1358 research outputs found
Sort by
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NECTAR/CHRIS/IMHERZ WORKSHOP HELD AT HARARE HOLIDAY INN 3RD - 5TH OF FEBRUARY 2011
No full textProf Hakim started the workshop by welcoming the guests
and thanked them for being punctual and then handed over
to the Chair of the morning session Prof Chidzonga who
formally welcomed the guests to the workshop making special
mention of the guests from UK, USA and South Africa
before handing over to the Vice Chancellor, Prof Nyagura
to give the Official Opening Speech.
Opening Speech – Prof L. Nyagura
Prof Nyagura welcomed all our guests, especially mentioning
the visitors from UK, USA and South Africa. He said that
the NCI initiative is extremely important to the University of
Zimbabwe. As the oldest University in the country UZ is
expected to provide leadership to the other universities. This
leadership includes ensuring the provision of the highest quality
of education in the country. In the last 5 years, UZ has gone
through a very difficult time with many challenges including
the exodus of many member of faculty. With the turnaround
of the economy and politics the institution is poised to regain
its lofty international standing. Every effort should be made
to regain the status UZ has enjoyed in the past. Faculty
members trained at UZ are practicing in the US, UK, SA,
which in itself is a sign of the good quality of the products
of this University. With this award UZ can work towards the
restoration and improvement of that record. Since knowledge
is now propagated almost instantly over the internet, partners
can be physically apart but can share information seamlessly.
Nonetheless, personal interactions are important and he urged
all participants to get as much out of this workshop as possible
Assessing the spectral separability of flue cured tobacco varieties established on different planting dates and under varying fertilizer management levels
No full textThe NDVI was used to discriminate tobacco variety, assess fertilizer levels, and determine the impact of planting date on separating
crops. A split plot design with four planting dates, September, October, November, and December, as main plots, variety as subplot,
and fertilizer treatments as sub-subplots was used. Radiometric measurements were taken from 5m × 5m sampling plots, using
a multispectral radiometer. The September, October, and November crops had significant variety x fertilizer treatment differences
( 0.05) NDVI values and these were greater ( < 0.5)
than those for K E1. The 100% and the 150% fertilizer treatments were similar ( > 0.05) and both were greater ( < 0.05) than
the 50% fertilizer treatments. All of the fertilizer and variety treatments at the December planting dates had similar reflectance
characteristics ( > 0.05), which were lower ( < 0.05) than the September and October planting dates.The results showed that
planting dates, varieties, and fertilizer levels could be distinguished using spectral data. Weeks 10-11 and 15 after the start of the
experiment were optimal for separating the planting date effect
Combining ability between drought and heat stress tolerant donors and adapted CIMMYT Zimbabwe maize inbred lines
No full textDrought and heat stress are major abiotic stresses limiting maize production in Zimbabwe and Africa at large. It is of great importance to evaluate the breeding value of combined drought and heat stress donor parents for development of new and locally adapted maize hybrids. A North Carolina Design II (NCDII) mating scheme was used for crossing 10 combined drought and heat stress tolerant donor lines and six adapted CIMMYT Zimbabwe lines. The cross combinations that were successfully pollinated resulted in a total of 30 single cross hybrids and five stress tolerant donor parents were dropped from the evaluations as they did not have all cross combinations with the testers. These single cross hybrids were evaluated under optimum, sandy and managed drought conditions using a 0.1 alpha lattice design with two replications in the 2013-14 summer and winter season. The objectives of this study were (i) to estimate combining ability effects among the drought and heat stress tolerant donors and CIMMYT Zimbabwe adapted maize inbred lines, (ii) to classify the stress tolerant donor lines into heterotic group A and B using CML312 and CML444 as testers and (iii) to evaluate GXE interaction of the single crosses developed. For grain yield and other secondary traits evaluated across environments, significant GCA and SCA effects indicated the importance of both additive and non-additive gene effects in the expression of these traits. Additive gene action contributed more to genotypic variation amongst testcrosses for the traits measured as evidenced by the higher mean squares for lines and testers than their interaction. For grain yield, additive gene action due to females had much contribution to the genotypic variation therefore highlighting the importance of maternal effects in the expression of this trait. The basis used for tester identification was good GCA effects for grain yield. Lines CL1215159, CL133480, CML395and CML444 showed good GCA. For heterotic grouping using CML312 and CML444 as testers, lines CL1215159, VL062656 and CL1215158 were classified in heterotic group A and CL1215157 and CL133480 were classified in group B. In heterotic group A, the single cross CL1215159 x CML312 was identified and in heterotic group B, CL133480 x CML444 was identified as potential single cross testers. This study was therefore able to identify genotypes to be incorporated in stress breeding programmes.CIMMYT Zimbabw
The relationship between the level of HIV antenatal self care knowledge and HIV self care antenatal care practices among HIV positive women age 18-40 years at Chinhoyi provincial hospital.
No full textLack of adaptation of good HIV antenatal self care practice may lead to a rise in both maternal
and infant mortality rates, through mother to child transmission of HIV. The purpose of the study
was to examine the relationship between the level of HIV antenatal self care knowledge and the
nature of HIV Antenatal Self Care Practices among HIV positive pregnant women at Chinhoyi
Provincial Hospital. Orem’s self care deficit model was utilized to provide a theoretical
framework to guide the study. A descriptive co-relational design was used to guide the study. A
sample of 80 mothers was selected using simple random sampling technique. Structured
interview schedule was administered by the investigator through face to face interaction.
Descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographic, dependant and independent variables.
Inferential statistics by Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) were computed to examine
the relationship between the levels of HIV antenatal self care knowledge and the nature of the
HIV antenatal self care practices. Pearson's correlation coefficient test showed a moderate
significant positive relationship between the variables (r = .252*, p< = .01. The regression
analysis gave a significant effect at R² = 064 (F = 5,300). The findings showed that the nature
of HIV antenatal self care practices account for 34% positive modification, meaning other factors
other than the acquired levels of antenatal self care knowledge account for the remaining
percentage. Varying patterns to knowing resulted in varying responses in utilization of acquired
levels of knowledge by the study subjects. It is recommended that Midwives identify knowledge
patterns held by child bearing women in their areas and come up with strategies of adequately
addressing those, to help them utilize the knowledge they acquire adequately and effectively
The relationship between prenatal self- care practices during pregnancy and birth outcomes among young mothers aged 16 to 24 years delivering at Gweru Maternity Hospital
No full textYouth pregnancy is an important public health problem since it occurs in the context of poor social support and maternal wellbeing. Age at which child bearing begins has an impact on the health and welfare of the mother and her children, with young mothers being more likely to experience adverse birth outcomes. Highest pregnancy rates in the world are in sub – Saharan Africa where maternal deaths in the 16 – 24 years age group is twice as high as their older counterparts. In Zimbabwe 21% of women aged 16 – 24 years have begun child bearing with rural youths and those with less education tending to start earlier (Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, 2009).
The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between Prenatal Self-Care Practices during pregnancy and Birth Outcomes among young mothers aged 16 – 24 years delivering at Gweru Maternity Hospital. Orem’s Self-Care model was used to guide the study focusing on the Self-Care, Self-Care Deficit and Supportive Educative Nursing System concepts. A descriptive correlation research design was used. A sample of 80 participants was selected through systematic random sampling, a probability sampling procedure. An interview schedule was used to collect data on self-care practices and birth outcomes. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyse data. Pearson coefficient correlation test was used to analyse the relationship between the two variables, which revealed a significant moderate positive relationship of (r.340 p<0.01) this explained that as self-care practices during pregnancy increases, birth outcomes improved. Midwifery practice should adapt protocols to support individualised self-care practices to maximise improvement in birth outcomes. Further research and inquiry is needed to explore other factors and variables that could have attributed to the high rates of adverse birth outcomes in young women
An autopsy study of splenic injuries seen in patients with blunt abdominal trauma at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare: Prevalence of missed splenic injuries
No full textThe spleen is one of the most commonly injured organs following blunt
abdominal trauma1. Significant evolution has occurred in the
management of splenic injuries, with a paradigm shift, from splenectomy
to non-operative management.2 In low resource centres, absent
management protocols and the lack of expertise and equipment, have
resulted in a significant number of splenic injuries being missed.3
1.2 OBJECTIVES
(i) To determine the frequency of missed splenic injuries related to
blunt abdominal trauma at the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals at
autopsy.
(ii) To evaluate the initial diagnostic modalities being utilised in
screening for splenic injuries.
(iii) To identify other injuries associated with missed splenic injuries at
autopsy.
1.3 STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective Descriptive autopsy study
12 | P a g e
1.4 MATERIALS AND METHODS
Records of autopsies done over the period January 2008-December
2011were analysed in conjunction with those from casualty at the
Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals. All autopsies performed for blunt
trauma were included in the study. Analysis was done using Stata version
10.0.
1.5 RESULTS
A total of 2171 autopsies were conducted for blunt trauma during the period
January 2008 and December 2011. Of these, 136 cases were identified as
having a missed splenic injury, giving a prevalence of 6% (p=0.001). Data
for analysis was available in 87 cases. The remaining cases (n=49) were
excluded from the study. Median age was 33 years (Q1=27, Q3=40). Male:
female ratio was 4.2:1.Road traffic accidents accounted for 86% of all
injuries. In 83% of cases, the initial attending clinician was the casualty
officer. None of the initial attending clinicians had Advanced Trauma Life
Support(ATLS® )training. Sixty per cent of cases presented with a GCS
of 3-8. Head injuries were the most common association in 46% of cases.
None of the cases had an ultrasound scan done. At autopsy, the median
volume of haemoperitoneum was 1000ml; (Q1=713 Q3=1069). The
commonest cause of death was hypovolemic shock in 60% of cases.
Combined splenic and liver injuries accounted for 40% and isolated
splenic injuries accounted for 33% of these cases.
13 | P a g e
1.6 CONCLUSION
The study confirms that a significant number of splenic injuries were
missed by the attending clinician. A low Glasgow Coma Scale and the
presence of serious injuries were the commonest associations. The lack of
training in ATLS®, absence of protocols of managing trauma patients
and inadequate diagnostic equipment and expertise were the other
contributory factors associated with the missed splenic injuries. Early
detection and appropriate management of these cases could significantly
reduce the mortality of these polytrauma patients
Baseline sero-survey of rubella virus prevalence in pregnant women in Harare and incidence of rubella in Zimbabwe during 2009-2011 measles outbreak.
No full textRubella virus is a teratogen that may induce foetal death or Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) in the newborn. A baseline sero-survey was carried out in Harare to determine the population susceptible to Rubella virus amongst pregnant women. A descriptive cross- sectional study was carried out on pregnant women between June and July 2012, to establish baseline data on the sero-prevalence of Rubella in pregnant women in Harare. A total of 51 pregnant women at various gestational ages were recruited from Rujeko and Rutsanana antenatal clinics. Also a retrospective analytical study was carried on the laboratory surveillance data of the Zimbabwean Measles/Rubella outbreak of 2009-2011 to assses the age groups affected by Rubella virus infection and Rubella incidence. A 3-5ml blood sample was collected from each consenting subject and serum assayed for Rubella IgG/IgM antibodies by indirect ELISA test. The seroprevalence of Rubella in pregnant women was 92.2%. This study found out that 7.8% of the pregnant women were susceptible to Rubella virus infection in Harare. In this study the seroprevalence of Rubella showed some fluctuations with an increase in age and parity, thus indicating that pregnant women were probably previously exposed to natural Rubella infection since there is no vaccination in Zimbabwe. There were no significant correlations between Rubella infection and age. Although the seronegative rate of Rubella is low, this study suggests the need for detection and vaccination of seronegative women of child bearing age. I concluded that Rubella virus immunity is still ˃80% in Zimbabwe as stated by the WHO Rubella virus antibody survey
