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.

Mental Health Policy Development and Implementation in Four African Countries

Abstract: The purpose of the research programme introduced in this article is to provide new knowledge regarding comprehensive multisectoral approaches to breaking the negative cycle of poverty and mental ill-health. The programme undertakes an analysis of existing mental health policies in four African countries (Ghana, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia), and will carry out and evaluate interventions to assist in the development and implementation of mental health policies in those countries, over a five-year period. The four countries in which the programme is being conducted represent a variety of scenarios in mental health policy development and implementation.

Risk factors for maternal death and trends in maternal mortality in low- and middle-income countries: a prospective longitudinal cohort analysis

Abstract: Because large, prospective, population-based data sets describing maternal outcomes are typically not available in low- and middle-income countries, it is difficult to monitor maternal mortality rates over time and to identify factors associated with maternal mortality. Early identification of risk factors is essential to develop comprehensive intervention strategies preventing pregnancy-related complications. Our objective was to describe maternal mortality rates in a large, multi-country dataset and to determine maternal, pregnancy-related, delivery and postpartum characteristics that are associated with maternal mortality. We collected data describing all pregnancies from 2010 to 2013 among women enrolled in the multi-national Global Network for Women’s and Children’s Health Research Maternal and Neonatal Health Registry (MNHR). We reported the proportion of mothers who died per pregnancy and the maternal mortality ratio (MMR). Generalized linear models were used to evaluate the relationship of potential medical and social factors and maternal mortality and to develop point and interval estimates of relative risk associated with these factors. Generalized estimating equations were used to account for the correlation of outcomes within cluster to develop appropriate confidence intervals. We recorded 277,736 pregnancies and 402 maternal deaths for an MMR of 153/100,000 live births. We observed an improvement in the total MMR from 166 in 2010 to 126 in 2013. The MMR in Latin American sites (91) was lower than the MMR in Asian (178) and African sites (125). When adjusted for study site and the other variables, no formal education (RR 3.2 [1.5, 6.9]), primary education only (RR 3.4 [1.6, 7.5]), secondary education only (RR 2.5 [1.1, 5.7]), lack of antenatal care (RR 1.8 [1.2, 2.5]), caesarean section delivery (RR 1.9 [1.3, 2.8]), hemorrhage (RR 3.3 [2.2, 5.1]), and hypertensive disorders (RR 7.4 [5.2, 10.4]) were associated with higher risks of death. The MNHR identified preventable causes of maternal mortality in diverse settings in low- and middle-income countries. The MNHR can be used to monitor public health strategies and determine their association with reducing maternal mortality. clinicaltrials.gov NCT01073475

Potential of rainwater harvesting in urban Zambia

Abstract: This paper was associated with a WARFSA funded research project “Potential of rainwater harvesting in urban Zambia”. The general objective of the research was to investigate the applicability of rainwater harvesting in urban Zambia. This paper presents the results obtained at the time of writing the paper. Rainwater harvesting was not new to Zambia and there had been installations which were mainly confined to rural areas. Laboratory analysis of water samples from one such system showed that the water was suitable for drinking purposes. Two peri-urban areas of Lusaka were selected mainly based on the water stress in the areas. The socio-cultural survey conducted in the two areas indicated that water ranked among the top two priorities by the Residential Development Committee. Design of the systems was based on the mass curve analysis for storage and rational formula for the gutters. However, a maximum storage of 10 cubic meters was chosen due to budgetary limitation. Construction of five systems was in progress.

High uptake of exclusive breastfeeding and reduced early post-natal HIV transmission.

Abstract: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; National Institutes of Health (R01 HD 39611, R01 HD 40777); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Global AIDS Program; Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation; USAID Country Research (GHS-A-00-00020-00)