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.

A dog ecology study in an urban and a semi-rural area of Zambia.

Abstract: Characteristics of dog populations and their accessibility for rabies vaccination were compared in an urban and a semi-rural area in Zambia. A total of 1,190 households were interviewed. In the urban study area (Mutendere, a low income suburb of Lusaka) only 11% of the households kept dogs with a dog:human ratio of 1:45. In the semi-rural area (Palabana) dogs were kept by 42% of households with a dog:human ratio of 1:6,7. In conjuction with the study of the dog populations in these two areas, immunization of dogs against rabies was provided by door-to-door visits in both study areas and also through central point vaccination in the urban area. The attitude of the public towards free rabies vaccinations was positive, although some misconceptions regarding indications and modalities of treatment following exposure to suspect dogs were found. Approximately 50% of the dog removals were as a result of disease and the demand for dogs was higher than the supply. Although only information on the owned segment of the dog population was obtained during the study, the proportion of ownerless dogs appeared to be very low. Generally, there is a need for better co-ordination between the different services involved in rabies control in Zambia to enhance the sustainability of vaccination programmes and improve the treatment of persons bitten by dogs.

Plasma bovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein concentrations throughout gestation in relationship to fetal number in the cow

Abstract: This study characterized the peripheral plasma bovine pregnancy-associated glycoprotein (bPAG) profile throughout gestation and examined the effect of stage of gestation and fetal number on this profile in Holstein cows after non-surgical embryo transfer. Cows (n o 12) were divided into three groups: group 1 o normal singleton pregnancies (n o 5); group 2 o normal twin pregnancies (n o 5); group 3 o abnormal twin pregnancies (n o 2). Blood was collected about every third day from day 0 (defined as the first day of standing estrus), then daily for the last 10 days of gestation, and sampling was stopped one day postpartum. The time-related changes in plasma bPAG concentrations were significantly (P < 0:01) affected by the stage of gestation and fetal number (P < 0:01), except during the last 10 days of gestation. In both normal pregnancy groups, bPAG concentration increased rapidly during the first trimester (0.560.1 to 14.661.7 ng/ml and 1.060.6 to 21.864.8 ng/ml, in singleton and twin-bearing groups respectively), then progressively between days 160 and 20 prepartum (31.666.2 to 114.3631.3 ng/ml and 41.667.4 to 155.8636.6 ng/ml in singleton and twin-bearing cows respectively). The mean concentration between days 20 and 10 prepartum approximately tripled (P < 0:001) in both these groups of cows (114.3631.1 to 493.0675.3 ng/ml and 155.8636.6 to 409.36114.7 ng/ml in singleton and twin-bearing cows respectively), but between days 10 prepartum and parturition the values increased about threefold (P < 0:01) in the singleton group (493.0675.3 to 1352.86286.5 ng/ml) and fivefold (P < 0:001) in the twin-bearing group (409.36114.7 to 2154.06505.7 ng/ml). The two cows in group 3 that gave birth prematurely to a stillborn calf or to a schistosomus reflexus calf exhibited an aberrant bPAG profile. Our results indicate that peripheral bPAG concentrations are correlated to the stage of gestation and fetal number, and that the profile of the peripheral plasma concentrations provides a useful indication of the feto‐placental status.

Education as a vehicle for combating HIV/AIDS

Abstract: We want to depart from academic tradition by concluding with a direct appeal to our readers. We implore everyone who reads these words and who is in a position of authority to do two things: first, to become better informed about HIV/AIDS and its actual and potential effects on education, and second, from this stand-point to provide informed, committed leadership that encourages the actions and provides the resources required for managing and controlling this devastating pandemic.