A cost analysis of a simplified model for HCV screening and treatment at a tertiary hospital in Zimbabwe.

Background: The treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection using directly acting antivirals was recently adopted in the treatment guidelines of Zimbabwe. The objectives of this study were to design a simplified model of HCV care and estimate the cost of screening and treatment of hepatitis C infection at a tertiary hospital in Zimbabwe.

Methods: We developed a model of care for HCV using WHO 2018 guidelines for the treatment of HCV infection and expert opinion.

Common mental health and emotional and behavioural disorders among adolescents and young adults in Harare and Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe: a population-based prevalence study.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of common mental health disorders (CMDs) and emotional and behavioural disorders among young people and to explore the correlates of CMDs risk.

Setting: Five urban and periurban communities in Harare and Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study PARTICIPANTS: Young people aged 13-24 years living in households in the study areas.

Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was the proportion of participants screening positive for probable CMDs defined as a Shona Symptoms Questionnaire (SSQ) score ≥8.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes of HIV/antiretroviral drug perinatally exposed uninfected children aged 3-6 years.

Objective: Given the roll out of maternal antiretroviral therapy (ART) for prevention-of-perinatal-HIV-transmission, increasing numbers of children are perinatally HIV/antiretroviral exposed but uninfected (CAHEU). Some studies suggest CAHEU may be at increased risk for neurodevelopmental (ND) deficits. We aimed to assess ND performance among preschool CAHEU.

Leveraging microgrants to support capacity-building workshops in low- and middle-income countries for meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.

Twenty fifteen marked the year of assessment for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs that achieved the greatest success were those where evidence-based practice (EBP) interventions were implemented. The ability to practice evidence-based medicine is grounded in the creation of and access to medical literature that synthesizes research findings.

Progress on the elimination of viral hepatitis in Zimbabwe: A review of the policies, strategies and challenges.

Very few low-income countries have developed national plans to achieve the viral hepatitis elimination targets set in the World Health Organization (WHO) strategy. We reviewed the policy environment, strategies and challenges on the fight against viral hepatitis in Zimbabwe. The review focussed on the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) policy documents, strategic plans and reports.

COVID-19 PICU guidelines: for high- and limited-resource settings.

Background: Fewer children than adults have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the clinical manifestations are distinct from those of adults. Some children particularly those with acute or chronic co-morbidities are likely to develop critical illness. Recently, a multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) has been described in children with some of these patients requiring care in the pediatric ICU.

Spontaneous closure of an extensive postdebridement perineal wound in a newly diagnosed diabetic patient presenting with necrotizing fasciitis.

Diabetes mellitus may present for the first time with necrotizing fasciitis. Early treatment of septic shock and immediate surgical debridement reduces mortality. A diverting loop colostomy prevents soiling of extensive postdebridement wound.

Penetrating thoracoabdominal injuries from multiple-spiked spear stabbing: Case report and literature review.

Penetrating thoracoabdominal injuries carry high morbidity and mortality. Concurrent clinical evaluation and resuscitation followed by early surgery are associated with good outcome. In a resource-limited setting, plain X-rays are valuable in surgery planning.

Successful nonoperative management of high output enterocutaneous fistulae in high surgical risk HIV-positive patients: Two case reports and literature review.

Management of enterocutaneous fistulae is challenging, often requiring a multidisciplinary approach. In high output fistulae, surgery is advocated after control of sepsis, adequate fluid and electrolyte repletion, and nutritional support. Surgery may, however, be contraindicated in the presence of sepsis and malnutrition.

Affordable flow cytometry for enumeration of absolute CD4+ T-lymphocytes to identify subtype C HIV-1 infected adults requiring antiretroviral therapy (ART) and monitoring response to ART in a resource-limited setting.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO)'s "3 x 5 program" has spurred efforts to place 3 million people on combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) for treatment of AIDS in resource-limited countries. Paradoxically, the cost of CD4+ T-lymphocyte count essential for decision-making to commence HIV positive adults on ART as well as for monitoring responses to ART remains unaffordable in most resource-limited countries. Thus, low-cost methods for enumerating CD4+ T-lymphocyte are urgently needed.

T lymphocytes among HIV-infected and -uninfected infants: CD4/CD8 ratio as a potential tool in diagnosis of infection in infants under the age of 2 years.

BACKGROUND: Serologic tests for HIV infection in infants less than 18 months do not differentiate exposure and infection since maternally acquired IgG antibodies may be detected in infants. Thus, the gold standard for diagnosis of HIV-1 infection in infants under the age of 2 years is DNA or reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. There is an urgent need to evaluate alternative and cost effective laboratory methods for early diagnosis of infant HIV-1 infection as well as identifying infected infants who may benefit from cotrimoxazole prophylaxis and/or initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy.