Objective: This paper attempts to summarise the global state with regard to the criminalisation of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) transmission. Method: A comprehensive analysis of both global and Zambian publications, legislation and case laws was conducted. Results: Proponents of criminalisation of HIV transmission argue that criminalization would serve as a deterrent to the culprit and others to engage in prohibited conduct in future while the opponents argue that that there are no well-founded evidences that criminalization of HIV transmission will lead to a reduction in new infections. Conclusion: The onus is on the government and other institutions to critically look at the positive and negative aspects of criminalization of HIV in so far as the legal approach to the fight against the pandemic is concerned. A combination of effective evidence-based approaches should be adopted to expand targeted efforts in preventing new HIV infections in Zambia.

Aim and Objectives: To sequentially assess the levels of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of HIV and AIDS among students at the University of Zambia and the extent to which this information can be used in HIV programming on Campus to plan for appropriate interventions. Design: A cross-sectional exploratory survey design was used. The 2005 survey involved only first year students at the University of Zambia, while the 2006 followup survey was conducted among students from all schools on main campus, with the exception of the School of Medicine on a separate campus. All participants signed informed consent. Main outcomes: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices regarding HIV and AIDS among University of Zambia students. Measures: Data was collected using validated selfadministered standardized semi-structured questionnaire on knowledge, attitude and practices regarding HIV/AIDS. Results: Among the 844 first year students who took part in the 2005 baseline 642 (76.1%) felt that they had heard enough about HIV and AIDS pandemic while in the 2006 follow-up survey, 581 (76.1%) respondents said they knew enough about the pandemic. Only 3 (0.4%) students reported never having heard about HIV and AIDS. Of the respondents from the 2005 and 2006 survey 38 percent and 29 percent felt that were not at risk of contracting HIV. Yet, 26.1 percent and 54 percent of respondents in the 2005 and 2006 baseline surveys respectively reported having experienced vaginal sex. Of these, only 38 percent and 50 percent respectively had used a condom during their last sexual encounter. Many do not practice safe sex, as almost one in ten students never uses condoms, while 26 percent occasionally use them. Conclusions: HIV knowledge does not seem to have effected behavioural change in students, as they continue to engage in unsafe practices. HIV programmes have an effect on knowledge, but may not necessarily change attitudes and practice of risky behaviour. More work is therefore needed in this area. An HIV and AIDS programme with strategies that promote positive attitudes and behavioural changes towards safer sex is needed.

Objective : To find out if Sexual Harassment existed at a higher institute of learning and explore perception of sexual harassment in the university community and to make recommendations based on the findings. Methodology : This was a cross sectional study that collected both primary and secondary data. The participants included 913 students, 90 academic staff and 97 non-academic staff who were selected from within the university community. Questionnaires were administered in class for the students and individually with staff members after obtaining informed consent. Secondary data records from 1996 to 2006 on issues to do with sexual harassment from Registrar's department, Deans of students, counselling center, at the university clinic and records from staff and students were collected. Results : The study found that the majority of the participant (54.1%) knew what sexual harassment was. It was Further found that Fifty seven (57%) of the respondents acknowledged that Sexual Harassment does occur at the university with more females indicating the occurrence of Sexual harassment acts. There was however a discrepancy in the understanding of what constitutes sexual harassment with the students being the least to identify sexual harassment acts. The study also revealed that that more female; students and nonacademic staff identified more forms of sexual harassment acts and behaviour than the male participants. Conclusion : It could be concluded that Sexual harassment may be a problem at the university. However, despite the varying responses on perceptions of the occurrence of sexual harassment, a university sexual harassment policy should be formulated and implemented at the university in order to deter the would be harassers and protect the potential victim

Background: Young people are most vulnerable to acquiring HIV Infection in Zambia and they are at increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders which if left unchecked can have behavioural and health consequences. It's from this background that this study aimed at evaluating the impact of HIV information and peer support intervention on the psychiatric outcomes of HIV positive youths. Methods: A total of 130 participants were recruited from three anti-retroviral (ART) clinics in Lusaka, 80 were randomized to intervention group. The Hamilton Depression Scale for children was administered to the intervention group (n= 80) at baseline and after 10 weeks intervention by a psychiatrist who was a member of the research team. Results: The results indicated that 42 percent of the subjects had depressive symptoms. However, after intervention, only 15 percent of these, were diagnosed with depressive symptoms; representing 65 percent intervention efficacy. Conclusion: HIV information and peer support can significantly avert any psychiatric effects of HIV infection. However, the sustainability of this improvement should be established through further studies.

Aim: To encourage secondary school pupils to abstain from sexual activities and concentrate on their academic activities by using UNZA students as role models. Method: The study targeted all grade 10 to 12 pupils from the 17 schools that were randomly picked in Lusaka province. To help in the sensitization 100 students were selected from the University of Zambia and trained to be trainers in areas of Abstinence, public speaking tips, assertiveness, careers and HIV/AIDS: These students helped come up with a monitoring and evaluation tool which had a set of questions targeted at raising awareness in abstinence (AB), careers, assertiveness, information on HIV/AIDS.The monitoring and evaluation tool was firstly administered randomly with larger groups then after sensitisation, within smaller groups. Results: The pupils exhibited high knowledge about HIV and AIDS pandemic and prevention measures. The pupils in nearly all the schools were receptive and showed interest thus calling for continuity of the programme. It was also found that presentations on career options were able to capture the attention of the pupils and engage them into discussions on HIV and AIDS and abstinence. Conclusion: Combined abstinence and comprehensive sex education should be used to help bring about delayed initiation of sexual activities, address gender inequities and varying cultural norms about acceptable male and female sexual behavior.

The study was conducted to explore the perspectives understanding and reporting patterns of sexual harassment among staff and students at the University of Zambia (UNZA). The participants included 76 academic staff 128 non academic staff and 885 students who were randomly selected from the different schools at UNZA. A self-reported questionnaire was developed and piloted for use in this study. The results indicated that sexual harassment occurred among different categories of the UNZA community with 37% of all the participants reporting to have been sexually harassed. There was found to be a discrepancy in the understanding of the term sexual harassment with majority of the participants only recognizing overt acts such as “subtle or overt pressure for sexual favors” to be acts of sexual harassment. Reporting of sexual harassment was found to be minimal with only a quarter of those who were sexually harassed having told someone about the act. The majority of those who were sexually harassed did not make a formal complaint because they were embarrassed or they did not believe any action would be taken. It may be concluded that sexual harassment at the UNZA is a challenge to be addressed seriously.