University of Zimbabwe

About: University of Zimbabwe is a education organization based out in Harare, Harare, Zimbabwe. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The organization has 4378 authors who have published 6800 publications receiving 160720 citations. The organization is also known as: UZ & University College of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

Effects of cattle manure on selected soil physical properties of smallholder farms on two soils of Murewa, Zimbabwe

Abstract: The effects of cattle manure and inorganic N-fertilizer application on soil organic carbon (SOC), bulk density, macro-aggregate stability and aggregate protected carbon were determined on clay and sandy soils of the Murewa smallholder farming area, Zimbabwe. Maize was grown in four fields termed homefields (HFs) and outfields (OFs) because of spatial variability induced by management practices and with the following fertility treatments: control (no fertility amelioration), 5, 15 and 25 t ⁄ ha cattle manure + 100 kg ⁄ ha N applied annually for seven consecutive years. The addition of cattle manure resulted in significant (P 0.05) different on the clay soils. A significant and positive linear relationship (r 2 = 0.85) was found between SOC and macro-aggregate stability, while an r 2 value of 0.82 was obtained between SOC and aggregate protected carbon on the clay soils. However, no regressions were performed on data from the sandy soils because of the lack of significant changes in soil physical properties. Application of cattle manure and inorganic N-fertilizer significantly increased (P < 0.05) maize grain yield on both soil types. Results show that inorganic N-fertilizer combined with cattle manure at 5–15 t ⁄ ha per yr is necessary to increase maize yields and SOC on sandy soils in Murewa, while at least 15 t ⁄ ha per yr cattle manure is required on the clay soils to improve physical properties in addition to maize yields and SOC.

Ethnic differences in allelic distribution of IFN-g in South African women but no link with cervical cancer

Abstract: BACKGROUND: The failure of specific types of human papillomaviruses (HPV) to raise effective immune responses may be important in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer, the second most common cancer in South African women. Polymorphisms of a number of cytokine genes have been implicated in inducing susceptibility or resistance to cancers caused by infectious agents owing to their role in determining host immune response. Polymorphisms of IL-10 and IFN-gamma genes are believed to influence the expression and/or secretion levels of their respective cytokines. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, women with histologically proven cancer of the cervix (n = 458) and hospital-based controls (n = 587) were investigated for bi-allelic -1082 (A/G) polymorphisms of IL-10 and the bi-allelic +874(A/T) polymorphisms of IFN-gamma. In addition, the distributions of the allelic frequencies were stratified in both the African and mixed race population groups of South Africa. We found striking differences in the allele distribution of IFN-gamma (X2 = 0.02) among the two ethnic groups. A significant increase in the allele distribution of the IFN-gamma AA genotype was found in the African group compared to the mixed population group (OR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.2-1.0). For IL-10 there were no significant allelic differences between the two South African ethnic groups. Furthermore, when the ethnic groups were combined the IL-10 allelic frequencies in the combined South African data were similar to those observed in an Oriental population from Southern China and in an Italian population. However, the allele frequencies of the IFN-gamma genotype among the two South African ethnic groups were different when compared to an Italian Caucasoid group. While crude analysis of these data showed both statistically significantly increased and diminished risks of cervical cancer among high producers of INF-gamma and low producers of IL-10 respectively, these associations were no longer significant when the data were adjusted for confounding factors. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate a clear correlation between ethnicity and IFN-gamma polymorphism across different population groups. However, these differences in ethnicity and gene polymorphisms in the aforementioned cytokines are suggested not to influence the development of invasive cervical cancer but may represent an important susceptibility biomarker for other diseases and should be explored further.

The role of gender norms in access to agricultural training in Chikwawa and Phalombe, Malawi

Abstract: Based on qualitative research conducted in Chikwawa and Phalombe in Malawi, this article discusses how gender relations shape men and women’s access to and participation in agricultural training. I...

The burden and risk factors of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Reproductive Tract Infections among pregnant women in Zimbabwe

Abstract: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and Reproductive tract infections (RTIs) are responsible for high morbidity among women. We aim to quantify the magnitude of the burden and risk factors of STI/RTI s among pregnant women in Zimbabwe. A cross sectional study of pregnant women enrolled at 36 weeks of gestation from the national PMTCT program. Study was conducted from three peri-urban clinics around Harare Zimbabwe offering maternal and child health services. A total of 691 pregnant women were enrolled. Prevalence of HSV was (51.1%), HIV (25.6%) syphilis (1.2%), Trichomonas vaginalis (11.8%), bacterial vaginosis (32.6%) and Candidiasis (39.9%). Seven percent of the women had genital warts, 3% had genital ulcers and 28% had an abnormal vaginal discharge. Prevalence of serological STIs and vaginal infections were 51% and 64% respectively. Risk factors for a positive serologic STI were increasing age above 30 years, polygamy and multigravid; adjusted OR (95% CI) 2.61(1.49-4.59), 2.16(1.06-4.39), 3.89(1.27-11.98) respectively, partner taking alcohol and number of lifetime sexual partners. For vaginal infections it was age at sexual debut; OR (95% CI) 1.60(1.06-2.42). More than 25% of the women reported previous STI treatment. Fifty two percent reported ever use of condoms and 65% were on oral contraceptives. Mean age gap for sexual partners was 6.3 years older. There is a high morbidity of STI/RTIs in this cohort. There is need to continuously screen, counsel, treat and monitor trends of STI/RTIs to assess if behaviour changes lead to reduction in infections and their sustainability.