University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Are Fresh Stillbirths from Caesarean Sections Associated with Socioeconomic Status? A Case Control Study at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia","authors":"K. Chanda, B. Vwalika, Aubrey Shanzi","doi":"10.53974/unza.jabs.4.2.390","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jabs.4.2.390","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Stillbirths occur worldwide at a rate of 3.2 million per year. There is however lack of interest in stillbirths especially those from caesarean sections. The discrepancy of high stillbirth rates from caesarean sections in low to middle-income countries as compared to developed countries may indicate the influence of socioeconomic status. This study was designed to investigate if socioeconomic status is associated with caesarean section fresh stillbirths. Methods: The study involved 330 women who underwent emergency caesarean sections from October 2013 to August 2014. Of these, 110 were cases and 220 were controls. Data collection was done using an interviewer-administered questionnaire in the immediate postoperative period. Results: Low socioeconomic status was associated with increased odds of caesarean section fresh stillbirths. The association was however not statistically significant.","PeriodicalId":224135,"journal":{"name":"University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences","volume":"24 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132762662","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diagnostic Accuracy of Fine needle Aspiration Cytology of Thyroid Nodules at two tertiary Hospitals in Zambia: a cross-sectional study","authors":"Jackson Chipaila, A. Makupe, E. Malyangu, D. Maswahu, J. Kabwe, Etienne Bfk Odimba","doi":"10.53974/unza.jabs.4.2.388","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jabs.4.2.388","url":null,"abstract":"Introduction: Thyroid nodules are one of the common surgical presentations in Africa and are of great concern because of their potential to be malignant. Zambia is not excluded from these common surgical conditions. However, there are no pre-operative cellular or intra-operative tissue diagnoses of the thyroid nodules done before thyroidectomy making it difficult to plan for an optimal and definitive management. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is known to play a pivotal role in the screening and management of thyroid swellings. This study serves to assess the diagnostic accuracy of FNAC on thyroid nodules in patients at two tertiary hospitals in Zambia in order to establish a basis for introducing its use in the management of thyroid nodules at the institutions. Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy of FNAC, as compared to histopathology, in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules at University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and Ndola Central Hospital (NCH) in Zambia. Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted in UTH and NCH surgery department from June 2014 to March 2015. Seventy-three patients, who presented with palpable thyroid nodules and underwent thyroidectomy, were enrolled in the study. The FNAC diagnosis of the patients was compared to the histopathology finding following thyroidectomy. Results: Females made up the majority of the patients (n=67, 91.8%). The ages of the patients ranged from 18 to 78 years. The mean age was 44.3 years and the peak age of incidence was in the fourth decade. All patients were clinically euthyroid at the time of enrolment. The FNAC findings included 23 cases reported as unsatisfactory (31.5%); 29 cases benign (39.7%); 2 cases atypical (2.7%); 6 cases suspicious (8.2%); and 13 cases malignant (17.8%). Histopathology findings were available from all 73 tissue samples of participants, of which 55 (75.3%) and 18 (24.7%) were reported as benign and malignant respectively. Of the 18 malignant cases identified by histology, the most common cancer was follicular carcinoma (n=9, 50%), followed by papillary carcinoma (n=6, 33.3%) and undifferentiated carcinoma (n=3, 16.7%). FNAC, in this study, had sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values, and accuracy of 83.33%, 89.09%, 94.23 and 71.42%, and 87.67% respectively. Conclusion: In this study, FNAC of thyroid nodules had a high sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and accuracy, and can therefore be recommended to be adopted as a pre-operative tool for screening of thyroid nodules.","PeriodicalId":224135,"journal":{"name":"University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences","volume":"12 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"117044092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Changes in selected electrolytes in adult intensive care patients at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia","authors":"Ninza Sheyo, B. Vwalika, J. Kinnear","doi":"10.53974/unza.jabs.4.1.357","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jabs.4.1.357","url":null,"abstract":"Background: The importance of regulating electrolyte levels is well recognized in most Intensive Care Units (ICU). Various institutions across the globe have found varying figures on the extent and causes of electrolytes derangements in ICUs. The extent of electrolyte and fluid imbalance in patients being admitted and already admitted to the Main ICU (MICU) at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Lusaka Zambia is unknown. This study aimed to explore the 24hour changes in sodium and potassium in adult MICU patients at the UTH, Lusaka, Zambia. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of the patients admitted to the MICU at UTH, Lusaka, Zambia. Data was collected over a four-month period (August to November) in 2017. Only consenting patients 18 years and above admitted for at least 24 hours in the unit were enrolled. On admission, routine baseline investigations were obtained from every patient which included a full blood count and renal function tests. The second set of investigations was collected 24 hours post MICU admission. The blood samples were obtained from a peripheral vein in heparinized bottles for renal function tests. Serum electrolyte analysis was done was at UTH. Normal serum concentrations of sodium and potassium were considered as 135-145mmol/l and 3.5 - 4.5mmol/L, respectively. Comparisons between means were done with the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between dependent and independent variables. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Statistical analysis was performed with STATA 13 SE. Results: A total number of 100 patients were included in this study with a mean age of 36.8 years (SD = 12.1). The mean value of sodium level was 136.7 (SD = 8.9) mmol/L and 139.0 (SD = 11.6) mmol/L, on admission and 24 hours post-admission respectively. This difference in serum sodium level was shown to be statistically significant with a P-value = 0.0051. Hypernatremia was shown to be associated with an increased risk of death (p = 0.021) in the Unit with an odds ratio of 4.0 at 95% confidence interval of 1.3 to 13.8. Hyponatremia was the most prevalent electrolyte imbalance but was neither shown to be associated with mortality (P-value = 0.18) nor prolonged ICU stay (0.56) at 24 hours post-admission. The mean value of potassium level was 4.2 (SD = 1.1) mmol/L and 4.3 (SD = 1.1), on admission and 24 hours post-admission respectively. This difference was not statistically significant (P-value = 0.57). Conclusion: There was a statistically significant change in serum sodium levels after 24 hours post-admission but there was no statistically significant change in potassium. Hyponatremia was the most prevalent abnormality whilst hypernatremia had a statistically significant association with mortality. Therefore, electrolyte imbalances can occur as early as the first day of admission in ICU with fatal complications. Correcting electrolyte imbalances in MICU pati","PeriodicalId":224135,"journal":{"name":"University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences","volume":"47 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116824576","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Patterns of Sexual Assault victims presenting to the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia: a Cross-Sectional Study","authors":"E. Kaunda, Y. Ahmed, B. Vwalika","doi":"10.53974/unza.jabs.4.1.353","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jabs.4.1.353","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Sexual assault, which encompasses defilement and rape, is a public health and public safety problem with the majority of victims being women and children. The consequences of sexual assault include physical injuries, psychological trauma, depression, suicide or suicide attempt and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a long-term consequence. Others are unwanted pregnancies and risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections including the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). There is little information about the conditions under which sexual assault occurs. The aim of this study was to determine the patterns of sexual assault victims presenting to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH). Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that was carried out on sexual assault victims who presented to UTH over a period of four months from December 2013 to April 2014. A total of 160 participants were recruited, 59 from the Gynaecology admission ward (C03) and 101 from the Paediatric Centre of Excellence Child Sexual Assault (PCOE-CSA). Participants were interviewed using an interviewer-administered questionnaire while some data was extracted from victims’ files including documented HIV status. Frequency tables were constructed and characteristics of sexual assault were compared between victims aged below 16 years and those aged 16 years and above. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Results: The age of 160 victims ranged from 2 to 34 years and the most affected age group was 11-15 years (n=91; 56.9%). Victims were mostly single (n=149; 93.1%), had attained primary education or none (n=102; 63.8%) were unemployed (n=149; 93.1%) and resided in high-density areas (n=144; 90%). Only 7.5% (n=12) of victims tested HIV positive. A positive HIV test occurred 14 times more frequently in victims aged 16 years and above (OR = 14.32, CI = 2.35 – 87.22, P-value < 0.01). Majority of the incidents took place in residential homes (n=110; 68.8%) and these were significantly less common among victims aged 16 years and above (OR = 0.33, CI = 0.11 – 0.98, P-value = 0.05). The majority of perpetrators were known to the victims (n= 119; 74.4%). Sexual assault perpetrated by strangers affected victims aged 16 years and above more than those aged below 16 years (50.0% versus 17.5%; P <0.01). About half of victims (n=84; 52.5%) reported to UTH within 72 hours of assault and these were 4.5 times more likely to be aged 16 years and above (OR = 4.53, CI = 1.23 - 16.73, P-value = 0.02). Genital injuries were present in 70% of victims. The absence of genital injuries was 8 times more in victims aged 16 years and above (OR = 8.46, CI = 2.78 – 25.77, P-value <0.01). Conclusion: The majority of sexual assault victims were younger (<16 years). Younger victims were mostly assaulted by perpetrators known to them, mainly in residential homes while older victims were mostly assaulted by strangers in isolated places. Compared to older victims, younger victi","PeriodicalId":224135,"journal":{"name":"University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences","volume":"87 4 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123444832","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Anaemia in Children Aged Six Months to Fifteen Years Admitted to University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia","authors":"M. Inambao, V. Mulenga","doi":"10.53974/unza.jabs.4.1.351","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jabs.4.1.351","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Anaemia is a public health problem globally affecting 293.1 million children and 28.5% of these children are in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of anaemia and the associated risk factors of anaemia in children aged 6 months to 15 years admitted to the University Teaching Hospital. There have been no studies done at University Teaching Hospital to establish the burden of anaemia in children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2016 to December 2016. 351 children were recruited through convenient sampling methods. Data collection sheet was used to collect socio-demographic and anthropometry data. The prevalence, associated risk factors of anaemia, and morphological types of anaemia were determined after blood investigations were done. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 21.0. The association between predictors and outcome variables were measured using logistic regression and bivariate analysis. Ethical permission was obtained, consent from parents/guardians was taken and confidentiality was maintained. Results: A total of 351 children were studied. The mean age was 3 years (IOR 2-7 years). 45.9% were females and 54.1% were males (P=0.12). The mean cell volume was 74. 5fL.Malnourished children were 37.9% among those who were anaemic as compared to 33.7% in the non-anaemic group. 7.4% of children had positive malaria by rapid diagnostic test (RDT). 23.8% had a positive sickling test. The prevalence of anaemia was 161/351 (45.9%). Mild, moderate, severe anaemia was 47/161(29%), 86/161(53%) and 28/161(17%) respectively. The age group 6 months to 5 years was the most affected with 59% mildly, 69.8% moderately and 71.4% severely anaemic. On bivariate analysis malnutrition, HIV, malaria, age and sex were not associated with anaemia and there was no statistical difference. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the presence of haemoglobin S was the only risk factor independently strongly associated with Anaemia (CI-0.2-0.7), p-value of 0.001. Conclusion: Anaemia is a health problem at University Teaching hospital and the under-five age group is the most affected. Predictors of mild, moderate and severe anaemia is sickle cell disease. Therefore, improving on early screening of sickle cell disease and investigating the role of iron deficiency anaemia are some of the strategies to be advocated.","PeriodicalId":224135,"journal":{"name":"University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences","volume":"105 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133997047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Intensive Phase Antituberculous Therapy on Hepatic and Haematological Parameters in Patients at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia","authors":"Glorious Mwaba, D. Munkombwe, P. Kaonga, M. Mubita","doi":"10.53974/unza.jabs.4.1.360","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jabs.4.1.360","url":null,"abstract":"Objectives and study design: Zambia is a high tuberculosis burden country. Antituberculous medicines are the mainstay of tuberculosis management. There have been several reports of antituberculous drug-related haematological and hepatic adverse effects noted in other settings. Adverse events have healthcare cost and morbidity implications. Prevalence and severity of these adverse effects are understudied in patients at University Teaching Hospitals hence the purpose of this study was to identify haematological and hepatic abnormalities and compare parameters before treatment and after completion of the intensive phase among the patients. Factors associated with abnormalities were also determined. A prospective longitudinal study was undertaken at Chest Clinic between April 2018 and July 2018. Study patients were followed up for 2 months. Full blood count and liver function tests were recorded at baseline and at follow-up. Abnormalities were defined according to the 2017 Department of AIDS Table for Grading the Severity of Adult and Paediatric Adverse Events. Data were analysed using SPSS version 22.0. Paired t-test and Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test were used to compare parameters. Logistic regression was performed to determine factors that were predictive of abnormalities. A p< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 37 patients were involved in the study. 56.8% of patients were male. The mean age of patients was 36.2 years (19 – 57 years) while body mass index was 21.9 kg/m2. Only 37.8% of patients were sputum smear-positive at baseline. 56.8% of patients had HIV co-infection. 45.9% of patients were on antiretroviral therapy.45.2% of patients had grade 1-3 aspartate transaminase derangements at follow-up compared to 29.7% at baseline. 5.4% of the patients had grade 1-3 alanine transaminase derangements at baseline while 9.7% of patients had grade 1 at follow-up. Fewer patients (16.1%) had grade 1-2 anaemia at follow-up while 62.2% of patients at baseline had grade 1-4 anaemia. More patients (46.2%) had platelet derangements at follow-up compared to 25.8% at baseline. Fewer patients had differential white cell count derangements at follow-up compared to baseline. Statistically significant differences in haematological parameters: haemoglobin concentration, haematocrit, red, and white cell, eosinophil and neutrophil counts at baseline and follow-up were found. However, no statistically significant differences in red cell indices were observed. Changes in alanine transaminase levels at baseline and follow-up were statistically significant. Logistic regression was performed to determine the effects of age, gender, body mass index, HIV infection, antiretroviral therapy, sputum smear status, and appropriate baseline full blood count/liver function test parameters on the likelihood of study patients having deranged haemoglobin concentration, white cell count and alanine transaminase at follow-up. Logistic regression","PeriodicalId":224135,"journal":{"name":"University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences","volume":"17 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121025109","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Anaesthetic Related Peri-Operative Complications During Caesarean Delivery at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia","authors":"Collins Chakana","doi":"10.53974/unza.jabs.4.4.344","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jabs.4.4.344","url":null,"abstract":"Background: Caesarean deliveries are increasingly performed at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), Lusaka, with a 2012 audit report indicating a rate of 17.8%.The procedure is a major surgical intervention and results in higher morbidity than vaginal delivery. Part of this morbidity and mortality during caesarean delivery is that resulting from the anaesthesia relating to the surgery. However, information on the extent of anaesthetic related complications associated with caesarean deliveries in low resource settings such as at UTH is lacking. This study endeavored to explore this aspect. Objective: To determine the frequency of anaesthetic related perioperative complications during caesarean delivery at the UTH, Lusaka, Zambia Study Design: A prospective observational study documenting the anaesthetic related complications in women undergoing caesarean delivery at UTH. 246 consecutive parturients undergoing caesarean deliveries were enrolled in the study. Methodology: All women who presented for caesarean delivery at UTH in Lusaka, Zambia from January 12, 2014 to July 12, 2014 and met the inclusion criteria were recruited into the study. Information on the patient and her management was obtained from the patient’s medical records. Participants were followed up from the time they were taken into theatre, during the procedure until the time they left the recovery room post operatively, and any complication observed was documented. Hypotension, possible aspiration, failed intubation, conversion from spinal to general anaesthesia, severe hypoxemia and death were the main outcome measures. A descriptive analysis was performed. All significant variables were included in the final multivariable logistic model. All tests were set at 95% confidence interval (CI) and a P- value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: No mortality was recorded out of the 246 parturients enrolled for the study. The average age was 28 years.Thirty-four cases (13.8%) received general anaesthetic while 212 cases (86.2%) had spinal anaesthetic. Obstructed labour 79 cases (32.1%) and previous caesarean sections 68 cases (27.6%) were among the indications for caesarean deliveries. Perioperative complications recorded included, 172 cases (69.9%) of hypotension, 6 cases (11.1%) had failed intubation, 5cases (9.3%) possibly aspirated, 20 cases (9.4%) had failed spinal technique needing conversion to general anaesthetic, 6 cases (3.1%) had high spinal block. Severe hypoxemia intraoperatively and postoperatively was noted in 16 cases (6.5%) and 7 cases (2.8%) respectively. There were no statistically significant associations among the complications with age of parturients, ASA status, grade of anaesthetist, category of caesarean sections, indication for caesarean sections or gestational age. Conclusion: There are many anaesthetic related complications during caesarean sections occurring at UTH. Future studies are needed to solely look into factors contributing t","PeriodicalId":224135,"journal":{"name":"University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences","volume":"8 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2015-11-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131819849","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of helminths of importance for human health in stray dogs in Lusaka Zambia","authors":"Eugene C. Bwalya, K. Nalubamba, B. Namangala","doi":"10.53974/unza.jabs.1.1.331","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jabs.1.1.331","url":null,"abstract":"ARTICLE21ABSTRACTStray dogs destined for euthanasia were collected from January 2010 through December 2010 to determine the presence of zoonotic gastrointestinal (GI) helminths in Lusaka district. Atotal of 33 stray dogs (male=18, female=15) were collected, euthanizedandnecropsyinformationobtainedviahelminthological approach. 100% (33/33) were infected with one or more helminth parasites. Multiple infections involving nematodes and cestodes were the most prevalent (63.6%) followed by nematodes only (33.3%) with cestodes only being the least prevalent (3.0%). The most prevalent GI helminth parasite was Ancylostomacaninum(93.9%) with the least prevalent being Toxocaracanis(6.1%). No positive case of Trichinella spiraliswas reported from direct trichinoscopy examination of striated muscles. The mean count per dog of A. caninumwas 44.45 (SD ±58.0) with a range of 0 to 223. The presence of three important zoonotic gastrointestinal helminths (A. caninum,T. canisand Dipylidiumcaninum) reported in this study underscores the importance of controlling helminthosis in stray dogs and stresses the need to establish a national control programme for parasitic diseases in this dog population.This can be achieved through vigorous implementation of the laws governing control of stray dogs and regular deworming of owned dogs. Controlling zoonotic helminths in dogs will ensure a minimal public health risk from the dog population in Zambia since they act as a source of infection to other dogs as well as humans.","PeriodicalId":224135,"journal":{"name":"University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences","volume":"42 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133185908","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Climate Change: Are we doing enough to avert a crisis?","authors":"Hazeele F, Chishala Bh","doi":"10.53974/unza.jabs.1.1.324","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jabs.1.1.324","url":null,"abstract":"What the world is experiencing is clearly pointing to undesirable climatic changes with potential catastrophic consequences. This is evident from rising environmental temperatures associated 12-4with longer and deeper droughts, declining water resourcesin spite of increased overall rate of groundwater recharge in cold 56-7climates, predictable declining crop yieldsand complex 7-9variable crop responses. These changes are due to a complex phenomenon with diverse and widespread effects; global climate change.","PeriodicalId":224135,"journal":{"name":"University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences","volume":"33 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"117111343","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Surveillance of avian influenza viruses in wild Ducks and Geese in the Bangweulu wetlands of Zambia","authors":"B. Phiri, A. Mweene, J. Muma, L. Moonga, B. M. Hangombe","doi":"10.53974/unza.jabs.1.1.338","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.53974/unza.jabs.1.1.338","url":null,"abstract":"Avian influenza is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of avian origin and is of major economic and public health importance. Out of all the 16 haemagglutinin subtypes of influenza viruses, only H5 and H7 are considered highly pathogenic in poultry. However, previous studies have reported that serotype H9N2 produces severe respiratory and reproductive tract infections in chickens. Previous studies have suggested that poultry movement through trade and migratory wild birds play a major role in the spread of avian influenza viruses over long distances. Surveillance studies among wild ducks and geese in many parts of the world have always resulted in the isolation of a broad spectrum of avian influenza virus subtypes. Although avian influenza has not yet been reported in Zambia, its outbreak would be devastating to the local economy. The present study was carried out to determine the presence of avian influenza viruses in the wild migratory ducks and geese on the Bangweulu wetlands of Zambia located in Luapula and Northern provinces of Zambia during 2009-2010. A total of 2,000 environmental samples of fresh faeces of wild ducks and geese on the Bangweulu wetlands of Zambia were examined and analysed for the presence of avian influenza viruses. The study found that H6N2 and H9N2 subtypes were present in the faeces of the Knob-billed ducks (Sarkidiornis melanotos). These data indicated that wild migratory ducks that inhabit the Bangweulu wetlands play a role as carriers of influenza viruses, thus necessitating continued surveillance studies so as to elucidate the ecology of the viruses in the area.","PeriodicalId":224135,"journal":{"name":"University of Zambia Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences","volume":"193 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2012-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126118392","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}