Environmental Science and Health Publications
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- ItemNon-lethal method for the assessment of bioavailable metals in aquatic ecosystems surrounding ASGM activity(Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, Parts A/B/C, 2025) Tapfuma, D.T.; Mwembe, D.; Naik, Y.The need for refined non-lethal techniques for the monitoring of the bioavailability and accumulation of toxic metals in aquatic ecosystems in Artisanal small-scale gold mining sites has motivated the current study. The respective fin clips and white muscle of 13 fish species from selected ASGM hotspots in the Upper uMzingwane catchment area were collected and analysed using an Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrophotometer for xenobiotics (As, Cd, Hg, Pb) and trace metals (Cr, Cu, Li, Ni) often associated with this highly unregulated, illicit trade. The oxidation of sulphide ore bodies ingrained in greenstone-hosted quartz-carbonate veins endemic in gold panning hotspots in the study area has been known to result in the leaching of xenobiotics into water bodies with their subsequent accumulation in aquatic biota. A comparison of the levels of the xenobiotics in the respective fin clips and white muscle of the fish species under study, together with an assessment of the levels in their respective aquatic environments may give a clue as to the bioavailability and mobility of the metals. The study concludes that fin clips can, indeed, be used as a non-lethal means to assess the bioavailability of metal species in an aquatic ecosystem.
- ItemExploring Barriers and Facilitators That Influence Uptake of Oral Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe: Key Stakeholder’s Perspectives(American Journal of Men's Health, 2023-12-08) Moyo, P.L.; Nunu, W.N.The world has been on the path to ending HIV and AIDS as a global threat by 2030; despite these efforts, the rate of new HIV infections among men who have sex with men remains very high. This study sought to explore the perceptions of key stakeholders on the potential barriers and facilitators of pre-exposure prophylaxis use among this key population. An exploratory, descriptive (through interviews) qualitative study was conducted on 10 key informants who were purposively selected and snowballed based on their knowledge and experience toward pre-exposure prophylaxis programming among men who have sex with men. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded, and thematically analyzed on MAXQDA. Stated barriers were stigma, lack of information, wrong messaging around pre-exposure prophylaxis, hearing negative things about the pills, the burden of taking pills daily, negative attitudes from health care providers, non-friendly health care facilities, pre-exposure prophylaxis not being affordable, and lack of flexibility and privacy from public hospitals. Identified facilitators were correct messaging on pre-exposure prophylaxis, long-lasting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis, improved packaging, de-stigmatization, more friendly facilities, differentiated service approach, community groups, engagement, and partnership. To address these barriers and leverage the facilitators, it is imperative to have accessible, affordable services, non-judgmental health care providers, and peer support networks to empower men who have sex with men to make informed decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health. Continued efforts to remove barriers and promote facilitators are crucial for maximizing the potential of pre-exposure prophylaxis as an effective HIV prevention tool among this population.
- ItemEnvironmental exposures associated with atopy in a rural community in Gwanda district, Zimbabwe: a cross-sectional study(Frontiers in Public Health, 2025-01-23) Ndlovu, V.; Chimbari, M; Ndarukwa, P.; Sibanda, E.Introduction The increasing prevalence of allergic diseases in Zimbabwe may be attributed to changing environmental exposure patterns. In this study, we sought to identify the most influential environmental and lifestyle factors that may explain the observed atopy in a rural community in Zimbabwe. Methods Using a cross-sectional study, information on a wide array of environmental and lifestyle exposures was self-reported by a sample of participants (children aged <18 years and adults aged ≥18 years) in the Gwanda district, Zimbabwe. To consenting participants, we performed skin prick testing (SPT) at a local clinic in Gwanda district to identify atopic individuals. Variables with a p value <0.25 from univariate analysis were included in backward-elimination multiple logistic regression analysis. Separate regression analyses were conducted for children (n = 108), adults (n = 388), and a subgroup of adults who reported ever being employed in any potentially harmful occupation (n = 153). Results Compared with boys, girls were more likely to be sensitised to at least one allergen (OR = 4.87, 95% CI = 1.22–19.51). Among adults, the likelihood of sensitisation increased with increasing age (OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 1.01–1.03) and with a history of bloody urine and/or schistosomiasis (OR = 2.20, 95% CI = 0.98–4.95). In the subgroup of adults who reported ever being employed in any potentially harmful occupation, atopic sensitisation was associated with a history of tuberculosis (TB; OR = 3.37, 95% CI = 1.08–10.52) and a history of bloody urine and/or schistosomiasis (OR = 4.36, 95% CI = 1.40–13.65). Other notable, though not significant, factors were passive or parental smoking, alcohol consumption, indoor dampness and visible mould on walls. Conclusion Girls were more likely to be sensitised to at least one allergen when compared to boys. Among adults, atopic sensitisation was positively associated with age, parental smoking, alcohol consumption and history of bloody urine or schistosomiasis but negatively associated with indoor cooking. A history of TB or helminth infection increased the likelihood of atopy among adults with history of employment. Longitudinal studies to explore the temporal and causal relationships between these factors and allergic outcomes are essential. There is a need for early public health interventions to address environmental and lifestyle factors for the prevention and control of allergic diseases in African rural communities.
- ItemExploring the water, sanitation and hygiene status and health outcomes in Zimbabwe: a scoping review protocol(BMJ Open, 2024-07-31) Betera, S.; Wispriyono, B.; Nunu, W.N.Background The sixth United Nations Sustainable Development Goal emphasises universal access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) to ensure human well-being as a fundamental human right for sustainable development. In Zimbabwe, WASH reforms began more than a century ago from the preindependence to postindependence era. However, countries face pressing challenges in improving their related health outcomes. Therefore, this scoping review aims to explore WASH status and how it influences health outcomes in Zimbabwe. Methods and analysis The leading databases to be searched for relevant sources published in English with an unrestricted search back until May 2024 include PubMed, EBSCO, SAGE, SpringerLink, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science and African Journals Online. A search string was developed for retrieving literature, and reports from key stakeholders in the WASH sector will be included in this study as grey literature. The study will employ a two-step screening process for identifying relevant literature incorporating Cohen’s kappa coefficient statistics to estimate the inter-rater reliability between two independent reviewers using Mendeley and Rayyan software. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist for observational studies and the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials checklist for randomised controlled trials will be used for the quality checks. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews will guide this study in terms of data collection, extraction and analysis from relevant literature. Data charting was used to present and interpret the findings. The entire process is scheduled to commence in June 2024, with the manuscript anticipated to be submitted to a journal in October 2024. Ethics and dissemination This review will use only published data; therefore, no ethical clearance is required. The findings will be disseminated to relevant stakeholders through peer-reviewed journals, meetings, conferences, seminars and forums.
- ItemClimate 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.