University of Lusaka (UNILUS) is a private university founded in 2007 in Lusaka, Zambia. It is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
This study examines the influence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on financial performance of SME suppliers and contractors in the mining industry in Zambia and tests the direct and mediating effects of entrepreneurial leadership on this relationship. Using primary data from 254 SMEs in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia, we conducted a regression analysis to evaluate the effect of CSR on financial performance and the mediating role of entrepreneurial leadership. The results indicate a positive relationship between CSR and financial performance and that this relationship was partially mediated by entrepreneurial leadership. This suggests that SMEs who embrace entrepreneurial leadership along with CSR initiatives are more likely to see improvements in their financial performance. Therefore, the study recommends that owner-managers of SMEs should embrace entrepreneurial leadership and integrate CSR activities to improve their financial performance. This study makes contribution to the literature in the domain of sustainable performance of SMEs. The study also contributes to our knowledge on how CSR practices can improve the financial performance of SMEs in developing countries. In addition, this study is different from others because it introduces entrepreneurial leadership as a mediating factor in the CSR-financial performance relationship.
Adolescent pregnancy is a major public health issue in sub-Saharan Africa, including in Zambia. Its occurrence in rural areas is under-researched, and little is known about the factors driving it. This qualitative study explored the drivers of adolescent pregnancy in Kalabo District through 32 in-depth interviews with pregnant adolescents, parents, healthcare providers, traditional leaders, and marriage counsellors. Guided by the social ecological model and the theory of gender and power, thematic analysis examined how gender norms, gender socialisation, socio-economic conditions, and institutional gaps intersect to influence early childbearing. Four interconnected themes were developed: (1) culture and tradition, (2) early marriage, (3) barriers to sexual and reproductive health and rights information and services, and (4) weak legal enforcement. The findings show that the sikenge initiation rite reinforces submissive gender roles and emphasises fertility, while poverty and social pressure promote early marriage and monetary gain. Limited youth-friendly healthcare services, contradictions between sexual and medical consent laws, and inadequate sexuality education restrict adolescents' and young people's access to relevant information and services. Weak enforcement of child protection laws and the informal settlement of cases of defilement1 further compromise adolescents' rights and safety.
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.
BackgroundAnemia remains a major global health crisis, affecting over 500 million women of reproductive age, with high burdens in resource-limited regions like Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite ongoing interventions such as iron supplementation programs, 49% of women of reproductive age in Zambia are anemic. Thus, the purpose of this study was to establish the national and subnational prevalence of anemia and identify its determinants among women of reproductive age in Zambia.MethodsData were drawn from the 2018 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS), a nationally representative survey employing a stratified two-stage cluster sampling design across 545 enumeration areas. A multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression model was used to identify individual- and community-level factors associated with anemia among women aged 15-49 years (n = 13,055). Four hierarchical models were constructed (null, individual-level, community-level, and full) to assess fixed and random effects, with model selection guided by Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) criteria. Spatial analysis was conducted using Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS), incorporating displaced GPS coordinates in accordance with Demographic Health Survey (DHS) protocols. All analyses applied sampling weights and assessed multicollinearity (Variance Inflation Factor -VIFs < 5).ResultsThe national prevalence of anemia among women of reproductive age was 31% (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 29-33%), with the highest rates observed in Western (38%) and Lusaka (36%) provinces, and the lowest in Central Province (24%). In adjusted analyses, pregnancy (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 1.76; 95% CI: 1.52-2.03), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positivity (AOR = 2.21; 95% CI: 1.97-2.49), and breastfeeding (AOR = 1.15; 95% CI: 1.02-1.30) were significantly associated with increased odds of anemia. Conversely, being married (AOR = 0.78; 95% CI: 0.68-0.90) and age 25-29 years (AOR = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.71-0.97) were protective. Spatial mapping identified Western Province as a high-burden hotspot. Community-level variance was notable (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient [ICC] = 6%, Median Odds Ratio [MOR] = 1.52), with 5% residual clustering persisting after adjusting for both individual and contextual factors, suggesting the influence of unmeasured ecological determinants.ConclusionAnemia remains a significant public health issue among Zambian women of reproductive age, shaped by both individual- and community-level factors. These findings highlight the need for integrated, targeted interventions focusing on high-risk groups in high-prevalence areas. Strengthening clinical services and implementing community-based strategies to address healthcare access and environmental determinants are essential to reducing the burden of anemia in Zambia.
BACKGROUND:Treatment failure in second-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people living with HIV remains a critical concern in Zambia. This study investigated virological failure and factors associated with treatment failure among patients on second-line ART at two tertiary hospitals in Zambia. METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted on 257 patient records from 1 January 2022 to 30 April 2025 on second-line ART from two tertiary hospitals. Multivariable logistic regression data analysis was performed using Stata 14.2. RESULTS:The prevalence of treatment failure was found to be 12.06% (95% CI 8 to 16%). Key predictors of treatment failure included younger age (<15-35 y), male gender (adjusted OR [aOR]-3.05; 95% CI 1.28 to 7.27) and ART initiation at WHO Clinical Stage 2 or above (aOR=1.62; 95% CI 0.68 to 3.82). Additionally, patients on a zidovudine/lamivudine/dolutegravir second-line regimen demonstrated significantly lower odds of failure compared with those on zidovudine/lamivudine/darunavir (aOR=0.34; 95% CI 0.16 to 0.77). CONCLUSIONS:This study found that treatment failure among people living with HIV on second-line ART in Zambia remains a significant concern. To improve treatment outcomes and reduce HIV-associated morbidity and mortality in Zambia, strengthening routine viral load monitoring and adherence support initiatives is essential.
