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.

Estimating incidence from prevalence in generalised HIV epidemics: methods and validation.

Abstract: Background HIV surveillance of generalised epidemics in Africa primarily relies on prevalence at antenatal clinics, but estimates of incidence in the general population would be more useful. Repeated cross-sectional measures of HIV prevalence are now becoming available for general populations in many countries, and we aim to develop and validate methods that use these data to estimate HIV incidence. Methods and Findings Two methods were developed that decompose observed changes in prevalence between two serosurveys into the contributions of new infections and mortality. Method 1 uses cohort mortality rates, and method 2 uses information on survival after infection. The performance of these two methods was assessed using simulated data from a mathematical model and actual data from three community-based cohort studies in Africa. Comparison with simulated data indicated that these methods can accurately estimates incidence rates and changes in incidence in a variety of epidemic conditions. Method 1 is simple to implement but relies on locally appropriate mortality data, whilst method 2 can make use of the same survival distribution in a wide range of scenarios. The estimates from both methods are within the 95% confidence intervals of almost all actual measurements of HIV incidence in adults and young people, and the patterns of incidence over age are correctly captured.

Morbidity among human immunodeficiency virus-exposed but uninfected, human immunodeficiency virus-infected, and human immunodeficiency virus-unexposed infants in Zimbabwe before availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Abstract: Background:Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a major cause of pediatric morbidity in Africa In addition, HIV-exposed, but uninfected (HEU) infants can comprise a substantial proportion of all infants born in high prevalence countries and may also be a vulnerable group with special health p

Factor analysis as a tool in groundwater quality management: two southern African case studies

Abstract: Although developed as a tool in the social sciences, R-mode factor analysis, a multivariate statistical tool, has proven highly effective in studies of groundwater quality. The technique examines the relationships between variables (such as chemical parameters in groundwater), which are shown by a number of cases (such as sampling points). In this study, two examples are presented. The first is of groundwater around a southern African iron ore mine and the second is of groundwater in the vicinity of a southern African municipal sewage disposal works. Groundwater samples were collected, their chemistry analysed and factor analysis was performed on each of the chemical datasets. In the first case study, factor analysis successfully separated signatures due to uncontaminated groundwater (calcium, magnesium and bicarbonate), agricultural activities (potassium and ammonium) and mining activities (sodium, chloride and sulphate). In the second case study, factor analysis did identify a chemical signature (nitrate and phosphate; minor iron) related to the sewage works—but since this signature involved parameters that were within regulated limits, the finding was of limited value for management purposes. Thus although R-mode factor analysis can be a valuable tool studies of groundwater quality, this is not always the case. Multivariate statistical techniques like factor analysis should thus be used as supplementary to, but not in replacement of, conventional groundwater quality data treatment methods.

Life Events, Difficulties and Depression Among Women in An Urban Setting in Zimbabwe

Abstract: Background. A previous paper (Abas & Broadhead, 1997) reported that among 172 women randomly selected from a Zimbabwean township 30‐8% had a depressive or anxiety disorder during the previous year. Compared with London, the higher annual prevalence of disorders in Harare could mostly be accounted for by an excess of onset cases in the study year (annual incidence of depression 18%). This paper reports on the role of life events and diculties in the aetiology of depression among these women. Method. Randomly selected women (N fl 172) from a township in Harare were interviewed with a Zimbabwean modification of the Bedford College Life Events and Diculties Schedule (LEDS). Results. Events and diculties proved critical in provoking the onset of depression in Harare. Far more events occurring in Harare were severe or disruptive. Furthermore, a proportion of the Harare severe events were more threatening than have been described in London. As in London, certain types of severe event were particularly depressogenic, i.e. those involving the woman’s humiliation, her entrapment in an ongoing dicult situation, or bereavement. However, more severe events in Harare involved these specific dimensions. Conclusions. Results indicate a common mechanism for the development of depression, as defined by international criteria, between Zimbabwe and London. The high frequency of severe events, and their especially adverse qualities, oer an explanation for the high incidence of depression in Harare.