DSpace Community: This sub-community contains various students Projects/ Research Reports done by the under graduate students in the faculty of Health Sciences

Knowledge, attitude and perceptions of students at Lusaka Apex Medical University on the role of Physiotherapy in COVID-19 Management

Wed, 29 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMT

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

The knowledge and practices of immobilized patients in the prevention of immobilization complications in the orthopaedic wards (C21, G02, G12) at the University Teaching Hospital.

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 00:00:00 GMT

Title: The knowledge and practices of immobilized patients in the prevention of immobilization complications in the orthopaedic wards (C21, G02, G12) at the University Teaching Hospital. Authors: Nakamba, Lenganji Abstract: Introduction: Immobilization is defined by the medical dictionary as the procedure of making a normally moveable part of the body immovable and this physical inactivity may occur, for example, through disease, injury or following major surgery, Immobilization is a most common treatment provided to injured patients admitted to the orthopedic ward. Immobilized patients have the highest risk of complications and death associated with it. Objective: To determine the knowledge and practice of immobilised patients in the prevention of immobilization complications in the Orthopaedic ward at University Teaching Hospital. Method: The study was carried out in the Orthopaedic Wards G02, G12 and C22 at University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka. The study was carried out using a quantitative method where data was collected using a structured researcher administered questionnaire to look at the knowledge of immobilization complications in trauma patients. Data was analysed and interpreted using descriptive statistics using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0. Results: In this study, 75(83.3%) participants answered the questionnaire. Out of the 75 participants who returned the questionnaire, male participants were more 60.0% ( n=48) than females 36.0% ( n=27). As for the age range, 57.3% (n=43) were between the age of 18 to 40years, the least were aged above 65 years 8.0% (n=6). The majority of the participants 33.3% (n=25) where married while 10.7% (n=8) were divorced. About 34.7% (n=26) of participants reached secondary level of education as opposed to 18.7% (n=14) who only reached primary school level. Those who did not attain any form of education were 22.7% (n=17) while 24% (n=18) had reached tertiary education. When participqnts were asked asked if they knew the complications of being in a non-movement state, the majority 42.7% (n=32) were not sure while 38.7% indicated that they knew and 18.7% (n=14) did not know. Conclution: More effort needs to be put into education of patients on the complications of prolonged immobilization. This might require the development of a consent form that would require to be filled for anyone who is immobilised for a certain duration. Description: submitted to Lusaka Apex Medical University as a partial fulfilment for the Bachelor of Science degree in Physiotherapy.

TO INVESTIGATE THE FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CHOICE OF CONTRACEPTIVES AMONG 3RD YEAR MEDICAL STUDENTS AT LUSAKA APEX MEDICAL UNIVERSITY.

Sat, 01 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Title: TO INVESTIGATE THE FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CHOICE OF CONTRACEPTIVES AMONG 3RD YEAR MEDICAL STUDENTS AT LUSAKA APEX MEDICAL UNIVERSITY. Authors: Tembo, Zainab Abstract: Background The rate of premarital sexual activity, unwanted pregnancies and illegal abortions remain high among university students. This calls for understanding the knowledge, choice of contraceptives and sexual behaviors among this high-risk group if the incidence of unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS and generally loss of school time among medical students. This study aimed to assess factors influencing choice of contraceptives and use among 3rd year medical students at Lusaka Apex Medical University. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate 3rd year students at Lusaka Apex Medical University. A self-administered questionnaire was given to 384 students of which 107 were retrieved giving a response rate of 27.86%. Data was analyzed using Stata 2014 version which generated the summarized statistics. Results Results showed that (71.03%) of the students were sexually active, with 48.06% already having had their sexual debut when they were between 19-24years of age. All participants had heard or had some knowledge of contraception. 41% of the sexually active were using some contraception of some sort. 43% of the respondents preferred using condoms, pills and abstinence were the most popular methods preferred by the general respondents. It was also found that most students preferred obtaining their contraceptives by either buying their own from pharmacies or shops, from students’ hostel ablutions and from the local clinic/hospital. Conclusion Most students had knowledge of contraception. Despite a minimal percentage of students still not using contraceptives, the rate of contraceptive use was rather high. Majority respondents were sexually active, with the majority having started sexual activity at some point while in medical school. This needs continued advocacy for reproductive health among medical students to promote safe contraceptive use and choice that will reduce unwanted pregnancies, contracting sexually transmitted infections and losing out on school time spent in medical school due to one of the reasons or the other. Description: A research proposal submitted to the department of public health, Lusaka Apex medical university, as a requirement for the MBChB degree.

THE LEVELS OF AWARENESS AND UTILISATION OF INSECTICIDE-TREATED NETS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN MUTENDERE COMPOUND

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Title: THE LEVELS OF AWARENESS AND UTILISATION OF INSECTICIDE-TREATED NETS AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN IN MUTENDERE COMPOUND Authors: Mulenga, Kabaso Abstract: BACKGROUND The level of awareness and utilisations of insecticide-treated nets (ITNS) among pregnant women and their household members is still low despite the ministry of health and government policy through donors of free ITNS for vulnerable group and subsidized nets for other people. This calls for understanding the knowledge, on why the awareness and utilisations of ITNS among pregnant is low. This study aimed to assess levels of awareness and utilisations of ITNS among pregnant women in Mutendere compound Lusaka Zambia. METHODS A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted aimed at determining the awareness and utilisation of insecticide treated nets among pregnant women from Mutendere compound, Lusaka Zambia. A self-administered questionnaire was given to 30 pregnant women and those with a history of pregnancy and stay in Mutendere compound of which 26 were retrieved giving a response rate of 86.6% Data was analysed using Stata 2014 version which generated the summarized statistics. RESULTS Results showed that the majority (71.03%) of the pregnant women were between 18-29 years of age. With another majority 50% were married and 93% of the respondents were aware of the insecticide –treated nets. All participants had heard or had some knowledge of awareness and utilisation of insecticide treated nets. 92.3% were using mosquito nets when sleeping at night. It was found that most pregnant women about 60.9% get the mosquito nets from the clinics but they occasionally use them during pregnancy. CONCLUSION Most pregnant women had awareness on insecticide treats nets (ITNs). The utilisation of ITNs was relatively low, with still a small bracket of pregnant women still not using ITNs. Majority respondents married, with the majority having gotten the ITNs from the clinics and majority of the pregnant women were between 18-29 years. These needs continued advocacy for ITNs use among pregnant women to reduce high rates of maternal anaemia ,fetal loss, premature delivery ,intrauterine growth retardation, and delivery of low birth –weight infants(<2500g or<5.5 pounds),a risk factor for death. Description: A 6th year proposal submitted to the Lusaka Apex Medical University, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Community Medicine.