Prevalence and predictors for cisplatin-induced toxicities in Zimbabwean women with cervical cancer.

To describe treatment-induced toxicities (TITs) and associated factors in Zimbabwean cancer patients receiving cisplatin. In total, 252 Zimbabwean women with cervical cancer, receiving cisplatin were followed up over 12 months for TITs and disease status. Peripheral neuropathy (70%) and ototoxicity (53%) were most prevalent.

Prevalence and risk factors for diabetic foot complications among people living with diabetes in Harare, Zimbabwe: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Diabetic foot disease (DF) is a common diabetes-related complication; however, the prevalence and associated risk factors for DF are not well characterised among people living with diabetes (PLWD) in Zimbabwe. This may suggest the unavailability of adequate strategies to diagnose and treat DF in the country. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of DF and associated risk factors for PLWD in Harare, Zimbabwe.

A cervical cancer biorepository for pharmacogenomics research in Zimbabwe.

Background: Research infrastructures such as biorepositories are essential to facilitate genomics and its growing applications in health research and translational medicine in Africa. Using a cervical cancer cohort, this study describes the establishment of a biorepository consisting of biospecimens and matched phenotype data for use in genomic association analysis and pharmacogenomics research.

Method: Women aged > 18 years with a recent histologically confirmed cervical cancer diagnosis were recruited.

Needs assessment of diabetic foot services in Zimbabwe.

Introduction: Due to the increasing incidence of diabetes in Zimbabwe, complications such as diabetic foot (DF) are anticipated. Establishing local gaps and needs in DF healthcare is paramount for tailoring management strategies.

Aims: To determine the status of DF services in the healthcare system and explore awareness of DF management and practices among registered general nurses (RGNs) in Zimbabwe.

Clinical and demographic characteristics of cervical cancer patients presenting at Parirenyatwa Hospital, Zimbabwe.

Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women in Africa, predominately due to late diagnosis. This study aims to identify risk factors, potential prognostic indicators, and optimal treatment modalities for Zimbabwean cervical cancer patients. Medical records for 1063 cervical cancer patients were reviewed for sociodemographic, clinical, treatment, and response data.

High-risk HPV genotypes in Zimbabwean women with cervical cancer: Comparative analyses between HIV-negative and HIV-positive women.

Background: High-risk human papillomavirus HPV (HR-HPV) modifies cervical cancer risk in people living with HIV, yet African populations are under-represented. We aimed to compare the frequency, multiplicity and consanguinity of HR-HPVs in HIV-negative and HIV-positive Zimbabwean women.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study consisting of women with histologically confirmed cervical cancer attending Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Pain management strategies among cervical cancer patients in Zimbabwe.

To describe pain management regulations, prevalence of pain and pain management practices in a Zimbabwean setting. A multi-methods approach was used, consisting of: policy and guideline review; review of 410 cervical cancer patient records for pain symptoms and pain management data; and semistructured interviews with oncology healthcare practitioners. We found a lack of policies that are specific for cervical cancer pain management.

The splice 1 variant of HTLV-1 bZIP factor stabilizes c-Jun.

HBZ is expressed by the complex retrovirus, Human T-cell Leukemia Virus type 1, and implicated in pathological effects associated with viral infection. From the nucleus, HBZ alters gene expression by interacting with a variety of transcriptional regulatory proteins, among which is c-Jun. Previously, one of the three HBZ variants, HBZ, was reported to decrease c-Jun expression by promoting its degradation.

Singapore COVID-19 Pandemic Response as a Successful Model Framework for Low-Resource Health Care Settings in Africa?

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus continues to spread and evolve across the planet. The crosscutting impacts of the virus, individual country responses to the virus, and the state of preparedness of local public health systems greatly vary across the world. The ostensibly late arrival of the virus in Africa has allowed learning, innovation, and adaptation of methods that have been successful in the early-hit countries.

Understanding Ethical, Legal and Societal Issues (ELSIs) in Human Biobanking and Genomics for Research and Healthcare in Zimbabwe: The Genomics Inheritance Law Ethics and Society (GILES) initiative.

Biobanks and human genomics applications are key for understanding health, disease and heredity in Africa and globally. Growing interest in these technologies calls for strengthening relevant legal, ethical and policy systems to address knowledge disparities and ensure protection of society, while supporting advancement of science. In Zimbabwe there is limited understanding of ethical, legal, and societal issues (ELSI) for biobanking and genomics.

Genetic Susceptibility for Cervical Cancer in African Populations: What Are the Host Genetic Drivers?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an essential but not a sufficient cervical cancer etiological factor. Cancer promoters, such as host genetic mutations, significantly modulate therapeutic responses and susceptibility. In cervical cancer, of interest have been viral clearing genes and HPV oncoprotein targets, for which conflicting data have been reported among different populations.

Cervical cancer in Zimbabwe: a situation analysis.

Introduction: Despite the wide-spread availability of cervical cancer prevention and screening programs in developed countries, the morbidity and mortality rates of cervical cancer in Zimbabwe are still very high. Limited resources as well as the high HIV prevalence are contributors to the high burden of cervical cancer. This paper aims to analyse the policies, frameworks and current practices in the management of cervical cancer in Zimbabwe.