1358 research outputs found
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Design of nickel cathode sampling in the manufacture of nickel by the Outokumpu process
No full textIndustrial cathodes have the potential of being extremely nonuniform in impurity
content. Obtaining a representative sample is essential in evaluating specifications
compliance in industrial cathodes which determine its quality. Knowledge about
impurity distribution in nickel cathode is scanty. Again there seems to be no literature
regarding proper sampling design on nickel cathode. The thrust of this project was to
carry out profile tests on impurity distribution and then design an appropriate
sampling method for nickel cathode, using statistical analysis. It was observed that
there is no pattern in which the impurities are distributed within the cathode. Random
sampling was found to be the best method for sampling nickel cathodes
The sustainability of conservation farming in the smallholder farming sector. A case of Guruve communal area in Zimbabwe
No full textThis study is based on fieldwork conducted in Ward 5 Guruve District of Mashonaland Central, Zimbabwe. Conservation farming (CF) has been widely embraced as an antidote to the perennial food insecurity situation, bedeviling drought prone regions in Zimbabwe, such as Guruve district and in Africa at large. Despite widespread promotion of CF among smallholder farmers in Zimbabwe, there has been some dis-adoption of CF by some farmers who originally participated in CF promotions. This study therefore seeks to evaluate the sustainability of conservation farming as an alternative solution to the threatened food security of smallholder farmers. The study therefore determines the socio-economic factors that influence adoption, continuation or discontinuation with conservation farming. It also establishes whether differences exist in terms of socio-economic attributes among farmers who continued and those who discontinued CF. In addition, the study also investigates the profitability of conservation farming practice compared to conventional farming practice. A combination of descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis, and logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the sustainability of conservation farming. Primary data collected through household interviews was used. A structured questionnaire was administered to a total of 90 randomly selected households comprised of three equal categories of farmers namely those that continued CF, discontinued CF and those who never practiced CF. In addition, secondary data was also used in the study.
The study revealed the existence of partial differences and similarities in socio-economic attributes among the three categories of farmers. The most important factors that significantly influence adoption of CF are: number of cattle owned, household labour and maize output. On the other hand, factors that significantly affect continuation/discontinuation with CF are: education of household head, number of cattle owned, access to credit and maize output. Gross margin analysis results showed that maize production using CF practice is significantly more profitable compared to conventional farming hence it is a sustainable farming practice that can be recommended for increasing crop output among smallholder farmers.
It was concluded that conservation farming practice among smallholder can be sustained if the issue of access to credit is addressed, household heads are equipped with education on the importance of CF, CF is promoted with user friendly farm implements to replace draft power shortage and maize output from the CF plot remains significantly higher than that obtained from conventional plot. Anything short of this will result in unsustainable CF. However, the challenge might be that of limited capacity by the government, the private sector and NGOs to continuously provide input support to smallholder farmers in large numbers and hence posing a threat to the sustainability of CF
Relationship between knowledge of complications and health seeking behaviour among pregnant women with pregnancy induced hypertension aged 18 to 28 years at Chitungwiza Central Hospital
No full textPregnancy induced hypertension is a serious pregnancy complication associated with fatal complications on the mother and baby. The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to describe and examine the relationship between knowledge of PIH complications and health seeking behaviour among pregnant women with PIH complications aged 18 to 28 years at Chitungwiza Central Hospital.. A convenient sample of 80 pregnant women were interviewed using an instrument comprising the demographic questionnaire, Health Seeking Behaviour questionnaire and Knowledge of PIH complications questionnaire. A Health Belief Model was used to guide the study. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlational, coefficient test and simple regression.
Study findings indicated that 65 (81,3%) subjects scored above 50% revealing good knowledge of PIH complications. Seventy-two (90%)scored 18-34 revealing bad health seeking behaviour. Data analysis indicated that knowledge of PIH complications and health seeking behaviour were positively correlated and significant (r = .319, p = < .01). Convulsions, headache, generalized oedema, reduced urine output and blurred vision were attributed to bad airs/evil spirits hence faith healers were consulted first before coming to hospital. Simple regression analysis R2 = .102 (F = 8.844. p = < .01) explains 10% variance in Health Seeking behaviour. Major recommendations are that there should be a public awareness on signs and symptoms of PIH complications such as uncontrolled bleeding of sudden onset, facial twitching, confusion and reduced urine output and education stressing the importance of reporting to hospital quickly on observing PIH complications. Use of Rosenstock Health Belief Model assisted in identifying the health seeking behaviours of pregnant women with PIH complications aged18-28
Relationship between knowledge levels on malaria prevention and self-care actions in primigravidae aged 18 to 35 years at Harare Maternity Hospital.
No full textMalaria in pregnancy remains an obstetric, social and medical problem despite national control programmes in Zimbabwe. An increase in the number of episodes of malaria is witnessed year after year in Zimbabwe, particularly at Harare Maternity Hospital (H.M.H). Mudambo and SADC Military Malaria Technical Committee, 2009 reported an import of malaria by military into Malaria Free Zones, south of the Zambezi River, which is a threat to malaria elimination in the SADC region. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between malaria prevention self-care knowledge and malaria episodes, among primigravidae at H.M.H. self-care model guided this study as a conceptual framework. A descriptive correlational study design was used. Quantitative Data were collected from a systematic sample of 80 participants using face to face interviews. Three questionnaires were developed by the investigator, namely the Demographic Data Questionnaire (DDQ), Malaria Episodes Questionnaire (MEQ) and Malaria Prevention Self-Care Knowledge Questionnaire (MPSCKQ) were used as research instruments. Descriptive inferential statistics were used to analyse data, using the statistical package for Social Sciences. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine the self-care actions taken by primigravidae aged 18 to 35 years, if they were related to their knowledge. The findings revealed a positive borderline relationship between knowledge levels and self care actions, (r = .045, p = <.693). The findings showed that the higher the knowledge levels the more the primigravidae exhibited self-care actions in preventing malaria. The study ended with recommendations to empower primigravidae on skills to prevent malaria
The quality of Citizenship Education in Harare primary school: an evaluation of curriculum implementation.
No full textThe marked decline in positive civic behaviour among young Zimbabweans that was reported by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Education of 1999 prompted me to investigate the quality of citizenship education that was implemented in schools through social studies - a subject that I lectured in at the University of Zimbabwe.
The investigation took the form of a case study of three primary schools that comprised a former Group A school, a former Group B school and a Trust school in the city of Harare. I examined the official syllabus document that was intended for use in schools and how it was actually implemented at classroom level with particular reference to content, pedagogy, school ethos and climate. I used an interpretive ethnographic research design that involved a full school year of participant observation, triangulated with detailed document analysis and in-depth interviews with school heads, teachers and pupils. The thesis is based on what I heard from participants, studied in the documents that they used, observed in classrooms and schools and what I, as a participant-observer, synthesised and reflected on.
I found that the intended curriculum as represented by the official social studies syllabus of 1982 had considerable potential for citizenship education. While it required updating to incorporate post-1980 developments, it did not require a complete overhaul for it to promote citizenship education. The evaluation of the primary school social studies curriculum led to the conclusion that the problem was largely at implementation level. Distortion first occurred during textbook writing, official approval and publishing. This was then amplified at school and classroom level because of the dominance of the textbook as a teaching aid and the failure to make significant links to the actual environments and contexts in which pupils lived. An examination-driven curriculum helped perpetuate a low quality implemented citizenship curriculum largely characterised by rote learning and limited practical citizenship-oriented activities. The pupils themselves, when given the opportunity, were very keen on citizenship education. The ethos and climate of the school also had an important input into how young children experienced citizenship education
Modeling sedimentation rates of Malilangwe reservoir in the south-eastern lowveld of Zimbabwe
No full textModelling the sedimentation rates using the Wallingford (2004) equations with the aid of NDVI (remote sensing) to assess land degradation was carried out for Malilangwe reservoir catchment in the south eastern lowveld of Zimbabwe. Siltation life of the reservoir was determined from rate of incoming sediment, trap efficiency and reservoir capacity using the Wallingford method. The average rainfall of the study area was about 560 mm while runoff from the catchment ranged from 0.3 mm (minimum) to 199 mm (maximum) with an overall average runoff of 50.03 mm. Results showed that the overall mean annual sediment concentration was approximately 2,400 ppm. The reservoir capacity to inflow ratio was estimated at 0.8 with a sedimentation rate of 120.1 tkm-2 year-1. Calculated probability of the dam filling is 26.8 %. Results also showed that the siltation life of the reservoir was [100 years according to the Wallingford method. The Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) showed progressive decline (p\0.05) of the vegetation health from 2000 to 2009. While acknowledging the limitations of techniques used, this study demonstrates in part the effectiveness of sedimentation modelling and remote sensing as a tool for the production of baseline data for
assessment and monitoring levels of land degradation in the Malilangwe reservoir catchment
Organochlorine pesticide residues in Mothers’ milk; evaluation of possible Drug interaction in humans
No full textThe aim of the study was to investigate exposure levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in mother’s milk and in selected staple foods. The study also aimed to evaluated effects of 1,1,1-trochloro-2-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) on paracetamol half-life in highly exposed and least exposed breast-feeding mothers as a way of investigating possible drug interaction.
This was an experimental study where milk and food samples from Esigodini, Harare, Kadoma Kariba Nyanga and Mudzi were collected and analysed for OCPs levels using GC-ECD. Evaluation of induction of the hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes by DDT was carried out by pre-treatment of female rats with a single intraperitoneal dose of DDT (0.3 mg/g) body weight. Cytochrome P450 enzyme was quantified by potassium phosphate buffering the microsomal fraction followed by spectral determination of the reduction of cytochrome P450. Blood samples from selected mothers in areas showing results of higher exposure levels to DDT and selected mothers with low exposure levels to DDT (controls) were evaluated for paracetamol drug interaction. Concentration levels of paracetamol in rats were measured using UV-Visible spectrophotometry. Levels of paracetamol in human mothers were measured using the Immunochemistry System (ICS) based on immunochemical precipitation of paracetamol and nephelometric detection of the precipitate.
The highest mean levels of DDT in mother’s milk were found in Mudzi with levels were16838.90 ng/g and the lowest was found in Esigodini with 934.12 ng/g. Results obtained from the analysis of hexachlorohexane (HCH) levels were comparably lower than DDT levels in the selected areas. There was a statistical significant correlation (r=0.8857, p= 0.0188) between DDT levels in staple food and mother’s milk. However, there was no statistical significant correlation (r=0.6571, p= 0.1562) between HCH levels in staple food and mother’s milk.
Maximum induction of cytochrome P450 enzyme for test animals was at its highest (8.51 n mol /mg) on day 14 when compared to control animals, which had 0.55 n mol/mg at day 14. Hepatomegally was directly related to higher levels of cytochrome P450 in test animals while no liver enlargement was observed in control animals.
DDT induced female rats and DDT exposed breast-feeding mothers showed interference with the pharmacokinetics of paracetamol at therapeutic dose level. The half-life of paracetamol in DDT pre-treated rats was 144 minutes when compared to control rats with 380 minutes a difference of 236 minutes. A similar trend was observed in the sampled breast-feeding mothers; analysis of the pharmacokinetic (half-life) data for highly DDT exposed mothers (212 minutes) and 13 least exposed (318 minutes), showed a significant difference (106 minutes) of paracetamol half-life.
The conclusion from the study is that Kariba and Mudzi areas are highly exposed to DDT while Harare and Esigodini areas are least exposed. Exposure levels in breast milk are correlated to levels analysed in staple foods. Continued use of DDT for vector control is welcomed, but it should be done with intense monitoring to prevent long term effects of POPs on exposed individuals. More research is recommended so that scientists could assess the effects of the induction properties of OCPs on the efficacy, toxicity and the therapeutic index on dosage of many drugs used by animals and humans
To examine the relationship between utilization of available nutrition options and quality of life among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) aged 21 – 45 years at Chinhoyi Hospital
No full textHIV is a chronic medical condition. People Living with HIV (PLWH) are at high risk of developing HIV related illnesses, malnutrition and deaths. The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to describe and examine the relationship between utilization of available nutrition options and quality of life among PLWH. Roy’s adaptation model was used to guide the study. A simple random sample of eighty PLWH aged between 21 to 45 years was interviewed using a Quality of Life Questionnaire and Utilization of Available Nutrition Options Questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient test and simple regression.
Study findings showed a Pearson coefficient test of (r = .368, p = < .01). This showed that there was a weak positive correlation between utilization of available nutrition options and quality of life. The results of the study showed that utilization of available nutrition options had a weak effect on quality of life of PLWH. R-squared indicated that 13.5% of the total variation in quality of life is attributed to utilization of available nutrition options. The major recommendation is that the Ministry of Health should develop institutional policies that encourage utilization of available nutrition options by PLWH
