http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/17 2026-10-13T04:20:39Z 2026-10-13T04:20:39Z Mwiza, Twaambo Banda, Elezia Mercy Mwiinga, Fair Banji http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2913 2024-05-28T07:53:26Z 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Knowledge and Perspectives of Health Care Providers towards Clients with Substance Abuse at Solwezi General Hospital in Solwezi District Authors: Mwiza, Twaambo; Banda, Elezia Mercy; Mwiinga, Fair Banji Abstract: Introduction: Substance abuse is increasingly becoming a public health threat associated with varying health and social implications. Healthcare professionals are crucial in the management of substance abuse disorders, and their knowledge and perspectives towards substance abuse clients influences the care that these clients receive. Locally, there is scanty data on the knowledge and perspectives of health care providers towards substance abuse clients in Solwezi District. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess knowledge and perspectives of health care providers towards substance abuse clients at Solwezi General Hospital in Solwezi District. Materials & methods: A hospital-based cross sectional study was adopted for this study. Data collection was done using a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire adapted from previous studies. The SPSS software version 20.0 for Windows was used for data analysis using descriptive statistics and the Chi-square test for inference at the 0.05 level of significance. Results: The mean age of respondents was found to be 28.76 years. A female predominance over males was noted with a ratio of close to 5:1. Seventy-seven percent of respondents were Nurses by profession (77.3%), with the majority having attained Diploma as the highest level of education (60%). Overall, knowledge of substance abuse, screening tools and interventions for substance abuse was good. Variations in respondents’ perception of which health care provider was responsible for the assessment and management of substance abuse clients were noted. Priority on substance abuse cases was found to be low in 51% of the respondents, and several barriers to effective management of substance abuse were identified including lack of knowledge (41.4%), lack of manpower (20%), lack of specialized facilities (10%) and poor patient cooperation (16%). Statistically significant associations were found between respondent’s knowledge and interest to work with substance abuse clients; as well as between respondent’s education and priority placed on substance abuse cases. Conclusion: Health care providers exhibited adequate knowledge about substance abuse. However, low priority over substance abuse cases was reported, and attributed to a number of factors. This therefore calls for more training in substance abuse, particularly assessment and management of substance abuse clients in order to optimize health services rendered to substance abuse clients.

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z Chongo, Billiat Mwiinga, Fair Banji Mwansa, Marjorie Sashi, Dominic http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2912 2024-05-28T07:52:19Z 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Challenges faced by patients with Osteoarthritis of the Hip and Knee in using their Bathrooms in Lusaka, Zambia Authors: Chongo, Billiat; Mwiinga, Fair Banji; Mwansa, Marjorie; Sashi, Dominic Abstract: Introduction: People with Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip and knee have difficulties in performing basic activities of daily living. These problems arise from disturbed biomechanics, pain and loss of range of motion. Both pain and stiffness prevent deep knee flexion, a movement that is important in the use of both the toilet and the bathing facilities. The aim of this study was to determine the challenges faced by patients with osteoarthritis of the hip and knee in using their bathrooms in Lusaka, Zambia. Methods: A cross sectional, descriptive quantitative study was done. The study was conducted at the University Teaching Hospital in the Department of Physiotherapy. Fifty six participants with hip or knee osteoarthritis were recruited in the study. Portions of the ICF were used to determine the level of difficulty in using both the bathtub for bathing and the toilet. A visual analogue scale and manual goniometer were used to measure the intensity of pain and range of motion respectively. Data were analysed using SPSS version 25.0. Chi Square test was used to determine if there was a relationship between severity of pain and the ranges of motion in the hip and knee at the significance level of 0.05. Results: Participants in this study had a mean age of 53.39 years (SD=9.210). Majority were females (79%) and 21% males. The participants had mild problems with (52%, n=29) followed by moderate problems with bathing (32%, n=18). More than half of the participants had moderate problems (55% while a few (7%) had severe problems with toileting. During bathing and toileting, 80% and 62% of the participants experienced moderate to severe pain in the knee and hip respectively. There were significant associations between the severity of pain and the ranges of motion in hip flexion, hip extension and knee flexion (P = 0.01, 0.001 and 0.02). Conclusion: Patients with OA of the knee and the hip have moderate to severe challenges with bathing and toileting. Pain may be the main factor contributing to the challenges in bathing and toileting. Physiotherapy needs to take the bathing and toileting facilities into account when managing patients with OA of the knee and hip.

2023-01-01T00:00:00Z Mwiinga, Fair Banji http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2911 2024-05-28T07:50:31Z 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Pattern of Fracture Occurrence among Children aged 1-17 years presenting at Solwezi General Hospital in Solwezi District, Zambia Authors: Mwiinga, Fair Banji Abstract: Introduction: Fractures in children represent a major global health problem and account for 10- 25% of all childhood injuries. Childhood fractures are caused by falls, domestic violence and road traffic accidents. Locally, there is a paucity of data on the pattern of fracture occurrence among children in Solwezi District. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the pattern of childhood fractures in terms of the causes, severity, circumstances and geographical location in which these injuries occur, and recommend strategies for preventing these mJunes. Materials & methods: Data collection was done using a researcher assisted questionnaire in a cross­ sectional survey and analysed using the SPSS software version 20.0 for Windows. The Chi-square test was used to test association of variables at the 0.05 level of significance. Results: The mean age of children with fractures under review was found to be 6.88 years (SE of mean=0.453). Fractures in children were found to occur more frequently in the pre-school age group (48.3%, n=43). A male predominance in childhood fracture occurrence was noted as these fracture injuries occurred in 60.7% (n=54) of the males and 39.3% (n=35) of the females. Fractures of the upper limbs (74.2%) were more frequent than those of the lower limbs (25.8%) with the Radius (51.7%) and Ulna (22.5%) being the most frequently fractured bones. No respondent had an open fracture. Falling was the most frequent cause of injury in 73% of the respondents followed by sports injuries (13.5%). Fifty-six percent (n=50) of the fractures in children were sustained at home followed by school (16.9%) and road (19.1%). Statistically significant associations were found between respondent's age group and mechanism of injury (p-value=0.004) as well as between respondent's area of residence and geographical location ofinjury (p-value=0.005). Conclusion: Falls are the most frequent mechanism of injury in childhood fractures seen at Solwezi General Hospital with the Radius and Ulna being the most frequently affected bones. The majority of these fractures occur at home as a result of slight trauma events. Clinically, this implies that the home advice given to patients and guardians should be tailored towards the prevention of these injuries in the settings in which they occur. General safety guidelines and policies for prevention of childhood fractures at home and in schools should be developed.

2022-01-01T00:00:00Z Chembe, Saviour http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2901 2023-04-04T10:00:19Z 2021-09-29T00:00:00Z

Title: Knowledge, attitude and perceptions of students at Lusaka Apex Medical University on the role of Physiotherapy in COVID-19 Management Authors: Chembe, Saviour Abstract: TITLE: Knowledge, attitude and perceptions of Lusaka Apex Medical University students on the role of Physiotherapy in COVID-19 management Background: COVID-19 is a great threat to the world population; patients require a very strong immune system to fight against the disease. To improve the functional immune system response, they are required to be exposed to not only medications but also physical exercises. Physical exercises, according to XU et al. (2020) reduces the incidence, duration, and severity of COVID-19 infection. Therefore, a physiotherapist is needed in the prescription of these moderate-intensity exercises depending on the severity of the disease. Objective: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and perceptions of students at Lusaka Apex Medical University regarding the role of physiotherapy in COVID-19 management. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study utilizing a quantitative research method. After ethical approval, data collection was conducted between 6 May 2021 and 31 July 2021 using an online questionnaire through Google forms. The study was conducted on 374 students at Lusaka Apex Medical University using a validated, structured, self-administered, online questionnaire. Results: In this study, 364 students answered the questions thoroughly. A total of 51% (n=185) of the participants were female, the majority of the study participants (97.8%, n=358) agreed that COVID-19 is contagious. Likewise, a positive attitude was also observed in following guidelines from the Ministry of Health as 83% (n=302) of participants agreed to avoid traveling when they are presenting with COVID-19 symptoms. A negative perception of the inclusion of physiotherapy in the management of COVID-19 was evident as the majority of study participants 30.5% (n=111) disagreed of physiotherapy been relevant in the management of COVID-19. A positive perception however was evident among physiotherapy students (n=10) that agreed that physiotherapy is relevant in the management of COVID-19 Conclusion: Students at this institution revealed an acceptable level of knowledge and attitude on COVID-19 and following guidelines. However, with a poor level of perception on the inclusion of physiotherapy in COVID-19 management, it is therefore recommended that students have to sensitize on the importance of physiotherapy in the management of COVID-19. Description: Research submitted to Lusaka Apex Medical University As partial fulfillment for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Physiotherapy

2021-09-29T00:00:00Z