Browsing by Author "Ndlovu, V."

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    Maternal Complications Among Women with Disabilities in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
    (2024) Mpofu, L.; Mudonhi, N.; Mpofu, M.W.; Sibanda, N.; Nunu, W.N.; Ndlovu, V.; Manyeruke, N.
    Background: Maternal complications are the third most common cause of maternal mortality, contributing to a significant percentage of all maternal deaths, with the largest burden estimated in developing countries, especially in Africa. Many studies have been conducted in relation to maternal complications experienced by women in different parts of the world; little attention has been given to women with disabilities in relation to their pregnancy outcomes or complications. This study sought to explore maternal complications among women with different types of disabilities in the City of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional survey (using a semi-structured questionnaire) was conducted on 71 women living with disabilities accessed through the register kept at the National Council for Disabled Persons of Zimbabwe. The collected data were cleaned, coded, and analyzed using STATA version 15. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors contributing to maternal complications. Descriptive analyses were conducted to explore participants’ sociodemographic and disability profiles and cross-tabulation of different types of disability and maternal complications experienced. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Regression analysis was performed to ascertain the relationship between disability and maternal complications. Results: The findings showed that the most dominant age was the 26-35 age group (40.07%), while the types of disabilities that were most noted were wheelchair-bound (25%), deaf (26.4%), and speech impairment (26.4%). An association was established between level of education (p = 0.000), employment status (p = 0.0033), and different types of disability. Gravida (p-value 0.04), number of live births (p-value 0.022), deformed limbs (p-value 0.014), and age group were established to be significant in terms of contributing to maternal complications. There was no statistical evidence for an association between disability and maternal complications. Conclusion: Overall, women with disabilities experience maternal complications similar to those of other women. However, some contributing factors may aggravate the occurrence of maternal complications in women with disabilities. Provision of adequate resources and improvement of infrastructure in health facilities to cater to women with disabilities
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    Maternal Complications Among Women with Disabilities in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
    (Bentham Open, 2024) Mpofu, L.; Mudonhi, N.; Mpofu, M. W.; Sibanda, N.; Nunu, W. N.; Ndlovu, V.; Manyeruke, N.
    Background: Maternal complications are the third most common cause of maternal mortality, contributing to a significant percentage of all maternal deaths, with the largest burden estimated in developing countries, especially in Africa. Many studies have been conducted in relation to maternal complications experienced by women in different parts of the world; little attention has been given to women with disabilities in relation to their pregnancy outcomes or complications. This study sought to explore maternal complications among women with different types of disabilities in the City of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional survey (using a semi-structured questionnaire) was conducted on 71 women living with disabilities accessed through the register kept at the National Council for Disabled Persons of Zimbabwe. The collected data were cleaned, coded, and analyzed using STATA version 15. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors contributing to maternal complications. Descriptive analyses were conducted to explore participants’ sociodemographic and disability profiles and cross-tabulation of different types of disability and maternal complications experienced. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Regression analysis was performed to ascertain the relationship between disability and maternal complications. Results: The findings showed that the most dominant age was the 26-35 age group (40.07%), while the types of disabilities that were most noted were wheelchair-bound (25%), deaf (26.4%), and speech impairment (26.4%). An association was established between level of education (p = 0.000), employment status (p = 0.0033), and different types of disability. Gravida (p-value 0.04), number of live births (p-value 0.022), deformed limbs (p-value 0.014), and age group were established to be significant in terms of contributing to maternal complications. There was no statistical evidence for an association between disability and maternal complications. Conclusion: Overall, women with disabilities experience maternal complications similar to those of other women. However, some contributing factors may aggravate the occurrence of maternal complications in women with disabilities. Provision of adequate resources and improvement of infrastructure in health facilities to cater to women with disabilities.
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    Molecular detection of Imbrasia belina proteins associated with allergic reactions on harvesters and consumers from selected districts in Matabeleland: a comparative study
    (Springer, 2023-07-13) Dlamini, W.; Nunu, W. N.; Ndlovu, V.; Nleya, N.; Mudonhi, N.; Sibula, M.
    Background: Harvesting and consuming insects (entomophagy), particularly Imbrasia belina is widespread in developing countries like Zimbabwe. Due to their extraordinary nutritional content, tastiness, ease of processing and storage, Imbrasia belina has become a delicacy, reachable nutritious complement, and money source for some people in Zimbabwean communities. However, some harvesters and consumers have become allergic to the Imbrasia belina, popularly known as Mopani worms. This has been attributed or associated with the changes in the genetic structure of Imbrasia belina. Therefore, this research sought to compare the presence of the genes associated with allergic reactions to mopane worms from Gwanda and Umguza districts in Zimbabwe. Methods: A lab-based observational study was conducted on collected Imbrasia belina samples from both districts. Fifteen samples of mopane worms were collected from each district, and DNA extraction was performed using DNeasy blood and tissue kit. The DNA extraction products were then amplified using a Polymerase chain reaction. The polymerase chain reaction products were run on agarose gel electrophoresis to determine the presence of the target genes. Results: Three of the five samples from Gwanda district were positive for the tropomyosin gene, whereas two samples from Umguza district were positive. All the samples from the two districts were negative for arginine kinase genes. Conclusion: The study results highlighted that allergic reactionsto Imbrasia belina reported in Gwanda district are associated with the presence of the tropomyosin gene, which has undergone polymorphism. Responsible authorities such as Gwanda local authority should develop bylaws that govern Imbrasia belina harvesting in the district.
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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.
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    Sensitisation to Imbrasia belina (mopane worm) and other local allergens in rural Gwanda district of Zimbabwe
    (2022) Ndlovu, V.; Chimbari, M.; Ndarukwa, P.; Sibanda, E.
    Background: The prevalence of allergic diseases is increasing in Zimbabwe and the data relate to local as well as exotic allergen sources. As entomophagy, the practice of eating insects, is a recognised source of local allergens, we sought to measure the prevalence of and risk factors for sensitisation to Imbrasia belina (mopane worm), a popular edible insect. This was investigated alongside other locally relevant allergens in a rural community in Gwanda district, south of Zimbabwe. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among 496 adults and children aged 10 years and above in Gwanda district, a mopane worm harvesting area in Zimbabwe. Data on individual characteristics and mopane worm exposure factors were collected using questionnaires. Sensitivity to allergens was assessed by performing skin prick tests at a local clinic using 10 different commercial allergen extracts (Stallergenes, France) and in-house extracts of mopane worm (Imbrasia belina) and mopane leaves (Colophospermum mopane). Data were analysed using Stata version 13 software. Results: The prevalence of sensitisation to at least one allergen was 31.17% (n = 144). The prevalence of atopy was higher in adults (33.33%) than in children (23.53%) (p = 0.059). The commonest inhalant allergen sources were mopane worm (14.29%), Tyrophagus putrescentiae (14.29%), mopane leaves (13.42%), Alternaria alternata (6.49%) and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (6.49%). Polysensitisation was demonstrated in the study population and of the 108 participants (75%) who were sensitised to two or more allergens, 66 (61%) were women. Sensitisation to mopane worm and mopane leaves often clustered with Tyrophagus putrescentiae amongst adults. Adjusted logistic regression analyses between mopane worm sensitisation and self-reported exposure variables showed that sensitisation was more likely amongst mopane worm harvesters (OR = 1.92, 95%CI = 0.77–4.79), those who cooked or roasted mopane worms during harvesting (OR = 2.69, 95%CI = 0.78–9.31) and harvesting without personal protective equipment (PPE) (OR = 2.12, 95%CI = 0.83–5.44) compared to non-harvesters. Conclusion: Atopic sensitization was common in this mopane worm harvesting community in Gwanda district of Zimbabwe. There was frequent co-sensitisation of mopane worm and mopane leaves with Tyrophagus putrescentiae in children and adults. It is important to determine the clinical relevance of our findings, particularly relating to mopane worm sensitisation.