Browsing by Author "Ndlovu, B."

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
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    A Blockchain-based Patient Portal for Mental Health Management
    (IEOM Society International, USA, 2024-04-23) Jhamba, P.; Ndlovu, B.; Dube, S.; Muduva, M.; Jacqueline, F.; Maguraushe, K.
    Mental health is an important aspect of well-being as it encompasses emotional, psychological and social well-being. The use of patient portals in mental health care has gained attention as a potential tool to improve access to care for individuals with mental illness. Patient portals may be vulnerable to unauthorized access if appropriate security measures are not put in place. This study leverages blockchain technology to create tamper-proof patient records. The proposed solution uses an on-chain database that stores hashes and the actual medical record of a patient as well as an off-chain solution that handles encryption of each user’s medical record using their respective keys in a trustless manner before they are uploaded on-chain. A secure smart contract hosted on Ethereum and the Byzantine Fault Tolerance consensus algorithm was used to ensure patient privacy. The research employed the Comparative Analysis Research Methodology as the research methodology and the Kanban methodology as the software development methodology. The research project concludes that the proposed solution addresses the current security issues and data privacy concerns in patient data. The decentralized nature of blockchain ensures security, transparency, and tamper-proof storage of information. Further research is needed for future advancements, like integrating blockchain-based patient portals with wearable devices and IoT.
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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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    AI-based Drought Forecasting for Parametric Insurance
    (IEOM Society International, USA, 2024-05-07) Mathende, M.T.; Ndlovu, B.; Dube, S.; Muduva, M.; Kiwa, F.J.
    In drought-prone African countries like Zimbabwe, the uptake of parametric insurance has been low due to the absence of localized models. Guided by the CRISP-DM model, the present study proposes an AI-based approach to drought prediction in parametric insurance. The study’s paramount objectives are establishing trigger thresholds for drought events, assessing their significance, identifying the most effective machine learning models for drought modeling based on the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), and forecasting future drought occurrences and their magnitudes. Historical weather data, including temperature and rainfall, are utilized and a range of machine learning modelsneural networks, random forest, and support vector machines are employed for drought prediction. The performance of these models is evaluated based on accuracy, reliability, and interpretability, with continuous refinement based on feedback from stakeholders. The significance of this research lies in promoting data-driven decisions, incentivizing preparedness, enabling risk transfer, facilitating rapid insurance payouts, and enhancing financial stability. With accurate drought predictions driving parametric insurance, policyholders can make well-informed choices, adopt proactive measures, transfer the risk of drought-related losses, receive swift insurance payouts, and improve their financial resilience during drought events.
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    Effectiveness of peer to peer strategy in reducing accidents and injuries at a selected platinum mine in Zimbabwe
    (Springer, 2021) Ndlovu, B.; Nunu, W.N.; Mudonhi, N.; Moyo, N.; Murwira, T.S.
    The selected mining company implemented the "Peer to Peer" strategy in 2008 to fast track achievement of zero tolerance to injuries and fatalities incidents at its workplace. Our study, therefore, sought to assess the effectiveness of this strategy in reducing accidents and injuries at this selected platinum mine in Zimbabwe. A mixed-method cross-sectional survey was conducted on 32-day shift employees using a semi-structured questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions. Furthermore, incident trend analysis was done on data obtained from the records from 2004 to 2017. Covert observations were then employed to triangulate findings from data collected using the questionnaire on practices. The tests Hotelling, Chi-square, time series plots, and Multiple Logistic Regressions were employed to compare the variables of interest before and after implementing the peer to peer strategy. There was a significant drop in the number of incidents after implementing the peer to peer strategy. There was no association between tested demographic characteristics and the level of employees’ knowledge of the strategy. Employees were afraid to implement the strategy to their superiors fully. Findings pointed out that this strategy was effective despite being part of a cocktail of strategies. There was a vast decrease in the rate of occurrence of incidents after the implementation of this strategy. However, there is a need for engagement to address the subordinate management dynamics that was observed to be a threat in the comprehensive implementation of this strategy.
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    Effectiveness of peer to peer strategy in reducing accidents and injuries at a selected platinum mine in Zimbabwe
    (Elsevier, 2021-02-15) Nunu, W.N.; Ndlovu, B.; Mudonhi, N.; Moyo, N.; Murwira, T.S.
    The selected mining company implemented the "Peer to Peer" strategy in 2008 to fast track achievement of zero tolerance to injuries and fatalities incidents at its workplace. Our study, therefore, sought to assess the effectiveness of this strategy in reducing accidents and injuries at this selected platinum mine in Zimbabwe. A mixed-method cross-sectional survey was conducted on 32-day shift employees using a semi-structured questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions. Furthermore, incident trend analysis was done on data obtained from the records from 2004 to 2017. Covert observations were then employed to triangulate findings from data collected using the questionnaire on practices. The tests Hotelling, Chi-square, time series plots, and Multiple Logistic Regressions were employed to compare the variables of interest before and after implementing the peer to peer strategy. There was a significant drop in the number of incidents after implementing the peer to peer strategy. There was no association between tested demographic characteristics and the level of employees' knowledge of the strategy. Employees were afraid to implement the strategy to their superiors fully. Findings pointed out that this strategy was effective despite being part of a cocktail of strategies. There was a vast decrease in the rate of occurrence of incidents after the implementation of this strategy. However, there is a need for engagement to address the subordinate management dynamics that was observed to be a threat in the comprehensive implementation of this strategy.
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    Risk factors associated with a high incidence of sexually transmitted infections in Beitbridge, Zimbabwe
    (AOSIS, 2022) Siziba, A.; Nunu, W. N.; Mudonhi, N.; Ndlovu, V.; Munyai, O.; Ndlovu, B.; Sanganyado, E.
    Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major public health challenge, particularly in developing countries where the health infrastructure is often poor. Despite having a number of interventions in Beitbridge (such as the 24-h wellness centre), Zimbabwe, the incidence and prevalence of STIs is increasing. This study, therefore, aims to assess the risk factors associated with the high incidence of STIs in urban Beitbridge. A case-control study was conducted on 30 respondents who had suffered from STIs (selected from the registers at Beitbridge hospital and followed up) and 90 respondents who had not suffered from STIs (from the community) who resided in Beitbridge for at least 6 months and this excluded all those who were in transit. The factors contributing to the high incidence of STIs were identified using a pretested interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire in conjunction with a Likert scale to establish the attitudes and risk behaviours of the respondents on STIs. A significant association was observed between high STI incidences and the nature of occupation (odds ration [OR]: 3.8), area of residence (OR: 2.78), number of sexual partners (OR: 7.56), payment demanded for sex (OR 22), condom use (OR: 3.7), alcohol use (OR: 2.86),and suspicion that partners had other sexual companions (OR: 15.5). Furthermore, a larger proportion of controls were knowledgeable on STIs as compared to the cases who participated in the study. There is a need to develop awareness strategies that foster safe sexual practices, particularly among populations who do not choose abstinence or a single sexual partner lifestyle.
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    Risk factors associated with a high incidence of sexually transmitted infections in Beitbridge, Zimbabwe.
    (OASIS, 2022) Siziba, A.; Nunu, W.N.; Mudonhi, N.; Ndlovu, V.; Munyai, O.; Ndlovu, B.; Sanganyado, E.
    BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major public health challenge, particularly in developing countries where the health infrastructure is often poor. Despite having a number of interventions in Beitbridge (such as the 24-h wellness centre), Zimbabwe, the incidence and prevalence of STIs is increasing. OBJECTIVES: This study, therefore, aims to assess the risk factors associated with the high incidence of STIs in urban Beitbridge. METHOD: A case-control study was conducted on 30 respondents who had suffered from STIs (selected from the registers at Beitbridge hospital and followed up) and 90 respondents who had not suffered from STIs (from the community) who resided in Beitbridge for at least 6 months and this excluded all those who were in transit. The factors contributing to the high incidence of STIs were identified using a pretested interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire in conjunction with a Likert scale to establish the attitudes and risk behaviours of the respondents on STIs. RESULTS: A significant association was observed between high STI incidences and the nature of occupation (odds ration [OR]: 3.8), area of residence (OR: 2.78), number of sexual partners (OR: 7.56), payment demanded for sex (OR 22), condom use (OR: 3.7), alcohol use (OR: 2.86), and suspicion that partners had other sexual companions (OR: 15.5). Furthermore, a larger proportion of controls were knowledgeable on STIs as compared to the cases who participated in the study. CONCLUSION: There is a need to develop awareness strategies that foster safe sexual practices, particularly among populations who do not choose abstinence or a single sexual partner lifestyle.