Environmental Science and Health Publications

Permanent URI for this collection

http://196.220.97.103:4000/handle/123456789/165
Environmental Science and Health Publications

Browse

Recent Submissions

Now showing 1 - 5 of 47
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Micro-spatial distribution of malaria cases and control strategies at ward level in Gwanda district, Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe
    (BioMed Central, 2017) Manyangadze, T.; Chimbari, M.J.; Macherera, M.; Mukaratirwa, S.
    Background Although there has been a decline in the number of malaria cases in Zimbabwe since 2010, the disease remains the biggest public health threat in the country. Gwanda district, located in Matabeleland South Province of Zimbabwe has progressed to the malaria pre-elimination phase. The aim of this study was to determine the spatial distribution of malaria incidence at ward level for improving the planning and implementation of malaria elimination in the district. Methods The Poisson purely spatial model was used to detect malaria clusters and their properties, including relative risk and significance levels at ward level. The geographically weighted Poisson regression (GWPR) model was used to explore the potential role and significance of environmental variables [rainfall, minimum and maximum temperature, altitude, Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI), rural/urban] and malaria control strategies [indoor residual spraying (IRS) and long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs)] on the spatial patterns of malaria incidence at ward level. Results Two significant clusters (p < 0.05) of malaria cases were identified: (1) ward 24 south of Gwanda district and (2) ward 9 in the urban municipality, with relative risks of 5.583 and 4.316, respectively. The semiparametric-GWPR model with both local and global variables had higher performance based on AICc (70.882) compared to global regression (74.390) and GWPR which assumed that all variables varied locally (73.364). The semiparametric-GWPR captured the spatially non-stationary relationship between malaria cases and minimum temperature, NDVI, NDWI, and altitude at the ward level. The influence of LLINs, IRS and rural or urban did not vary and remained in the model as global terms. NDWI (positive coefficients) and NDVI (range from negative to positive coefficients) showed significant association with malaria cases in some of the wards. The IRS had a protection effect on malaria incidence as expected. Conclusions Malaria incidence is heterogeneous even in low-transmission zones including those in pre-elimination phase. The relationship between malaria cases and NDWI, NDVI, altitude, and minimum temperature may vary at local level. The results of this study can be used in planning and implementation of malaria control strategies at district and ward levels.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    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.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Traditional medicine utilisation and maternal complications during antenatal care among women in Bulilima, Plumtree, Zimbabwe
    (BMC, 2021) Mudonhi, N.; Nunu, W.N.
    Background: As part of the expectation enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals, countries are expected to ensure maternal health outcomes are improved. It follows that under ideal circumstances, pregnant women should deliver safely without complications, neonatal, and maternal mortality. This paper analyses the relationship between traditional medicine utilisation and maternal complications during antenatal care among women in Bulilima, Plumtree, Zimbabwe. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted on 185 randomly selected women who responded to a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. The Fisher’s Exact Test and the Test of Proportions were used to probe the relationship between traditional medicine utilisation and the prevalence of maternal complications using STATA SE Version 13. Results: Complications were reported by (51) 29% of the women who were under study. The proportion of women who developed complications was higher in those that did not use traditional medicine as compared to those that used traditional medicine (30 and 26% respectively). In a generalised assessment, women who did not use traditional medicine contributed a significantly higher proportion of complications as compared to those that utilised traditional medicine. Conclusion: This study found a significant relationship between the utilisation of traditional medicines and lesser chances of experiencing maternal complications. Significantly higher prevalence of maternal complications was observed in women who did not use traditional medicine compared to those that did. There is, therefore, a need to investigate further the constituents or active ingredients in this traditional medicine. This study provides a window of opportunity for fully recognising and integrating traditional medicine into Modern Health Systems. It can be argued that traditional medicine utilisation could be a viable alternative to modern medicine, particularly in resource-poor settings where access to modern medicine is seriously constrained.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Knowledge of Students regarding HIV/AIDS at a Rural University in South Africa
    (The Open Aids Journal, 2021-07) Murwira, T. S.; Khoza, L. B.; Mabunda, J. T.; Maputle, T. S.; Mpeta, M.; Nunu, W. N.
    Introduction: Knowledge about HIV/AIDS is essential for facilitating safer sexual behaviour hence, it is important in controlling HIV. Therefore, in the absence of a cure for the pandemic, adequate knowledge about the virus remains the backbone of prevention efforts. Objective: To assess the knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS among undergraduate students at a rural university in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive quantitative survey-based study was conducted at a rural-based university in South Africa. Stratified random sampling was used to select 345 students. A self administered questionnaire composed of 26 questions was utilised to gather data and the data were analysed using SPSS version 26. Multiple logistic regression and chi-square tests [χ2] were employed to determine the association between HIV/AIDS knowledge and demographic variables. Results: The overall HIV/AIDS knowledge score of students shows that (74)21% had a poor level of knowledge, (126)37% had average knowledge, and (145)42% had adequate knowledge. There was no significant difference between male and female students regarding their knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Factors, such as age, level of study, the field of study, and religion, were not significantly associated with HIV/AIDS knowledge. However, the race was significantly associated with knowledge with coloureds and mixed races, almost six times less knowledgeable than blacks. Conclusion: In conclusion, students had inadequate knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Misconceptions about HIV/AIDS facts, transmission routes, and prevention aspects were also prevalent among students. The present study accentuates the need for providing students with more HIV/AIDS education to fill HIV knowledge gaps and misconceptions.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Factors Influencing Patient Satisfaction with Healthcare Services Offered in Selected Public Hospitals in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
    (The Open Publuc Halth Journal, 2021-03) Nyakutombwa, C.; Nunu, W. N.; Mudonhi, N.; Sibanda, N.
    Introduction: Patient satisfaction with health care services is vital in establishing gaps to be improved, notably in public health facilities utilised by the majority in Low and Middle-Income Countries. This study assessed factors that influenced patient satisfaction with United Bulawayo Hospitals and Mpilo Hospital services in Bulawayo in Zimbabwe. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 99 randomly selected respondents in two tertiary hospitals in Bulawayo. Chi-squared tests were employed to determine associations between different demographic characteristics and patient satisfaction with various services they received. Multiple Stepwise Linear regression was conducted to assess the strength of the association between different variables. Results: Most of the participants who took part in the study were males in both selected hospitals. It was generally observed that patients were satisfied with these facilities' services, symbolised by over 50% satisfaction. However, patients at Mpilo were overall more satisfied than those at United Bulawayo Hospitals. Variables “received speciality services,” “average waiting times,” and “drugs being issued on time” were significant contributors to different levels of satisfaction observed between Mpilo and United Bulawayo Hospitals. Conclusion: Generally, patients are satisfied with the services and interactions with the health service providers at United Bulawayo Hospitals and Mpilo Hospitals. However, patients at Mpilo were more satisfied than those at United Bulawayo Hospitals. There is generally a need to improve pharmaceutical services, outpatient services, and interaction with health service provider services to attain the highest levels of patient satisfaction.