Akakandelwa

A comparative study of perceived work related stress among library staff in two academic libraries in Southern Africa

Purpose – The study sought to explore and compare the current levels of job stress among academic library staff at the University of Botswana (UB) and the University of Zambia (UNZA). The accessible populations consisted of library staff (n=19) at the University of Botswana and (n=25) at the University of Zambia.The purpose of this paper is present the identified perceived sources of and levels of job stress among the librarians at two universities. Design/methodology/approach – This study used a survey method with the questionnaire as the main data collection instrument. Two groups randomly constituted from both universities in the main campuses were purposively selected using non-probability sampling. Gender and status of the sample selected were also carefully considered in the choice of the sample so as to have the perceptions from every gender and category of staff. The main hypothesis of this study is that there is no significant difference in job stress experienced by library staff in the two Afric...

Clinical Nursing Tasks and Information Needs in a University Teaching Hospital in Zambia

This case study sought to investigate the relationship between clinical nursing tasks and information needs of nurses at the University Teaching Hospital in Zambia. The study used qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. Data was collected from a purposive sample of 60 nurses; quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 23. Many of the nurses often needed information on patient care, infection prevention control, new remedies, how to administer drugs, medical conditions, how to use new equipment, how to administer oxygen, continuing professional development, providing health education, for education purposes and surgical conditions. The study found that nurses’ information needs varied dependent on the work roles, tasks, experience and the type of department they were working in. Furthermore, the study established that information needs of nurses also varied according to their work experience; younger nurses required information in their clinical practice more often than the older nurses in employment. The health sector is a dynamic human discipline as evidenced by the extensive research being carried out aimed at improving people’s wellbeing. This dynamism requires the support of a well-skilled and supported human resource that can respond efficiently and appropriately. In developing countries, nurses are one of the major providers of health care. Their importance to the health sector is due to their accessibility by people seeking healthcare; they are most often the first point of call for patients and are therefore the most consulted category of health professionals. Their importance to the healthcare profession is also because of inadequate numbers of physicians to care for the whole population. In order for the nurses to be able to provide necessary care, they need to possess the right skills and the appropriate knowledge. These skills and knowledge should enable them to offer quality nursing care. Nursing is dynamic and as it relies so much on information that needs to be current, up-to-date and evidence based so that the