Showing papers by "University of Zimbabwe published in 1997"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors show that the Songpan-Ganze fold belt and Longmen Mountains Thrust-Nappe Belt reveal several phases of differential cooling across major listric thrust faults since Early Cretaceous times.
217 citations
TL;DR: The SSQ is the first indigenous measure of mental disorder developed in sub‐Saharan Africa to have included idioms of distress of primary care attenders and involved patients consulting traditional medical practitioners, and promises to be a useful instrument for epidemiological and clinical research.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to develop an indigenous measure of common mental disorders (CMD) in the Shona language in Zimbabwe. Ethnographic and qualitative studies elicited idioms of distress of mental disorder leading to the preliminary Shona Symptom Questionnaire (SSQ), and items from the Self-Report Questionnaire (SRQ) were added to it. The 56-item Preliminary Shona Symptom Questionnaire (PSSQ) was administered to 302 randomly selected primary care attenders, of whom 100 were classified as cases on the basis of agreement between care provider assessment and a psychiatric interview. Discriminant analysis identified 14 items that were the strongest predictors of mental disorder. The 14-item SSQ has a high level of internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.85). The items are a mixture of emic and etic phenomena. The total score correlates strongly with patients' self-assessment of the emotional nature of their illness. Satisfactory specificity and sensitivity occurred at a cut-off point of 7/8. The SSQ is the first indigenous measure of mental disorder developed in sub-Saharan Africa to have included idioms or distress of primary care attenders and involved patients consulting traditional medical practitioners. It promises to be a useful instrument for epidemiological and clinical research. The methodology used is an innovative way of combining etic and emic methods in the evaluation of CMD.
196 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a derived demand approach was used to evaluate the savanna woodland resources of two neighbouring villages in Zimbabwe, and it was found that, in both villages, fuelwood for household cooking, wild fruits and poles are the most important in terms of contribution to total value.
Abstract: This paper values the savanna woodland resources of two neighbouring villages in Zimbabwe. Households receive a diverse range of products from a variety of ecologically contrasting sites, and a large number of products are marketed. Whilst the rules and regulations regarding tree-based resources are similar in the two villages, there is a greater degree of enforcement in Jinga, where ecological sustainability is also more promising. Using a derived demand approach, it was found that, in both villages, fuelwood for household cooking, wild fruits and poles are the most important in terms of contribution to total value. The total values obtained for the woodland products investigated are sizeable by comparison to annual cash income. Non-market values (water retention, rainmaking functions, etc.) were ranked highly during participatory rural appraisal techniques. The valuation of a select range of products based on market prices is thus a small component of total economic value.
173 citations
TL;DR: Perceptions of both government nurses and health care consumers regarding the impact of adjustment on overall quality of care, including nurse professionalism, the nurse-client relationship and patient satisfaction with care are examined.
126 citations
TL;DR: Lowering of antioxidant enzymes activities in the liver by CHQ could render the organ more susceptible to subsequent oxidative stress; while increased MDA production after CHQ treatment in the kidney indicate that the organ is being subjected to oxidative stress.
115 citations
TL;DR: Fluid inclusions were studied in samples from the Ashanti, Konongo-Southern Cross, Prestea, Abosso/Damang and Ayanfuri gold deposits in Ghana as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Fluid inclusions were studied in samples from the Ashanti, Konongo-Southern Cross, Prestea, Abosso/Damang and Ayanfuri gold deposits in the Ashanti Belt, Ghana. Primary fluid inclusions in quartz from mineralised veins of the Ashanti, Prestea, Konongo-Southern Cross, and Abosso/Damang deposits contain almost exclusively volatile species. The primary setting of the gaseous (i.e. the fluid components CO2, CH4 and N2) fluid inclusions in clusters and intragranular trails suggests that they represent the mineralising fluids. Microthermometric and Raman spectroscopic analyses of the inclusions revealed a CO2 dominated fluid with variable contents of N2 and traces of CH4. Water content of most inclusions is below the detection limits of the respective methods used. Aqueous inclusions are rare in all samples with the exception of those from the granite-hosted Ayanfuri mineralisation. Here inclusions associated with the gold mineralisation contain a low salinity ( CO2 and low salinity ( ± 6 eq.wt.%NaCl). However, fluid inclusions in quartz from the gold mineralisations in the Ashanti belt point to distinctly different fluid compositions. Specifically, the predominance of CO2 and CO2 >> H2O have to be emphasized. Fluid systems with this unique bulk composition were apparently active over more than 200␣km along strike of the Ashanti belt. Fluids rich in CO2 may present a hitherto unrecognised new category of ore-forming fluids.
102 citations
TL;DR: Anatectic migmatites in medium-to low-pressure granulite facies metasediments exposed in the Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica, contain leucosomes with abundant quartz and plagioclase and minor interstitial K-feldspar, and assemblages of garnet-cordierite-spinel-sillimanite.
Abstract: Anatectic migmatites in medium- to low-pressure granulite facies metasediments exposed in the Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica, contain leucosomes with abundant quartz and plagioclase and minor interstitial K-feldspar, and assemblages of garnet–cordierite–spinel–ilmenite–sillimanite. Qualitative modelling in the system K2O–FeO–MgO–Al2O3–SiO2–H2O–TiO2–O2, in conjunction with various P–T calculations indicate that the high-grade retrograde evolution of the terrane was dominated by decompression from peak conditions of c. 7 kbar at c. 800 °C to 4–5 kbar at c. 750 °C. Extensive partial melting during decompression involved the replacement of biotite by the assemblage cordierite–garnet–spinel within the leucosomes. These leucosomes represent the site of partial melt generation, the cordierite–garnet–spinel–ilmenite assemblage representing the solid products and excess reactants from the melting reaction. The extraction and accumulation of this decompression-generated melt led to the formation of syntectonic pegmatites and extensive granitic plutons. Leucosome development and terrane decompression proceeded during crustal transpression, synchronous with upper crustal extension, during a progressive Early Palaeozoic collisional event. Subsequent retrograde evolution was characterized by cooling, as indicated by the growth of biotite replacing spinel and garnet, thin mantles of cordierite replacing spinel and quartz within metapelites, and garnet replacing orthopyroxene and hornblende within metabasites. P–T calculations on late mylonites indicate lower grade conditions of formation of c. 3.5 kbar at c. 650 °C, consistent with the development of late cooling textures.
100 citations
TL;DR: Mental disorders are associated with female gender, disability, economic deprivation, and indigenous labels of distress states among primary care attenders in Harare.
Abstract: BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the associations for common mental disorders (CMD) among primary care attenders in Harare.
METHOD This was an unmatched case-control study of attenders at primary health clinics, general practitioner surgeries and traditional medical practitioner clinics; 199 cases with CMD as identified by an indigenously developed case-finding questionnaire, and 197 controls (non-cases), were interviewed using measures of sociodemographic data, disability, care-giver diagnoses and treatment, explanatory models, life events and alcohol use.
RESULTS CMD was associated with female gender (P = 0.04) and older age (P = 0.02). After adjustment for age, gender and site of recruitment, CMD was significantly associated with chronicity of illness; number of presenting complaints; beliefs in "thinking too much" and witchcraft as a causal model; economic impoverishment; infertility; recent unemployment; an unhappy childhood for females; disability; and consultations with traditional medical practitioners and religious priests.
CONCLUSIONS Mental disorders are associated with female gender, disability, economic deprivation, and indigenous labels of distress states.
100 citations
TL;DR: The results of this study show that mahewu, sour milk and sour porridge have a potential for use as weaning foods if they are promoted.
75 citations
TL;DR: Two of the most important enzymes for metabolism of neuroleptics and other psychoactive drugs are CYP 2D6 and CYP2C19 are compared and the implications of these polymorphisms for neuropharmacotherapy are discussed.
72 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that it is possible to produce silage of reasonably good quality, using methods appropriate to small-scale silage technology, from most of the tested legumes when mixed with maize at 50% by volume, and results indicate that the proportion of legume should be at least 40%.
TL;DR: Different factors operated in the decision-making process in choosing between consulting biomedical and traditional care providers, and the costs of consultation were highest for private GPs, general hospitals and traditional healers; faith-healers, PHCs and hospital psychiatric departments were the cheapest.
Abstract: The pathways to care for mental illness are diverse and are dependent on sociocultural and economic factors. The objective of this study was to describe the pathways to primary care for patients with common mental disorders in Harare. One hundred and nine consecutive patients with conspicuous psychiatric morbidity identified by general nurses in three primary health care clinics (PHC) and by four traditional medical practitioners were interviewed with the Pathways to Care Schedule. Other than those patients with an acute illness, most patients consulted more than one care provider; three-quarters of those with a history of prior consultations had consulted both traditional and biomedical care providers. Biomedical care providers were the most common first care provider consulted; if this treatment failed, then patients tried other biomedical or traditional care providers. Different factors operated in the decision-making process in choosing between consulting biomedical and traditional care providers. Traditional care providers provided explanations more often than biomedical care providers; explanations given were most often spiritual. Injectable treatments were often prescribed for mental illness, especially by private general practitioners (GPs). Such treatments, and many oral treatments, were non-specific. Dissatisfaction with consultations was most commonly due to lack of symptomatic improvement. The costs of consultation were highest for private GPs, general hospitals and traditional healers; faith-healers, PHCs and hospital psychiatric departments were the cheapest.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: With a standardised rate of 68 per 100000 and a first-week mortality rate of 35%, stroke must now be considered an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the population of Zimbabwe.
Abstract: Objective. To estimate the crude incidence rates of cerebrovascular accidents among the black residents of Harare. Design. Prospective community-based study. Setting. Black residents of Harare, Zimbabwe. Participants. Two hundred and seventy-three 'first- ever' strokes prospectively identified over a 12-month period. Main outcome study factors. Cerebrovascular accident first-week fatality rate; age-and sex-related incidence. Results. The crude incidence rate was estimated to be 30.7 per 100 000 (95% confidence interval 27.1 - 34.4) and the standardised rate was 68 per 100 000. Fifty-one per cent of stroke victims were below the age of 54 years. Thirty-five per cent of patients died within 1 week of the stroke. Overall, the age-specific rates for both sexes rose with age, with the rates for women being higher at all age strata except for the group 45 - 54 years. Conclusion. With a standardised rate of 68 per 100 000 and a first-week mortality rate of 35%, stroke must now be considered an important cause of morbidity and mortality in the population.
TL;DR: Biochemical and microbiological changes that occur during production of masvusvu and mangisi, both traditional Zimbabwean beverages made from malted finger millet flour were investigated in this study.
Abstract: Biochemical and microbiological changes that occur during production of masvusvu and mangisi, both traditional Zimbabwean beverages made from malted finger millet flour were investigated in this study. During cooking to produce masvusvu, amylase was active within the first 20 minutes but its activity decreased drastically at temperatures of above 60 °C. Free reducing sugars increased from 3.8 to 308.1 mg/ml. During fermentation to produce mangisis, total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and yeast and molds increased with fermentation time. Total titratable acidity increased from 0.13 to 0.67 percent, lactic acid from 0.51 t 4.10 g/l and pH decreased from 6.10 to 3.98.
TL;DR: The menstrual and premenstrual experiences of black Zimbabwean women were examined using semistructured, open-ended interviews designed to explore their experiences, indicating a number of predominant themes, including secrecy associated with menstruation, the negativity surrounding menarche, and the breakdown of the traditional family network that passes on information about menstruation.
Abstract: The menstrual and premenstrual experiences of black Zimbabwean women were examined Twenty‐five professional women and twenty‐five domestic workers were interviewed using semistruc‐tured, open‐ended interviews designed to explore their experiences An analysis of consensual data indicated a number of predominant themes, including secrecy associated with menstruation, the negativity surrounding menarche, the breakdown of the traditional family network that passes on information about menstruation, and the acceptance of menstrual cycle experiences by the women The main differences between the two groups concerned explanations of the functions and purpose of menstruation and the reporting of physical and affective symptoms These differences are suggestive of the impact of educational level on experiences of menstruation
TL;DR: Fifteen legumes were evaluated for their potential to provide high yields of good quality material for inclusion with maize biomass to improve the nutritional value of maize silage, and their performance as in-row intercrops with a long-season maize cultivar did not prove to be a viable system.
TL;DR: In this article, 17 Zimbabwean browse species were analysed for crude protein (CP), neutral and acid detergent fibre (NDF and ADF), acid detergents lignin (ADL), insoluble proanthocyanidins (IPAs) and protein precipitating polyphenolics (PPPs).
TL;DR: In this article, the authors compare the algebra A* with the regular Banach space of smooth functions, showing that A* has many properties similar to those of A, but there are certain essential distinctions.
Abstract: Beurling's algebra \(A^*=\{f:\sum_{k=0}^{\infty} \sup_{k\le |m|} |\hat f (m)| < \infty \}\) is considered. A* arises quite naturally in problems of summability of the Fourier series at Lebesgue points, whereas Wiener's algebra A of functions with absolutely convergent Fourier series arises when studying the norm convergence of linear means. Certainly, both algebras are used in some other areas. A* has many properties similar to those of A, but there are certain essential distinctions. A* is a regular Banach algebra, its space of maximal ideals coincides with \([-\pi,\pi],\) and its dual space is indicated. Analogs of Herz's and Wiener-Ditkin's theorems hold. Quantitative parameters in an analog of the Beurling-Pollard theorem differ from those for A. Several inclusion results comparing the algebra A* with certain Banach spaces of smooth functions are given. Some special properties of the analogous space for Fourier transforms on the real axis are presented. The paper ends with a summary of some open problems.
TL;DR: From the leaves of Monotes engleri, five prenylated flavanones were isolated as constituents that displayed cytotoxic activity against several human cancer cell lines and the structures of the new compounds were determined by spectral analysis 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments.
TL;DR: In this paper, a field experiment was conducted to observe the effects of the geometric parameters of flat tillage tools on their draft, cutting efficiency and loosening of a moist clay soil, and the test tool variables included rake angles to the horizontal of 30, 60 and 90°, widths of 75 and 150 mm and depths of operation of 100, 150 and 200 mm.
Abstract: Very little research has been done to investigate soil loosening as a function of the geometry of the tillage tool and of the original soil properties and moisture content. A field experiment was conducted to observe the effects of the geometric parameters of flat tillage tools on their draft, cutting efficiency and loosening of a moist clay soil. The test tool variables included rake angles to the horizontal of 30, 60 and 90°, widths of 75 and 150 mm and depths of operation of 100, 150 and 200 mm. Measurements were taken of draft, disturbed soil cross sectional profiles and the initial area of soil disturbed by the tools. The resulting draft requirement increased with width, depth and rake angle of the tool. The cross sectional area of soil disturbed did not change appreciably with rake angle, but the significant increase in draft with angle resulted in markedly diminished soil cutting efficiency (area divided by draft). The degree of soil loosening was generally smaller at a rake angle of 60° than at 30 or 90°, and tended to be higher at greater depths of operation. In addition, a larger depth to width ratio generally increased the degree of loosening. Results for the soil studied indicate that the best implement design for low draft, high cutting efficiency and superior soil loosening should have a rake angle of about 30° and should be fairly narrow with a depth to width ratio of 2 or more.
TL;DR: This study highlights problem areas where simple, low-cost measures could make a difference to the morbidity and disability of elderly Zimbabweans.
Abstract: Background: the population aged over 60 years in Zimbabwe is expanding. Despite the likely increased demand on medical services that this will bring, little is known about the health needs of this elderly population. Objective: to record the prevalence of disability (impairment of activities of daily living), subjective morbidity (symptoms), the social circumstances and the utilization of healdi services in a group of elderly Zimbabweans. Design: cross-sectional community survey Setting: a remote rural area in North Eastern Zimbabwe and two urban townships located approximately 80 km from Harare. Subjects: 278 subjects (154 women, 174 rural), aged > 60 years (range 60-92) living at home. Method: subjects were selected by random cluster sampling. They were assessed in a structured interview and underwent physical examination including visual acuity, inspection for cataracts and assessment of mobility. Results: less dian 4% experienced difficulty with self-maintenance activities of daily living, but 30% had difficulty with instrumental activities. The former were all visually impaired and both visual and mobility problems contributed to the latter. Elderly people experienced many symptoms but had inadequate access to health services and used medication infrequently. Subjects were mainly self-sufficient for financial income and 60% still worked. They had declining resources with age and received little help from die social welfare department. Their healdi and functional abilities deteriorated widi age but it was older subjects who had most difficulty getting to die clinic. Simple measures such as cataract surgery and analgesics were available only to the minority or not at all. Conclusions: this study highlights problem areas where simple, low-cost measures could make a difference to die morbidity and disability of elderly Zimbabweans.
TL;DR: In Sub-Saharan Africa, work on mycotoxins covering field cases, acute exposures and chronic effects related to dietary intake is reviewed and progress in mycotoxin research indicates that, soon, more mycotoxic substances will be included.
TL;DR: Granulites in the Datong-Huai'an area of North China are characterized by high P-T assemblages (14 16 kbar, -9OOY) that underwent decompression cooling to -7 kbar and -800°C during a 250&2400 Ma tectonic event.
TL;DR: The results suggest that donkeys have been exposed to the same serotype of this virus as circulates among horses and that in addition to horses and donkeys, mules are naturally infected with EAV.
Abstract: Summary
A seroepidemiological survey of donkeys in South Africa (n = 4300) indicated a wide distribution and increasing prevalence of antibodies to equine arteritis virus (EAV). Donkey sera inhibited equine arteritis virus infection in virus neutralisation (VN) tests and in ELISA specifically bound to a recombinant antigen derived from the Bucyrus isolate of EAV. These results suggest that donkeys have been exposed to the same serotype of this virus as circulates among horses. A good correlation existed between EAV neutralising antibody titres and ELISA absorbance values (0.8631); the ELISA was sensitive and specific (99.2% and 80.3% respectively) for donkey sera when compared to the VN test and the recombinant ELISA antigen did not cross-react with sera positive for common African equine pathogens. VN+ ELISA+ donkeys were also found in Morocco and Zimbabwe and seropositive mules in both South Africa and Morocco. No seropositive zebra (n = 266) were detected from game reserves or zoos in 9 countries. The results confirm that in addition to horses and donkeys, mules are naturally infected with EAV.
TL;DR: The findings point to the need for early school-based reproductive health education programmes, incorporating correct information on reproductive biology and the subsequent prevention of reproductive ill health.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored local controls relating to trees and spaces of the local environment in Nyamaropa Communal Lands in theNyanga District of eastern Zimbabwe and found that there is tremendous emotional and ethical investment intrees and spaces in the environment.
Abstract: This study explored local controls relating to trees and spacesof the local environment in Nyamaropa Communal Lands in theNyanga District of eastern Zimbabwe. Controls were consideredin a broad and inclusive framework encompassing codified rules,taboos, and, regulatory norms and emotions. Special emphasis waslaid on people‘s emotional and ethical investment in the abovecomponents of the environment – trees and spaces. The studyemployed intensive informal and group interviews. Results showthat there is tremendous emotional and ethical investment intrees and spaces of the environment in Nyamaropa. Emotions comein a variety of forms: fear, shunning, love, reverence, andconfidence and security enhancement. The emotional and ethicalnorms are designed to govern behavior and the context of resourceutilization. These norms have implications on the organization ofspaces of the local environment and regimes of resource utilizationoccurring in them. Location of resources in spaces of the environmenthas implications on the management of resources within them. Thedomains of human habitation – home bases and home fields – werefound to be the most emotionally laden spaces with trees in thembeing actively planted, nurtured, conserved, eliminated, or destroyedon the basis of certain emotions and norms. The findings of the studyhave implications within the framework of decentralization and ofdemocratization of natural resource management.
TL;DR: In this paper, an evaluation of the knowledge and practices of health professionals on the thermal control of newborns was carried out in seven countries: Brazil, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mozambique, Nepal and Zimbabwe.
Abstract: Hypothermia is a common problem in neonates, particularly in developing countries where it is an important contributory factor to neonatal mortality and morbidity. An evaluation of the knowledge and practices of health professionals on the thermal control of newborns was carried out in seven countries: Brazil, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Mozambique, Nepal and Zimbabwe. The evaluation, conceived as a preliminary phase for a one-day training course on thermal control, involved 28 health facilities and 260 health professionals (61 doctors and 199 nurses and midwives). It included an assessment of thermal control practices carried out in each health facility by external investigators and a questionnaire on knowledge about thermoregulation administered to health professionals involved in newborn care. The findings of the evaluation were consistent across countries and showed that thermal control practices were frequently inadequate in the following areas: ensuring a warm environment at the time of delivery; initiation of breastfeeding and contact with mother; bathing; checking the baby's temperature; thermal protection of low birth weight babies, and care during transport. Knowledge on thermal control was also insufficient, especially concerning the physiology of thermoregulation and criteria for defining hypothermia. During the one-day course that followed the evaluation, participants were able to recognize the existing gaps and to identify appropriate interventions. Knowledge and practice on the thermal control of the newborn are currently insufficient. However, awareness of the importance of thermal control and basic knowledge on thermal regulation and thermal protection can be easily acquired and on this basis motivation for improving thermal control practices can be developed.
TL;DR: Notable differences were found in fibre content, in vitro dry matter digestibility, acceptability and intake by livestock and therefore, their potential in affecting animal productivity.
TL;DR: It was found that the ParaSight‐F test reduced mistreatment for malaria, relative to clinical diagnosis, by up to 81%, especially in the hypoendemic region.
Abstract: Rapid diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria remains one of the main limitations to prompt treatment. Diagnosis based on clinical symptoms is decidedly unreliable, especially in areas of seasonal transmission like Zimbabwe. In view of this, the Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein (HRP-II) antigen detection assay (ParaSight-F test) was tried at 10 health centres in 3 malaria endemicity zones of Zimbabwe, as a malaria diagnostic tool for primary health care. Parasitological evaluations were conducted using thick and thin film microscopy as gold standard, and ease of test operation and practicability to nurses were ascertained by questionnaire. The sensitivity of the test did not vary substantially by endemicity zone and was ≈93%. Specificities were 85, 72 and 92% in the hyperendemic, mesoendemic and hypoendemic zones, respectively. Positive predictive values varied considerably with endemicity, the lowest being in the hypoendemic zone (56%). However, negative predictive values did not change significantly, with a mean of 94%. It was found that the ParaSight-F test reduced mistreatment for malaria, relative to clinical diagnosis, by up to 81%, especially in the hypoendemic region. Test acceptability evaluations were good.
TL;DR: The AIDS pandemic has wrought havoc on family structures in Zimbabwe, leaving numerous children orphaned in its wake, and the critical question of who will look after the old people in their time of need is not appreciated.
Abstract: The AIDS pandemic has wrought havoc on family structures in Zimbabwe, leaving numerous children orphaned in its wake. Older people, grandparents in particular, play a critical role in looking after these children. However, what is not appreciated is the critical question of who will look after the old people in their time of need.