http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2876 This sub community contains conference papers/ Journal articles by faculty/staff in the Faculty of Health Sciences Tue, 13 Oct 2026 05:26:50 GMT 2026-10-13T05:26:50Z http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2913 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. Fri, 01 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2913 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2912 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. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2912 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2911 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. Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2911 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2899 Title: Policy and Practice of health care waste management in community-based care in south africa. Authors: Hangulu, Lydia Abstract: Health care waste management (HCWM) is a growing concern more especially in the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Improper management of health care waste (HCW) has negative effects on the environment and on the health of the people. Unfortunately, no study has been found so far that addresses policy and practice of HCWM in community-based care (CBC) in South Africa. This thesis begins to address HCWM issues through five manuscripts that use various methods and approaches to develop an understanding of HCWM in CBC. The main scripts in this thesis present: 1) a scoping review that highlights the terminologies of HCW, definitions, categories and its classifications; 2) analysis of international and national policies that govern HCW in South Africa; 3) media analysis which explains how the South African media frames the issue of HCWM; 4) results from interviews with policy makers and stakeholders regarding their opinions on the practices of HCW in CBC; 5) results from focus group discussions, informal interviews and participant observations from the community health workers (CHWs) indicating their experiences about HCWM practices. This study is the first to be conducted in CBC. The methodologies used in this study provide useful insights into HCWM and the findings are an addition to the body of literature on HCWM in CBC, environmental health and public health. Description: Submitted in Partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree Doctorate of Philosophy(Health Promotion) Tue, 22 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMT http://dspace.lamu.edu.zm:8080/handle/123456789/2899 2016-03-22T00:00:00Z