Alcohol Consumption in Lusaka Urban District, Zambia: A Population Based Survey, 2007

Alcohol use is an important preventable risk factor for several non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries that is related to lifestyle choices. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of alcohol consumption and its correlates. A cross sectional study utilizing a WHO stepwise approach to surveillance of NCDs was conducted in Lusaka district, Zambia. Current alcohol consumption was defined as having consumed alcohol in the previous 30 days to the survey. Complex samples logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors. A total of 1928 individuals participated in the survey. A third of the participants were males and 53.2% were in the age group 25 to 34 years. Overall, 35.8% of the respondents had attained secondary level of education. The prevalence for current consumption of alcohol was 20.7% (37.9% of males and 12.2% of females). Sex was associated with alcohol consumption, with females being 68% (AOR = 0.32, 95%CI [0.20, 0.51]) less likely to consume alcohol compared to male respondents. Age, education, body mass index and sedentary were not independently associated with alcohol consumption. The high prevalence of alcohol use among Zambian adults indicates an urgent need for specific measures such as public awareness campaigns, policies, and regulations

Prevalence of hypertension and its correlates in Lusaka urban district of Zambia: a population based survey

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Hypertension is a leading cause for ill-health, premature mortality and disability. The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and associated factors for hypertension in Lusaka, Zambia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross sectional study was conducted. Odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated to assess relationships between hypertension and explanatory variables.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A total of 1928 individuals participated in the survey, of which 33.0% were males. About a third of the respondents had attained secondary level education (35.8%), and 20.6% of males and 48.6% of females were overweight or obese. The prevalence for hypertension was 34.8% (38.0% of males and 33.3% of females). In multivariate analysis, factors independently associated with hypertension were: age, sex, body mass index, alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle, and fasting blood glucose level.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Health education and structural interventions to promote healthier lifestyles should be encouraged taking into account the observed associations of the modifiable risk factors.</p

A retrospective analysis of adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes in adolescent pregnancy: the case of Luapula Province, Zambia

Abstract Background About three in ten young women aged 15–19 have begun childbearing among the Zambian population, with adolescent pregnancy levels as high as 35% in rural areas. In 2009, Luapula reported 32.1% adolescent pregnancies. The study sought to investigate obstetric and perinatal outcomes among adolescents compared to mothers aged 20-24 years delivering at selected health facilities in Kawambwa and Mansa districts of Luapula. Methods A retrospective analysis was carried out of all deliveries to mothers aged between 10 and 24 years for the period January 2012 to January 2013. A total of 2795 antenatal and delivery records were reviewed; 1291 adolescent mothers and 1504 mothers aged 20–24 years. Crude and adjusted odds ratios for the association between maternal age and adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes were obtained using logistic regression models. Results The mean age of the adolescent mothers was 17.5 years. Mothers younger than 20 years faced a higher risk for eclampsia, anaemia, haemorrhage, Cephalopelvic disproportion, prolonged labour and caesarean section. After adjustment for potential confounders, the association between maternal age and adverse obstetric and perinatal outcome diminished. Children born to mothers younger than 20 were at increased risk for low birth weight, pre-term delivery, low Apgar score and neonatal death; the risk for asphyxia, however, tended to increase with age. Conclusion The findings demonstrate that adolescent pregnancy increases the risk of adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes. High rates of adolescent pregnancies in Luapula province are likely as a result of the predominantly rural and poor population. Understanding the factors that contribute to the high levels of adolescent pregnancy in the region will be vital in addressing the situation and subsequently reducing the high obstetric and perinatal morbidity and mortality

Accelerating Organizational Change to Build Mentorship Culture in Zambian Universities

Strong cultures of mentorship and research remain underdeveloped at many African universities, threatening future knowledge generation essential for health and development on the continent. To address these challenges, a mentorship program was developed in 2018 at the University of Zambia with an aim to enhance the institutional culture of mentorship and to build institutional capacity through an innovative ‘train the trainer’ faculty development model. In this study, we documented perceptions of lived experiences related to mentorship culture by following trainers and trainees and their mentees over two years. We analyzed these perceptions to assess changes in institutional attributes regarding mentorship. We identified positive change in institutional culture towards mentorship, and this change appeared sustainable over time. However, a slight decrease in indicators for year two emphasizes the need for a continued culture of learning rather than assuming that one-off training will be sufficient to change culture

Forced Sex among Female Adults in Zambia: Results from the Zambian Sexual Behavioural Survey, 2009

There is growing interest in the study of prevalence and experience of forced sexual intercourse (forced sex), because it is human rights violation with severe physical and psychosocial consequences. The literature on forced sex in southern Africa suggests this could be an important driver of HIV infection in the region. The objectives of the study were to estimate the prevalence and correlates of self-reported history of forced sex among females aged 15-49 years participating in the Zambian Sexual Behavioural Survey of 2009. We used logistic regression to identify correlates of forced sex victimization. Of the 2270 study participants, the majority was from 15 to 35 years age group (56.3%), married (81.4%) and with primary level of education (60.2%). The prevalence of self-reported history of forced sex was 27.8%. Factors associated with history of forced sex were: alcohol use (AOR=1.58, 95%CI [1.06, 2.36]); being employed (AOR=1.43, 95%CI [1.03, 1.99]); younger age (AOR=3.12, 95%CI [1.49, 6.48] for 15-30 years and AOR=2.94, 95%CI [1.41, 6.15] for 31-45 years); sexual debut at less than 21 years old (AOR=1.96, 95%CI [1.33, 2.91]; number of sex partners (AOR=0.13, 95%CI [0.03, 0.57]; and age of sex partner at first sexual intercourse (AOR=0.49, 95%CI [0.29, 0.82]). History of forced sex among Zambian women was common. There is need for concerted effort to address this major public health problem