Other Program Locations

Zambia

Established: 1995
Workshops: 27
Follow-up Workshops: Over 17
Projects: 595

PSBH Workshops: Over 15
PSBH Follow-up Workshops: Over 12
PSBH Workshop Participants: 525
PSBH Projects: 337

PSBHI Workshops: 10
PSBHI Follow-up Workshops: 4
PSBHI Workshop Participants: 251
PSBHI Projects: 230

PSBHN Workshops: 2
PSBHN Follow-up Workshops: 1
PSBHN Workshop Participants: 30
PSBHN Projects: 28

Contact Information:
National Coordinator - PSBH, CBH
Ruth Chikasa
Tel: (260-212) 610010
Tel & Fax: (260-212) 610011
Email: rchikasa@zamnet.zm

The Problem Solving for Better Health^® (PSBH^®) program in Zambia was established in partnership with the Foundation for Better Health (FBH). FBH is managed by a nine-member governing board, National Coordinator Ruth Chikasa who manages the program and runs the secretariat, and 18 facilitators who help to run workshops and supervise projects. Health and social areas addressed include gastrointestinal disorders, HIV/AIDS, malaria, malnutrition, mental health, skin disorders, stress-related disorders, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, water supply/quality, and women’s health. The objective of the program is to train and empower front-line health professionals and other citizens in capacity building, in order to strengthen and develop innate and acquired skills that will enable them to take action for better health.

Problem Solving for Better Health – Nursing™ (PSBHN™) was initiated with the Ndola Central Hospital nursing staff under the direction of Ruth Chikasa. Many of the projects generated addressed the challenges faced by nurses around the world, including retention, continuing education, and quality of nursing care standards. Goals of the program are to positively impact hospital policy and conditions at Ndola Central Hospital, the second largest hospital in Zambia, which is currently operating with only one-fourth of the nursing staff needed. Nursing projects from the first workshop are currently being implemented to remediate the situation.

The Communications for Better Health^® (CBH^®) program began in 1992 when DHF donated a four-stack CD-ROM drive and a Medline subscription to the University of Zambia, School of Medicine Library. In May of 1994, the IBM International Foundation donated computer equipment to the Medical Library, and production of the Zambia Health Information Digest began. The digest was produced and distributed to physicians and other health professionals in nine provinces. Distribution of the digest is through the Central Board of Health (Health Education Unit), indicating the value and support the government shows for the program. Approximately 100 institutions receive it via email, while others can access it for free on the Internet.

Affiliations:
Ndola Central Hospital

Country: Zambia
City: Ndola

Health and Social Areas Addressed:

Communicable/Infectious Diseases:
Gastrointestinal Diseases
HIV/AIDS
Malaria
Parasitic Diseases
Sexually Transmitted
Diseases (STDs/STIs)
Skin Diseases
Tuberculosis
Other Communicable Diseases
Demographic Groups:
Adolescents/Teen Health
Children's Health
Elder Health
Men's Health
Women's Health
Economic Issues:
Employment/Job
Skills/Training
Income Generation
Occupational Health/Work Safety
Resources (human, equipment, funding)
Transportation (V- Economic)
Other Economic Issues
Environmental Health:
Air Pollution
Animal/Insect/Pest Control
Waste Management
Water Supply/Quality
Other Environmental Issues
Health Care & Policy Issues:
Access to Health Facilities/Services
Aging/Elder Care
Bioethics
Children's Health/Child Care
Clinics/Clinic Administration
Curative Medicine/Surgery
Health Care Workers
Health Equality/Inequality
Health Promotion/Lifestyles
Hospitals/Hospital Administration
Injury/Trauma/Safety
Nurses (including students)
Physicians (including students)
&Other Health Care & Policy Issues
Health Promotion/Lifestyles:
Dental/Oral Health
Diet/Exercise/Fitness
Hygiene
Nutrition/Malnutrition
Obesity
Smoking
Substance Abuse
Vaccination
Vitamin Intake
Other Health Promotion/Lifestyle Issues
Mental Health:
Psychological/Psychiatric Disorders
Stress
Thought, Mood & Behavior Disorders
Other Mental Health Issues
Noncommunicable Diseases:
Allergies
Cancer
Cardiovascular Disorders
Diabetes
Endocrine Disorders
Foot Disorders/Foot Care
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Genitourinary Disorders
Musculoskeletal Disorders
Neurological Disorders
Respiratory Disorders
Skin Disorders
Other Noncommunicable Diseases
Nutrition:
Dietary Habits
Food Safety
Health Promotion/Lifestyles
Obesity
Other Nutrition Issues
Sensory Function:
Hearing
Nasal Function
Vision
Other Sensory Function Issues
Social Issues/Services:
Community Organization
Crime
Cultural Beliefs/Perceptions
Domestic Abuse/Violence
Education/Skill Building
Family Structure/Function
Interpersonal Relationships
Politics
Quality of Life Issues
Religious Beliefs/Customs
Other Social Issues
Women's Health/Reproductive Health:
Family Planning
Teenage Pregnancy
Prenatal/Postnatal Care
Other Reproductive Health Issues