Christine Wamunyima Kanyengo

Information and communication: a library's local response to HIV/AIDS in Zambia.

OBJECTIVE To document and describe the University of Zambia Medical librarys responses to the fight against HIV/AIDS in Zambia. METHODS The methodology adopted was a case study approach combined with an analysis of the literature such as annual reports and official documents. This was augmented by personal reflections of the author having worked at the Medical Library. RESULTS The University of Zambia Medical library has over the years instituted and implemented HIV/AIDS information provision programmes that include the provision of information in various formats -- print or electronic and, in addition, capacity building in HIV/AIDS information literacy skills. CONCLUSION A librarys social responsibility calls for it to be part of national responses to crises that arise in society. As HIV/AIDS has affected every aspect of Zambian society prevention, treatment, care and support there is an understanding that the librarys role should be using the critical and strategic resource at its disposal - information -- as part of their contribution to the fight against HIV/AIDS. In this context, libraries should source, collect, organize and disseminate information on HIV/AIDS in a way that is easily accessible to researchers, HIV/AIDS programme implementation agencies and the ordinary public.

Meeting collection development needs in resource poor settings: the University of Zambia Medical Library experience

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to take stock of the current state of information resources and approaches used to meet collection development needs at the University of Zambia Medical Library.Design/methodology/approach – A case study methodological approach accompanied by a review of the literature, annual reports and official documents was usedFindings – The findings indicate that the UNZA Medical Library has not had adequate funding since the early 1980s and its collection cannot meet the information needs of its users without the support of other organizations.Practical implications – Dwindling financial resources are a scenario that is common to libraries all over the world but more pronounced in Sub‐Saharan Africa, where libraries have seen major reductions in their funding levels over time. The library has devised alternative strategies, other than funding from the parent institution, for meeting its collection development requirements.Originality/value – Lessons learned over time and best ...

Health Information Outreach: Experiences from the University of Zambia Medical Library

ABSTRACT Access to health information for health workers in Zambia is limited and inadequate, especially to those health workers that are not affiliated with institutions such as the University of Zambia. In order to meet their information needs, it is important to devise and implement appropriate health information access methods. One such method is an Outreach Program. This article is an audit and a review of the health information outreach programs that the University of Zambia Medical Library has implemented over many years.

Information Provision in Emergency Settings: The Experience of Refugee Communities in Zambia

This article identifies information provision services in emergency settings using Zambia as a case study by identifying innovative ways of providing library and information services. The thrust of the article is to analyze information management practices of organizations that work within refugee camps and how they take specific cognizance of the cultural sensitivities, fears and insecurities, and diverse disparities of the community in terms of literacy levels. It highlights aspects of library and information services provision in emergency situations so that successful ones can be adopted into policy and practice.

Strategies for Information Access and Provision for Health Workers at the District Level in Zambia

This article explores and proposes strategies that could facilitate access to health information to health workers at the district level in Zambia. Structural weaknesses exist within the Zambian district health system that make it difficult to implement an efficient and effective library and information service, so as to contribute to overall health delivery. There is no visible recognition of library and information services as a necessary component within the health care process, as evidenced by the lack of policies to support such work at the national, provincial, and district levels of the health system. Recognition of the contribution of library and information services to overall achievement of health goals is made. Finally, the article proposes some health information strategies that, if implemented at the district level of the health care system, could lead to improved health information delivery for health care workers.

Preservation and Conservation of Information Resources in the University of Zambia Library

Preservation and conservation of library materials is an important aspect of library and information management. Their importance and necessity are more paramount in countries where resources are limited and libraries need to balance them with the needs of an ever increasing number of students hoping to use them. This articles reports on the current state of preservation and conservation activities at the University of Zambia Library.

Online search behaviour of University of Zambia Library and Information Studies students

The purpose of this paper is to investigate factors that affect web searching behaviour of the students of the University of Zambia (UNZA).,This study adopted a qualitative research approach in order to get an insight into the interactions of the students at the UNZA with the real web situation. A post-search questionnaire was used as a tool to gather information from 65 Library and Information Science students about search techniques used, web experience, and subject knowledge of users.,This study shows that the main purpose for using the internet by students at the UNZA is for academic work. The findings also show that factors such as experience and topic familiarity had an effect on search behaviour, whereas, age of searcher did not affect the search technique used. Google was preferred for searching more than electronic databases.,This is the first systematic examination of students online search behaviour in Zambia. It allows the researchers to compare with search behaviour of students in a different social economic environment.

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

An Audit of Skills and Qualifications in Preservation and Conservation Techniques: The Case of the University of Zambia Libraries.

This article establishes the level of skills and experience in preservation and conservation management using a case study methodological approach conducted in the 3 university libraries at the University of Zambia. The findings revealed that 20 (57%) of the library staff had not received formal training in preservation and conservation of library materials. The study further established that some of the major obstacles to the development and administration of preservation and conservation programs in the university libraries were lack of funds and necessary skills and qualifications in preservation and conservation techniques and practices.

Contextualising library and information policies for health‐care delivery in Zambia

Purpose – The paper highlights the need for grounding library and information policies within the environment they operate. The purpose of this paper is to argue for the grounding of health library and information policies within the health sector context.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is an opinion piece which discusses the importance of grounding library and information policies in the national health sector strategic plans.Findings – A comprehensive and structural approach to improving access to health information as part of the overall priorities in the health sector requires concrete policies, strategies and services to be put in place at all levels of the national health system.Practical implications – The paper offers insights into how to influence the formulation and eventual implementation of a national policy for library and information services in the health sector.Originality/value – It describes the areas in which library and information policies can be used to fulfill the critical r...