Browsing by Author "Maviza, A."

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    An assessment of risk factors for contracting rabies among dog bite cases recorded in Ward 30, Murewa district, Zimbabwe
    (PLoS neglected tropical diseases, 2021-03-31) Chikanya, E.; Macherera, M.; Maviza, A.
    Background Zoonoses are a major threat to human health. Worldwide, rabies is responsible for approximately 59 000 deaths annually. In Zimbabwe, rabies is one of the top 5 priority diseases and it is notifiable. It is estimated that rabies causes 410 human deaths per year in the country. Murewa district recorded 938 dog bite cases and 4 suspected rabies deaths between January 2017 and July 2018, overshooting the threshold of zero rabies cases. Of the 938dog bite cases reported in the district, 263 were reported in Ward 30 and these included all the 4suspected rabies deaths reported in the district. This necessitated a study to assess risk factors for contracting rabies in Ward 30, Murewa. Methodology/ Principal findings A descriptive cross sectional survey was used for a retrospective analysis of a group of dog bite cases reported at Murewa Hospital, in Ward 30. Purposive sampling was used to select dog bite cases and snowball sampling was used to locate unvaccinated dogs and areas with jackal presence. The dog bite cases and relatives of rabies cases were interviewed using a piloted interviewer-administered questionnaire. Geographical Positioning System (GPS) coordinates of dog bite cases, vaccinated and unvaccinated dogs and jackal presence were collected using handheld GPS device. QGIS software was used to spatially analyse and map them. Dog owners were 10 times more likely to contract rabies compared to non-dog owners (RR = 10, 95% CI 1.06–93.7). Owners of unvaccinated dogs were 5 times more likely to contract rabies compared to owners of vaccinated dogs (RR = 5.01, 95% CI 0.53–47.31). Residents of the high density cluster (area with low cost houses and stand size of 300 square meters and below) were 64 times more likely to contract rabies compared to non-high density cluster residents (RR = 64.87, 95% CI 3.6039–1167.82). Participants who were not knowledgeable were 0.07 times more likely to contract rabies, compared to those who had knowledge about rabies. (RR = 0.07, 95% CI 0.004–1.25). Our study shows that the risk factors for contacting rabies included; low knowledge levels regarding rabies, dog ownership residing in the high density cluster, owning unvaccinated dogs and spatial overlap of jackal presence with unvaccinated dogs.
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    Climate change/variability and hydrological modelling studies in Zimbabwe: a review of progress and knowledge gaps
    (Springer Nature, 2021-04-12) Maviza, A.; Ahmed, F.
    This paper reviews developments in climate science and hydrological modelling studies in Zimbabwe over the past 29 years in an effort to expose knowledge gaps within this research domain. We initially give a global and regional overview and then follow a systematic thematic approach in reviewing specifically online published, peer-reviewed journal articles on climate change/variability and hydrological modelling in Zimbabwe. The state and progress towards advanced integrated climate and hydrological modelling research are assessed, tracking benchmarks in the research methodologies (tools and techniques) used therein including geographic information systems and remote sensing. We present descriptive summaries of key findings, highlighting the main study themes (categories) and general conclusions arising from these studies while examining their implications for future climate and hydrological modelling research in Zimbabwe. Challenges associated with climate and hydrological modelling research in Zimbabwe are also briefly discussed and the main knowledge gaps in terms of research scope and methodologies employed in the reviewed studies also exposed. We conclude by presenting plausible potential areas of focus in updating and advancing scientific knowledge to better understand the climate-land use-hydrology nexus in Zimbabwe. While this paper is primarily relevant for researchers, the general findings are also important for policy-makers since it exposes potential areas for policy intervention or agenda setting in as far as climate and hydrology science research is concerned so as to effectively address pertinent questions in this domain in Zimbabwe.
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    Land use− land cover changes and Mopani worm harvest in Mangwe District in Plumtree, Zimbabwe
    (Springer, 2019) Ndlovu, I.; Nunu, W.N.; Mudonhi, N.; Dube, O.; Maviza, A.
    Background: Mopani worms have been considered a critical food security resource as people living in Mopani woodlands depend on the worms both as a food source and as an income generating resource. These become a readily available substitute if agriculture fails and droughts loom. However the yields from these worms have been dwindling over the years and this has been associated with land use−land cover changes as the worms depend on vegetation. This research sought to investigate the relationship between land use−land cover changes and Mopani worm harvests in Mangwe District in Plumtree from the period 2007 to 2016 in Zimbabwe. Methods: Satellite imagery was collected using LandSat 5 and LandSat 8 satellite and then classified using the Semi Automatic Classification plugin in Quantum Geographic Information System to identify trees, dams, bare soil and settlements. Thematic maps were then produced and used to quantify extent of Land Use–Land Cover changes in the period from 2007 to 2016. Ground control data was collected using hand held Global Positioning System. Harvests trends (and reasons thereof) were estimated through usage of interviewer administered questionnaires on selected Mopani worm harvesters and harvest data kept by the community leaders. Results: Results showed that settlements and bare soil cover had greatly increased from 2007 to 2016. There was a significant decline on vegetation cover from 2007 to 2016. There was also decline in the Mopani worm harvest over the years. Reasons for reduction of harvest were cited as deforestation, drought, overharvesting, cooking with lids on and occurrence of veld fires. Conclusions: Findings of this study highlight that land use−land cover changes impacted negatively on Mopani worm harvests over the period 2007 to 2016. It is also of paramount importance to note that major reasons for this decline has been associated with Land Use changes that are associated with human activities. There is need for Natural Resource Conservation Agencies to embark on awareness campaigns to encourage reforestation and also control cutting down of Mopani woodlands. Research needs to be conducted to determine the association between cultural beliefs and Mopani worm conservation and utilisation.
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    Modelling an Optimal Climate-Driven Malaria Transmission Control Strategy to Optimise the Management of Malaria in Mberengwa District, Zimbabwe: A Multi-Method Study Protocol
    (MDPI, 2025-03-29) Dhlamini, M.; Chivasa, T.; Maviza, A.; Nunu, W. N.; Tsoka-Gwegweni, J.
    Malaria is a persistent public health problem, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa where its transmission is intricately linked to climatic factors. Climate change threatens malaria elimination efforts in limited resource settings, such as in the Mberengwa district. However, the role of climate change in malaria transmission and management has not been adequately quantified to inform interventions. This protocol employs a multi-method quantitative study design in four steps, starting with a scoping review of the literature, followed by a multi-method quantitative approach using geospatial analysis, a quantitative survey, and the development of a predictive Susceptible-Exposed-Infected-Recovered-Susceptible Geographic Information System model to explore the link between climate change and malaria transmission in the Mberengwa district. Geospatial overlay, Getis–Ord Gi* spatial autocorrelation, and spatial linear regression will be applied to climate (temperature, rainfall, and humidity), environmental (Land Use–Land Cover, elevations, proximity to waterbodies, and Normalised Difference Vegetation Index), and socio-economic (Poverty Levels and Population Density) data to provide a comprehensive understanding of the spatial distribution of malaria in Mberengwa District. The predictive model will utilise historical data from two decades (2003–2023) to simulate near- and mid-century malaria transmission patterns. The findings of this study will be used to inform policies and optimise the management of malaria in the context of climate change.
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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.