Urine Se concentration poorly predicts plasma Se concentration at sub-district scales in Zimbabwe, limiting its value as a biomarker of population Se status.

Introduction: The current study investigated the value of urine selenium (Se) concentration as a biomarker of population Se status in rural sub-Saharan Africa.

Method: Urine and plasma Se concentrations were measured among children aged 6-59 months ( = 608) and women of reproductive age (WRA,  = 781) living in rural Zimbabwe (Murehwa, Shamva, and Mutasa districts) and participating in a pilot national micronutrient survey. Selenium concentrations were measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and urine concentrations were corrected for hydration status.

A pilot survey of selenium status and its geospatial variation among children and women in three rural districts of Zimbabwe.

Introduction: Selenium (Se) deficiency is increasingly recognized as a public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: The current cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence and geospatial patterns of Se deficiency among children aged 6-59 months ( = 741) and women of 15-49 years old ( = 831) selected by simple random sampling in rural Zimbabwe (Murewa, Shamva, and Mutasa districts). Venous blood samples were collected and stored according to World Health Organization guidelines.

Anemia in children aged 6-59 months was significantly associated with maternal anemia status in rural Zimbabwe.

Globally, anemia is a public health problem affecting mostly women of reproductive age (WRA,  = 452) and children aged 6-59 months ( = 452) from low- and lower-middle-income countries. This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence and determinants of anemia in WRA and children aged 6-59 months in rural Zimbabwe. The venous blood sample was measured for hemoglobin utilizing a HemoCue machine.

Enhancing capacity of Zimbabwe's health system to respond to climate change induced drought: a rapid nutritional assessment.

Introduction: Zimbabwe experienced the negative effects of the devastating cyclone Idai which affected several districts in the country, and the drought due to low rainfall that has affected the whole country. As a result of these catastrophes, the food and nutrition security situation in the country has deteriorated. For this reason, we carried out a rapid assessment of the health facilities in 19 sampled high global acute malnutrition and high food insecurity districts from the ten provinces of Zimbabwe to ascertain the preparedness of the facilities to respond to drought effects.

Factors associated with malaria infection in Mudzi District, Mashonaland East Zimbabwe, 2019: a case-control study.

Background: Kondo Rural Health Centre recorded 27 malaria patients between the 27th of January 2019 and the 2nd of February 2019 against an epidemic threshold of 19 with the malaria outbreak being confirmed on the 5th of February 2019. Indoor residual spraying as part of integrated vector management control activities had been done in the district before the onset of the rainy season as well as social behaviour change communication but residents were contracting malaria. We, therefore, investigated the risk factors associated with this outbreak to recommend scientifically effective prevention and control measures.