Incompleteness and Misclassification of Maternal Deaths in Zimbabwe: Data from Two Reproductive Age Mortality Surveys, 2007-2008 and 2018-2019.

Introduction: We implemented two cross-sectional reproductive age mortality surveys in 2007-2008 and 2018-2019 to assess changes in the MMR and causes of death in Zimbabwe. We collected data from health institutions, civil registration and vital statistics, the community, and surveillance. This paper analyses missingness and misclassification of deaths in the two surveys.

Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its control measures on women and children: A Zimbabwe case study.

COVID-19 presented countries with unprecedented health policy challenges. For low-income countries in particular, policymakers had to contend with both the direct threats posed by COVID-19 as well as the social, educational, and economic harms associated with lockdown and other infection prevention and control measures. We present a holistic and contextualised case study of the direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19 on women and children, with some assessment of their uneven distribution across socio-economic, age and gender groups.

Cancer survival in sub-Saharan Africa (SURVCAN-3): a population-based study.

Background: The Cancer Survival in Africa, Asia, and South America project (SURVCAN-3) of the International Agency for Research on Cancer aims to fill gaps in the availability of population-level cancer survival estimates from countries in these regions. Here, we analysed survival for 18 cancers using data from member registries of the African Cancer Registry Network across 11 countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: We included data on patients diagnosed with 18 cancer types between Jan 1, 2005, and Dec 31, 2014, from 13 population-based cancer registries in Cotonou (Benin), Abidjan (CÔte d'Ivoire), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Eldoret and Nairobi (Kenya), Bamako (Mali), Mauritius, Namibia, Seychelles, Eastern Cape (South Africa), Kampala (Uganda), and Bulawayo and Harare (Zimbabwe).

Changes in causes of pregnancy-related and maternal mortality in Zimbabwe 2007-08 to 2018-19: findings from two reproductive age mortality surveys.

Background: Reducing maternal mortality is a priority of Sustainable Development Goal 3.1 which requires frequent epidemiological analysis of trends and patterns of the causes of maternal deaths. We conducted two reproductive age mortality surveys to analyse the epidemiology of maternal mortality in Zimbabwe and analysed the changes in the causes of deaths between 2007-08 and 2018-19.

Experiences of cervical cancer screening in HIV-positive women in Zimbabwe.

Background: The primary purpose of screening is to detect individuals in danger of cervical cancer so as to prevent further progression of the disease. Cervical cancer remains a global concern, as it ranks as the fourth most commonly diagnosed female malignancy worldwide. It is the commonest female cancer in Zimbabwe.

Determinants of eclampsia in women with severe preeclampsia at Mpilo Central Hospital, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Objective: Globally, preeclampsia is a significant contributor to adverse maternal outcomes. Once women develop eclampsia, they face considerable risks especially in countries with limited resources to deal with such a life-threatening complication. This study was carried out to investigate determinants of eclampsia in pregnant mothers with severe preeclampsia.

Resilience and vulnerability of maternity services in Zimbabwe: a comparative analysis of the effect of Covid-19 and lockdown control measures on maternal and perinatal outcomes, a single-centre cross-sectional study at Mpilo Central Hospital.

Background: On the 27 of March 2020 the Zimbabwean government declared the Covid-19 pandemic a 'national disaster'. Travel restrictions and emergency regulations have had significant impacts on maternity services, including resource stock-outs, and closure of antenatal clinics during the lockdown period. Estimates of the indirect impact of Covid-19 on maternal and perinatal mortality was expected it to be considerable, but little data was yet available.

Changes in the Incidence of Cancer in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe over a 50-Year Period.

Background: The cancer registry of Bulawayo (Zimbabwe) operated for 15 years in the preindependence period (1963-77), and was restarted in 2011. This allows comparison of incidence of cancers over a period of almost 50 years.

Methods: Age-standardized rates, with SEs, were calculated for 1963-1972 and 2011-2015.

Development and validation of risk prediction models for adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes in severe preeclampsia in a low-resource setting, Mpilo Central Hospital, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Objectives: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are major causes of global maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to develop and validate models to predict composite adverse maternal and neonatal outcome in severe preeclampsia in low-resource settings.

Study Design: A retrospective cross-sectional study of women with severe preeclampsia giving birth in a tertiary referral centre in Zimbabwe between 01/01/2014-31/12/2018.

A case report of complete appendiceal duplication on the normal site of a single caecum: A new variant?

Introduction: Duplicated appendix is an uncommon entity, typically discovered as an incidental finding during surgery for appendicitis or other abdominal pathologies. It may be associated with other congenital malformations. We report a case of a male neonate incidentally discovered to have an unrecognized variant of duplicated appendix during a laparotomy plus diversion colostomy for imperforate anus at 4 days of age.

The predictive value of signs and symptoms in predicting adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes in severe preeclampsia in a low-resource setting, findings from a cross-sectional study at Mpilo Central Hospital, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Objectives: In low resource settings symptoms and signs may be used to identify which women require intervention to mitigate the risks of severe preeclampsia. This study aimed to report the frequency of signs and symptoms in women with severe preeclampsia and to determine their predictive value for adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Study Design: A retrospective cross-sectional study of women with severe preeclampsia from 01/01/2016 to 31/12/2018 at Mpilo Central Hospital, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Children and adolescents on anti-retroviral therapy in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe: How many are virally suppressed by month six?

Zimbabwe is one of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa disproportionately affected by human immunodeficiency virus. In the "treat all" era, we assessed the gaps in routine viral load (VL) monitoring at six months for children (0-9 years) and adolescents (10-19 years) newly initiated on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) from January 2017 to September 2018 at a large tertiary hospital in Bulawayo. In this cohort study using secondary data, we considered first VL done within six to nine months of starting therapy as 'undergoing VL test at six months'.

Early onset severe preeclampsia and eclampsia in a low-resource setting, Mpilo Central Hospital, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Objectives: Early-onset severe preeclampsia is associated with significant maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality especially in low-resource settings, where women have limited access to antenatal care. This dataset was generated from a retrospective cross-sectional study carried out at Mpilo Central Hospital, covering the period February 1, 2016 to July 30, 2018. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of early-onset severe preeclampsia and eclampsia, and associated risk factors in a low-resource setting.

Factors associated with maternal mortality from sepsis in a low-resource setting: a five-year review at Mpilo Central Hospital, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Sepsis remains a major cause of maternal deaths globally. It is one of the major causes of maternal morbidity and mortality in women of reproductive age. It is important that such a major contributor is studied in low-resource settings.

Stillbirth rate and causes in a low-resource setting, Mpilo Central Hospital, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

A global concern is to end preventable stillbirths by the year 2030. The objective of this study was to document the stillbirth rate and causes of stillbirths in a low-resource setting. This was a retrospective descriptive study carried out at Mpilo Central Hospital, a tertiary teaching referral government hospital in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe during the period January to December 2016.

Loss to follow-up among children and adolescents growing up with HIV infection: age really matters.

Introduction: Globally, increasing numbers of HIV-infected children are reaching adolescence due to antiretroviral therapy (ART). We investigated rates of loss-to-follow-up (LTFU) from HIV care services among children as they transition from childhood through adolescence.

Methods: Individuals aged 5-19 years initiated on ART in a public-sector HIV clinic in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, between 2005 and 2009 were included in a retrospective cohort study.

Reducing fresh full term intrapartum stillbirths through leadership and accountability in a low-resource setting, Mpilo Central Hospital, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Background: Stillbirths are distressing to the parents and healthcare workers. Globally large numbers of babies are stillborn. A number of strategies have been implemented to try and reduce stillbirths worldwide.

Severe preeclampsia and eclampsia: incidence, complications, and perinatal outcomes at a low-resource setting, Mpilo Central Hospital, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Background: Severe preeclampsia is a disorder of pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure and significant proteinuria after 20 weeks gestation. Severe preeclampsia and eclampsia have considerable adverse impacts on maternal, fetal, and neonatal health especially in low-resource countries. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are the third leading cause of maternal deaths in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Challenges in the surgical management of ectopic pregnancy in a low-resource setting: Mpilo Central Hospital, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

Background Ectopic pregnancy contributes to maternal morbidity and mortality, especially in low-resourced countries with limited facilities for early diagnosis and treatment. It is a very challenging condition to diagnose. Patients may collapse and die while undergoing investigation.