Browsing by Author "Khumalo, N."

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    Adolescents and parents’ perceptions of condom distribution in selected secondary schools in the high density suburbs of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
    (2020) Mudonhi, N.,; Nunu, W.N.; Ndlovu, B.; Khumalo, N.; Dube, O.
    Condoms have been highlighted as one of the most effective strategies to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS. This study assessed how adolescents and parents perceive the condom distribution programme in selected secondary schools in the high density suburbs of Bulawayo. A concurrent mixed method survey was conducted on three selected secondary schools. Three hundred adolescents and three hundred parents responded to a pre tested semi structured questionnaire. Likert scales were developed to assess knowledge and attitude levels. The χ2 test and multiple logistic regression were used to associate different demographic characteristics with attitudes and levels of knowledge regarding condom distribution at schools using STATA Version 13. Practices and beliefs were assessed using unstructured interviews on purposively selected adolescents and parents. Qualitative data collected was thematically analysed on MAXQDA. The response rate was 100% and 81% for adolescents and parents/guardians respectively. There were more females than males in both response groups. About 67% of adolescents and 60% of parents/guardians were knowledgeable about condom usage and its implications on prevention of spread of sexually transmitted infections and pregnancies. A large proportion of parents/adolescents (72%) had good attitudes towards condom distribution in schools compared to adolescents (27%). Age was strongly associated with knowledge in adolescents, with older adolescent 102 times more likely to be knowledgeable compared to younger adolescents. Religion was the strongest predictor of attitudes in parents/guardians with Catholic having an odds of 227. The concerned sexual health institutions should increase awareness among adolescents, targeting their attitudes towards condom distribution and usage. Targeting attitudes will hopefully foster safe sexual practices.
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    Exploring traditional medicine utilisation during antenatal care among women in Bulilima District of Plumtree in Zimbabwe
    (Springer, 2021) Mudonhi, N.; Nunu, W.N.; Sibanda, N.; Khumalo, N.
    Traditional medicine utilisation during antenatal care has been on the increase in several countries. Therefore, addressing and reinforcing the Sustainable Development Goal of maternal mortality reduction, there is a need to take traditional medicine utilisation during pregnancy into consideration. This paper explores traditional medicine utilisation during antenatal care among women in Bulilima District of Plumtree in Zimbabwe. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 177 randomly selected women using a semi-structured questionnaire. Fisher’s Exact Test, Odds Ratios, and Multiple Logistic Regression were utilised to determine any associations between diferent demographic characteristics and traditional medicine utilisation patterns using STATA SE Version 13. The prevalence of Traditional Medicine utilisation among pregnant women was estimated to be 28%. Most traditional remedies were used in the third trimester to quicken delivery. The majority of women used holy water and unknown Traditional Medicine during pregnancy. There was a strong association between age and Traditional Medicine utilisation as older women are 13 times more likely to use Traditional Medicine than younger ones. Women use traditional medicine for diferent purposes during pregnancy, and older women’s likelihood to use Traditional Medicine is higher than their counterparts. The traditional system plays an essential role in antenatal care; therefore, there is a need to conduct further studies on the efficacy and safety of utilising Traditional Medicines.
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    Spatial dynamics of illegal dumpsites and prevalence of diarrhoeal diseases in Makokoba Township in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
    (Elsevier, 2021-08-09) Khumalo, N.; Maviza, A.; Nunu, W.N.
    Solid waste management is a significant public health and environmental concern in urban areas of many developing countries, with the situation worse in many of Africa’s cities. Illegal dumping of waste, squatting and overcrowding, among other things, are some of the concerns experienced in Bulawayo. This study explored the spatial distribution of illegal dumpsites and their health impacts (prevalence of Diarrhoeal diseases) on the people living proximal to these sites in Makokoba Township in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. A crosssectional survey utilising semi-structured questionnaires and a handheld Global Positioning Device was conducted on respondents who resided in Makokoba for at least six months preceding the data collection in February to March 2019. The Fishers’ Exact and logistic regressions were computed to determine associations between variables and diarrhoeal disease prevalence. Prevalence rates were calculated and compared between cases and controls. Seventeen illegal dumpsites were identified and mapped. A total of 147 individuals out of 480 (31%) reported having suffered from diarrhoeal diseases. Of these 147 cases, 84 (57%) stayed within the 90-metre buffer zone. There was a strong correlation between proximity to dumpsite and those living within the 90metre buffer, showing a higher risk of developing diarrhoeal diseases than those staying outside the buffer zones, as evidenced by the hotspot maps. Age, Occupation, Location, and Involvement in waste handling were significantly associated with diarrhoeal diseases. In conclusion, a significant number of dumpsites were identified. There was a higher prevalence of diarrhoeal diseases in the population that lived within the 90metre radius from the dumpsites than those who lived outside these perimeters. There, therefore, a need for improvement of waste management techniques to eliminate the illegal dumpsites. This would, in turn, reduce the prevalence rates of diarrhoeal diseases.