reported significantly fewer clients per night in the direct delivery arm (mean difference 0.78 clients, 95% CI 1.28 to 0.28, P ¼ 0.002) and the coupon arm (0.71, 95% CI 1.21 to 0.21, P ¼ 0.005) compared with standard of care. Similarly, they reported fewer nonclient partners in the direct delivery arm (3.19, 95% CI 5.18 to 1.21, P ¼ 0.002) and in the coupon arm (1.84, 95% CI 3.81 to 0.14, P ¼ 0.07) arm compared with standard of care. Conclusion: Expansion of HIV self-testing may have positive behavioral effects enhancing other HIV prevention efforts among female sex workers in Zambia. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02827240. Copyrigh