3 research outputs found
Examining the Challenges that hinder the development of entrepreneurship skills among secondary school students in Zimbabwe:
No full textPurpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the challenges that are faced by schools in developing entrepreneurship skills among learners in order to achieve a sustainable education system in Zimbabwe with special focus on secondary schools in Mashonaland West Province.
Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions as this study was qualitative in nature. Teachers and ‘A’ level students were the respondents while School Heads and Education Officers were the key informants. The thematic analysis approach was used to analyse and present data.
Findings: The study established that various challenges are encountered by secondary schools in attempting to develop entrepreneurial skills among students. Most such challenges emanate from lack of entrepreneurially qualified teachers to deliver practical entrepreneurship skills to secondary school students, lack of financial and material resources to start entrepreneurial projects and the curricula not favouring entrepreneurship skills development. The study further noted that lack of electricity in rural areas and general negative attitudes by students who think that buying, selling and producing are a sign of desperation are some of the challenges that hinder entrepreneurial skills development.
Practical implications: The study recommended that financial and material resources be made available to construct physical infrastructure for start-up entrepreneurial projects. The study further recommends installation of electricity in all rural secondary schools as an enabler for students and teachers to widen their choices of entrepreneurial projects and help them access internet. Entrepreneurship training of both students and teachers and career guidance so that students change their mind-sets, attitudes and negative perceptions of entrepreneurship is also a necessity.
Paper type: Research paper
Challenges hindering women entrepreneurship sustainability in rural livelihoods: Case of Manicaland province
No full textThe main purpose of this research is to examine the challenges hindering sustainability of women entrepreneurship in rural areas of Manicaland province, Zimbabwe. A qualitative research was conducted in Manicaland province in Zimbabwe. Data were collected through interviews from 30 women entrepreneurs in the various sectors of the economy. The respondents were specialised in vegetable vending, operating clothing flea markets and cross border trading. Interview guide was used to collect data from respondents and the major theme approach were used to analyse and present data. The study established that women entrepreneurs face various challenges such as lack of collateral security to access funding; lack of market information and occurrence of disasters in the localities. These challenges hinder sustainability of women entrepreneurship in Zimbabwe. It was highlighted that there is compelling need for availing market information; adequate knowledge and skills; supportive government schemes; need for community involvement and participation to support women entrepreneurial activities in the study area. It is clear that if the discovered challenges are not addressed, sustainability of women entrepreneurship will remain a dream. The study came up with strategies for improving women entrepreneurship activities in the Zimbabwean context. Future research can be done in other provinces s to avoid generalisation of findings based on this particular study. Many challenges hinder the sustainability of women entrepreneurship. Major impediments to women entrepreneurship comprises inadequate support from government schemes, patriarchal societal structure of the community, lack of relevant entrepreneurial knowledge to manage businesses, lack of collateral security to access funding, time limitation or role conflict to balance family pressures and business. The study recommends proper entrepreneurship education and training, supportive government schemes and access to network affiliation/connection to sustain women entrepreneurship in Zimbabwe
Novel FujiLAM assay to detect tuberculosis in HIV-positive ambulatory patients in four African countries: a diagnostic accuracy study
No full textBACKGROUND: Development of rapid biomarker-based tests that can diagnose tuberculosis using non-sputum samples is a priority for tuberculosis control. We aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the novel Fujifilm SILVAMP TB LAM (FujiLAM) assay with the WHO-recommended Alere Determine TB-LAM Ag test (AlereLAM) using urine samples from HIV-positive patients. METHODS: We did a diagnostic accuracy study at five outpatient public health facilities in Uganda, Kenya, Mozambique, and South Africa. Eligible patients were ambulatory HIV-positive individuals (aged ≥15 years) with symptoms of tuberculosis irrespective of their CD4 T-cell count (group 1), and asymptomatic patients with advanced HIV disease (CD4 count <200 cells per μL, or HIV clinical stage 3 or 4; group 2). All participants underwent clinical examination, chest x-ray, and blood sampling, and were requested to provide a fresh urine sample, and two sputum samples. FujiLAM and AlereLAM urine assays, Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay on sputum or urine, sputum culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and CD4 count were systematically carried out for all patients. Sensitivity and specificity of FujiLAM and AlereLAM were evaluated against microbiological and composite reference standards. FINDINGS: Between Aug 24, 2020 and Sept 21, 2021, 1575 patients (823 [52·3%] women) were included in the study: 1031 patients in group 1 and 544 patients in group 2. Tuberculosis was microbiologically confirmed in 96 (9·4%) of 1022 patients in group 1 and 18 (3·3%) of 542 patients in group 2. Using the microbiological reference standard, FujiLAM sensitivity was 60% (95% CI 51–69) and AlereLAM sensitivity was 40% (31–49; p<0·001). Among patients with CD4 counts of less than 200 cells per μL, FujiLAM sensitivity was 69% (57–79) and AlereLAM sensitivity was 52% (40–64; p=0·0218). Among patients with CD4 counts of 200 cells per μL or higher, FujiLAM sensitivity was 47% (34–61) and AlereLAM sensitivity was 24% (14–38; p=0·0116). Using the microbiological reference standard, FujiLAM specificity was 87% (95% CI 85–89) and AlereLAM specificity was 86% (95 CI 84–88; p=0·941). FujiLAM sensitivity varied by lot number from 48% (34–62) to 76% (57–89) and specificity from 77% (72–81) to 98% (93–99). INTERPRETATION: Next-generation, higher sensitivity urine-lipoarabinomannan assays are potentially promising tests that allow rapid tuberculosis diagnosis at the point of care for HIV-positive patients. However, the variability in accuracy between FujiLAM lot numbers needs to be addressed before clinical use. FUNDING: ANRS and Médecins Sans Frontières
