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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.

MEDICAL MALE CIRCUMCISION FOR HIV/AIDS PREVENTION: ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE AMONG PRE-MEDICAL MALE STUDENTS AT LUSAKA APEX MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, CHALALA CAMPUS.

Sat, 01 Oct 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Title: MEDICAL MALE CIRCUMCISION FOR HIV/AIDS PREVENTION: ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE AMONG PRE-MEDICAL MALE STUDENTS AT LUSAKA APEX MEDICAL UNIVERSITY, CHALALA CAMPUS. Authors: Hans, Sarah N. Abstract: Background Circumcision is defined as the permanent and complete removal of the foreskin (prepuce), the fold of skin that covers the head (or glans) of the penis and can be performed for medical reasons or as traditional and religious practices (WHO, 2018). The health burden of HIV infections is greatest in developing countries including Zambia, male circumcision is therefore one of the recommended HIV prevention intervention particularly in high prevalence areas, such as sub-Saharan Africa where transmission is largely related to heterosexual contact (WHO, 2018). Objective This study aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitude and practices of pre-medical male students on medical male circumcision with regard to HIV/AIDs prevention, at Lusaka Apex Medical University (LAMU), Zambia. Methods This study utilized a qualitative paradigm, guided by a Cross sectional survey design. 24 male participants between 18-25 years were selected by heterogeneous purposive sampling. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews with the aid of an interview guide and analyzed using NVivo software. Results The study revealed that majority of pre-medical male students at LAMU had good knowledge, positive attitude and good practices towards medical male circumcision with regard to HIV/AIDs prevention. Majority (17) were circumcised and majority revealed good knowledge on MC benefits including reducing HIV transmission risk, prevention of other STIs & cervical cancer and promotes good penile hygiene. Conclusion Although the study revealed majority of respondents to have good knowledge, positive attitude and good practices regarding MC, the absence of comprehensive MC educational efforts may have led to few respondents to show poor association of MC to HIV transmission. It is essential to ensure dissemination of information highlighting the role of MC in reducing the risk of HIV transmission and raise public awareness on the importance of combating HIV/AIDS in Zambia. Information communication should emphasize that MC does not provide absolute protection of HIV infection. Therefore, in as much as men get circumcised, they should as well engage in safe sexual practices, otherwise, cases of HIV infection may keep soaring high. Description: A Research Report submitted to the Lusaka Apex Medical University as partial fulfilment for the Bachelor of Science degree in Medicine and Surgery.

AN ASSESSEMENT OF THE ATTITUDES, KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG NURSING MOTHERS ATTENDING UNDER-FIVE CLINIC AT LEVY MWANAWASA TEACHING HOSPITAL IN LUSAKA DISTRICT.

Sun, 01 May 2022 00:00:00 GMT

Title: AN ASSESSEMENT OF THE ATTITUDES, KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES OF EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING AMONG NURSING MOTHERS ATTENDING UNDER-FIVE CLINIC AT LEVY MWANAWASA TEACHING HOSPITAL IN LUSAKA DISTRICT. Authors: Domingo, Lucy Abstract: Background In the past, breast feeding was generally acknowledged across the world among all human groups, communities, societies and cultures as the most suitable form of infant feeding and played a fundamental role in the survival, growth, maturation and development of a child (Auukegbu, 2018). In the advent of industrialization and modernity where by mother’s involvement in work relations and probably lack of knowledge about the benefits and practice of breast-feeding, natural breast-feeding practices are being gradually replaced by artificial body foods. This has greatly deprived both the babies and mothers the chance to benefit from the importance of breast feeding. Against this background, the World Health Organization introduced the concept of exclusive breastfeeding which requires giving breast milk only to the infant, without any additional food or drink, not even water in the first six months of life, with the exception of mineral supplements, vitamins, or medicines (World Health Organization, 2020). Despite this concept by WHO, many countries including Zambia still face challenges in attaining high rates of mothers practicing exclusive breastfeeding, hence, this study came in to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of exclusive breastfeeding among nursing mothers attending under five Clinic at Levy Mwanawasa Teaching Hospital Methods This research used a qualitative research approach and targeted 30 nursing mothers that attend under-five clinic at Levy Mwanawasa Hospital. The 30 nursing mothers were selected using simple random techniques as it gave every nursing mother attending under-five clinic a chance to participate in the study. Further, the study used three focus group discussion to as methods of collecting data and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Results The key findings of the study were that most of the mothers that participated in the study were knowledgeable about exclusive breastfeeding through teachings from health staffs at the hospital, friends, churches as well as husbands working from hospitals. While most of them were aware, not everyone practiced exclusive breastfeeding. As regards to the challenges that nursing mothers face in practicing exclusive breastfeeding, this study established that challenges such as house Description: A Research Report Submitted to The Lusaka Apex Medical University in Partial Fulfilment for requirement of the award of Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery Degree.