Prevalence and correlates of Schistosoma haematobium infections among school going-children aged 5 to 17 years in Kawama, Ndola, Zambia.

Introduction: schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease and remains a disease of public health concern. Despite its relative importance, paucity of information on schistosomiasis in urban settings such as Ndola remains. Here, we present findings on the prevalence and factors associated with Schistosoma haematobium (S. haematobium) infections among School-going children in the Kawama in Ndola district in Zambia, an urban area in the Copperbelt Province, Zambia. Methods: we employed a cross-sectional study design among 354 school going-children between 5 and 17 years of age between November 2020 and February 2021. A Multivariate forward step-wise logistic regression model was used to determine the associations of risk factors. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals are reported. Results: of the 354 school-going children included in the analysis, 13.3% had S. haematobium infection. Children who swam in the stream/dam were more likely to have S. haematobium infection as compared to those who did not (aOR 6.531, 95% CI: 2.90-14.69). Conclusion: S. haematobium infection is endemic among school-going children in an urban setup of the Kawama area of Ndola City, Zambia. There is a need for targeted interventions to mitigate infections among this population.

Factors associated with intention to smoke cigarettes among never smoker school going adolescents in Zambia.

Background: Cigarette smoking intention is a strong predictor of cigarette smoking initiation. There is limited data on predictors of cigarette smoking intentions among adolescents in developing countries. Objective: To determine factors associated with cigarettes smoking intentions among never-smoked adolescents. Methods: The study utilized the Zambia 2011 Global Youth Tobacco Survey dataset on adolescents. Results: Being in grade nine compared to grade seven (AOR 0.43, 95%CI 0.23-0.82). Having a smoking father (AOR 2.38, 95%CI 1.25-453) mother (AOR 11.77, 95%CI 4.16-33.33), or both parents (AOR 7.05, 95%CI 2.91-17.10) showed significantly higher chance of having smoking intentions than having non-smoker parents. Also, having some (AOR 1.97, 95%CI 1.12-3.47), most (AOR 5.37, 95%CI 2.82-10.25), or all (AOR 3.75, 95%CI 1.64-8.56) smoker close friend was significantly associated with smoking intention compared to having none-smoker friends. Being around others who smoked in out-door places 1-2 days (AOR 2.16, 95%CI 1.19-3.93), 5-6 days (AOR 3.21, 95%CI 1.51-6.83) and 7 days/week (AOR 2.73, 95%CI 1.41-5.30) were also associated with one's intention to smoke cigarettes compared to not being around smokers in outdoor public places 7 days/week. Conclusion: Having smoking parents, smoking friends or around people who smoke in public places were associated with cigarette smoking intentions among adolescents.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Tobacco Smoking in a National Representative Sample of Zambian Adults: Data from the 2017 STEPS - NCDs Survey.

BACKGROUND: There has been a reduction in tobacco smoking worldwide except in developing countries. Africa has the lowest prevalence of tobacco use in the world, however, the rising trends amidst the WHO FCTC implementation are worrisome as it is likely to increase the tobacco public health impact in the next decade. The study investigated factors associated with tobacco smoking among adults in Zambia. METHODS: We used secondary data extracted from the 2017 STEPS - NCDs Survey. Logistic regression was used to obtain unadjusted (UOR) and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) at 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Of the 4,301 adults who participated, 11.0% were current tobacco smokers (25.7% men and 2.27% women). Of these 75.6% and 11.9% drunk alcohol and had mental health problems, respectively. In multivariable analysis, factors significantly associated with increased odds of current tobacco smoking were older age groups of 45-59 years (AOR = 1.69; 95% CI: 1.17-2.43, p = 0.005) and 60-69 years (AOR = 2.22; 95% CI: 1.25-3.93, p = 0.006), alcohol consumption (AOR = 5.93; 95% CI: 4.44-7.91, p < 0.001), mental health problems (AOR = 2.08; 95% CI: 1.34-3.22, p = 0.001). On the other hand, female gender (AOR = 0.07; 95% CI: 0.05-0.10, p < 0.001), being diabetic (AOR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.15-0.46, p = 0.026), education attainment; primary, secondary, and higher education (AOR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.47-0.91, p = 0.012, AOR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.29-0.55, p < 0.001 and AOR = 0.26; 95% CI: 0.15-0.46, p < 0.001), respectively, had reduced odds of tobacco smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the high prevalence of tobacco smoking particularly in uneducated males who consume alcohol and have mental health problems.  The mental health problems and alcohol consumption in this population need to be addressed in concert with smoking cessation strategies.

School tobacco-related curriculum and behavioral factors associated with cigarette smoking among school-going adolescents in Zambia: Results from the 2011 GYTS study.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco smoking is a global public health concern. It has been projected that children and young people who are alive today in developing countries will bear the most burden of tobacco-related morbidity and mortality in the near future. This study investigated the school tobacco-related curriculum and behavioral factors associated with cigarette smoking among school-going adolescents. METHODS: We accessed secondary data in a public domain collected using a cross-sectional study design. Altogether, 3377 seventh to ninth grade students were selected by stratified two-stage cluster sampling. Data were collected using a Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) Core Questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine associations of school tobacco-related curriculum and behavioral factors with current cigarette smoking status. Adjusted odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals are reported. RESULTS: Of the 2611students included in the analysis, 6.8% (7.8% of males and 5.8% of females) reported smoking cigarettes. Slightly over half of the students were taught in schools about the effects of smoking (53.6%) and the dangers of smoking (64.1%). Adolescents who had friends who smoked were more likely to smoke compared to those who did not have friends who smoked. Adolescents whose parents smoked were more likely to smoke compared to those who did not have parents who smoked. Adolescents who were not taught at school about the dangers of smoking, or were not sure about it, were more likely to smoke compared to those who were taught (AOR=1.94; 95% CI: 1.28-2.94). CONCLUSIONS: Schools play an important role in shaping smoking behavior among school-going adolescents. Based on our findings, school programs aimed at reducing cigarette smoking among school-going adolescents may achieve greater impact by implementing anti-smoking interventions that involve parents and peers in smoking prevention activities, and have a robust tobacco school curriculum.

Knowledge, attitude and practices of COVID-19 among medical laboratory professionals in Zambia.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel disease that has spread to nearly every country worldwide. Medical laboratory professionals are key in the fight against COVID-19 as they provide confirmatory diagnosis for subsequent management and mitigation of the disease. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the knowledge, attitude and practices of COVID-19 and their predictors among medical laboratory personnel in Zambia. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study among medical laboratory professionals in Zambia from 10 to 29 June 2020. Data were collected using Google Forms and exported to Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23 for statistical analysis. Independent predictors of COVID-19 knowledge and practices were determined. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) are reported. RESULTS: A total of 208 medical laboratory professionals, 58.2% male, participated in the study. The majority of respondents had good knowledge (84.1%) and practice (75.0%) regarding COVID-19. Predictors of good knowledge included having a bachelor's degree (AOR: 5.0, CI: 1.13-22.19) and having prior COVID-19 related training (AOR: 8.83, CI: 2.03-38.44). Predictors of good practice included having a master's or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) qualification (AOR: 5.23, CI: 1.15-23.87) and having prior COVID-19 related training (AOR: 14.01, CI: 6.47-30.36). CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that medical laboratory professionals in Zambia have good knowledge regarding COVID-19. There is need for continuous professional development to ensure that medical laboratory professionals are well informed and aware of best practices to aid in curbing the pandemic.