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.

Patterns of mixed Plasmodium species infections among children six years and under in selected malaria hyper-endemic communities of Zambia: population-based survey observations.

Abstract: Although malaria is preventable and treatable, it still claims 660,000 lives every year globally with children under five years of age having the highest burden. In Zambia, malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) that only detect Plasmodium falciparum are the main confirmatory means for malaria diagnosis in most health facilities without microscopy services. As a consequence of this P. falciparum species diagnostic approach, non-falciparum malaria is not only under-diagnosed but entirely missed, thereby making the exact disease burden unknown. We thus investigated the prevalence of various Plasmodium spp. and associated burden of infection in selected communities in Zambia.

Preliminary Assessment of Uranium Contamination in Drinking Water Sources Near a Uranium Mine in the Siavonga District, Zambia, and Associated Health Risks

Abstract: Uranium (U) levels in drinking water sources in the vicinity of a U mine in the Siavonga district in the Southern Province of Zambia are alarming. The median U concentrations in drinking water sources showed a decreasing trend: streams (135.30 µg/L) > dams (115.62 µg/L) > boreholes (111.31 µg/L) > shallow wells (110.03 µg/L). The U levels in all the samples exceeded the safe limit for drinking water recommended by the World Health Organization, suggesting that the water is not safe for consumption. The mean target hazard quotients (THQ) in all of the water samples exceeded the safe limit (THQ > 1), implying that consumers of this water were at a greater risk of potential non-carcinogenic health effects. The carcinogenic risks from uranium at most of the drinking water sources also exceeded acceptable thresholds (10–6), indicating an increased risk of cancer for the population.

Lopinavir/Ritonavir versus Lamivudine peri-exposure prophylaxis to prevent HIV-1 transmission by breastfeeding: the PROMISE-PEP trial Protocol ANRS 12174.

Abstract: Postnatal transmission of HIV-1 through breast milk remains an unsolved challenge in many resource-poor settings where replacement feeding is not a safe alternative. WHO now recommends breastfeeding of infants born to HIV-infected mothers until 12 months of age, with either maternal highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) or peri-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) in infants using nevirapine. As PEP, lamivudine showed a similar efficacy and safety as nevirapine, but with an expected lower rate of resistant HIV strains emerging in infants who fail PEP, and lower restrictions for future HIV treatment. Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) is an attractive PEP candidate with presumably higher efficacy against HIV than nevirapine or lamivudine, and a higher genetic barrier to resistance selection. It showed an acceptable safety profile for the treatment of very young HIV-infected infants. The ANRS 12174 study aims to compare the risk of HIV-1 transmission during and safety of prolonged infant PEP with LPV/r (40/10 mg twice daily if 2-4 kg and 80/20 mg twice daily if >4 kg) versus Lamivudine (7,5 mg twice daily if 2-4 kg, 25 mg twice daily if 4-8 kg and 50 mg twice daily if >8 kg) from day 7 until one week after cessation of BF (maximum 50 weeks of prophylaxis) to prevent postnatal HIV-1 acquisition between 7 days and 50 weeks of age.

Schistosomiasis of the prostate and the seminal vesicles: observations in Zambia.

Abstract: The pattern of schistosomiasis of the prostate and seminal vesicles in Zambia is presented. The results were based on histological examination and digestion of tissue obtained from 50 cadavers. Compared to the bladder (62%) and seminal vesicles (58%), the infestation was least common (50%) in the prostate. The infection was due to Schistosoma haematobium alone in all organs. The most significant finding was the histological inactivity secondary to this parasitic infection. It is suggested that schistosomiasis of these organs is unlikely to be causally related to male infertility in Zambia.

Property grabbing and will writing in Lusaka, Zambia: An examination of wills of HIV-infected cohabiting couples

Abstract: High rates of HIV and poverty place women in a precarious economic situation in Lusaka, Zambia. Mortality from HIV infection is high, leaving many households single headed and creating almost a half a million orphans. One of the most prevalent forms of gender violence that creates poverty in women is when the male's family claims the property of the deceased from the widow and the children. The Zambia-Emory HIV Research Project collected 184 wills from individuals in monogamous unions where one or both of the individuals were HIV-positive. Despite the fact that many wills specifically stated that their extended family was not allowed to tamper with their possessions in the event of death, property grabbing proved to be a prevalent and difficult issue in Lusaka. In order to improve the lives of widowed women in Lusaka, the government and other civic and non-governmental organisations must inform women of their rights to own and protect their land and other assets in the event of their husbands' death, an issue of increasing importance in the area of HIV/AIDS.