Rusangu University

This study investigated the relationship between parenting practices and juvenile delinquency in Chipata Central Constituency, Eastern Province, Zambia. The research examined how parenting styles, parental care, parental attachment, and spiritual nurturing influence delinquent behaviors including aggression, emotional instability, child prostitution, and disobedience among young people. A cross-sectional survey design used 100 randomly selected parents from 31 residential areas in Chipata Central Constituency. Data were collected using structured questionnaires with Likert-scale items and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Pearson correlation coefficients established relationships between parenting variables and delinquent outcomes. Qualitative data from open-ended questions were analyzed through thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke's (2021) framework. Instrument reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha (α = .775), with subscale alphas from .71 to .82, exceeding the acceptable threshold (Taber, 2018; Nunnally, 1978).

International student mobility has become a defining feature of contemporary higher education, driven by globalization and internationalization policies (Altbach & Knight, 2007; de Wit, 2020). Despite this expansion, empirical research on international students’ socio-cultural adaptation in Sub-Saharan Africa particularly Zambia remains limited. This study examines the socio-cultural adaptation challenges faced by international students in selected Zambian universities and evaluates the effectiveness of institutional support services in facilitating academic and social integration.

This study investigates the relationship between academic stress and substance use within Zambian Christian universities, with specific attention to implications for integrated pastoral–psychological care. Faith-based institutions emphasize spiritual formation, but little evidence shows how academic stress affects alcohol and marijuana use. This mixed-methods study examined student substance use patterns and institutional mental health responses across three Christian universities in Zambia: Rusangu University, Eden University, and DMI–St Eugene University.

This paper explores the moral and theological imperative of distributive justice as a basis for equitable government support to faith-based universities in Malawi and Zambia. Despite their significant contributions to national development, private religious institutions-including Seventh-day Adventist (SDA), Reformed Church of Zambia (RCZ), Church of Central African Presbyterian (CCAP), Baptist, Catholic, and Islamic universities, remain largely excluded from government financial assistance, even though their students, faculty, and guardians contribute taxes that sustain public systems. Drawing on John Rawls’s theory of distributive justice and Christian ethical principles, the study contends that government support for non-profit faith-based higher education is both a moral obligation and a recognition of human rights. Empirical evidence from Malawi and Zambia indicates that these institutions consistently produce highly employable graduates and complement government efforts in expanding access to quality education. The paper argues that equitable resource allocation would not only enhance sustainability across all higher education institutions but also promote justice, fairness, and the common good as enshrined in the constitutions of both countries. The findings carry particular implications for SDA and other faith-based universities, highlighting their indispensable role in shaping ethical, skilled, and socially responsible citizens. This study combines theological ethics and moral philosophy with emerging empirical data-such as enrollment patterns, funding disparities, and graduate employability-to substantiate its argument. It draws upon Rawlsian fairness, Christian ethics, and African communitarian principles to propose an inclusive distributive justice framework for higher education policy reform. (NCHE, 2023; Ministry of Education, 2022). It draws upon Rawlsian fairness (Rawls, 1971), Christian ethics (Tillich, 1954), and African communitarian principles such as Ubuntu (Mbiti, 1969; Shutte, 2001) to propose an inclusive distributive justice framework for higher education policy reform.

This study investigates the impact of a social constructivist learning model on academic achievement in physics among secondary school pupils in Zambia.Utilizing a quasiexperimental design, the research involved 376 pupils from five secondary schools in Lusaka.Data were collected through standardized physics tests administered before and after a four-month intervention period during which the constructivist learning model was implemented.The results revealed a significant improvement in academic performance, with mean post-treatment test scores (M = 24.72,SD = 5.94) significantly higher than pretreatment scores (M = 17.80,SD = 4.27).The paired samples t-test indicated a substantial effect size (Cohen's d = -0.99),confirming the effectiveness of the constructivist approach.Additionally, the study found no significant differences in test scores between genders, suggesting the model's inclusivity.The findings underscore the potential of social constructivist learning models to enhance academic achievement in physics, particularly in developing countries like Zambia.These results highlight the need for innovative teaching approaches that promote active engagement, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills among learners.

Introduction: This study explores the spatial distribution and climatic influences on schistosomiasis in Zambia using remote-sensed data, specifically focusing on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and maximum temperature (Tmax). Material and Methods: By analysing prevalence data over a decade (2002-2012) and employing Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) technologies, we identified regions conducive to the transmission of the disease. Results: The findings revealed significant variability in schistosomiasis prevalence across Zambia. Climatic cut-offs for schistosomiasis transmission were established, highlighting NDVI values between 134 - 153 and Tmax ranges of 19.4 – 27.6°C as optimal for sustaining transmission. Conclusion: The study underscores the pressing need for comprehensive control strategies that extend beyond school-based treatments, addressing the broader community and targeting at-risk populations. Furthermore, the established climatic cut-offs provide a framework for future research and public health initiatives aimed at reducing the burden of schistosomiasis in Zambia. This work emphasizes the intricate relationship between climate, health interventions, and disease dynamics, calling for adaptive strategies in the face of climate change.

This book chapter discusses the causes of the rapid rise in drug abuse and several strategies that may be used to control the rapid rise of drug abuse among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic to date (post-pandemic era). The suggested effective strategies are based on the holistic approach model that engages all stakeholders to work collaboratively to implement prevention and intervention strategies as posited by the PROSPER Model. Prosper Model brings together schools, families, communities, and Universities in partnerships that use positive approaches to strengthen families and empower youths to make informed decisions. Keeping adolescents engaged in fruitful activities, empowering them with life skills, and involving the students in volunteer work for vulnerable children will help them resist peer pressure and contribute meaningfully to society.

Introduction: Malaria continues to be a major public health problem in Zambia with more than 16 million people at risk and 2015 estimates show that there were over 5 million malaria cases. Children under five years and pregnant women are at the greatest risk. Despite Zambia’s interventions including universal insecticide-treated bed-net (ITN) coverage and indoor residual spraying (IRS) in targeted areas strides in the fight against malaria, the situation in Luapula Province is totally different with the highest incidence in pregnancy, 131/1000 in 2013, 207/1000 in 2014, and 177/1000 in 2015. This research therefore assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of malaria prevention and treatment in Mansa, Luapula province of Zambia. Material and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design adopting both qualitative and quantitative study approaches was used on 270 study participants who included community members, pregnant women and health personnel in Mansa ward of Mansa district. The participants were sampled using simple random and purposive sampling techniques. Data was collected using questionnaires, interview guides, and focus group discussions. The quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS statistical software, while the qualitative was thematically analyzed. Results: Out of the 270 participants, knowledge of malaria transmission being due to mosquito vector was very high and seen in 270 (100%), however, other perceptions of transmission were; drinking contaminated water 3(1.1%), eating a lot of mangoes 7(2.6%) and coming in contact with a sick patient 207(76.7%). Participants negative attitudes stood at 196 (72.6%) and bad practices was 153(56.7%). Education level was strongly associated with knowledge (p=0.000), attitudes (p=0.001) and practices (p=0.004). Conclusion: Even though knowledge levels on malaria were high and comparable to other studies, however, some attitudes and practices were negative among the participants. On the contrary, healthcare providers had the right attitude towards malaria prevention and control. Community Health Workers are very important in the fight against malaria. The study recommends that creating health promotion messages taking into account the illiterates, involvement of traditional leaders, and giving incentives to community health workers can help in the fight against malaria in Luapula Province.

Traditional Medicines, instead of fading away into oblivion due to the dominance of Western Medicines, is still alive and in recent years gaining popularity in developing countries such as Zambia.Practioners of indigenous medicines themselves, are fanning the fire of popularity through a variety of modern methods of information dissemination such as the use of radio, television, Whatsapp, as well as print media-newspapers, magazines, posters and flyers.This study was conducted during the month of December, 2023 in Chipata District, Zambia.A total of 8 Traditional Healers participated in the study.Data was collected through interviews.This study found that both rural and urban Traditional Healers used posters to advertise their trade.The posters were usually of a white cloth with black, blue or red colour of drawings and letters stuck on trees, between two poles, or on a building or a wall fence along busy streets.This study recommends that City or Municipal councils should regulate on how poster adverts are positioned to prevent messing buildings and trees along streets especially in urban areas.The study also recommends that Traditional Health Practioners' Association of Zambia to educate Traditional Healers on the importance of objectivity in crafting advert messages.