Mozambique Research Articles

MARVEL-minimising the emergence and dissemination of HIV-1 drug resistance in Portuguese-speaking African Countries (PALOP): low-cost portable NGS platform for HIV-1 surveillance in Africa

BackgroundHIV-1 infections remain a global public health concern. Scaled-up antiretroviral treatment (ART) is crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality related to HIV/AIDS. The emergence of drug-resistance mutations (DRMs) compromises viral suppression and contributes to the continued HIV-1 transmission. Several reports indicate a recent increase in acquired (ADR) and transmitted (TDR) drug resistance in Africa, probably linked to the lack of implementation of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) testing and suboptimal treatment adherence. Herein, we will develop a low-cost protocol using third-generation sequencing (Oxford Nanopore Technology) for HIV-1 surveillance in Portuguese-speaking African Countries - PALOP [Angola (AO), Cape Verde (CV), Mozambique (MZ), and Sao Tome & Principe (STP)].MethodsThis is a multicentric cross-sectional study that includes around 600 adult patients newly diagnosed with HIV-1 in the PALOP. An epidemiological questionnaire previously validated by our research team will be used to collect sociodemographic and clinical data. Also, whole blood samples will be collected and the plasma samples will be subjected to drug resistance testing using an in-house low-cost NGS protocol. Data analysis will involve bioinformatics, biostatistics and machine learning techniques to generate accurate and up-to-date information about HIV-1 genetic diversity, ADR and TDR.DiscussionThe implementation of this low-cost NGS platform for HIV-1 surveillance in the PALOP will allow: (i) to increase DRM surveillance capacity in resource-limited settings; (ii) to understand the pattern and determinants of dissemination of resistant HIV-1 strains; and (iii) to promote the development of technical and scientific skills of African researchers for genomic surveillance of viral pathogens and bioinformatics analysis. These objectives will contribute to reinforcing the capacity to combat HIV infection in Africa by optimizing the selection of ART regimens, improving viral suppression, and reducing ADR or TDR prevalence in PALOPs, with relevant implications for public health.

Evaluation of the effect of the Azadirachta indica leaf syrup on the control of the caterpillar in Trichoplusia ni in the community of Phandira, Dunda, District of Macossa in Republic of Mozambique.

Evaluation of the effect of the Azadirachta indica leaf syrup on the control of the caterpillar in Trichoplusia ni in the community of Phandira, Dunda, District of Macossa in Republic of Mozambique.

‘Peacefully’ at ‘War’: An Analysis of the Southern African Development Community’s Institutional Framework’s Failure to Respond Adequately to the Ongoing Conflict in Swaziland

The Kingdom of Swaziland is well known for being a peaceful nation. This historical claim is supported by the fact that the little kingdom is situated between two nations that at some point engaged in armed conflict, the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Mozambique. When tensions in the two states mentioned above were at their worst, Swaziland served as a haven for those fleeing the violence. However, the little kingdom has recently been embroiled in internal conflict as demands for democratic reforms grow, and the King rebuffs attempts to overthrow his absolute authority. The Southern African Development Community (SADC) framework for resolving regional conflicts is analysed in this article, together with the ongoing conflict in the Kingdom of Swaziland. The many fact-finding missions and SADC organs’ visits to Swaziland are discussed in this article, along with how their inaction is sustaining a protracted, intense internal conflict. The study also looks at the role that state-sponsored terrorism has played in the response to the conflict by His Majesty King Mswati III's administration. The tiny kingdom is at a turning point because SADC has failed to impose its authority and because the King, despite his undertaking, has actively avoided political engagement. Furthermore, the study argues that the protracted violence in Swaziland will have detrimental effects on South Africa, which already has a fragile economy and is trying to manage the refugee surge. It concludes by positing that it would be ideal to prevent a dangerous scenario for the region if SADC intervened by asserting its authority and demanding a proper dialogue in Swaziland among all stakeholders with clear terms of reference.

Cost-effectiveness of community-based distribution of intermittent preventive treatment of malaria in pregnancy in Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo

IntroductionMalaria in pregnancy is a major driver of maternal and infant mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. The WHO recommends the administration of intermittent preventive treatment with sulfadoxine pyrimethamine (IPTp-SP) at antenatal...

Long-term impacts of an urban sanitation intervention on enteric pathogens in children in Maputo city, Mozambique: study protocol for a cross-sectional follow-up to the Maputo Sanitation (MapSan) trial 5 years postintervention

IntroductionWe previously assessed the effect of an onsite sanitation intervention in informal neighbourhoods of urban Maputo, Mozambique on enteric pathogen detection in children after 2 years of follow-up (Maputo Sanitation...

Harnessing Capacity in Southern Africa to Support and Develop Human Resources for Nursing and Midwifery in Africa – Part 2: Case Studies from the DRC and Mozambique

Human resources for health has been the centre of attention for many decades as more African countries fail to meet health targets even though there is no shortage of country-specific policies and strategies to improve these resources. The WHO Africa region has a critical shortage of nurses and midwives, which will remain unresolved as long as funding and policy implementation challenges persist. In the interim, the profession itself must find innovative and collaborative ways to make inroads into the nursing shortages – specifically in areas where advanced clinical skills are needed. Harnessing capacity from within universities in southern Africa is posited as one of the ways to bolster the education of nurses and midwives. Presented in part 1, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development project aimed to increase the number and enhance the quality of postgraduate education and clinical training of nurses and midwives to improve the quality of healthcare services with particular reference to the reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality rates. In fulfilling this aim, clinical master’s programmes were developed and implemented in seven African countries. In this article, we chose illustrative case studies to describe the master’s programme design and roll-out, in line with the health profile of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Mozambique. We explain the programme electives, enrolments and throughput, including outputs and outcomes. From experiences gained and lessons learnt, we extrapolate implications for future cases that employ pan-African and south-to-south university partnerships.

Independence as Discovery: Mozambique's 1975 Nationalization of Funeral Services

In July 1975, a month after Mozambique's independence from Portugal, the state nationalized all health care, schooling, and legal counsel, so that all Mozambicans would have equal access to these key services – at least theoretically. The fourth, seemingly anomalous sector to be nationalized on the ‘Day of Nationalizations’: funeral services. The inflationary costs of burial in the capital, Lourenço Marques (today's Maputo) came to the attention of cabinet ministers only during the few weeks they had been ministers. Reacting with disgust, they decided there would be no ‘commercialization of death’ in the People's Republic of Mozambique. Based largely on interviews with the former minister of health and with Isaac Araújo, whose family ran perhaps the first African-owned funeral services business in Lourenço Marques, this article uses the episode to discuss the nature of government decision-making during the very earliest days of independence, a period that I argue deserves special attention. Emphasized is the role that Lourenço Marques played as context: how for neophyte ministers, learning to wield the levers of state was also a process of discovery about life in the capital city.

The economic costs of malaria in pregnancy: evidence from four sub-Saharan countries.

Background Malaria in pregnancy is a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), which imposes a significant economic burden. We provide evidence on the costs of malaria care in pregnancy to households and the health system in four high-burden countries in SSA. Methods Household and health system economic costs associated with malaria control in pregnancy were estimated in selected areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Madagascar (MDG), Mozambique (MOZ) and Nigeria (NGA). An exit survey was administered to 2,031 pregnant women when leaving the antenatal care (ANC) clinic from October 2020 to June 2021. Women reported the direct and indirect costs associated to malaria prevention and treatment in pregnancy. To estimate health system costs, we interviewed health workers from 133 randomly selected health facilities. Costs were estimated using an ingredients-based approach. Results Average household costs of malaria prevention per pregnancy were USD6.33 in DRC, USD10.06 in MDG, USD15.03 in MOZ and USD13.33 in NGA. Household costs of treating an episode of uncomplicated/complicated malaria were USD22.78/USD46 in DRC, USD16.65/USD35.65 in MDG, USD30.54/USD61.25 in MOZ and USD18.92/USD44.71 in NGA, respectively. Average health system costs of malaria prevention per pregnancy were USD10.74 in DRC, USD16.95 in MDG, USD11.17 in MOZ and USD15.64 in NGA. Health system costs associated with treating an episode of uncomplicated/complicated malaria were USD4.69/USD101.41 in DRC, USD3.61/USD63.33 in MDG, USD4.68/USD83.70 in MOZ and USD4.09/USD92.64 in NGA. These estimates resulted in societal costs of malaria prevention and treatment per pregnancy of USD31.72 in DRC, USD29.77 in MDG, USD31.98 in MOZ and USD46.16 in NGA. Conclusions Malaria in pregnancy imposes a high economic burden on households and the health system. Findings emphasize the importance of investing in effective strategies that improve access to malaria control and reduce the burden of the infection in pregnancy.

The economic costs of malaria in pregnancy: evidence from four sub-Saharan countries

Background Malaria in pregnancy is a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), which imposes a significant economic burden. We provide evidence on the costs of malaria care in pregnancy to households and the health system in four high-burden countries in SSA. Methods Household and health system economic costs associated with malaria control in pregnancy were estimated in selected areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Madagascar (MDG), Mozambique (MOZ) and Nigeria (NGA). An exit survey was administered to 2,031 pregnant women when leaving the antenatal care (ANC) clinic from October 2020 to June 2021. Women reported the direct and indirect costs associated to malaria prevention and treatment in pregnancy. To estimate health system costs, we interviewed health workers from 133 randomly selected health facilities. Costs were estimated using an ingredients-based approach. Results Average household costs of malaria prevention per pregnancy were USD6.33 in DRC, USD10.06 in MDG, USD15.03 in MOZ and USD13.33 in NGA. Household costs of treating an episode of uncomplicated/complicated malaria were USD22.78/USD46 in DRC, USD16.65/USD35.65 in MDG, USD30.54/USD61.25 in MOZ and USD18.92/USD44.71 in NGA, respectively. Average health system costs of malaria prevention per pregnancy were USD10.74 in DRC, USD16.95 in MDG, USD11.17 in MOZ and USD15.64 in NGA. Health system costs associated with treating an episode of uncomplicated/complicated malaria were USD4.69/USD101.41 in DRC, USD3.61/USD63.33 in MDG, USD4.68/USD83.70 in MOZ and USD4.09/USD92.64 in NGA. These estimates resulted in societal costs of malaria prevention and treatment per pregnancy of USD31.72 in DRC, USD29.77 in MDG, USD31.98 in MOZ and USD46.16 in NGA. Conclusions Malaria in pregnancy imposes a high economic burden on households and the health system. Findings emphasize the importance of investing in effective strategies that improve access to malaria control and reduce the burden of the infection in pregnancy.

Migrationsland DDR? Recuperating the Histories of Non‐European Vertragsarbeiter*innen in the GDR and Beyond

AbstractThe current focus on diversity and inclusion amid calls to decolonize the German curriculum prompts us once again to examine what we understand to be “German” about German Studies. This article pursues this agenda by addressing a lacuna in our understanding and representation of migrants to Germany, specifically the presence, history, and legacies of labor migrants to East Germany. The first half of this article contextualizes the German Democratic Republic's (GDR) recruitment of foreign workers and examines key similarities and differences between the East and West German guest worker program models. This section focuses particularly on the labor migrants recruited from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the People's Republic of Mozambique – the largest cohorts of non‐European workers recruited by the GDR – and concludes with a brief overview of the long afterlife of the Vertragsarbeiter*innen through the Wende, reunification, and beyond. The second section offers a range of texts and assignments keyed to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) guidelines for integrating the narratives of Vertragsarbeiter*innen into German language and Studies curricula. Recuperating the history of non‐European contract workers in East Germany serves to expand our conception of German Studies and to dismantle artificially exclusive boundaries, thereby working toward the deterritorialization of the discipline.

The fracture toughness analysis on the basalt fiber reinforced asphalt concrete with prenotched three-point bending beam test

In this study, the fracture resistance of the basalt fiber reinforced asphalt concrete (BFRAC) constructed in The Republic of Mozambique was investigated with prenotched three-point bending beam tests. Fracture energy and the double-parameter fracture model, i.e., initial fracture toughness (Ki), and ultimate fracture toughness (Ku), were utilized to evaluate the fracture behaviors of BFRAC. The test results indicate that the double-parameter fracture model proposes more rational and convincing explanations to the BFRAC over the fracture energy. According to the double-parameter fracture model, a remarkable enhancement on fracture resistance of BFRACs with 4.5% and 5.0% ratios achieved as the fiber content increased while a gradual increase exhibited for the fracture resistance of BFRAC with 4.0% b/a ratio and 0.2% fiber. It indicates that the fracture resistance of BFRAC will be enhanced with the increase of the basalt fiber dosages as long as the asphalt volume is enough for wrapping aggregates and basalt fiber, causing more cohesive and adhesive capacity.

On lives, politics and history. A conversation with Allen F. Isaacman and Barbara S. Isaacman about activism, Mozambique and other African histories

In late 2019, Allen and Barbara Isaacman were in Portugal to conduct research on Samora Machel – guerrilla fighter and first president of the People’s Republic of Mozambique – which led to the book Samora Machel. A life cut short. Since the late 1960s, Allen and Barbara Isaacman have been working on what is now the territory of Mozambique, developing one of the most extensive and solid researches on the history of Africa. Their analyses focus on African political and social structures, the process of Portuguese colonial occupation, and how it affected the lives of African populations. In their books, archival knowledge and oral sources support a historiography concerned with the analysis of field processes, namely with the intention of bringing to the forefront the practices, expectations, and worldviews of the local populations. The conversation took place on October 15-17, 2019. Over several hours of recording, we talked about their personal, academic and political path. The lessons we took away from this conversation are varied and bear upon Barbara and Allen Isaacman’s generosity, ethical elevation, analytical rigor, and sense of solidarity with the Mozambican people.

RACIONALIDADE DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CURRICULAR NAS ESCOLAS FAMILIARES RURAIS MOÇAMBICANAS

A pesquisa que sustenta este artigo teve como propósito avivar os esforços das Escolas Familiares Rurais (EFRs) praticantes da Pedagogia da Alternância na República de Moçambique. Trata-se de um estudo que fez uso do método dialético e objetivou precipuamente avaliar a racionalidade do currículo desenvolvido em Pedagogia da Alternância. Os resultados da pesquisa foram alcançados mediante a aplicação da técnica de análise de conteúdo. Eles revelaram que, no contexto moçambicano, a racionalidade de um currículo desenvolvido em Pedagogia da Alternância centra-se na necessidade de que os jovens do meio rural usufruam do direito a uma educação profissional condigna, preservante dos valores autóctones, e no compromisso das Escolas Familiares Rurais em produzir uma educação integral, humanizada, de qualidade, como também para o enfrentamento dos desafios do mundo do trabalho na sociedade atual.

China and Mozambique: From Comrades to Capitalists (Chris Alden and Sérgio Chichava, eds)

China and Mozambique: From Comrades to Capitalists (Chris Alden and Sérgio Chichava, eds)

Mozambique – Surge in IDPs

Mozambique – Surge in IDPs

PANDEMIA DE CORONAVÍRUS/COVID-19 EM MOÇAMBIQUE: DESAFIOS DE REFLEXÃO SOBRE OS CONTEXTOS TERRITORIAIS E SOCIOECONÔMICOS DA POLÍTICA DE SAÚDE

O presente artigo nasce de uma parceria entre pesquisadores brasileiros e de Moçambique que dialogam para pensar o papel da Geografia na compreensão dos processos presentes referentes à crise engendrada pela difusão do Coronavírus. Nesse sentido, torna-se fundamental a reflexão sobre a dinâmica em curso, analisando a disseminação espacial da epidemia e a estrutura social e de saúde do país, para que possamos entender os limites e as possibilidades desse território que, frente à desigual economia global, tem acumulado experiências de lidar com complexas problemáticas de saúde. A metodologia utilizada se refere à análise de fontes documentais do Ministério da Saúde e OMS e referências de noticiários internacionais, em confronto com as informações dos pesquisadores de Moçambique. Assim, analisar as políticas atuais da saúde frente aos desafios socioeconômicos, no contexto da COVID-19, é a principal contribuição desse artigo.

<p><strong>Is <em>Urginea</em> <em>zambesiaca</em> a species of <em>Zingela</em> (Hyacinthaceae, Urgineoideae)?</strong></p>

Urginea zambesiaca Baker (1873: 223) (Hyacinthaceae, Urgineoideae) was originally described from Mozambique and has been erroneously taxonomically interpreted in recent decades (e.g. Polhill 1962, Kativu & Drummond 1994, Manning & Goldblatt 2018, Manning 2019). Among those interpretations, the recently described Zingela pooleyorum Crouch et al. (2018: 36) has been reduced to its synonymy (Manning 2019); the inappropriateness of that step requires clarification.

Evaluation of the potential for producing vegetables in screenhouses in Mozambique

Evaluation of the potential for producing vegetables in screenhouses in Mozambique

Potential impact of temperature and atmospheric pressure on the number of cases of COVID-19 in Mozambique, Southern Africa

The potential reasons why COVID-19 is not spreading rapidly in Sub-Saharan Africa include sociopolitical, biological and environmental variables. Among the latter, some studies indicate temperature and atmospheric pressure as significantly influential. Could they have impact on the number of COVID-19 cases in Mozambique? The aim of this study is to analyze the relationships between weather and the frequency of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Mozambique, Southern Africa. The study was conducted in Mozambique, Maputo area (Province and City) and Nampula Province. Daily history of weather variables – daily maximum and minimum temperatures and atmospheric pressure – was obtained from three online databases (AccuWeather, Time and Date AS and WeatherSpark) and the number of COVID-19 cases from official Government’s daily Bulletins. The main statistical analyses were Pearson correlations between the variables. The first case was observed in the Maputo area on 22 March, 2020 and the cases in Mozambique increased exponentially up to 769 by 24 June, 2020. The first three cases in Nampula province were observed on 24 May 2020 but its frequency surpassed Maputo area’s within one month. Temperatures showed negative correlations with the number of cases in all areas and pressure showed positive correlations in Maputo area and Nampula Province. A bubble chart allowed the visualization of the combined relationship of both weather variables and the number of cases, suggesting that the number of cases increases as temperature decreases and pressure increases. Temperature and atmospheric pressure seems to be correlated with the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Mozambique. Thus, decision-makers should consider weather as a predictor of the rate at which the pandemic is spreading in the country. Key words: COVID-19, Mozambique, Maputo, Nampula, weather, temperature, atmospheric pressure.

AS SINGULARIDADES DO ESPAÇO URBANO E SUAS IMPLICAÇÕES NAS PRÁTICAS TERRITORIAIS DO ENTORNO DE MAPUTO/MOZ

Buscamos apresentar neste artigo o relato de um recorte dos olhares obtidos durante experiência de pesquisa realizada em Maputo, capital de Moçambique, de abril a maio de 2015. No caso do presente olhar, destacamos a análise acerca das singularidades do espaço urbano e suas implicações nas práticas territoriais do Vale do Infulene e Distrito de Marracuene, no entorno de Maputo/MOZ; e do entorno de Xai-Xai, capital da Província de Gaza; além da praia de Chidenguele/Xai-Xai. No deslindar da pesquisa percebemos histórias singulares, com maior destaque às das mulheres. Histórias estas vividas no contexto sempre de acontecimentos marcantes da sociedade moçambicana, tal como o processo de independência nacional (1975) e, como uma de suas consequências, a incorporação do aproveitamento do solo / uso tradicional da terra; além das profundas marcas deixada pela Guerra Civil (1976-1992). As práticas produtivas alternativas efetivadas pelas comunidades, na construção dos territórios, podem ser entendidas como coexistência do “avanço” da modernização capitalista e manutenção de práticas tradicionais, que ressignificam os espaços rural e urbano e se exprimem numa paisagem urbana com fortíssimas imbricações rurais.