Factors associated with uptake of HIV testing among clients diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections in Chegutu District, Zimbabwe, 2021.

Unlabelled: HIV testing services (HTS) enable early linkage to HIV prevention, treatment and care. A review of Chegutu District Health Information System 2 sexually transmitted infection (STI)/HIV data revealed HIV testing rates among those infected with STIs were 41%, 48%, 50%, 51% and 68%, respectively, for the period 2016-2020 against a target of 100%. We investigated factors associated with the uptake of HTS among STI clients.

Maternal death surveillance and response system evaluation in Makonde District, Zimbabwe, 2021.

Background: Maternal mortality is of global concern, almost 800 women die every day due to maternal complications. The maternal death surveillance and response (MDSR) system is one strategy designed to reduce maternal mortality. In 2021 Makonde District reported a maternal mortality ratio of 275 per 100 000 and only sixty-two percent of deaths recorded were audited.

Predictors of COVID-19 infection among health care workers in Harare City, Zimbabwe, 2021.

Introduction: preventing COVID-19 infection among health workers maintains the health system capacity and reduces secondary transmission. Of 506 health workers tested for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in Harare City between December 2020 and February 2021 (second wave), 128 (25%) tested positive, affecting service delivery. We investigated factors associated with COVID-19 infection and described breakthrough infections among health workers.

Tuberculosis cohort analysis in Zimbabwe: The need to strengthen patient follow-up throughout the tuberculosis care cascade.

Introduction: Globally people with tuberculosis (TB) continue to be missed each year. They are either not diagnosed or not reported which indicates possible leakages in the TB care cascade. Zimbabwe is not spared with over 12000 missed cases in 2020.

Factors associated with COVID-19 fatality among patients admitted in Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe 2020-2022: a secondary data analysis.

Introduction: approximately 15% of COVID-19 patients develop symptoms necessitating admission. From 2020 to 2022, Mashonaland West Province had an institutional case fatality rate of 23% against a national rate of 7%. Therefore, we evaluated the COVID-19 admissions in the province to determine the factors associated with COVID-19 mortality.

Evaluation of the weekly disease surveillance system for epidemic-prone diseases in Makonde District, Zimbabwe 2020: a descriptive cross-sectional study.

Introduction: the weekly disease surveillance system (WDSS) is a tool used to provide an early warning of potential public health threats in Zimbabwe. In 2020, Makonde District failed to detect an anthrax outbreak at one of its facilities, this untimely and poor response of the district increased morbidity. We evaluated the weekly disease surveillance system to determine reasons for missing outbreaks and determine the usefulness of the system in the detection of outbreaks.

Anthrax outbreak investigation in Tengwe, Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe, 2022.

Background: Anthrax continues to be a disease of public health concern in Zimbabwe. Between December 2021 and February 2022, Tengwe reported 36 cases of human anthrax. Gastrointestinal anthrax has the potential to cause serious outbreaks leading to loss of human life.

Evaluation of the measles case-based surveillance system in Kwekwe city, 2017-2020: a descriptive cross-sectional study.

Introduction: in 2011, WHO African region set a target for elimination of measles by 2020. During period 2017-2020, Kwekwe city, with an estimated population of 117,116, detected one case of suspected measles. This was against a target of 2 cases per year.

An evaluation of the isoniazid preventive therapy program performance for under-fives in Kwekwe City, January 2019 - December 2020: a descriptive cross-sectional study.

Childhood tuberculosis (TB) is underserved in resource-constrained endemic areas. Zimbabwe National Tuberculosis Program recommends tuberculosis prevention treatment for children aged <5 years who are close contacts of smear-positive TB cases. The Isoniazid Preventive Therapy (IPT) program performance had never been evaluated since its inception in 2010.

The epidemiology of drug-resistant tuberculosis in Bulawayo and Matabeleland South provinces, Zimbabwe 2017.

Objective: To investigate determinants of drug resistance and treatment outcomes among patients with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB).

Design: This was a cross-sectional study on patients diagnosed with DR-TB in Bulawayo and Matabeleland South provinces, 2015.

Results: A total of 129 participants were identified.

An evaluation of the notifiable disease surveillance system in Chegutu District, Zimbabwe, 2020: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: in 2018-2019 Chegutu District had one notification form Tally 1 (T1) that was completed instead of seven for detected notifiable diseases. Different figures of cholera were reported through weekly rapid disease notification system with 106 patients and Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NDSS) with 111 patients, causing data discrepancy. We evaluated the NDSS to determine reasons for underperformance and data discrepancy.

Risk factors for contracting watery diarrhoea in Mzilikazi, Bulawayo City, Zimbabwe, 2020: a case control study.

Introduction: Mzilikazi clinic had an upsurge of diarrhoea cases with 41 cases from the 28 to the 30 of September 2020, against a threshold of 11. We therefore, investigated the risk factors associated with this outbreak to recommend prevention and control measures.

Methods: we conducted a 1:1 unmatched case-control study.

An evaluation of childhood tuberculosis program in Chegutu District, Zimbabwe, 2020: a descriptive cross-sectional study.

Background: Childhood tuberculosis (TB) is a major global public health concern contributing to significant child morbidity and mortality. A records review of the TB notification for Chegutu District Health Information System 2 (DHIS2) showed a low childhood TB case detection rate. For 2018 and 2019, childhood TB notifications were 4% and 7% respectively against the annual national childhood 12% case detection rate.

Factors associated with a malaria outbreak at Tongogara refugee camp in Chipinge District, Zimbabwe, 2021: a case-control study.

Background: Malaria is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among forcibly displaced populations, including refugees, approximately two-thirds of whom reside in malaria endemic regions. Data from the rapid disease notification system (RDNS) reports for Manicaland Province in Zimbabwe showed that despite implementation of malaria control initiatives, there was an increase in number of malaria cases above action thresholds at Tongogara refugee camp in Chipinge district during weeks 12-14 of 2021. An investigation that described the outbreak by person, place and time was conducted.

Evaluation of intensified provider initiated testing and counselling program in Harare City, 2017-2018.

Background: Knowledge of HIV status remains a challenge despite implementation of various testing strategies including provider-initiated HIV testing (PITC). Harare City intensified provider-initiated HIV testing by targeting testing all eligible clients visiting facilities to achieve the UNAIDS first 95. This study aimed at evaluating the intervention to improve its effectiveness and inform programming decisions for universal access to HIV testing.

Trends in antimicrobial resistance of bacterial pathogens in Harare, Zimbabwe, 2012-2017: a secondary dataset analysis.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most serious public health threats of the twenty-first century. The implementation of AMR surveillance in Zimbabwe is limited. However, data from a private laboratory in Harare revealed increasing resistance rates to common antibiotics like ampicillin (i.

Evaluation of the adverse events following immunization surveillance system in Guruve district, Mashonaland Central 2017.

Introduction: An adverse event following immunisation is any untoward medical occurrence which follows vaccination. Frequency of adverse events ranges from 13% to 34% and they should be reported regardless of severity. From the beginning of 2016 to mid-2017, Guruve district in Zimbabwe did not report any AEFIs.

Field-based evaluation of malaria outbreak detection and response in Mudzi and Goromonzi districts, Zimbabwe - 2017.

National-level evaluations may fail to identify capacity improvements for detecting and responding to outbreaks which begin and are first detected at the local level. In response to this issue, we conducted a field-based assessment of the malaria outbreak surveillance system in Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe. We visited eleven clinics in Mudzi and Goromonzi districts.

Utilization and outcomes of cervical cancer screening services in Harare City, 2012-2016: a secondary data analysis.

Background: Visual inspection with acetic acid and cervicography (VIAC) is a method used to screen for cervical cancer. VIAC can be used as part of a "see and treat" strategy. Nine Harare city council health facilities offer VIAC free of charge with the aim of reducing morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer.

Evaluation of sexual and gender-based violence program in Harare City, Zimbabwe, 2016: a descriptive cross-sectional study.

Introduction: In Zimbabwe, there is a gap between sexual violence (SV) survivors' health care needs versus the existing facilities. Harare city started Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) project in 2011, with the aim to reduce SV morbidity.Only 592 (42%) of 1425 SV survivors reported for medical services within 72 hours in 2015.

Evaluation of the Maternal Death Surveillance and response system in Hwange District, Zimbabwe, 2017.

Background: Maternal Death Surveillance and Response (MDSR) system was established to provide information that effectively guides actions to eliminate preventable maternal mortality. In 2016, Hwange district sent six maternal death notification forms (MDNF) to the province without maternal death audit reports. Timeliness of MDNF reaching the province is a challenge.

Investigating a foodborne illness outbreak at a private girls' school in Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe, 2015.

Globally, it is estimated that foodborne-associated illness accounts for 2.2 million deaths. This is caused by contamination of food with toxins, parasites, bacteria or viruses that can lead to increased levels of morbidity and mortality.

An investigation of pyrexia of unknown origin in Shamva District, Zimbabwe, September 2015.

Outbreak investigation is a key component of public health training. A good outbreak investigation can go beyond determining the causative agent by recommending policies to be formulated by policy makers. This case study simulates a real-life investigation of pyrexia of unknown origin in Shamva District, Zimbabwe, during the period of September to October 2015.