National Research Database of Zimbabwe
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An assessment of the effectiveness of the regulatory tools in managing bank failures in Zimbabwe: Case of Interfin and Royal Bank
No full textThe continued failure of banks in Zimbabwe has left thousands of depositors stranded and reduced economic activity of the country. The stability and public confidence in the banking sector has also been eroded by the failure to effectively manage bank failures. The failure of banks has reduced the attractiveness of the country to foreign investment. The study looks at the effectiveness of the regulatory toolkit that the authorities have been using in the face of repeating bank failures.
The Zimbabwean banking sector has experienced over twenty six bank failures since independence. The study looked at a case study of Interfin Banking Corporation and Royal Bank that failed and the regulatory tools used to resolve them. Data was gathered from interviews with regulatory authorities and the curators of the failed banks.
The study established that effectiveness of the resolution tools was mainly affected by the provisions in the existing legal frameworks. As a result, the speed and finality of resolution efforts have been thwarted by legal battles and regulatory forbearance. There are no frameworks for other tools such as open bank assistance, purchase and assumption, and bridge banks to manage or resolve failing banks. Bank failures in Zimbabwe is predominantly a result liquidity challenges, poor risk management practices and weak corporate governance structure. The main players in the regulations and management of failed banks are the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and the Deposit Protection Corporation
An exploration of the impact of disclaimer clauses on managing customer loyalty and retention. A case of Chinese retail shops in Harare city centre
No full textThis study sought to investigate the effects that disclaimer clauses have on customer retention and the buying behaviour of customers of Chinese retail shops in the Harare Central Business District. A review of the literature review shows that generally disclaimer clauses have a negative effect on the buying behaviour of consumers. It was also shown in the literature review that the disclaimers are usually used to protect the interests of the retailers and in most cases; customers have a lot to lose where the purchased product proved to be defective.
Questionnaires and interviews were used as the main tools for data collection in this study. Major findings of the study show that most people who became aware of the disclaimer clauses in Chinese retail shops were not prepared to do repeat business with the Chinese retail shops. It was further found that disclaimer clauses negatively impacted the purchase behaviour of customers. Customers were not happy about the use of disclaimer clauses. The majority of the customers felt the clauses were unfair. The disclaimer clauses distort customer care and as a result customers are not satisfied.
The study concluded that most Chinese retail shop owners use disclaimer clauses in order to protect their own interests against poor quality of their products and was therefore using cheap pricing models to attract customers. The study also concluded that where customers were aware of the existence of the disclaimer clauses in these shops, they mainly bought the products from these shops for reselling at a bargain.
The research recommends that the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe be more conspicuous in educating the generality of the consumers as this will go a long way in achieving a well informed consumer base. The Standards Association of Zimbabwe should also assist the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority to curb the influx of inferior products from abroad. The study further recommends that Chinese retailers formulate and implement customer retention strategies. This may likely lead to them having satisfied customers who will build a confident relationship that will increase the business volumes of goods traded
In Vitro assessment of the probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria isolated from sorghum mahewu
No full textFermentation of cereal grains is associated with beneficial microorganisms, referred to as probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms which confer health benefits to host organisms when consumed in adequate amounts. For a probiotic microorganism to exert its beneficial effects, it has to survive transit through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and colonise the host gut. Ability to survive simulated GIT transit in vitro, can be used to assess probiotic properties of bacteria isolated from fermented foods. The present study evaluated the in vitro probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from sorghum based mahewu. Nineteen LAB were isolated from different red and white sorghum mahewu batches and characterised using their biochemical properties. The LAB were then screened for ability to tolerate simulated gastric juice conditions. Each isolate was tested for ability to grow and remain viable in de Man Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) broth adjusted to pH 2 and pH 3, MRS broth with 0.3 % bile, simulated gastric juice and for antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli (ATCC 1129). For the tolerance to simulated gastric transit assays, cells from an overnight culture of each isolate were centrifuged at 5 000 rpm for 5 minutes, washed twice in Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) at pH 7.2 and inoculated into the test broth. The inoculated test broth was then incubated at 37°C for three hours. Tolerance was determined by evaluating viable counts in an aliquot of the inoculated test broth before incubation and after three hours of incubation. Growth of the isolates in the test broth was also evaluated by measuring optical density (O.D) of the culture at hourly intervals over the three hours at 620 nm using a spectrophotometer. For evaluation of antimicrobial activity of the isolates against E. coli, the culture supernatant of each isolate was used. The culture supernatant was prepared using 48 hour MRS broth cultures of each of the isolates. The 48 hour cultures were centrifuged at 10 000 rpm for ten minutes to pellet the bacteria cells. The culture supernatant of each isolate was then added to wells on Muller Hinton agar plates on which E. coli had been spread. The plates were incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. The results of the study indicated that LAB isolated from mahewu generally had good probiotic potential, 84.2 % of the isolates had all the probiotic properties tested for in the study. All the isolates remained viable after exposure to MRS broth adjusted to pH 3 for three hours at 37°C. Tolerance to pH 2 however, varied significantly (p<0.05), 89.5 % (n=19) of the isolates showed tolerance but a reduction in percentage growth compared to growth in the control MRS broth at pH 6.5. Most of the isolates, 84.7 % showed ability to tolerate MRS broth containing 0.3 % porcine bile, the rest of the isolates were not able to grow in the presence of the bile. The tolerance of the isolates to the presence of bile differed significantly (p<0.05), indicating that the mechanisms and ability to tolerate bile salts differ among LAB. All the isolates were able to inhibit growth of E.coli. The sizes of the zones of inhibition varied considerably. This was probably due to differences in the types and amounts of antimicrobial compounds produced by each isolate. Overall, the results indicated that the LAB isolates possess desirable in vitro probiotic properties. The levels of tolerance to simulated gastric conditions and antimicrobial activity of the isolates varied considerably, indicating that tolerance mechanisms might be dependent on the specific characteristics of each isolate. Generally, the different LAB isolates could be good candidates for further studies, with in vivo tests to validate their potential.,DAAD In - Country Scholarship Programm
Poverty determinants in Chivi district, Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe: An application of econometric modelling techniques on household data
No full textThere has been lack of consensus on the determinants of poverty at household level and previous studies in Chivi utilised descriptive statistics in analysing poverty which is not very useful in determining the probability of being poor of households. This study sought to establish the major demographic determinants of poverty, human capital determinants of poverty and agricultural assets that determine poverty utilising appropriate econometric modelling techniques.
This was a quasi-experimental research that utilises both qualitative and quantitative techniques to understand the major determinants of poverty at household level utilising the logit model. A questionnaire was the major research instrument that was used in the collection of data. The study followed the Basic Needs approach to poverty analysis and utilised the poverty lines to classify households into poverty categories.
The major demographic determinants of poverty were: household size that was positively associated with the probability of being poor; and age of household head that was negatively correlated with the probability of being poor. Education as measured by average years of schooling was the major human capital factor that was negatively associated with the probability of being poor. Cattle ownership was negatively associated with the probability of being poor as the major agricultural asset that determines poverty. Religion and geography were found to be significant determinants of poverty in Chivi.
The study recommends renewed focus on rural development with urgency and efficacy to increase labour productivity. It recommended that provision of draught power to the poor households in Chivi might help in increasing agricultural productivity. Maintenance of high levels of education is essential for effective transmission of agricultural technology to increase productivity in Chivi. This study suggested a multi-pronged approach to the fight against poverty that includes religious leaders. The study also suggested a livestock financing scheme for the poor to be championed by Banks and supported by Government. Government should seriously consider embarking community area re-orientation programme which has been on the cards for long
Posterior fossa tumours in children at Parirenyatwa hospital
No full textBackground: It is important to know the epidemiology of posterior fossa tumors in children.Groups at risk can then be identified and followed up with the aim of reducing late presentation and improving outcome. However larger, long term studies are needed to accurately achieve this.
Objectives: The aim was to describe the effect of demographics, social background and HIV on the occurrence of posterior fossa tumors.
Design: Prospective Cross sectional study of children treated for posterior fossa tumors at the Neurosurgical unit of Parirenyatwa referral hospital.
Setting: Neurosurgery unit, Parirenyatwa teaching and referral hospital.
Materials and methods: A total of 32 children admitted with imaging demonstrating a posterior fossa tumor were included after the parents gave consent for their children to participate in the study. No patients were excluded from the study. All patients were also tested for HIV using the antibody tests. Data was collected by administering a questionnaire.
Results: Most cases came from Manicaland province with mean age of the patients being 6.7(SD) years and age ranging from 2 – 12 years. Median time to presentation from symptom onset was 3.5[2 - 6] months. Most patients were of poor socio economic status. A total of 7(21.7%) were HIV positive.
Conclusion: Posterior fossa tumors at Parirenyatwa hospital occur more commonly in low income families from Manicaland. There was a higher HIV rate in the study patients compared to the pediatric population. The sample size was however too small to demonstrate a statistically significant correlation between HIV and posterior fossae tumor occurrence.
Keywords: posterior fossa tumor, epidemiology, socio-demographics, pediatric brain tu-
mors, HIV,NECTA
Co-morbidity of diabetes mellitus and HIV in patients attending the ART clinic Parirenyatwa hospital 2015
No full textBackground: Zimbabwe has a double burden of diseases, with HIV epidemic and increased prevalence of diabetes mellitus. Since the roll out of Anti Retroviral Therapy in 2004 at Parirenyatwa OI clinic, Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors have been the backbone of antiretroviral therapy. At least 10% of OI clients at the institution are on 2nd line regimen with Protease Inhibitors. These drugs cause metabolic derangements which are potentially Diabetogenic. With improved care in HIV management, patients are living long enough to experience environmental and behavioural risk factors for diabetes mellitus. However diabetic screening is not done at Parirenyatwa OI clinic and the disease burden of HIV/Diabetes co-morbidity is not known.
Methods: An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted. Questionnaires were used to collect data on patient’s socio-demographic characteristics, medical history and symptoms of diabetes mellitus. Random blood sugar and glycated haemoglobin tests were done to ascertain diabetes status.
Results: Prevalence of diabetes was 15.42%. Treatment with Protease inhibitors (POR 2.36; 95% CI 1.06-5.23) and a CD4 count at diagnosis of HIV greater than 500 (POR 3.74; 95% CI 1.26-11.09) were associated with development of diabetes mellitus with statistical significance. Smoking (POR 2.34; 95% CI 0.69-7.96), alcohol abuse (POR 1.81; 95% CI 0.74-4.40) being overweight (POR 1.79; 95% CI 0.85-3.79), were also associated with the development of diabetes but not statistically significant.
Conclusions: Behavioural risk factors like smoking, alcohol use and being overweight were associated with developing diabetes. Protease inhibitors use was also associated with the development of diabetes mellitus
A study to determine the relationship between level of woman empowerment and level of self-care among HIV positive pregnant women aged 15-49 years at Morgenster mission hospital in Masvingo province
No full textHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be a major public health problem locally, regionally and internationally (Arron, 2007). Global UNAIDS 2013 report stated that 35, 5-38, 8 million people were living with HIV by December 2012 and approximately 60% of them being women. HIV prevalence among women aged 15-49 years in Zimbabwe is 16.4%, Avert Zimbabwe (2014) reported. Zimbabwe like any other countries which adopted the June 2013 WHO new integrated HIV treatment guidelines recommending lifelong antiretroviral therapy Option B+ for all HIV positive pregnant women and lactating mothers for their own health and prevention of mother to child transmission. Culture, socioeconomic status, and religion have left HIV positive pregnant women vulnerable to inability in accessing health care services. The purpose of this research was to determine the relationship between empowerment and self-care among HIV positive pregnant women aged 15-49 years at Morgenster Mission Hospital Antenatal Clinic in Masvingo Province. The study utilised Orem’s self care model. A quantitative descriptive correlation design was used in the study, whichdescribes the relationship between variables only without exploring cause and effect relationships. A sample of 96 HIV positive pregnant women aged 15-49 years was selected conveniently. A structured interview schedule was used for data collection after a pre-run of the study instrument for validity and reliability. The questionnaire had closed and open ended questions which took 15 to 20 minutes to answer. Data was analysed using the statistical package for Social Science (SPSS -PC). The research questions were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Linear regression analysis was used to test the strength of the relationship between empowerment and self care. Only 32 (33.3%) were empowered and 31 (31.3% could self care
A study to determine the relationship between prevalence of late stage diagnosis of cervical cancer and number of comorbid illness in women aged 65 years and above in Zimbabwe
No full textThe elderly are currently the fastest growing population worldwide. Illnesses arising
with advancing age, like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dementia, Alzheimer’s and vascular disorders are complicating cervical cancer diagnosis in elderly women. This descriptive, correlational study was done to explore the relationship between prevalence of late stage diagnosis of cervical cancer and number of comorbidities in women aged 65 years and above in Zimbabwe guided by Betty Neuman’s Systems Model. Non-probability sampling was used to recruit and interview 68 women aged 65 years and above with cervical cancer from Parirenyatwa Hospital and Spilhause Clinic at Harare Hospital. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), The Pearson’s Correlation coefficient and simple regression to describe demographic characteristics and dependent and independent variables. Study findings indicated that the average number of comorbidities suffered by elderly women before late stage cervical cancer diagnosis was 2.03 with a mean comorbidity score of 9.03 out of 38 using a modified Charleson Comorbidity Index. The prevalence of late stage diagnosis was 0.661. Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed a positive and
significant relationship between prevalence of late stage diagnosis of cervical cancer and number of comorbidities (r = .431, p < 0.01). This result means that the higher the number of comorbidities in elderly women, the later the stage of presentation with cervical cancer. There is need to focus early screening of cervical cancer efforts on elderly women to promote early detection and treatment. The effect of the independent variable is indicated by significant R² = 0.186 (b = 0.289). This result explains that the number of comorbidities suffered before cervical cancer diagnosis causes 18.6% of the prevalence of late stage diagnosis of cervical cancer. Further research is needed to clarify other factors leading to late stage diagnosis of cervical cancer in elderly women aged 65 years and above in Zimbabwe
Preoperative anxiety levels in obstetric patients receiving spinal anaesthesia: Does an information booklet reduce anxiety and improve quality of anaesthesia?
No full textOBJECTIVE: To look at levels of preoperative anxiety in patients who are to have caesarian section under spinal anaesthesia and determine if availing an information booklet to the patients would reduce anxiety.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients were included on baseline assessment of anxiety. The anxiety was evaluated using the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS) and the Shona version of it was validated. Patients randomly selected into group A received the information booklet the day before surgery while those in group B did not. Anxiety was reassessed on the day of surgery. The day after surgery a survey of the patients’ satisfaction with the spinal anaesthesia was done.
RESULTS: Three patients out of the 120 were lost to follow-up for unforeseen reasons. Baseline anxiety assessment showed that 38 out of 60 patients in group A and 45 out of 60 patients in group B were anxious and this was statistically significant (p=0.000). There was an increase in the number of anxious patients in groups A and B on the day of surgery from 38 to 43 and from 45 to 48 respectively. This increase however was not statistically significant (p=0.1307 group A, p=0.1500 group B). Regarding need for information, those with none or little need for information were 42.7% (p=0.099), average need for information 18.8% (p=0.031) and with high need for information 38.5% (p=0.001). Regarding the relationship between anxiety and need for information there was a positive correlation for both group A and B(r=0.638, p=0.000 and r=0.797, p=0.000 respectively). One hundred and eleven (94.9%) of patients were satisfied with the spinal anaesthesia and 110(94.0%) were willing to have it if they were to have subsequent
caesarian section.
CONCLUSION: There was preoperative anxiety in patients scheduled for caesarian section. The information booklet did not reduce anxiety. The high need for information was significant in the group that did not have access to the booklet. Patients were however satisfied with spinal anaesthesia
Leadership disputes as ongoing: an analysis of the Zion Apostolic Faith Mission church in Zimbabwe (1923).
No full textThis dissertation seeks to show that leadership disputes are an ongoing phenomenon in the Zion Apostolic Faith Mission Church in Zimbabwe since its inception in 1923 to date. The founder Bishop faced some leadership disputes, his son and the second bishop Dorious (1985-2012) faced some leadership disputes. Dictatorship and general church maladministration during Dorious’ reign created leadership disputes which spilled into today’s leadership wrangle pitting Jameson the eldest surviving son of the late Bishop Dorious and his youngster Ezra. Factors precipitating these disputes shall be revealed in due course and a conclusion shall be available