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Zambia has one of the highest cervical cancer rates in the world. This paper explores the acceptability of the Human Papillomavirus vaccine administered in girls (9–13 years) in Zambia. A qualitative case study was conducted in two schools in Lusaka district, which participated in the pilot for the Human Papillomavirus vaccine rollout. The study revealed that community level health systems factors such as knowledge levels about the vaccine, sexual morality concerns, conflicting views from parents on the vaccine, rumours that the vaccine contained cervical cancer and that it causes infertility in girls, previous bad experience with other vaccines, religious beliefs such as belief that God protects against illness, the nature of the school environment as well as faith in doctors shaped the uptake of the vaccine. Furthermore, formal health system factors such as availability of health workers and nature of collaboration between the Ministries of Health and Education influenced acceptability of the vaccine among the girls. Strengthening collaboration between community and formal health systems can play a vital role in supporting uptake of vaccines at community level as factors that hinder uptake of the vaccines emanate from both the community and health sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several health research organisations whose work focuses on international collaboration outline guidelines that support ethical practice in health research partnerships including building consensus around good collaborative research practice. This paper explores researcher's perspectives, experiences, and reflections on the elements of successful health research partnerships between Northern and Southern countries/institutions. The study adopted a qualitative research approach using in-depth interviews to explore what an authentic partnership is as experienced and aspired by stakeholders in health research partnerships in Zambia. Interviews were conducted with stakeholders implementing various health research activities in the country. Our findings revealed that Southern partners aspired for equal status and participation, transparency, and accountability, interdependency, and reciprocity, commitment to shared goals, open dialogue and sustainability in partnerships. While to some extent these aspirations overlap with the categories covered throughout the different partnership guidelines, some key aspects go beyond what is included in existing recommendations such as status and recognition which are salient in the broader guidelines. An important aspect in dismantling power structures that causes inequality in partnerships is through generating knowledge and innovation using local resources in the South to address local needs which can be subsequently re-used to address challenges at the global level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Zambia is facing a chronic shortage of health care workers. The paper aimed at understanding how the Medical Education Partnership Initiative (MEPI) program facilitated strengthening and expanding of the national capacity and quality of medical education as well as processes for retaining faculty in Zambia., Methods: Data generated through documentary review, key informant interviews and observations were analyzed using a thematic approach., Results: The MEPI program triggered the development of new postgraduate programs thereby increasing student enrollment. This was achieved by leveraging of existing and new partnerships with other universities and differentiating the old Master in Public Health into specialized curriculum. Furthermore, the MEPI program improved the capacity and quality of training by facilitating installation and integration of new technology such as the eGranary digital library, E-learning methods and clinical skills laboratory into the Schools. This technology enabled easy access to relevant data or information, quicker turn around of experiments and enhanced data recording, display and analysis features for experiments. The program also facilitated transforming of the academic environment into a more conducive work place through strengthening the Staff Development program and support towards research activities. These activities stimulated work motivation and interest in research by faculty. Meanwhile, these processes were inhibited by the inability to upload all courses on to Moodle as well as inadequate operating procedures and feedback mechanisms for the Moodle., Conclusion: Expansion and improvement in training processes for health care workers requires targeted investment within medical institutions and strengthening local and international partnerships.