Mulungushi University is the youngest of the three public universities of Zambia. Previously known as the National College of Management and Development Studies, it was turned into a university by the Zambian Government in a public-private partnership with Konkola Copper Mines in 2008. The University consists of three campuses: the Main Campus, or Great North Road Campus, located 26 kilometers North of Kabwe on the banks of the Mulungushi River; the Town Campus, located along Mubanga Road, off Munkoyo Street, near the center of Kabwe town; and the Livingstone Campus, located in Livingstone, which is home to the medical school. The university provides bachelor's degrees and master's degrees for full-time and distance education. In 2009, more than 500 distance education students enrolled. They were mainly former diploma students of the National College for Management and Development Studies.The Main (Great North Road) Campus is located near the Mulungushi Rock of Authority, a kopje often called the Birthplace of Zambian Independence, where Kenneth Kaunda and the Zambian African National Congress secretly met for rallies. Today, a more accessible rock is still used for political conventions and meetings as well as graduation ceremonies of the University. A series of chalets were built to house dignitaries and other guests.
Legacy lead (Pb) contamination from a century-long Pb-Zn mining operation (1906–1994) continues to pose severe environmental health threats in Kabwe, Zambia, one of the world’s most polluted sites. While elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in children are well-documented, maternal exposure remains understudied despite its critical implications for fetal development. We conducted a cross-sectional biomonitoring study among 510 pregnant women across four townships in Kabwe (Makululu, Kasanda, Katondo, and Mahatma Gandhi), stratified by proximity to the former mine (1.5–4.5 km). Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected utilizing a structured questionnaire. Venous blood samples were analyzed for Pb using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GFAAS), with rigorous quality control (recovery: 92.3–95.1
Background and Aims:The rapid development of mRNA vaccines has revolutionized infectious disease prevention and cancer immunotherapy. While their efficacy is well established, concerns about safety and immunopathological risks persist. This study aims to evaluate the immunogenicity, safety profiles, and design considerations of mRNA vaccines to optimize their protective benefits while minimizing adverse effects. Methods:A comprehensive literature review was conducted, including clinical trials, preclinical studies, and pharmacovigilance reports from 2015 to 2025, focusing on vaccine mechanisms, immune responses, and safety outcomes. Results:mRNA vaccines utilize lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for delivery, effectively inducing robust humoral and cellular immunity. Clinical data reveal high protection levels, but rare adverse effects such as vascular inflammation, myocarditis, and autoimmune phenomena have been reported. Achieving an optimal balance between strong immune activation and tolerability remains a key challenge. Ongoing research explores personalized vaccine strategies, improved delivery systems, and advanced safety surveillance to address individual variability and long-term safety. Conclusion:mRNA vaccine technology offers unparalleled flexibility and potency, with a promising safety profile when carefully optimized. Continued technological refinement, personalized approaches, and vigilant safety monitoring are essential to fully harness its potential. Responsible innovation will be pivotal in advancing mRNA platforms to meet global health challenges.
BackgroundThe rapid emergence of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT is transforming teaching and learning practices in higher education. This study assessed the awareness, attitudes, and usage patterns of ChatGPT among university students in Zambia and examined factors associated with students’ attitudes toward the technology.MethodsA multi-institutional cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,829 university students in Zambia using a structured questionnaire adapted from instruments informed by the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Data were analysed using SPSS version 26.0, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.ResultsAmong the 1,829 participants, 81.7% were aged 18–25 years, 52.5% were female, and 92.4% were unmarried. Overall, 96.8% of the students had heard of ChatGPT, and 85.6% reported having used it before this study. Among AI-usage constructs, 74.8% of respondents perceived high risks associated with AI use, 73.3% perceived ChatGPT as easy to use, 64.0% perceived it as useful, and 56.8% reported behavioural intention to use AI tools. In multivariable analysis, students aged ≥40 years were more likely to report positive attitudes toward ChatGPT compared with those aged 18–25 years (aOR = 5.91; 95% CI: 1.23–28.33; p = 0.026). Technology/social influence was also significantly associated with positive attitudes (aOR = 2.04; 95% CI: 1.55–2.68; p < 0.001). Conversely, perceived risks were associated with lower odds of positive attitudes (aOR = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.43–0.75; p < 0.001). Regarding ChatGPT use, perceived usefulness significantly predicted higher usage (aOR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.17–1.89; p = 0.001), while perceived risks were associated with reduced usage (aOR = 0.61; 95% CI: 0.45–0.84; p = 0.003).ConclusionAwareness and use of ChatGPT are widespread among university students in Zambia, with more than four out of five students reporting prior use. Perceived usefulness and social influence were positively associated with adoption, whereas perceived risks were linked to lower attitudes and reduced use. These findings highlight the need for higher education institutions to develop clear policies and integrate AI literacy into curricula to promote responsible and effective use of generative AI technologies in academic environments.
Community participation constitutes a fundamental principle of democratic decentralisation and participatory governance, particularly within community-driven development programmes. In Zambia, the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has undergone substantial reforms aimed at enhancing citizen participation in local development planning through Ward Development Committees (WDCs). Despite these reforms, limited empirical evidence exists regarding the effectiveness of WDCs in facilitating meaningful community participation at the ward level. Thus, study examined the mechanisms through which the Nyimba Central Ward Development Committee promotes community participation in CDF projects focusing on the factors influencing participatory governance. Guided by Participatory Governance Theory, the study adopted a qualitative case study design. Data were collected through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis involving Ward Development Committee members, local authority officials, community leaders, project beneficiaries, and other relevant stakeholders. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse primary data, while documentary analysis was used to analyse secondary data. The findings indicate that the Ward Development Committee play a significant role in mobilising community participation through public meetings, stakeholder consultations, participatory project identification, and community monitoring of development projects. However, the effectiveness of these participatory mechanisms is constrained by inadequate technical capacity, limited financial and logistical resources, low public awareness, inconsistent community attendance, and perceived political influence during project prioritisation. The study further found that although participatory governance has strengthened local ownership of development initiatives, institutional weaknesses continue to undermine transparency, accountability, and inclusive decision-making. The study concludes that meaningful participatory governance requires not only decentralised institutional structures but also sustained investment in institutional capacity, civic education, transparency mechanisms, and regulatory safeguards that protect community decision-making from undue political influence. Strengthening these governance dimensions would enhance the effectiveness of Ward Development Committees and improve the responsiveness and sustainability of Constituency Development Fund projects within Zambia's decentralised governance framework.
Abstract Depression is a common and clinically significant mental health condition among university students, particularly those experiencing academic failure and course repetition, and is associated with adverse effects on cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, and academic performance. This study evaluated the efficacy of an internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy (iCBT) intervention, MoodGYM, in reducing depressive symptoms among repeating undergraduate students at the University of Zambia Ridgeway Campus. A quasi-experimental quantitative study design was employed. Seventy-five repeating undergraduate students with depressive symptoms were enrolled, with 33 assigned to the MoodGYM intervention group and 42 to a control group. Depressive symptom severity was assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) at baseline and after an eight-week intervention period. Statistical analyses included within-group and between-group comparisons, difference-in-differences estimation, and fixed-effects regression modelling. At baseline, participants exhibited predominantly moderate to severe depressive symptoms, with no statistically significant differences between the intervention and control groups. Following the eight-week intervention, the MoodGYM group demonstrated a statistically and clinically significant reduction in depressive symptoms, with median BDI scores decreasing from 22 to 16 (p < 0.001), representing a large effect size (Cohen’s d = 1.02). In contrast, the control group showed persistence or worsening of depressive symptoms over the same period. Difference-in-differences analysis confirmed a robust intervention effect, with an approximately 10-point greater reduction in depression scores among MoodGYM participants compared with controls (p < 0.001). These findings indicate that MoodGYM is an effective internet-based intervention for reducing depressive symptoms among repeating undergraduate students and offers a feasible and scalable approach to addressing student mental health needs in low-resource university settings. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement The author(s) received no specific funding for this work. ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: This study involved human participants and was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki and relevant national and institutional guidelines for research involving human subjects. Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the University of Zambia Biomedical Research Ethics Committee (UNZABREC), Ridgeway Campus, Lusaka, Zambia (Approval Reference No. 5897-2024 approval date: 12 November 2024 expiry date: 11 November 2025). The study received standard ethical approval following review of the study protocol, questionnaires, and participant consent documents. In addition, regulatory clearance to conduct the research in Zambia was granted by the National Health Research Authority (NHRA) (approval dated 26 November 2024), subject to compliance with national research governance requirements, including progress reporting and clearance of findings prior to dissemination. All participants were repeating undergraduate students aged 18 years or older and participated voluntarily. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to enrolment. Before consent was obtained, participants were provided with a detailed information sheet explaining the purpose of the study, study procedures, duration, potential risks and benefits, confidentiality measures, and data protection procedures. Participants were informed of their right to decline participation or withdraw from the study at any time without providing a reason and without any academic, personal, or professional consequences. The consent process explicitly stated that participation was entirely voluntary, that refusal to participate would not affect students’ academic standing or access to health services, and that all collected data would be anonymised and used solely for research purposes. Participants provided written consent by signing a consent form confirming that they had read and understood the study information, had the opportunity to ask questions, and agreed to participate freely. Given the sensitive nature of assessing depressive symptoms, appropriate safeguards were implemented to protect participant welfare. Participants who recorded very high depression scores or exhibited significant psychological distress during the study were referred promptly to Clinic 6 at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) for further clinical assessment and management. Confidentiality was strictly maintained throughout the study, with all data stored securely and identifiable information removed prior to analysis and publication. I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes All relevant data are within the manuscript and its Supporting Information files.
