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.

Distribution of South African C3 and C4 species of Cyperaceae in relation to climate and phylogeny

Abstract: In this study the contribution of climatic factors and phylogenetic relationships affecting the geographical distribution of C 3 and C 4 genera of the Cyperaceae in South Africa was investigated The δ 13 C values of herbarium specimens of 68 southern African species from 22 genera and eight tribes were used to assign the species to either the C 3 or C 4 photosynthetic pathway Geographical distribution data for the Cyperaceae were used to investigate relationships between climatic factors and the number of species and proportional abundance of C 4 species per region The number of Cyperaceae species per 2° X 2° square across South Africa varied from less than five in the north-western regions to more than 15 in the south-western and north-eastern regions of South Africa where rainfall exceeds 800 mm y -1 Of the 68 species investigated, 28 had C 4 photosynthesis and these were scattered among nine genera of four tribes (Cypereae, Scirpeae, Abildgaardieae and Rhyncosporeae) The proportional abundance of C 4 species ranged from 14% in the winter rainfall regions of the south-west of South Africa to 67% in the summer rainfall areas of the north-east The geographical distribution of species was related to their phylogenetic position such that the distributions of C 3 and C 4 species in Cypereae, Scirpeae and Schoeneae was quite distinct Linear regression analysis showed that the transition temperatures (equal C 3 and C 4 species numbers) for the Cyperaceae were different to those obtained for the Poaceae from the same region No strong relationships were found between the proportional abundance of C 4 species and other climate factors such as altitude and rainfall Our analysis of the current geographical distribution of C 4 Cyperaceae in southern Africa in a phylogenetic context suggests that the ecological advantages conferred by the C 4 pathway differ amongst the different plant groups

Couples' voluntary counselling and testing and nevirapine use in antenatal clinics in two African capitals: a prospective cohort study

Abstract: With the accessibility of prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) services in sub-Saharan Africa, more women are being tested for HIV in antenatal care settings. Involving partners in the counselling and testing process could help prevent horizontal and vertical transmission of HIV. This study was conducted to assess the feasibility of couples' voluntary counseling and testing (CVCT) in antenatal care and to measure compliance with PMTCT. A prospective cohort study was conducted over eight months at two public antenatal clinics in Kigali, Rwanda, and Lusaka, Zambia. A convenience sample of 3625 pregnant women was enrolled. Of these, 1054 women were lost to follow up. The intervention consisted of same-day individual voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) and weekend CVCT; HIV-positive participants received nevirapine tablets. In Kigali, nevirapine syrup was provided in the labour and delivery ward; in Lusaka, nevirapine syrup was supplied in pre-measured single-dose syringes. The main outcome measures were nurse midwife-recorded deliveries and reported nevirapine use. In eight months, 1940 women enrolled in Kigali (984 VCT, 956 CVCT) and 1685 women enrolled in Lusaka (1022 VCT, 663 CVCT). HIV prevalence was 14% in Kigali, and 27% in Lusaka. Loss to follow up was more common in Kigali than Lusaka (33% vs. 24%, p = 0.000). In Lusaka, HIV-positive and HIV-negative women had significantly different loss-to-follow-up rates (30% vs. 22%, p = 0.002). CVCT was associated with reduced loss to follow up: in Kigali, 31% of couples versus 36% of women testing alone (p = 0.011); and in Lusaka, 22% of couples versus 25% of women testing alone (p = 0.137). Among HIV-positive women with follow up, CVCT had no impact on nevirapine use (86-89% in Kigali; 78-79% in Lusaka). Weekend CVCT, though new, was feasible in both capital cities. The beneficial impact of CVCT on loss to follow up was significant, while nevirapine compliance was similar in women tested alone or with their partners. Pre-measured nevirapine syrup syringes provided flexibility to HIV-positive mothers in Lusaka, but may have contributed to study loss to follow up. These two prevention interventions remain a challenge, with CVCT still operating without supportive government policy in Zambia.

The essence of healing from sexual violence: A qualitative metasynthesis

Abstract: A qualitative metasynthesis was conducted to identify the essence of healing from sexual violence, as described by adults who experienced it as children or as adults Based on the findings of 51 reports, four domains of healing were identified: (a) managing memories, (b) relating to important others, (c) seeking safety, and (c) reevaluating self The ways of healing within each domain reflected opposing responses The dialectical process identified for each of the four domains include, respectively: (a) calling forth memories, (b) regulating relationships with others, (c) constructing an "as-safe-as-possible" lifeworld, and (d) restoring a sense of self These complex processes resulted in a new reality for the participants that was based on a greater sense of agency and provided a more satisfying life course

The effect of pregnancy in HIV-infected women

Abstract: The diagnosis of HIV in a pregnant women or pregnancy in an HIV-positive woman can be associated with an affective disorder, caring for which can present a major challenge for physicians and health care workers. The associated somatic symptoms can cause serious morbidity. This study aims to explore the mental health of pregnant HIV-infected women. The study took place at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia and at satellite clinics. Study participants were either pregnant women who were diagnosed with HIV during the course of their pregnancy, or women who knew their HIV-positive status prior to becoming pregnant. A questionnaire was used to assess the psychological state of the women. The majority of women (85%) showed major depressive episodes and had significant suicidal thoughts. About 60% of the women whose HIV was diagnosed during their pregnancy showed signs of somatic illness. Those who knew their HIV status before becoming pregnant did not show severe depressive episodes, but showed anxiety about the HIV status of their babies. This suggests that women who discover their HIV status during the course of their pregnancy are more liable to develop major depressive illness and somatic disorders. Physicians dealing with these women need to be cognisant of the strain HIV can add to pregnancy and of the psychological and psychiatric support they may require.

Along-stream transport and transformation of dissolved organic matter in a large tropical river

Abstract: . Large rivers transport considerable amounts of terrestrial dissolved organic matter (DOM) to the ocean. However, downstream gradients and temporal variability in DOM fluxes and characteristics are poorly studied at the scale of large river basins, especially in tropical areas. Here, we report longitudinal patterns in DOM content and composition based on absorbance and fluorescence measurements along the Zambezi River and its main tributary, the Kafue River, during two hydrological seasons. During high-flow periods, a greater proportion of aromatic and humic DOM was mobilized along rivers due to the hydrological connectivity with wetlands, while low-flow periods were characterized by lower DOM content of less aromaticity resulting from loss of connectivity with wetlands, more efficient degradation of terrestrial DOM and enhanced autochthonous productivity. Changes in water residence time due to contrasting water discharge were found to modulate the fate of DOM along the river continuum. Thus, high water discharge promotes the transport of terrestrial DOM downstream relative to its degradation, while low water discharge enhances the degradation of DOM during its transport. The longitudinal evolution of DOM was also strongly impacted by a hydrological buffering effect in large reservoirs in which the seasonal variability of DOM fluxes and composition was strongly reduced.