Districts In Zimbabwe Research Articles

Scale matters: Variations in spatial and temporal patterns of epidemic outbreaks in agent-based models

Agent-based modellers frequently make use of techniques to render simulated populations more computationally tractable on actionable timescales. Many generate a relatively small number of “representative” agents, each of which is “scaled up” to represent some larger number of individuals involved in the system being studied. The degree to which this “scaling” has implications for model forecasts is an underdeveloped field of study; in particular, there has been little known research on the spatial implications of such techniques. This work presents a case study of the impact of the simulated population size, using a model of the spread of COVID-19 among districts in Zimbabwe for the underlying system being studied. The impact of the relative scale of the population is explored in conjunction with the spatial setup, and crucial model parameters are varied to highlight where scaled down populations can be safely used and where modellers should be cautious. The results imply that in particular, different geographical dynamics of the spread of disease are associated with varying population sizes, with implications for researchers seeking to use scaled populations in their research. This article is an extension on work previously presented as part of the International Conference on Computational Science 2022 (Wise et al., 2022)[1].

The prevalence and burden of urogenital schistosomiasis: a case study of Mount Darwin and Makoni Districts in Zimbabwe

Globally, about 779 million people are estimated to be at risk of developing schistosomiasis and around 250 million people are infected. There are 120 million asymptomatic people and 20 million with severe disease. Schistosomiasis causes the highest morbidity and mortality among school-aged children. The main objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and burden of schistosomiasis in the Mount Darwin and Makoni Districts. Five hundred children from both schools aged 6–13 were included in the study. Urinary schistosomiasis was diagnosed using the urinary filtration method and the presence of egg(s) under microscopy in the urine sample indicated an infection, whereas the absence of eggs was ruled as no infection. Boys were more infected than girls in both schools, with Bemberi having 14.88% males infected and 10.47% females infected and Bandanyenje having 13% males infected and 10.76% females infected with Schistosoma haematobium. The age group 10–13 years old from Bemberi primary had a higher prevalence rate of 17.72% than Bandanyenje primary with a prevalence of 12%. There is a need for the provision of an adequate supply of safe drinking water, health education campaigns and regular screening, among this age group.

Poverty with a feminine face: Theologising the feminisation of poverty in Mutasa District, Zimbabwe

The dissection of work based on biological sex orientation amid non-remunerated and remunerated work reduces females frugally and socially to become extra susceptible towards remaining poor and poorer in the society. This division is engineered by family, individual, communal and financial predicaments, especially those emanating from the cultural background, partisan and racial struggle circumstances or disasters like the COVID-19 pandemic. In Africa, particularly in Zimbabwe, women are marginalised and excluded by social discrimination and poverty, hence the call for action by the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Action is required specifically from the areas, such as education and environment, among others, to empower women to improve their situations or to develop communities and the country as a whole. Actions aimed at reducing impoverishment in society are perilous; hence, the Zimbabwean government decided to give preference to women in economic empowerment strategies and to advance acts that support monetary constitutional rights. While both men and women are susceptible to poverty, gender discrimination makes women to be more vulnerable to poverty and have meagre incomes to survive impoverishment. Women are always the last to feed, they are also usually the last to sleep and the first to wake up, they are the disadvantaged to get healthcare facilities and they are stuck in laborious, voluntary household chores from time to time. Unfortunately, some are left with no option and engage in prostitution as a means to survive. Using purposive sampling and cultural feminist lens, this study problematises the feminisation of poverty in Zimbabwe, using Mutasa community, particularly villages 4 and 30, as a case study to see how women alleviate poverty through mukando/marounds. The main argument presented in this study is that poverty must not have a feminine face; hence, the labels that synonymise scarcity with femininity must be eradicated.Contribution: This study contributes to the ongoing academic studies on the feminisation of poverty, using Mutasa district in Zimbabwe as a case study. It concludes by restating that the feminisation of poverty is a product of a flawed cultural system that denies women opportunities for realising their full potential.

A combination of vegetation condition index, standardized precipitation index and human observation in monitoring spatio-temporal dynamics of drought. A case of Zvishavane District in Zimbabwe

Drought requires a multifaceted approach in order to better understand it. The study assessed the application of a combination of Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and human observation approaches to understand spatio-temporal dynamics of drought in Zvishavane District. A mixed methods research design supported by both qualitative and quantitative approaches was adopted. GIS and remote sensing, questionnaire, interviews and focus group discussions were adopted for data collection. ArcMap 10.5, Microsoft excel 2013 and SPI Generator software were used for data analysis. Findings indicated that human observation, VCI and SPI can detect the temporal distribution of severe-extreme droughts. Based on finding, SPI proved difficult to use for analyzing the spatial distribution of drought at district level where only one rain gauge exist for the district. Human perceptions and VCI were confirmed to be in agreement when detecting spatial distribution of severe-extreme droughts at district level. Findings showed that humans tend to forget or fail to notice the spatial and temporal distribution of moderate drought which VCI proved to be effective in detecting. A hybrid method of drought monitoring which incorporates remote sensing indices, meteorological indices and human perceptions is encouraged to ensure a comprehensive analysis of drought.

Emotive Art: An Analysis of Graffiti from Selected Secondary Schools in Bikita-Matsai District, Zimbabwe

ABSTRACT This study makes an in-depth analysis of graffiti from selected secondary schools in the Bikita-Matsai district in Zimbabwe that includes but is not limited to trusses, office doors, chalkboards, classroom and toilet walls. The Study focuses on the words and drawings in these spaces. The emphasis on the importance of contextualisation of text is used to bring to the fore different contextual meanings of graffiti words. For this study, the psychologically oriented Historical-Philological Semantics theory and Dadaism were adopted. The psychological aspect of the Historical-Philological Semantics theory helps analyse different emotions imprinted on the walls as secondary school learners emotively write on the surfaces. Art without rules is also analysed from a Dadaism perspective. The study makes use of both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. The research found that there is a symbiotic relationship between graffiti in secondary schools and the emotions of the authors who are secondary school learners. Graffiti has been proven by the findings to be a sanctuary which learners use to preserve and make known their inner emotions that are brewed during the learning and teaching process.

Impact of COVID 19 on the Participation of Rural Women in Savings Groups: Case of Umzingwane District in Zimbabwe

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of COVID 19 on women in savings groups in rural Zimbabwe using Umzingwane district as a case study. The study adopted a sequential explanatory research design with the view of using mixed research approach. Data was gathered using questionnaires and interviews. The questionnaires were administered to 300 female savings group members and interviews administered to 40 committee members of savings groups in ward 3, 4, 5 and 14 of Umzingwane district in Zimbabwe. The study revealed that the COVID 19 pandemic reduced the ability of the savings groups members to generate income leading to low contributions, poor loan repayments and low levels of emergency funds. The study through Chi Square test found that there was a relationship between the marital status of female savings groups members and their ability to make regular contributions, with mainly married female members being able to make regular contributions. Chi Square test also revealed that ownership of a smartphone was not related to the ability of female savings groups members to regularly attend group meetings. The study also revealed that the measures that were adopted by savings group to ensure that female savings groups members continued to participate in savings groups were loan rescheduling, use of Whatsapp platform as a means of conducting meetings, acceptance of mobile money payments to collect contributions and loan repayments and assigning committee members to visit group members so as to collect contributions and repayments and to check on the members who were always absent. The study recommends that savings groups members should be taught to have diversified sources of income so as to be resilient to the effects of disasters such as COVID 19. The government and development agencies should link savings groups to formal banking so as to have access to diverse financial services which will make them resilient to the effects of disasters.

Impact of Savings and Credit Cooperative Society Groups on Food Security in Zimbabwe: A Case Study of Marange Community in Mutare District

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the impact of Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (SACCOS) on sustaining food security for households in Marange communal area of Mutare rural district in Zimbabwe. Methods: An exploratory sequential mixed methods research (MMR) design was used in carrying out the present study. In this design, the study first collected primary qualitative data using 6 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 7 key informant interviews (KIIs) followed by collecting quantitative data using a household survey from 204 respondents. The 204 respondents consisted of 102 households participating in VSLAs and SACCOS, and 102 households not participating in VSLAs and SACCOS. NVivo, was used to analyse qualitative data from focus group discussions (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) to determine themes and content from the data, respectively. SPSS version 23 was used to analyse quantitative data to provide descriptive and inferential statistics for the research. Chi-square Test of Independence was used to analyse quantitative data to investigate the association between participation in SACCOS (independent variable) and food security (dependent variable). Results: Qualitative results showed that there was an association between participation in SACCOS and the four pillars of food security, namely food accessibility, food availability, food utilization, and stability of the former three pillars. Quantitative results corroborated qualitative results (p<0.05) and showed that, at 95% significance level, participation in SACCOS has positive impact on household food security in Marange communal area. Conclusion: The study concluded that participation in SACCOS has positive impact on household food security in Marange communal area. Recommendations: The study made two key recommendations. Firstly, the government of Zimbabwe through Ministry of Finance should provide conducive policy environment for SACCOS to thrive, particularly addressing economic challenges that are currently acting as barrier to viability of SACCOS. Secondly, there is scope for undertaking this study in a different approach such as replicating it over a period of two or more seasons instead of only one agricultural season, as was the case with the present study.

Resilience capacities and implications for food security in Zimbabwe

There is an emerging body of studies assessing the influence of resilience on household food security in developing countries. Yet no study has systematically analysed this theme in Zimbabwe, an area that we address. Data was collected from 331 randomly selected farm households in four districts of Zimbabwe. Factor analysis was used to compute resilience capacities. Poisson regression was used for model estimations. Assets, market diversity and social capital increased dietary diversity by 7.5%, 3.6% and 2.9% respectively. Interventions that enhance asset accumulation, for example incomegenerating activities, should be promoted. Promoting farmer groups and collective actions are important to strengthen social capital. Adaptive and absorptive capacity increases dietary diversity by 5.9% and 5.4% respectively. Household resilience is positively associated with dietary diversity. The public and private sectors and civil society need to promote interventions that build adaptive, absorptive, and overall resilience capacity of farming households to enhance food security.

Mopane worm value chain in Zimbabwe: Evidence on knowledge, practices, and processes in Gwanda District.

Consumption of edible insects is a potential solution to the growing need for protein. However, the wild harvested edible insects' value chain faces several challenges including limited knowledge on indigenous practices in the harvesting and processing and lack of information on roles of the different actors in the chain. A case study of Gonimbrasia belina, colloquially referred to as the 'mopane worm', was conducted to understand and identify determinants of participation in the value chain of the edible caterpillar. A cross sectional study was conducted in Gwanda (a rural district in Zimbabwe) to (a) understand the indigenous knowledge on harvesting and processing methods, (b) explore value addition and the traditional beliefs surrounding the utilisation of the mopane worm. Results showed that consumers (81.7%), and harvesters (76.6%) were the main actors in the mopane worm value chain. Using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) model, the following were shown to be determinants of participation in the mopane worm value chain: (a) gender (b) household size (c) marital status (d) religion and (e) household assets. Two primary processing methods of harvested mopane worm were distinguished i.e., boiling and roasting on ambers. Results showed lack of diversity in mopane worm-based products. Current culturally acceptable processing techniques need improvement and standardization to support sustainable mopane worm processing while optimising nutrient bio-accessibility.

Mapping and Managing Livelihoods Vulnerability to Drought: A Case Study of Chivi District in Zimbabwe

The assessment of the vulnerability to drought hazards in smallholder farming systems dependent on rain-fed agriculture has recently gained global popularity, given the need to identify and prioritize climate hotspots for climate adaptation. Over the past decade, numerous studies have focused on vulnerability assessments with respect to drought and other meteorological hazards. Nonetheless, less research has focused on applying common measurement frameworks to compare vulnerability in different communities and the sources of such vulnerability. Yet, the crucial question remains: who is more vulnerable and what contributes to this vulnerability? This article is a case study for assessing the vulnerability to drought of smallholder farmers in two wards in Chivi district, Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe. This study is timely, as climate change is increasingly affecting populations dependent on rainfed agriculture. This assessment has been conducted by calculating the Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) and Livelihood Vulnerability Index of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (LVI-IPCC). This empirical study used data from 258 households from the two wards and triangulated it through Key Informant Interviews and Focus Group Discussions. To calculate the LVI, twenty-six subcomponents made up of seven major components, including socio-demographic variables; livelihood strategies; social capital; access to food, health, and water; and exposure to drought, were considered. To calculate the LVI-IPCC, we combined the three contributing factors of vulnerability (exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity). Our results indicate that the LVI forward 14 is statistically higher than for ward 19 (F = 21.960; p ≤ 0.01) due to high exposure to drought, food insecurity, and compromised social networks. Concerning the LVI-IPCC, ward 14 was significantly more vulnerable to the impacts of drought than ward 19 (F = 7.718; p ≤ 0.01). Thus, reducing exposure to drought through early warning systems, building diversified agricultural systems, and social networks are of high priority to reduce the vulnerability of the farmers.

Environmental Education efforts in a rural drought-prone district in Zimbabwe: Micro innovations with growth potential

In Sub-Saharan Africa, climate change is evident due to the frequency of drought cycles. This paper explores the Environmental Education (EE) efforts for reducing the impact of climate change in drought prone Gwanda district, Zimbabwe. The paper focuses on how climate change mitigation and adaptation stakeholders within the community can initiate EE programs which have the potential to be upscaled to macro innovations. A qualitative interpretive case study approach was used with three data generation tools (interviews, a focus group discussion and document analysis). The sample comprised 38 participants. The study was guided by the Sustainable Rural Livelihoods Framework (1998). The study revealed that for EE programmes to be effective, they have to harness local factors. The study found that formal field days, information and skills sharing among neighbours during letsema/lidaba and Indigenous Knowledge Systems were micro innovations with growth potential to build farmers’ generative resilience to climate change.

The Prevalence and Burden of Urogenital Schistosomiasis: A Case Study of Mount Darwin and Makoni Districts in Zimbabwe

The Prevalence and Burden of Urogenital Schistosomiasis: A Case Study of Mount Darwin and Makoni Districts in Zimbabwe

The Prevalence and Burden of Urogenital Schistosomiasis: A Case Study of Mount Darwin and Makoni Districts in Zimbabwe

The Prevalence and Burden of Urogenital Schistosomiasis: A Case Study of Mount Darwin and Makoni Districts in Zimbabwe

Exploring Adolescent Sexual Health Practices and Outcomes in Umguza and Mberengwa Districts in Zimbabwe

Background: Worldwide, adolescents have had limited access to reproductive health services due to several factors. The nature of communities and their organisations play a significant role in shaping adolescent sexual behaviours and practices. This study sought to explore the extent of the influence of community environmental factors in moulding adolescent sexual behaviours in Mberengwa and Umguza districts. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted on 370 and 360 systematically selected adolescents in Mberengwa and Umguza districts, respectively, using a pre-tested researcher-administered questionnaire. The collected data was captured in Excel and imported to STATA Version 13 Standard Edition for analysis. Different statistical methods (both descriptive and inferential) were utilised to interrogate collected data and inferences made. Results: Most respondents were female and were between 13-17 years. Most of the respondents were literate. Umguza district had a significantly higher prevalence of pregnancies, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and a higher number of adolescents engaging in sexual activities. Predictors of Sexually Transmitted Infections and pregnancies were the sex of the respondent, tribe, sexual encounters, age, and religion. Conclusion: Adolescents are at risk of contracting Sexually Transmitted Infections and impregnation as they engage in risky sexual behaviours, as evidenced by the findings. The two districts have a significantly higher prevalence of having sex than the national average.

Reasons for low engagement time and its impact on the implementation of the Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) in Secondary Schools in Makoni District Zimbabwe

The study investigated reasons for low engagement time and its impact on the implementation of the Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) in secondary schools in Makoni District of Manicaland Province. The investigation employed mixed methods research design. The target population comprised all school heads and teachers in secondary schools in the District. A convenience sampling strategy was used to select schools to participate in the study. The researchers got a list of names of secondary school heads from the District Schools Inspector. A purposive sampling technique was used to select 9 school heads who had the relevant knowledge, experience and were involved as supervisors in CBC implementation, to participate in the study. A total of 32 teachers were randomly selected, bringing the total number of respondents to 41, made up of 9 school heads and 32 teachers. A structured questionnaire with closed-ended and open-ended questions, a face-to-face interview and documentary analysis were the data-gathering instruments. Study findings revealed that the reasons for low engagement time, that had moderate to very large impact on the implementation of Competence-Based Curriculum in Secondary Schools in Makoni District, were: low remuneration of teachers; learner absenteeism; COVID 19-induced lockdowns; late attendance of lessons by learners; and shortage of teaching and learning materials. The study recommends that teachers plan and conduct interactive, interesting learner-centred lessons that motivate students to attend lessons and want to report for lessons early. Government and School Responsible Authorities are urged to staff develop and conscientise teachers on the importance of the teaching profession and its role in human capital development; and to improve teachers' conditions of service.

Use of herbal, complementary and alternative medicines among pregnant women in Makoni District, Zimbabwe

Use of herbal, complementary and alternative medicines during pregnancy, labour and delivery is common in Zimbabwe. This study aimed at documenting herbal, complementary and alternative medicines used during pregnancy in Makoni District in Zimbabwe. Snowballing was used to select 66 participants which included herbalists (45.5%), traditional birth attendants (18.2%), traditional healers (15.2%), and assistant traditional healers and herbal medicine vendors (10.6% each). Pregnant women in the study areaused a total of 47 plant species from 27 families, and 14 non-plant products as herbal, complementary and alternative medicines by. A total of 26 medical cases were treated with the majority of medicinal plants and non-plant products,used to dilate or widen the birth canal (55.3%) and to augment labour or speed up the delivery process (46.8%). This study showed that herbal, complementary and alternative medicines play an important role in the provision of basic health care in Zimbabwe.

An Analysis of the Current and Future Social Support Trajectories and Interventional Dimensions Necessary for the Elderly in Cheshanga, Mberengwa District, Zimbabwe: What will Tomorrow Bring?

Introduction: The study analysed the trajectories and dimensions of social support intervention to the elderly people in the Cheshanga rural area of Mberengwa District in Zimbabwe after observations of the plight of marginalised population in the Cheshanga rural area compounded by high incidences of migration outflows, drought, poverty, HIV/AIDS pandemic and the massive unemployment. Method: Qualitative approach with a phenomenological perspective carried out in-depth analysis of the phenomenon on 10 elderly people. Data analysis adapted grounded theory approach specifically open, axial and selective coding technique. Results: Social support to the elderly was tangible support from their offspring revealing a yawning gap on the other types of social support like companionship, financial, instrumental and emotional support necessary to reduce morbidity and mortality rates among old people. Conclusion: Interventions from other support groups must address psychological, emotional, physical and behavioural distress among old people to improve the well-being of the elderly people.

Impact of community-based rehabilitation on attainment of sustainable development goals: The case of selected districts in Zimbabwe

Several factors including droughts, cyclones, COVID-19, and inconsistent economic policies contributed to the challenges faced by children and persons with disabilities (PwDs) in rural areas of Zimbabwe. Consequently, there was a higher risk of low quality of life, poverty, and limited access to basic services such as education and healthcare. Various community-based rehabilitation (CBR) programs were implemented to address the violation of rights and access to services and participation by PwDs in general. This study used a mixed method approach to analyze the impact of CBR programs taking into account the five themes of the United Nations Convention of Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN-CRPD): education, health, livelihoods, social protection, and participation. Respondents included core beneficiaries, caregivers, teachers, community health workers, and other key stakeholders. Results indicated that 61% were female respondents and 39% were males. Approximately 84% of rural families survive on less than USD 20.00 per month with the modal household having 5 to 9 members per household. Approximately 81% have received at least secondary education although some did not complete Ordinary Level mostly due to lack of funding for registration fees at the time of writing. However, none had tertiary education. The reach of CBR was as high as 92% of respondents received training on disability management; 71% on income generating projects (IGPs) and 84% on Internal Savings and Lending (ISAL) although only 32% received funding. The study recommends funding for self-help groups, increased technical support, functional disability-friendly toilets, and orthopedic centers, scaling up of programs at a national level and adoption by the relevant agencies, decentralization by government officials to reduce red tape and accelerate programs, and training of trainers for additional capacity building. Improved latitude for NGOs and consistent economic policies are also needed to sustain IGPs.

Performance of the UNICEF/UN Washington Group tool for identifying functional difficulty in rural Zimbabwean children.

Over one billion people live with disability worldwide, of whom 80% are in developing countries. Robust childhood disability data are limited, particularly as tools for identifying disability function poorly at young ages. A subgroup of children enrolled in the Sanitation Hygiene Infant Nutrition Efficacy (SHINE) trial (a cluster-randomised, community-based, 2x2 factorial trial in two rural districts in Zimbabwe) had neurodevelopmental assessments at 2 years of age. We evaluated functional difficulty prevalence in HIV-exposed and HIV-unexposed children using the Washington Group Child Functioning Module (WGCFM), comparing absolute difference using chi-squared or Fisher's exact tests. Concurrent validity with the Malawi Developmental Assessment Tool (MDAT) was assessed using logistic regression with cohort MDAT score quartiles, linear regression for unit-increase in raw scores and a Generalised Estimating Equation approach (to adjust for clusters) to compare MDAT scores of those with and without functional difficulty. A 3-step, cluster-adjusted multivariable regression model was then carried out to examine risk factors for functional difficulty. Functional Difficulty prevalence was 4.2% (95%CI: 3.2%, 5.2%) in HIV-unexposed children (n = 1606) versus 6.1% (95%CI: 3.5%, 8.9%) in HIV-exposed children (n = 314) (absolute difference 1.9%, 95%CI: -0.93%, 4.69%; p = 0.14). Functional difficulty score correlated negatively with MDAT: for each unit increase in WGCFM score, children completed 2.6 (95%CI: 2.2, 3.1) fewer MDAT items (p = 0.001). Children from families with food insecurity and poorer housing were more at risk of functional difficulty. Functional difficulty was identified in approximately 1-in-20 children in rural Zimbabwe, which is comparable to prevalence in previous studies. WGCFM showed concurrent validity with the MDAT, supporting its use in early childhood.

Negotiating marital challenges through classic wedding songs: a case of the Ndebele in Zimbabwe

In African cultures, the Ndebele included, a strong society is one that is made up of healthy and robust family relationships, with the family institution serving as a foundation for the survival and continuity of society. However, the frequency of divorce nowadays suggests that the foundations of marriages are not as strong as they ought to be. Thus, this article seeks to examine how traditional Ndebele society has always sought to help couples to prevent or to manage marital challenges that could destabilise marital bonds and trigger marital failure. The article also attempts to find out if there are lessons that could help with marital distress and failure, single parenthood and many more issues on the increase in the embattled marriage institution. This examination is mainly done through a philosophical analysis of traditional wedding songs. Wedding songs are structured cultural expressions that reflect society’s marriage values and its efforts in the promotion of marital stability and success. The article adopts the theory of Africana womanism. The theory is critical here because of its commitment towards the stability of the family. The data was collected in Tsholotsho District in Zimbabwe from 2016 to 2019 through interviews, group discussions and participant observation.