University of Zambia

About: University of Zambia is a education organization based out in Lusaka, Lusaka, Zambia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 2593 authors who have published 4402 publications receiving 122411 citations. The organization is also known as: UNZA.

Technical efficiency of smallholder maize production in Zambia: a stochastic meta-frontier approach

Abstract: We determine and compare technical efficiency (TE), technology gap ratios (TGRs) and meta-frontier technical efficiency (MTEs) of maize production between regions using nationally representative pa...

Community Cultural Norms, Stigma and Disclosure to Sexual Partners among Women Living with HIV in Thailand, Brazil and Zambia (HPTN 063).

Abstract: Background Serostatus disclosure may facilitate decreased HIV transmission between serodiscordant partners by raising risk awareness and heightening the need for prevention. For women living with HIV (WLWH), the decision to disclose may be influenced by culturally determined, community-level stigma and norms. Understanding the impact of community HIV stigma and gender norms on disclosure among WLWH in different countries may inform intervention development. Methods HPTN063 was a longitudinal, observational study of sexually active HIV-infected individuals, including heterosexual women, in care in Zambia, Thailand and Brazil. At baseline, a questionnaire measuring community HIV stigma and gender norms, anticipated stigma, demographic, partner/relationship characteristics, and intimate partner violence was administered. Longitudinal HIV disclosure to sexual partners was determined via audio-computer assisted self-interview (ACASI) at the baseline and quarterly during the one year following up. Logistic regression was conducted to identify the predictors of disclosure. Results Almost half (45%) of women living with HIV acknowledged perceived community HIV stigma (the belief that in their community HIV infection among women is associated with sex work and multiple sexual partners). Many women (42.9%) also acknowledged perceived community gender norms (the belief that traditional gender norms such as submissiveness to husbands/male sexual partners is necessary and that social status is lost if one does not procreate). HIV disclosure to current sex partners was reported by 67% of women. In multivariate analysis, among all women, those who were older [OR 0.16, 95%CI(0.06,0.48)], reported symptoms of severe depression [OR 0.53, 95%CI(0.31, 0.90)], endorsed anticipated stigma [OR 0.30, 95%CI(0.18, 0.50)], and were unmarried [OR 0.43, 95%CI(0.26,0.71)] were less likely to disclose to current partners. In an analysis stratified by marital status and cohabitation, unmarried [OR 0.41, 95%CI(0.20,0.82)] and non-cohabiting women [OR 0.31, 95%CI(0.13,0.73)] who perceived community HIV stigma were less likely to disclose to their sex partners. Conclusions Perceived community level HIV stigma, along with individual level factors such as anticipated stigma, depressive symptoms, and older age, predict non-disclosure of HIV status to sexual partners among WLWH in diverse geographic settings. Interventions to promote disclosure among women in serodiscordant relationships should incorporate community-level interventions to reduce stigma and promote gender equality.

HIV testing and tolerance to gender based violence: a cross-sectional study in Zambia.

Abstract: This paper explores the effect of social relations and gender-based conflicts on the uptake of HIV testing in the South and Central provinces of Zambia. We conducted a community-based cross-sectional study of 1716 randomly selected individuals. Associations were examined using mixed-effect multivariable logistic regression. A total of 264 men (64%) and 268 women (56%) had never tested for HIV. The strongest determinants for not being tested were disruptive couple relationships (OR = 2.48 95% CI = 1.00-6.19); tolerance to gender-based violence (OR = 2.10 95% CI = 1.05-4.32) and fear of social rejection (OR = 1.48 95% CI = 1.23-1.80). In the Zambian context, unequal power relationships within the couple and the community seem to play a pivotal role in the decision to test which until now have been largely underestimated. Policies, programs and interventions to rapidly increase HIV testing need to urgently address gender-power inequity in relationships and prevent gender-based violence to reduce the negative impact on the lives of couples and families.

Occurrence of viruses in irrigated wheat in Zambia

Abstract: Surveys were conducted during the cool-dry months of June-August 1997 and June-July 1998 for the presence of viruses in irrigated wheat in Central, Copperbelt, Lusaka and Southern Provinces of Zambia in 14 commercial farms and four wheat cultivar plots. Virus symptoms were observed on nine wheat cultivars (Triticum aestivum 'Deka', 'Gamtoos', 'Lorie II', 'MM2', 'Nata', 'Nkwazi', 'P7', 'Scan' and 'Sceptre') of South African, Zambian and Zimbabwean origin. Several viruses were identified on the basis of field symptomatology, symptoms developing on mechanically inoculated indicator plant species or cultivars and serology (DAS-ELISA). The study revealed the occurrence ofBrome mosaic virus (BMV), Barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV), Barley yellow dwarf virus and its strains (BYDV-PAV and RPV), Soil-borne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV), Wheat dwarf virus (WDV), Wheat streak mosaic virus (WSMV) and Wheat spindle streak mosaic virus (WSSMV). DSA-ELISA tests confirmed these identifications. The prevalence of viruses varied annually and from field to field. BSMV, BYDV-PAV, SBWMV, WDV, WSMV and WSSMV were found to be the most prevalent viruses. Viruses generally occurred in mixed infections of 3-6 viruses and the most common virus complex consisted of 4 viruses (50%), viz. BYDV, SBWMV, WDV and WSSMV. Five- and six-virus complexes were relatively less common (20% each) whereas 3-virus complex was noticed in only 10% cases. SBWMV and WSSMV have been found to be new to Africa and Zambia and are reportedly vectored by a fungal protist -Polymyxa graminis. BYDV strains MAV and SGV were also tested but gave negative results against their antisera.

Injectable and oral contraceptives and risk of HIV acquisition in women: an analysis of data from the MDP301 trial

Abstract: study question: Do injectable and oral contraceptives increase the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) acquisition in women? summaryanswer: After adjusting for confounders, evidence of a significantly increased risk of HIV remained for women using injectable depo-medroxyprogesterone (DMPA) (hazard ratio ¼ 1.49, 95% confidence interval (1.06–2.08)) but not for injectable norethisteroneenanthate (Net-En) or oral contraceptive pills (OC). what is known already: An association between the use of some types of hormonal contraception (HC) methods and an increased risk of HIV, possibly through changes in the genital tract environment and alterations in the immune response, has been previously observed, although not consistently. A recent systematic review of these studies has highlighted the need for more definitive evidence. study design, size, duration: A secondary data analysis of the MDP301 phase 3 microbicide trial was conducted to estimate the effects of use of different methods of HC on the risk of HIV acquisition in women. HIV-negative women (n ¼ 8663) with a median age of 28 years were included in the analysis; 382 HIV seroconverted by 52 weeks follow-up; 10% of women-years were lost to follow-up before 52 weeks. participants/materials, setting, methods: Contraceptive use was reported at each 4-weekly visit. Cox proportional hazards (PH) models were used to estimate the effects of baseline and current use of injectable DMPA, injectable Net-En and OC compared with no HC, on the risk of HIV, adjusting for baseline and time-updated covariates. Causal effects for 52 weeks of HC use compared with no HC were estimated in a weighted Cox model, censoring women at deviation from baseline HC use (or non-use) or pregnancy. main results and the role of chance: At baseline, 2499 (29%) women were on DMPA, 1180 (14%) on Net-En, and 1410 (16%) on OC; 3574 (40%) not on HC, started HC in follow-up. Adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for baseline HC use, compared with no HC, were 1.38 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.07 –1.78) for DMPA; 1.18 (0.86–1.62) for Net-En and 0.97 (0.68–1.38) for OC. The estimated causal effects of DMPA and Net-En over 52 weeks were: HR ¼ 1.49 (95% CI 1.06– 2.08) and HR ¼ 1.31 (95% CI 0.62– 1.61), respectively. limitations,reasonsforcaution: A main limitation of the study was that it was a secondary analysis of data from a study that was not designed to investigate this question. Despite our best efforts, we cannot exclude residual confounding to explain the effect of DMPA. wider implications of the findings: The results of this study should be reviewed by the World Health Organization to determine whether current recommendations on the use of DMPA in settings with high HIV prevalence require modification. studyfunding/competinginterest(s): MDP is a partnership of African and European academic/government institutions with commercial organizations, which is funded by the UK Government (DFID and MRC), with support from IPM and EDCTP. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing interests: None.