Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients admitted with COVID-19 at a public-sector hospital over the first two waves of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Harare, Zimbabwe: A prospective cohort study.

Background: We investigated the clinical profile, complications, and outcomes of inpatients with COVID-19 at Parirenyatwa Hospital, Harare, across the first two waves of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and factors associated with mortality.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study on all patients admitted to the COVID-19 unit. Data were extracted from medical records and negative binomial regression with robust standard errors was used to assess the association between sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and mortality.

Evaluation of a comprehensive health check offered to frontline health workers in Zimbabwe.

Health workers are essential for a functioning healthcare system, and their own health is often not addressed. During the COVID-19 pandemic health workers were at high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection whilst coping with increased healthcare demand. Here we report the development, implementation, and uptake of an integrated health check combining SARS-CoV-2 testing with screening for other communicable and non-communicable diseases for health workers in Zimbabwe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Psychological distress among healthcare workers accessing occupational health services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe.

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) have experienced anxiety and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. We established and report findings from an occupational health programme for HCWs in Zimbabwe that offered screening for SARS-CoV-2 with integrated screening for comorbidities including common mental disorder (CMD) and referral for counselling.

Methods: Quantitative outcomes were fearfulness about COVID-19, the Shona Symptom Questionnaire (SSQ-14) score (cutpoint 8/14) and the number and proportion of HCWs offered referral for counselling, accepting referral and counselled.

Comprehensive occupational health services for healthcare workers in Zimbabwe during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.

Background: Healthcare workers are disproportionately affected by COVID-19. In low- and middle- income countries, they may be particularly impacted by underfunded health systems, lack of personal protective equipment, challenging working conditions and barriers in accessing personal healthcare.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, occupational health screening was implemented at the largest public sector medical centre in Harare, Zimbabwe, during the "first wave" of the country's COVID-19 epidemic.

Breast cancer in Zimbabwe: patterns of care and correlates of adherence in a national referral hospital radiotherapy center cohort from 2014 to 2018.

Background: Breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Zimbabwe. Patients face socioeconomic barriers to accessing oncology care, including radiotherapy. We sought to understand patterns of care and adherence for women with breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) with radiotherapy access.

Ileo-sigmoid knotting: the Parirenyatwa hospital experience.

Background: Ileo-sigmoid knotting is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction with a rapidly progressive course, for which expedient surgical intervention is required to prevent mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics, presentation, morbidity and mortality associated with ileo-sigmoid knotting at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals (PGH). To determine the preoperative diagnostic precision and management patterns of ileo-sigmoid knotting cases at PGH.

Ileosigmoid knotting in early pregnancy: A case report.

Ileosigmoid knotting refers to the wrapping of the ileum around the base of the sigmoid colon, or vice versa thus forming a knot. It is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction, more so in pregnancy. We herein report a case of a primigravid woman who presented with an acute abdomen at 13weeks of gestation.