Predictors of stunting among children aged 6-59 months, Zimbabwe.

Objective: Stunted children have an increased risk of diminished cognitive development, diabetes, degenerative and CVD later in life. Numerous modifiable factors decrease the risk of stunting in children. This study aimed to assess the role of the individual, household and social factors on stunting in Zimbabwean children.

Development of a Zimbabwean child growth curve and its comparison with the World Health Organization child growth standards.

Background: There is limited research that describes the growth trajectories of African children. The development of World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards considered a sample of children who lived in environments optimum for human growth.

Aim: This study aimed to develop weight-for-age and height-for-age growth curves from the Zimbabwean 2018 National Nutrition Survey and compare them with the WHO growth standards.

Dietary patterns and childhood stunting in Zimbabwe.

Background: Diet is one important predictor of children's growth, and often dietary interventions can assist with reversing adverse nutrition outcomes. Traditionally research has focused on individual food items or food classes to generate an understanding of disease risk. Dietary patterns provide a holistic approach to understanding the relationship between exposure and outcome.

Evaluation of the child growth monitoring programme in two Zimbabwean provinces.

Background:  The child growth monitoring (CGM) programme is an important element of nutrition programmes, and when combined with other child health programmes, it can assist in successful management and control of malnutrition in children.

Aim:  This study aimed to assess the extent to which the CGM programme is able to identify instances of childhood malnutrition and how much this contributes towards malnutrition reduction in Zimbabwe.

Setting:  The study was conducted in Manicaland and Matabeleland South provinces of Zimbabwe.

A pilot study to explore societal, patient, and public authority perception on 'Value-Added Tax' system for healthcare financing in Zimbabwe: A case for cancer treatment.

Background: Many of the cancer cases in Zimbabwe are HIV related, making it a significant health concern in the country. This concern requires innovative ways, such as implementing Value-Added Tax (VAT) to finance cancer management through health insurance. The study explores the general public, cancer patients, and public authorities' perception regarding using the VAT system for financing cancer treatment.

Interleukin-10 and tumour necrosis factor alpha promoter region polymorphisms and susceptibility to urogenital schistosomiasis in young Zimbabwean children living in endemic regions.

Background: Host genetic factors can influence susceptibility, morbidity and mortality from schistosomiasis. The study explored the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) promoter regions and susceptibility to infection.

Methods: Urine specimens were collected from 361 primary school children aged 5-15 years from schistosomiasis endemic areas of Manicaland and Mashonaland central provinces.

Validation of growth standards and growth references: A review of literature.

The World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards provide the most recognized and widely accepted way of assessing child growth. To ensure its applicability, accuracy, and reliability, studies have validated WHO growth standards against local populations and other internationally recognized growth references. We reviewed outcomes of evaluations done on WHO growth standards and assess the appropriateness of using these growth standards on a global level.

Effects of TNF-α and IL-10-819 T>C single nucleotide polymorphisms on urogenital schistosomiasis in preschool children in Zimbabwe.

Background: Knowledge gaps exist between host genetic factors and susceptibility to schistosomiasis.

Objective: This study determined cytokine levels and single nucleotide polymorphisms of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α (rs1800629) and interleukin (IL)-10 (rs1800871) and their possible impact on susceptibility to schistosomiasis in preschool-age children in the Madziva area of Shamva district, Mashonaland Central province, Zimbabwe.

Methods: Urogenital schistosomiasis was diagnosed using the urine filtration method, while a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for cytokine level determination.

Price, Availability, and Affordability of Antineoplastic Medicines in Harare's Public and Private Institutions: Implication for Access.

Objectives: To determine the price, availability, and affordability of antineoplastic medicines in private and public sector pharmacies in Harare Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe.

Methods: The study was based on the methodology recommended by the World Health Organization and Health Action International. A total of 32 antineoplastic medicines in 3 public central hospitals and 150 private pharmacies were surveyed.

A cross-sectional study to determine the use of alternative medicines during pregnancy in the district hospitals in Manicaland, Zimbabwe.

Background: Traditional medicines are widely used in the rapidly growing health system and are of economic importance. The study aimed at determining the frequency, pattern of use and factors that influence traditional medicines use during pregnancy.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out at four district hospitals in Manicaland, Zimbabwe, using questionnaire based convenience sampling.

Association of TNF (rs1800629) promoter polymorphism and schistosomiasis with sub-microscopic asymptomatic Plasmodium falciparum infections in a schistosomiasis-endemic area in Zimbabwe.

Objectives: Infection with Plasmodium falciparum parasites may result in a wide spectrum of symptoms ranging from asymptomatic to mild or severe. A number of factors are associated with this heterogeneous response to P. falciparum infection.

Evaluation of the early warning indicators of HIV drug resistance surveillance system in Manicaland province, Zimbabwe.

More than 1.1 million people currently receive lifelong antiretroviral treatment in Zimbabwe following the adoption of the test and treat strategy in 2017. The huge numbers of people on antiretroviral therapy (ART), combined with HIV's error-prone replication, increases the probability of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) developing.

Wound Healing Properties of Selected Plants Used in Ethnoveterinary Medicine.

Plants have arrays of phytoconstituents that have wide ranging biological effects like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties key in wound management. wound healing properties of ointments made of crude methanolic extracts (10% extract w/w in white soft paraffin) of three plant species, L. (whole aerial plant parts), Klotzsch (whole aerial plant parts) and Lam.

Inappropriate use of promethazine and promethazine-containing products in children under the age of three years in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Objectives: To determine whether there was inappropriate use of promethazine, Stopayne or Goldgesic in children under three (3) years of age in Harare, and to measure its extent. Inappropriate referred to administering these medicines to children under the age of two (2) years for any indication or the administering of these medicines to an otherwise healthy child less than three (3) years old for sedation purposes.

Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study carried out between May and July 2010.

Agnathia-synotia-microstomia (otocephaly): a case report in an African woman.

Pharyngeal arches appear in the 4th and 5th weeks of development of the human embryo. The 1st pharyngeal arch develops into the incus and malleus, premaxilla, maxilla, zygomatic bone; part of the temporal bone, the mandible and it contributes to the formation of bones of the middle ear. The musculature of the 1st pharyngeal arch includes muscles of mastication, anterior belly of the digastric mylohyoid, tensor tympani and tensor palatini.