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.

The banach algebra A and its properties

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.

Viral Rebound and Emergence of Drug Resistance in the Absence of Viral Load Testing: A Randomized Comparison between Zidovudine-Lamivudine plus Nevirapine and Zidovudine-Lamivudine plus Abacavir

Abstract: Background. We investigated virological response and the emergence of resistance in the Nevirapine or Abacavir (NORA) substudy of the Development of Antiretroviral Treatment in Africa (DART) trial.Methods. Six hundred symptomatic antiretroviral-naive human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adults (CD4 cell count, 1000 copies/mL, the residual activity of therapy was calculated as the reduction in HIV RNA level, compared with baseline.Results. Overall, HIV RNA levels were lower in the nevirapine group than in the abacavir group at 24 and 48 weeks (P < .001), although no differences were observed at weeks 4 and 12. Virological responses were similar in the 2 treatment groups for baseline HIV RNA level <100,000 copies/mL. The mean residual activity at week 48 was higher for abacavir in the presence of the typically observed resistance pattern of thymidine analogue mutations (TAMs) and M184V (1.47 log(10) copies/mL) than for nevirapine with M184V and nonnucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor mutations, whether accompanied by TAMs (0.96 log(10) copies/mL) or not (1.18 log(10) copies/mL).Conclusions. There was more extensive genotypic resistance in both treatment groups than is generally seen in resource-rich settings. However, significant residual activity was observed among patients with virological failure, particularly those receiving zidovudine-lamivudine plus abacavir.

Treatment of AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma in Zimbabwe: Results of a randomized quality of life focused clinical trial

Abstract: Kaposi's sarcoma is currently the most common tumor in Zimbabwe. The purpose of our study is to compare the effectiveness of supportive care vs. 3 intervention approaches, namely oral Etoposide, a 3-drug combination, and radiotherapy using quality of life (QOL) as the primary measure of success. In addition, our study was to determine whether a disease-specific module has greater sensitivity to group differences than a generic QOL questionnaire and to determine the most pragmatic approach to treating epidemic Kaposi's sarcoma (EKS) in Zimbabwe. Histologically confirmed HIV-positive patients with Kaposi's sarcoma were randomized to receive supportive care only or supportive care plus either radiotherapy, oral Etoposide or a 3-drug combination consisting of actinomycin-D, vincristine and bleomycin. No patient received antiretroviral therapy. The primary outcome was QOL measured by the functional living index-cancer (FLI-C) and supplemented by the Kaposi's sarcoma module (KSM). From 1994-1999, 495 EKS patients were accrued, and 470 were evaluable. Of these, 433 are known to be dead, 26 are lost to follow-up and 11 are still alive. The group treated with oral Etoposide had a significantly better QOL than the radiotherapy group for the total FLI-C score (adjusted mean plus standard error at 3-months 89 +/- 3 vs. 76 +/- 3; p = 0.004) and for the hardship (11 +/- 0.4 vs. 9 +/- 0.4; p = 0.001); social (10 +/- 0.4 vs. 8 +/- 0.4; p = 0.001) and nausea (9 +/- 0.4 vs. 8 +/- 0.4; p = 0.002) subscales. In addition, on the physical and psychological subscales, the Etoposide group had a significantly better QOL than the other 3 treatment groups (p < 0.04). The 3-drug combination, supportive care and radiotherapy groups did not differ significantly from each other with respect to the total FLI-C score or its subscales. There were no group differences with respect to survival. Oral Etoposide therapy resulted in better total FLI-C QOL score than radiotherapy. As well, Etoposide resulted in better physical and psychological subscale scores than radiotherapy, 3-drugs and supportive care. Thus, funds permitting, oral Etoposide is a pragmatic approach to treating EKS in an environment where antiretroviral drugs are not universally available. The study underscores the value of undertaking studies in areas of disease prevalence and the necessity of selecting appropriate outcome measures.

Help-seeking behaviour for sexual-health concerns: A qualitative study of men in Zimbabwe.

Abstract: Using data collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with adult men in Zimbabwe, this paper explores the decision-making process associated with help-seeking for sexual-health concerns. Help-seeking is located in the complex and dynamic socio-cultural contexts around men's sexualities, masculinities and reproductive health. Pathways to help-seeking include identifying symptoms and the condition, seeking information and advice, and seeking and accessing treatment. Health is grounded in the cultural, spiritual and religious context of Zimbabwean men's lives. Men interpreted sexual-health concerns as due to either natural (disease, psychological stress) or supernatural (displeased ancestral and religious spirits, witchcraft) causes. These interpretations influence their choice of treatment and health service provider. Dominant gender norms of resilience and self-reliance, together with shyness and embarrassment, can delay men's treatment-seeking. The HIV epidemic has made sexual health a more prominent issue in society. However, HIV-related stigma can hinder men's help-seeking for sexual-health concerns (particularly for sexually transmitted infections). Understanding and taking account of these issues in research, health promotion and healthcare services should benefit the sexual health of both men and women.

Factors associated with access to HIV care and treatment in a prevention of mother to child transmission programme in urban Zimbabwe

Abstract: Background This cross-sectional study assessed factors affecting access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-positive women from the prevention of mother to child transmission HIV programme in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe.