The first community-based report on the effect of genital Schistosoma haematobium infection on female fertility.

A cross-sectional study in an Schistosoma haematobium endemic area of rural Zimbabwe examined 483 resident women between the ages of 20 and 49 years who were interviewed about fertility. S. haematobium ova in genital tissue was found to be significantly associated with infertility.

Human immunodeficiency virus, smoking and self-rated health in Harare, Zimbabwe.

Setting: Twenty-two urban factories in Harare.

Objective: To determine the relationship between the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), smoking and self-rated health in a high HIV prevalence urban workforce.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Assessment of eosinophil cationic protein as a possible diagnostic marker for female genital schistosomiasis in women living in a Schistosoma haematobium endemic area.

Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) levels were measured in vaginal lavage extracts from 518 Zimbabwean reproductive women, age range 15-49 years, to assess the potential use of ECP as a diagnostic marker for female genital schistosomiasis (FGS). One hundred and fifty women had confirmed FGS status. These included 77 (cases) women who had ova in genital tissue and 73 (controls) women who had no ova in genital tissue.

Subclinical mastitis among HIV-infected and uninfected Zimbabwean women participating in a multimicronutrient supplementation trial.

Subclinical mastitis, defined as raised milk sodium/potassium (Na/K) ratio is common and associated with poor infant growth and increased mother-to-child HIV transmission. In 1996-97, we conducted a randomized controlled trial of multiple micronutrient supplementation, at recommended daily allowance levels, from 22 to 35 weeks gestation until 3 months post-partum, on the prevalence and severity of subclinical mastitis among 84 HIV-infected and 83 HIV-uninfected lactating Zimbabwean women and on their infants' growth. Spot milk samples collected before 4.

Burden of mental illness on family members, care-givers and the community.

Objective: To determine the burden of mental illness in the family/caregiver and the community.

Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study.

Setting: Rehabilitation centres, community day centres, resettlement villages and in the community in three provinces (Harare, Bulawayo and Masvingo), Zimbabwe.

Low insecticide deposit rates detected during routine indoor residual spraying for malaria vector control in two districts of Gokwe, Zimbabwe.

Questions have been raised about the quality of indoor residual spraying for malaria vector control after the decentralization of the national malaria control program in Zimbabwe. Given the critical role this control method plays, we conducted an exercise to determine the amount of insecticide (mg active ingredient/m2 of lambda-cyhalothrin) applied during routine house spraying. Severe insecticide underdosing was detected.

Do they work? Regulating for-profit providers in Zimbabwe.

The experience of low- and middle-income countries (LMC) with respect to regulation and legislation in the health sector is in marked contrast to that of Canada and Europe. It is suggested that the degree to which regulatory mechanisms can influence private sector activity in LMC is quite low. However, there has been little work done on exploring just how, and to what extent, these regulations fail.

Alcohol consumption in HIV-I infected persons: a study of immunological markers, Harare, Zimbabwe.

Objective: To examine the effect of alcohol use in relation to the age, gender and plasma levels of HIV-I RNA and CD4 cells count in HIV-I infected persons as a prognostic indicator for the disease progression to AIDS.

Design: A community based cohort study.

Setting: The study was conducted at the Blair Research Institute Clinic from June 1996 to May 1998.

Pit latrine effluent infiltration into groundwater: the Epworth case study.

Water can be a vehicle for the transmission of communicable diseases. Technologies have been developed to protect groundwater from external surface contamination. However, there is growing concern about the likelihood of pit latrine effluent infiltrating into groundwater reservoirs for well water supply systems.

Diagnostic performance of two antigen capture tests for the diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Zimbabwe.

Objective: The objective was to compare the diagnostic performance of two antigen capture tests, ParaSight-F test and Immunochromatographic test (ICT), for the diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum malaria.

Design: A comparative study.

Setting: Burma Valley, Mutare District, Manicaland in Zimbabwe.

The cost of home-based care for HIV/AIDS patients in Zimbabwe.

From a study on the cost and quality of community home-based care (CHBC) for HIV/AIDS patients in Zimbabwe, programme and household costs were estimated. Interviews, using a structured questionnaire, were held with 60 patients and caregivers sampled from six types of established CHBC schemes. Detailed cost information was collected from four home care programmes, two urban and two rural.

A qualitative assessment of the referral system at district level in Zimbabwe: implications on efficiency and effective delivery of health services.

Objective: To qualitatively assess the referral system at district level from the consumers' point of view and assess implications it had on efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery.

Design: Descriptive study.

Setting: Districts of Tsholotsho and Murewa.

Age and religion selection biases in HIV-1 prevalence data from antenatal clinics in Manicaland, Zimbabwe.

Sera from 487 women attending antenatal clinics in two areas of Manicaland were tested for the presence of HIV-1 infection. In the Honde Valley and Rusitu Valley areas, 24,3 pc and 14 pc respectively, were found to be infected. HIV-1 infection was found to be associated with age, marital status and location.

Do mosquito coils and killer sticks work against Anopheles gambiae sensu lato mosquitoes in Zimbabwe?

Tests against Anopheles gambiae s. 1. mosquitoes (malaria transmitting mosquitoes) were carried out in Chegutu, Chiredzi and Kamhororo (Gokwe).

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers and health workers in relation to the use of sugar and salt solution in Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe.

A study was carried out (March-April 1992) in the rural, urban and farming areas of Masvingo Province in Zimbabwe to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of mothers and health workers on the use of sugar-salt solution. Twenty mothers from each area were also asked to prepare sugar-salt solution and the solutions were analysed for sodium and sucrose content. A total of 257 mothers out of 300 knew of the sugar-salt solution.

Progress in the control of schistosomiasis in Zimbabwe since 1984.

Schistosomiasis remains the second most important parasitic disease in Zimbabwe. In terms of its combined morbidity and prevalence, schistosomiasis is thought to be the most important helminth infection of man. Since 1984, a number of control programmes have commenced around the country and a national control programme aimed at reducing morbidity is being implemented.