Prevalence of dysmenorrhea and associated risk factors among university students in Zimbabwe.

Background: Dysmenorrhea is an often incapacitating condition that is characterized by painful menstruation and general body malaise. In Zimbabwe, this condition is understudied, and its associated risk factors are poorly understood.

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors of dysmenorrhea among female students at Midlands State University in Zimbabwe.

The effect of increased mobility on SARS-CoV-2 transmission: a descriptive study of the trends of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe between December 2020 and January 2021.

Introduction: when the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in Zimbabwe in March 2020, the local outbreak was characterised by an insidious increase in national caseload. This first wave was mainly attributable to imported cases, peaking around July 2020. By October 2020, the number of cases reported daily had declined to less than 100 cases per day signalling the end of the first wave.

A descriptive study of the trends of COVID-19 in Zimbabwe from March-June 2020: policy and strategy implications.

Introduction: the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in China in December 2019. Since then, the disease has evolved to become a global pandemic. Zimbabwe reported its first case on 20 March 2020, and the number has been increasing steadily.

Diversity of rotavirus strains circulating in children under five years of age who presented with acute gastroenteritis before and after rotavirus vaccine introduction, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia, 2008-2015.

Background: Following the introduction of rotavirus vaccine into the routine immunization schedule, the burden of rotavirus disease has significantly reduced in Zambia. Although rotavirus vaccines appear to confer good cross-protection against both vaccine and non-vaccine strains, concerns about strain replacement following vaccine implementation remain. We describe the diversity of the circulating rotavirus strains before and after the Rotarix® vaccine was introduced in Lusaka from January 2012.

Implementation research: reactive mass vaccination with single-dose oral cholera vaccine, Zambia.

Objective: To describe the implementation and feasibility of an innovative mass vaccination strategy - based on single-dose oral cholera vaccine - to curb a cholera epidemic in a large urban setting.

Method: In April 2016, in the early stages of a cholera outbreak in Lusaka, Zambia, the health ministry collaborated with Médecins Sans Frontières and the World Health Organization in organizing a mass vaccination campaign, based on single-dose oral cholera vaccine. Over a period of 17 days, partners mobilized 1700 health ministry staff and community volunteers for community sensitization, social mobilization and vaccination activities in 10 townships.

Dengue fever outbreaks in Eritrea, 2005-2015: A case for strengthening surveillance, control and reporting.

Background: The geographic distribution and burden of dengue is increasing globally. This study aims to evaluate dengue outbreaks and to substantiate the need for strengthened surveillance, reporting and control in Eritrea.

Methods: Data from two cross-sectional dengue epidemic investigations in 2005 and 2010 were analyzed.

Underestimation of prevalence of raised blood sugar from history compared to biochemical estimation: support for the WHO rule of halves in a population based survey in Eritrea of 2009.

To ascertain the prevalence of diabetes mellitus from history and biochemical estimation so as to attest the WHO Rule of halves in a lean population. A population based national survey on diabetes mellitus was carried out in 2009. History and fingerpicks blood analysis were examined according to recommended procedures of the WHO STEPwise approach and the WHO recommended automated machine to compare the two modalities of estimating diabetes prevalence.

Breast cancer clinicopathological presentation, gravity and challenges in Eritrea, East Africa: management practice in a resource-poor setting.

Background: In Africa, breast cancer closely compares with cervical cancer as the most common malignancy affecting women and the incidence rates appear to be rising. Early detection of breast cancer is a key strategy for a good treatment outcome. However, there is no established protocol or guideline for management of breast cancer in Eritrea, East Africa.

Comparison of exercise-induced hypertension in low birth weight and normal birth weight young black adults in Zimbabwe.

Aim: The objective of the study was to compare blood pressure changes during exercise between low and normal birth weight young Black adults.

Methods: Eighty medical students in their first and second year who had neonatal clinic cards as proof of birth weight were included in the study. Resting blood pressures and heart rates were recorded.

Evaluating indoor residual spray for reducing malaria infection prevalence in Eritrea: results from a community randomized control trial.

This paper examines the relationship between indoor residual spray (IRS) and malaria parasite infection in Gash Barka Zone, Eritrea, an area with near universal coverage of insecticide treated bednets (ITN) and already low malaria parasite prevalence. A community randomized control trial was conducted in 2009. Malaria parasite infection prevalence was 0.

Profile of patients with diabetes in Eritrea: results of first phase registry analyses.

A cross-sectional descriptive study was done on patients recently entered into the National Diabetes Registry in Eritrea where the prevalence was estimated to be 2.2% based on patient information in 2004. Of the 627 patients with diabetes, two thirds were type 2.

Cracking the whip on childhood mortality--role of the specialized neonatal unit in Eritrea.

Unlabelled: Health care services in developing countries are being challenged by high childhood mortality rates. Although there have been tremendous strides made in reducing infant mortality rates largely due to vaccinations and improved standards of living, a lot remains to be done to reduce neonatal mortality. Achievement of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) number 4 on childhood mortality will remain unattainable in most developing countries unless purpose based interventions targeted at reducing neonatal mortality are instituted.

Challenges in training the ideal Doctor for Africa: lessons learned from Zimbabwe.

Background: Limited competencies among doctors and reduced numbers from medical migration in Africa could be corrected through innovative curricula and retention of trained manpower. The University of Zimbabwe Medical School simultaneously decided to increase the quality and quantity of doctors to address shortages.

Aims: To evaluate the outcome of innovative medical education at the University of Zimbabwe Medical School.

Recurrent cholera epidemics in Kano--northern Nigeria.

Objectives: The study examined the factors associated with recurrent cholera epidemics in Kano State of Northern Nigeria, the management of the epidemics and health outcomes.

Methods: Using epidemiological data from the Public Health Department of the Kano State Ministry of Health, the study examined the frequency and geographical distribution of the epidemics for the period 1995 to 2001; procedures for detection; control measures as well as results of biological and bacteriological testing of water from different sources. Mapping and testing for significance of faecal contamination of water sources were done.

Prevalence of non-communicable disease risk factors in Eritrea.

Objective: To establish the baseline prevalence rates for non-communicable disease risk factors in Eritrea.

Study Design: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among all the ethnic groups in Eritrea with the WHO STEPwise approach. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure > or = 140/90 mm Hg or a person on medication for hypertension, while diabetes based on medical history of the disease.

Emerging non-communicable disease epidemic in Africa: preventive measures from the WHO Regional Office for Africa.

The World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) commissioned a study to compile and analyze published reports on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Africa to build evidence on the burden of NCDs in the region. Anecdotally, little information or literature was available on this subject. The objective of the study was to establish the status of NCDs in Africa by using published sources of information.

Prevalence of tobacco use in Eritrea: results from a noncommunicable disease risk factor survey.

The prevalence of noncommunicable diseases in Eritrea is increasing. Tobacco use is a recognized risk factor for most of these diseases, especially cardiovascular disease. No data have been published on tobacco use in Eritrea.

Roll back malaria--an African success story in Eritrea.

Background: High morbidity and mortality from malaria in Africa prompted the Abuja Declaration by African Heads of State in 2000. The goal set in the declaration for 2010 was to reduce malaria mortality by 50%. Countries were therefore expected to ensure that 60% of people suffering from malaria had access to treatment, that 60% of those at risk received intermittent prophylaxis, and that 60% of people in high-risk groups were using insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) by 2005.

Prevalence of noncommunicable diseases in Zimbabwe: results from analysis of data from the National Central Registry and Urban Survey.

The disease burden from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Africa is rapidly increasing based on projections from a limited number of reports. In the absence of national health surveys in Zimbabwe, all data nationally generated between 1990 and 1997 were analyzed. From 1990 to 1997, prevalence rates (expressed per 100,000 people) of hypertension increased from 1000 to 4000, rates of diabetes increased from 150 to 550, and rates of cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) increased from 5 to 15.

A steep decline of malaria morbidity and mortality trends in Eritrea between 2000 and 2004: the effect of combination of control methods.

Background: Malaria is a huge public health problem in Africa that is responsible for more than one million deaths annually. In line with the Roll Back Malaria initiative and the Abuja Declaration, Eritrea and other African countries have intensified their fight against malaria. This study examines the impact of Eritrea's Roll Back Malaria Programme: 2000-2004 and the effects and possible interactions between the public health interventions in use.

Continuing communicable disease burden in Eritrea.

Background And Methods: A retrospective study of the national health profile of Eritreans, focusing on acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI), tuberculosis (TB), diarrhoea, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV/AIDS, was done on data from 1998 to 2003 through a health information management system. Records were included for patients of all ages receiving outpatient and inpatient hospital services during the study period. All incidence rates were given as cases per 100,000 population.

The prevalence of hypertension and its relationship with obesity: results from a national blood pressure survey in Eritrea.

The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases has been shown to be on the increase in Africa based on hospital-based information and limited national surveys. A recent report on analysis of data from Health Information Management Systems (HIMS) highlighted an increasing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Eritrea, with the incidence of hypertension doubling in a space of 6 years. HMIS data are only a proxy of national prevalence rates, necessitating the conduct of national surveys.