1358 research outputs found
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An evaluation of oxygen gas distribution channel strategies in Zimbabwe: A case of Verify Engineering
No full textThe general conclusion from literature on distribution channel strategies which is focusing mainly on logistics activities showed that logistics strategies have become an important and necessary concept in today’s business world., and due to the importance of repeat business, it was particularly important for any kind of business especially in the oxygen sector, to focus on longer-term relationships with its customers through a reputable channel of distribution. However, this literature has been confined to other parts of the world; hence the aim of this research was to attempt to fill the research gap by evaluating oxygen gas distribution channel strategies in Zimbabwe. The research information and its application were aimed at benefiting the corporate world, the country and academic community. This research was based on a single case study design of Verify Engineering (Pvt) ltd (VE).
Empirical data was obtained through face-to-face interviews with senior managers at the strategic and operational levels of the organization. The respondents were the Chief Executive Officer, General Manager Finance & Administration, Logistics & Supply Chain Manager, the Distribution Officer and the Procurement Managers of top five oxygen customers’. Unstructured questions were used for gathering in-depth information from the respondents. A qualitative research philosophy was used and the data gathered was analysed through Data Displays in the form of content analytic summary tables.
The study found that distribution channel strategies had major impact on the organizational performance at VE. The organization was not benefiting on the distribution channel strategy it had adopted because the distribution company was controlling the product price VE was producing, also the importance of VE oxygen product in the market was compromised by the distributor since the distributor was not giving it full attention, also there were issues of product demand requirement being unsatisfactory, time scheduling conflict and product variances due to coordination problems with the distribution company. In view of these findings this study recommends that VE and the distribution company management personnel to constantly meet and address problems emanating, and also a recommendation was made for VE to adopt direct marking strategy since most oxygen consumers were not satisfied with present distribution company VE was using
An analysis of the impact of private label brands on sales: A case study of OK Zimbabwe Limited (2009 - 2012)
No full textThe aim of this study is to explore the private label branding process and its impact on retail sales performance. Private label branding is a strategic tool adopted by retailers to increase sales and profit margins with a global average contribution to turnover of over 20 percent. The research looked into these elements of marketing mix; pricing, packaging, quality, promotion, advertising and market segmentation and their influence to performance of private label brands.
In efforts to explore factors affecting private label branding in Zimbabwe, this research employs a case study approach, involving a single case organisation, OK Zimbabwe Limited. The organisation was chosen because of its dominance on the local retail industry. Data was collected through unstructured interviews with OK Zimbabwe executives and functional managers identified to be core in strategy making and implementation.
The research outcomes indicate that private label brands have not made any significant impact to OK Zimbabwe sales and profit margins. The failure of these brands is due to lack of management commitment to drive the brands portfolio. The research also concludes that private label brands are affected by these factors; lack of marketing skills and expertise, negative employee attitude, poor quality of brands, price competitiveness and inadequate advertising strategies.
Because of these findings, the research recommends the firm to rebrand private labels and use market segmentation to target specific customers with potential to buy its private label brands. It also recommends that the company should have private label brands produced outside the country, expand the channels of customer communication and change employee attitudes towards private label brands. The findings also discovered some gaps requiring further study. The firm must look into consumer perceptions on private label brands and evaluate the strategic fit of private label branding strategy to organisational culture
The relationship between factors that influence men, aged 20-50 years’ perceptions and their participation in PMTCT programmes in Gwanda urban
No full textPerception may negatively or positively influence men’s participation in PMTCT, which can lead to a rise in the morbidity and mortality rates among family members (father, mother and babies). The purpose of the study was to examine the relationship between the factors that influence men’s perceptions and their participation in PMTCT (Prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV) at Gwanda Urban. Health Belief Model was used to provide a theoretical framework. Eighty men aged 20 to 50 years were selected using simple random sampling. An interview schedule consisting three sections demographic, men’s participation in PMTCT programmes and men’s perceptions of PMTCT was developed. Data was analysed using Pearson correlation coefficient test and simple regression analysis. The study findings showed a Pearson coefficient test of (r = .285, p < .05). this shows that there was a weak positive correlation between men’s participation and men’s perception of PMTCT. The results of the study show that the men’s perceptions have a weak effect on the men’s participation in PMTCT programme. R squared indicates that the men’s perception of PMTCT accounts for 8% variance in men’s perception in PMTCT programmes. It was recommended that clients be empowered to be responsible for making decicionss about their health
Prevalence and risk factors for hypertension among Bulawayo City Council employees, 2010
No full textPrevalence and risk factors for hypertension among Bulawayo City Council employees
Introduction: An increase in the number of employees with raised blood pressure during routine medical examinations from less than two in every ten to four in every ten during the third quarter compared to the first and second quarters of 2009 prompted an investigation on the prevalence of hypertension and risk factors among Bulawayo City Council employees.
Methods and Materials: Analytical cross-sectional study was carried out. Three hundred and two participants were selected by systematic random sampling from employee registers. Questionnaire adapted from World Health Organization STEPwise approach to Surveillance non communicable disease instrument was used to collect data on risk factors. Blood pressure and anthropometric measurements were taken as per World Health Organization STEP guidelines. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure of ≥140mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure of ≥90mmHg.
Results: Mean systolic BP was 134.1±18.6mmHg and mean diastolic BP was 83.3±19mmHg. Prevalence of hypertension was 38.4% (116). The prevalence of hypertension was higher in females than males. Prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension was 14.2% (43). Seventy three (80%) of hypertensive participants were on treatment but only 21 (39%) of them had well controlled BP. Independent risk factors for hypertension were being aged 40 years or older (AOR 5.95, 95% CI 3.29; 10.77), being obese (AOR 3.66, 95% CI 1.89; 7.06), current tobacco smoking (AOR 3.26, 95% CI 1.05; 10.10), family history of hypertension (AOR 2.87, 95% CI 1.56; 5.28) and being married (AOR 1.95, 95% CI 1.03; 3.67).
Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of both diagnosed and undiagnosed hypertension. Despite high percentage of treatment among hypertensive participants, majority were at risk of developing complications because of poor control. Health education on hypertension and setting up of a surveillance system for hypertension and its risk factors are necessary to reduce the burden of hypertension and related illnesses. Further studies on factors associated with obesity and poor control of blood pressure among hypertensive people on treatment are needed.
Key words: Prevalence, hypertension, risk factors, Bulawayo City employees, Zimbabw
INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION UNDER SMALL- HOLDER FARMER MANAGEMENT IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE: A CASE OF GURUVE DISTRICT
No full textIndigenous knowledge systems of livestock care and health care is the only asset in the hands of the small holder farmers to mitigate the impact of climate change on livestock production. This study explores the role of indigenous knowledge systems of livestock care and veterinary care in the face of climate change. Developing countries such as Zimbabwe bear the brunt of climate change due to poor mitigation capacity. Small holder farmers are more affected by climate change than large scale commercial farmers because it is difficult for them to diversify to other livestock species which are tolerant to climate shocks. However ethno-veterinary knowledge is not evenly distributed in society. Gender, age and social class are major determinants of the amount of knowledge that one has. The elderly have more knowledge on ethonoveterinary practices because the knowledge is experiential. Specialists like ethno veterinary herbalists also have more knowledge on ethno veterinary methods because of their specialized skills. Government departments like the department of Veterinary Services are stumbling blocks to the development and utilisation of ethno veterinary medicines because they dismiss them as unapproved and based on mythology. Instead, farmers are encouraged to use modern veterinary medicines. However, the use of ethonoveterinary methods persists because of their ready availability and affordability. Climate change has increased the number of disease in livestock; this makes ethonoveterinary medicine more relevant and useful to adapt livestock production to climate change. This study exposes the need for adaptive mechanisms if small livestock production is to remain viable under the growing threat of climate change
Characterizing hunter-gatherer rock art: An analysis of spatial variation of motifs in the prehistoric rock art of Zimbabwe
No full textThe research and completion of this thesis was done under the “Archaeology and Traditions” research project (2007-2012) funded by the Norwegian Programme for Development, Research and Education (NUFU). This was a cooperation project between the University of Zimbabwe Archaeology Unit and the University of Bergen, UNIGLOBAL (Norway)This study investigated spatial variations of motif representation in Zimbabwean rock art. The major aim of the study was to examine the significance of this variation in the understanding of the lifestyles of its painters. It is the premise of this research that rock art motif variation over space, just like other cultural variables, reflects on the differences in the social, environmental, economic, political, and religious organisation of a society. Therefore, attending to the differences in motif representation contributes towards a holistic understanding of the meaning of the art and the social context of its production.
Previous researchers have alluded to broad regional differences in southern African rock art, dividing it into three, four, or five regions depending on particular approaches used to read this variation. Others have pointed out further variation even within these broad regions. However, this variation has not received further attention beyond mere mention. Instead, more emphasis was given to the unity of the character of the rock art of southern Africa. Today broad similarities are generally agreed upon. What remains critical is the exploration of motif variation which influences the interpretation of the art and the conceptualisation of its makers, the Later Stone Age hunter-gatherers in Zimbabwe and other parts of southern Africa.
Rock art variation comes in various forms. This research concentrated mainly on subject matter, colour and technique of execution. These were expected to reflect the main argument of the research which is that variation of the motifs across space is a result of differences in beliefs and social circumstances surrounding the production of the art in the different geographic areas studied. The research examined the character and frequency of each of these in three different geographic locations in Zimbabwe that are Northern Nyanga, Harare and Chivi. The nature of the rock art from these case studies was compared to what is already known from other parts of Zimbabwe. The research found that motifs do vary across space. The nature of variation points to differences in beliefs, social relations and to some extent the environment. Consequently, the research argues that variation found in the rock art of Zimbabwe can be used together with other archaeological evidence to reconstruct the nature of these aspects of the Later Stone Age societies.Norwegian Programme for Development, Research and Education (NUFU
An investigation into the applicability of competitive intelligence in the construction industry : the case of Focus Construction (2009 to 2012)
No full textThe aim of this study was to assess the applicability of competitive intelligence as a source of sustained competitive advantage in the construction industry of Zimbabwe. Literature provides a six stage intelligence cycle against which competitive intelligence can be assessed. Numerous studies have been conducted on the use of competitive intelligence in other countries but not in Zimbabwe; hence this research attempted to close the research gap by investigating into the applicability of competitive intelligence in the construction industry.
A triangulated research philosophy based on a case study strategy was adopted to solicit perceptions of the respondents of this study. A total of 35 questionnaires were distributed randomly to management and staff at Focus Construction. The questionnaire consisted of closed and open-ended questions for easy analysis. Thus, data analysis of responses was based on frequencies (extracted from SPSS v19) as well as content analysis in order to derive meaning from the data gathered.
The study showed the applicability of CI as a source of sustained competitive advantage. The study recommended to management at Focus Construction that they should adopt CI systems, train their staff on how to gather, analyze and report CI, set an internal CI audit and research and development departments, to make CI a part of every employee’s job and to inculcate a high performing and competitive culture.
Areas of further study should focus on assessing the impact of construction ICT infrastructure on the performance of construction companies, evaluating CI as a strategic tool in the construction industry and investigating whether training of staff on CI would improve competitive strength of organizations in the construction industry
Zimbabwe Rabies Control Guidelines in Humans and Animals
No full textGuideline DocumentWorld Health Organisation
Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services
European Commission Humanitarian Ai
Setting up of HIV-1 Antiretroviral resistance testing methods and their clinical applications.
No full textFollowing the World Health Organization (WHO)’s 3 by 5 initiative, antiretroviral treatment (ART) for HIV disease management has been scaled up rapidly in resource limited settings such as Zimbabwe. First line treatment options include a three antiretroviral (ARV) drug regimens compromising of two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and one non-nucleoside (NNRTI). There are fears that the use of SD NVP for PMTCT and rapid scale-up of ART will be followed by a rapid emergence of primary drug resistance in the population rendering the first line treatment options ineffective. Zimbabwe has instituted 90% coverage of SD NVP: ARVs became widely available in 2003 and currently about 200000 people are on treatment in both the
private and public sector. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of primary drug resistance over a period of two years in a population where ART access is being rapidly scaled up.
This study was nested in a larger study on the HIV-1 Subtype C drug resistance and pathogenesis. Signed informed consents were obtained from eligible young pregnant (<25 years) women who were attending antenatal clinics in Chitungwiza,
Zimbabwe. Whole blood samples were collected in EDTA for CD4 counts, using Partec Cyflow, viral load using Roche HIV monitor Amplicor version 1.5, and estimation of period of infection using BED Calypte Assay as well as presence of HIV-1 drug resistance mutation using population sequencing. Sequence analysis for the prevalence of primary drug resistance was done using the Calibrated Population resistance software of the Stanford HIVDB and the Stanford Drug Resistance Mutations List. Sequences obtained in the analysis for drug resistance were also compared with other sequences from Southern Africa as well as other parts of the world where Subtype C is the dominant HIV-1 strain driving the epidemic.
Three hundred and three women with a mean age of 21 years (95% Confidence Interval, 21 to 22 years) were studied. The median CD4 count was 393 cells/uL, Interquartile range (IQR): 249-509 and among a subset of 107 women, median plasma
VL was 3.70 log10 copies/ml, IQR: 3.1-4.2. Thirty two percent (n=236) of the women were considered to be recently infected using the BED assay, (infected within 155 days of sample collection The median CD4 count in recently-infected women was significantly higher than in women with long term infections based on the BED results (p = 0.000). There were only two test specimens (0.85%) out of 236, with evidence of drug resistance. One specimen had the Y181C mutation associated with NNRTI resistance and a second had the I85V mutation associated with protease inhibitor (PI) resistance. There was no evidence of primary drug resistance in the recently infected women. No evidence of geographic clustering of sequences among subtype C Southern African sequences was
observed after phylogenetic analysis. Interestingly, subtype C sequences from India, Brazil, China and Ethiopia formed separate clusters distinct from the Southern Africa
sequences.
The lack of evidence of HIV-1 primary drug resistance in this population of young pregnant women suggests that the use of genotypic drug resistance data to select the most optimal treatment regimen may not yet be warranted. Currently there is no evidence of evolutionary compartmentalization of the HIV-1 Subtype C epidemic in Southern Africa. This may be indicative of the absence of selective pressure driving differentially adapted sub clusters