ObjectivesTo determine and compare the self-perceived and objectively measured competence in performing 14 core-clinical practical procedures by Final Year Medical Students of the University of Zambia.MethodsThe study included 56 out of 60 graduating University of Zambia Medical Students of the 2012/2013 academic year. Self-perceived competence: students rated their competence on 14 core- clinical practical procedures using a self-administered questionnaire on a 5-point Likert scale. Objective competence: it was measured by Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) by faculty using predetermined rating scales. Rank order correlation test was performed for self-perceived and objectively measured competence.ResultsTwo thirds 36 (66.7%) of the participants perceived themselves as moderately competent, 15 (27.8%) rated themselves as highly competent while 3 (5.6%) had low self-perception. With objective competence, the majority 52 (92.8%) were barely competent while 4 (7.2%) were absolutely competent. When overall self-perception was compared to objectively measured competence, there was a discordance which was demonstrated by a negative correlation (Spearman rho -.123).ConclusionsSignificant numbers of students reported low self-competence in performing procedures such as endotracheal intubation, gastric lavage and cardiopulmonary resuscitation which most never performed during the clinical years of medical education. In addition, the negative correlation between self-perceived and objectively measured competence demonstrated the inability of students to assess and rate themselves objectively due to fear that others may know their weaknesses and realize that they are not as competent as expected at a specific level of training.

Core self-evaluation (CSE) is a personality trait that involves a person's evaluation of his or her own worth, competence, and capability. The objective of this study was to determine whether medical students' CSEs exert beneficial effects on their adaptation to their clerkship in terms of their clinical competence and workplace well-being and whether their preclinical academic performance can be a trait-relevant situation that enhances their CSE expression. In total, 127 medical students from 2 cohorts were included as participants in this study. We analyzed complete measures of personal background, objective and subjective preclinical academic performance (course evaluation grades and self-reported efficacy), CSE tendencies, and clinical competence (as objective structured clinical examination scores) and workplace well-being (as compassion satisfaction and burnout) during their 2-year clerkship. Mixed linear models for repeated measures and multiple regressions were employed. Participants' CSE tendencies had positive effects on their workplace compassion satisfaction and burnout but not on their clinical competence during their clerkship. Additionally, using the objective and subjective pre-clinical academic performance of the medical students as indicators, we observed that neither could be trait-relevant situations to enhance their CSE expression. CSE personality tendencies might be key to medical students' ability to noncognitively adapt to clinical training during their clerkships. These tendencies should be identified earlier so that mentors can provide prompt care and support to mentees (medical students) during clerkships.

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Background: Breast cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide and the second most common among Zambian women. Breast cancer diagnosis being a stressful experience, causes psychological and emotional disruption that can be abated by meeting information needs of the affected patients.

Background: The postpartum period is one of the most vulnerable and critical periods for both the mother and the newborn. Inadequate care during this period may result in death or disability as well as missed opportunities to promote health behaviours. Aims: To determine the household factors that are associated with use of postnatal care services by mothers. Methods: An electronic search was conducted, including databases such as PubMed, Hinari, Google Scholar, Cochrane library, Science Direct and BioMed Central, using the following search terms: postpartum care, postnatal care, household behaviours, challenges, barriers, use and postpartum women. Findings: All the reviewed articles revealed that postpartum care services were not fully used by postpartum women and household factors played a big role. Background characteristics of women such as age, marital status, parity, level of education and religion were also found to influence uptake. Conclusions: Household factors, such as accessibility; awareness and knowledge; socioeconomic status and financial difficulties; women's empowerment; traditional beliefs and cultural practices and background characteristics have been found to play a significant role in the use of postnatal services by postpartum mothers