NuSpace

NuSpace is the official repository platform of the National University of Science and Technology that enables researchers in:

  • obtaining easy access to a wide range of academic materials,
  • promoting knowledge dissemination and facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration.

Explore our repository to discover a wealth of knowledge across various disciplines.

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Now showing 1 - 5 of 12

Recent Submissions

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RoadMApp: a feasibility study for a smart travel application to improve maternal health delivery in a low resource setting in Zimbabwe
(2020) Nyati-Jokomo, Z.; Dabengwa, I.M.; Makacha, L.; Nyapwere, N.; Dube, Y.P.; Chikoko, L.; Vidler, M.; Makanga, P.T.
Background: Travel time and healthcare financing are critical determinants of the provision of quality maternal health care in low resource settings. Despite the availability of pregnancy-related mHealth and smart travel applications, there is a lack of evidence on their usage to travel to health facilities for routine antenatal care and emergencies. There is a shortage of information about the feasibility of using a custom-made mobile technology that integrates smart travel and mHealth. This paper explores the feasibility of implementing a custom-made geographically enabled mobile technology-based tool (RoadMApp) to counter the adverse effects of long travel times for maternal care in Kwekwe District, Zimbabwe. Methods: We frame the paper using the first two steps (listen & plan) of the Spiral Technology Action Research (STAR model). The paper uses an exploratory case study design and Participatory Learning Approaches (PLA) with stakeholders (community members) and in-depth interviews with key informants (health care service providers, pregnant women, transport operators). One hundred ninety-three participants took part in the study. We conducted focus group discussions with pregnant women, women of childbearing age, men (household heads), and elderly women. The discussion questions centered on travel time, availability of transport, cellular network coverage, and perceptions of the RoadMApp application. Data were analysed thematically using Nvivo Pro 12. Results: Most parts of rural Kwekwe are far from health facilities and have an inefficient road and telecommunications network. Hence, it is hard to predict if RoadMApp will integrate into the lives of the community - especially those in rural areas. Since these issues are pillars of the design of the RoadMApp mHealth, the implementation will probably be a challenge.
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Midwife led maternity care models: A scoping review
(2023) Danda, G.; Chaibva, C.N.; Chauraya, Y.; Gwatiringa, C.; Chamisa, J.A.; Dabengwa, I.M.; Moyo, H.; Mantula, F.; Sibanda, E.
Introduction: Midwife led maternity care models focus on normality, continuity of care and being cared for by trusted midwives from preconception throughout pregnancy, labour and the postnatal period. The aim of this model is to provide care either in community or hospital settings, normally to healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies. Methods: The scoping review used search terms for the PICO components with synonyms, related terms and specialist terms were harvested from the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)© and Embase© using Rayyan. Database searches were from PubMed, EBSCO-CINAHL, Dimensions, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and the Cochrane Library of Systematic reviews and African Journals Online (AJOL). A total of 17 058 citations were identified and 69 remained for analysis after removing duplicates and others which did not meet the criteria. Results: Of the 69 included studies, 14 were qualitative, 34 were quantitative, 19 were RCTs and 2 were mixed methods. Only 13% of the studies were from Africa and the rest were from the developed world. Six themes emerged as follows: reduced interventions in labour; positive birth outcomes; satisfaction with care; cost effectiveness of services; autonomous practice and quality midwifery services; good woman–midwife relationship and several subthemes. Discussion: Midwife-led care had a significant positive effect on physiological outcomes for women when compared to physician-led care, had reduced surgical interventions and augmentation, as well as less usage of pharmacological analgesia. This may also assist in acceptability, accessibility and availability of such a model in all maternity care units and community settings in LMICs.
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Leveraging microgrants to support capacity-building workshops in low- and middle-income countries for meeting the Sustainable Development Goals
(2022-01) Saric, K.J.; Muziringa, M.; Eldermire, E.R.B.; Young, S.; Dabengwa, I.M.
Twenty fifteen marked the year of assessment for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs that achieved the greatest success were those where evidence-based practice (EBP) interventions were implemented. The ability to practice evidence-based medicine is grounded in the creation of and access to medical literature that synthesizes research findings. The role that global health literature played in the success of the MDGs demonstrates that medical libraries and librarians have a role to play in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Librarians can hold capacity-building workshops that provide instruction on how to access evidence-based literature and also train health professionals to conduct synthesis research. Research findings conducted by in-country health professionals are more likely to address issues being faced by local communities and will afford the possibility of obtaining the necessary evidence-based answers that can then be used to implement policies to resolve public health issues identified in the SDGs. This paper discusses how an international team of librarians leveraged funding from a Medical Library Association/Librarians without Borders/Elsevier Foundation/Research4Life grant to hold a capacity-building workshop in Zimbabwe and follow-up online trainings. The workshop focused on accessing evidence-based resources and conducting synthesis research. Outcomes included the creation and policy implementation of evidence-based knowledge products in alignment with local needs and galvanizing a multisectoral group of key individuals who have gone on to collaborate toward the vision of creating a Zimbabwe innovation hub. Looking ahead, such grants can be leveraged to conduct capacity-building to support knowledge translation and other local training needs.
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The Potentials of a Maternal Mobile Wallet: a Qualitative Case Study on Opportunities and Challenges From Zimbabwe
(2020-12-30) Nyati-Jokomo, Z.,; Dabengwa, I.M.; Chikoko, L.; Makacha, L.; Nyapwere, N.; Makanga, P.T.
Background: There are no systems put in place regarding mobile money for maternal savings in Zimbabwe. Therefore, this paper aims to highlight: (a) existing strategies and experiences about maternal savings in Kwekwe District and, (b) examine the implications of household dynamics and current savings behaviour towards the feasibility of implementing the RoadMApp Maternal Healthcare Mobile Wallet (MHMW). Methods: Out of the 49 health facilities in Kwekwe, 2 hospitals (rural and urban), 4 rural health centres, 2 peri-urban, and 2 urban clinics were purposively selected for the study. Participants were recruited from these health facilities. 193 people took part in the study, through 11 Focus Group Discussions, 17 In-Depth Interviews, and 3 Community Meetings. The Socio ecological Model’s categories are applied to interpret the results taking into consideration the barriers and enablers of maternal savings. Results: There is a paucity of information on strategies for maternal savings in Kwekwe District, Zimbabwe. The critical enabler for the implementation of an MHMW could be the use of existing community structures, like the burial societies and other savings clubs. Some of the essential barriers include low access to mobile phones, inadequate network coverage, power outages, a general lack of saving culture by communities, and the hyperinflationary environment in the country. Conclusion: Although, the socio-economic status of households may be the best predictor of maternal savings, ancillary factors such as financial literacy, educational level, cultural norms, and religion will help to understand the psychosocial reasons why communities engage in maternal savings. When implementing an MHMW, specific attention should be paid to individual and community/institutional level factors such as subsidies/interests on amounts saved, enforcing financial discipline, building local level mobile network infrastructure, and relying on locally available persons/systems.
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The Potentials of a Maternal Mobile Wallet: a Qualitative Case Study on Opportunities and Challenges From Zimbabwe
(2020) Nyati-Jokomo, Z.; Dabengwa, I.M.; Chikoko, L.; Makacha, L.; Nyapwere, N.; Makanga, N.
Background: There are no systems put in place regarding mobile money for maternal savings in Zimbabwe. Therefore, this paper aims to highlight: (a) existing strategies and experiences about maternal savings in Kwekwe District and, (b) examine the implications of household dynamics and current savings behaviour towards the feasibility of implementing the RoadMApp Maternal Healthcare Mobile Wallet (MHMW). Methods: Out of the 49 health facilities in Kwekwe, 2 hospitals (rural and urban), 4 rural health centres, 2 peri-urban, and 2 urban clinics were purposively selected for the study. Participants were recruited from these health facilities. 193 people took part in the study, through 11 Focus Group Discussions, 17 In-Depth Interviews, and 3 Community Meetings. The Socioecological Model’s categories are applied to interpret the results taking into consideration the barriers and enablers of maternal savings. Results: There is a paucity of information on strategies for maternal savings in Kwekwe District, Zimbabwe. The critical enabler for the implementation of an MHMW could be the use of existing community structures, like the burial societies and other savings clubs. Some of the essential barriers include low access to mobile phones, inadequate network coverage, power outages, a general lack of saving culture by communities, and the hyperinflationary environment in the country. Conclusion: Although, the socio-economic status of households may be the best predictor of maternal savings, ancillary factors such as financial literacy, educational level, cultural norms, and religion will help to understand the psychosocial reasons why communities engage in maternal savings. When implementing an MHMW, specific attention should be paid to individual and community/institutional level factors such as subsidies/interests on amounts saved, enforcing financial discipline, building local level mobile network infrastructure, and relying on locally available persons/systems.