Sunlight exposure might account for the relatively low COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in tropical countries.

The present study aimed at exploring whether sunlight exposure might account for the relative difference in COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality between tropical and non-tropical countries. A retrospective observational study was designed and data from the World Health Organization weekly COVID-19 epidemiological update was compiled. We examined the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases per 100 000 population, as well as the total number of COVID-19-related mortalities per 100 000 population. Solar variables data were obtained from the Global Solar Atlas website (https://globalsolaratlas.info/). These data were analyzed to determine the association of sunlight exposure to COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality in tropical and non-tropical countries. Results revealed a statistically significant decrease in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases per 100 000 population (P<0.001), as well as the number of COVID-19-related mortalities per 100 000 population (P<0.001) between tropical and non-tropical countries. Analyses of sunlight exposure data found that specific photovoltaic power output, global horizontal irradiation, diffuse horizontal irradiation and global tilted irradiation at optimum angle were significantly inversely correlated to COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality. This suggests that stronger sunlight exposure potentially leads to lower COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality. Findings from this study suggest that the relatively low COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality in tropical countries were possibly due to better sunlight exposure that translates into adequate vitamin D status.

Clinical Supervision and Support: Exploring Pre-registration Nursing Students' Clinical Practice in Malawi.

BACKGROUND: Supervised clinical practice plays a significant role in the nursing profession, as it has an influence on the students' clinical learning. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore how the pre-registration nursing students find their experience on clinical supervision in the clinical placements. METHODS: The study used both quantitative and qualitative approach to collect data through focus groups (n = 144) and self-administered questionnaires (n = 590) from nursing students of various programmes in selected colleges in Malawi. RESULTS: About 75% (n = 443) of the participants indicated that they received supervision from both clinical staff and Nurse Educator. However, qualitative results indicated that students received inadequate clinical supervision. Themes that emerged from the discussion included lack of human resources, learning support, availability of instructors yet not supporting learning, job insecurity and lack of remuneration as reasons for lack of supervision, role models and student guidance despite pressure and self-directed. CONCLUSION: There is a need for clear policies regarding clinical supervision as well as a structured and well monitored process.

Q-angle, Pelvic width, and Intercondylar notch width as predictors of knee injuries in women soccer players in South Africa.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between the three anatomical factors of Q-angle (QA), pelvic width (PW) and Intercondylar notch width (INW) and knee injuries among the U-23 female soccer players of South Africa METHODS: The study is a case-control prospective study design. Twenty four U-23 women soccer players of the South African team were purposively chosen to participate in this study. Participants were divided into two groups: group 1 (Case) was those with knee injuries, while those without injuries were in group-2 (Control). PW and INW were measured after X-rays of the hip were taken while the QA was measured manually with the goniomenter. Association between anatomical factors and knee injuries were tested with ANOVA. RESULTS: Q-angle ranged from 14° to 18° for both injured and non injured groups. PW was between 24 -29 cm for both injured and non injured groups. INW was between 1.3mm and 2.8mm for the right and between 1.4mm and 2.5mm for the left notch for the injured group, while INW for the right and left of the non injured group were between 1.7 mm to 2.1 mm and 1.8 mm to 2.1 mm, respectively No significant association between knee injuries and each of the anatomical factors was found QA (p= 0.74), PW (p=0.34), INW (right and left respectively) (p=0.142 & p=0.089). CONCLUSION: The three anatomical factors of QA, PW and INW could not be used to predict knee injuries amongst the U-23 female players in South Africa.

Wheelchair accessibility of public buildings in the central business district of Harare, Zimbabwe.

PURPOSE: To evaluate accessibility of wheelchairs into public buildings in the central business district of Harare, Zimbabwe and to identify architectural barriers faced by wheelchair users in public buildings. METHODS: This was a descriptive study of 20 public buildings in the Harare business district of Zimbabwe. Wheelchair accessibility was determined on a point scale based on specifications provided. Descriptive statistics of simple percentages and means were used to determine the level of compliance to the guidelines of the instrument, and wheelchair accessibility to the surveyed buildings. RESULTS: Of the various items surveyed, elevators recorded the highest average accessibility (83% compliance), while parking areas recorded the lowest average of 18%. The compliance score of ramps was 39%, while entrances were 71% compliant. Wheelchair accessibility to toilets was 51%. CONCLUSIONS: The poor compliance score for items such as parking areas, and ramps for wheelchair users is probably because the physically challenged persons and experts in the area of physical ability management are not consulted and involved in the design and construction of these buildings. High compliance of entrances and toilets may be purely coincidental and not for meeting the needs of wheelchair users. To improve on the wheelchair accessibility in public buildings, there should be liaison between the users the disabled, and various professionals (the occupational therapists, physiotherapists, politicians, engineers and architects). The findings of this study indicate a great challenge to the aforementioned professionals. Recommendations were made to increase wheelchair accessibility to public buildings.

Comparison of wheelchair accessibility of public buildings pre and post the International Year of Disabled Persons (IYDP) in Harare, Zimbabwe: a case study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the accessibility to wheelchair users of public buildings built pre and post the International Year of the Disabled Persons (1981) in Harare central business district in Zimbabwe. DESIGN: A case study. SETTING: Harare central business district. SUBJECTS: 20 public buildings with at least two floors open to all users in the central business district of Harare, Zimbabwe. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Wheelchair accessibility of public buildings. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the median percentage compliance of parking areas (p = 0.546), ramps (p = 0.155) and toilets (p = 0.648) between the buildings built before the International Year of the Disabled Persons (IYDP) and those built after the IYDP. The overall median compliance of parking areas, ramps and toilets was 14% (Q1 = 14, Q3 = 21), 54% (Q1 = 43, Q3 = 62) and 45% (Q1 = 31.5, Q3 = 70), respectively. However, there was some evidence (p = 0.067) to suggest that compliance of entrances was better IYDP [median = 100% (Q1 = 90, Q3 = 100)] than pre IYDP [median = 80% (Q1 = 70, Q3 = 100)]. Meanwhile there was a significant difference in the median percentage compliance of elevators (p = 0.014) between pre[median = 90% (Q1 = 80, Q3 = 90)] and post [median = 100% (Q1 = 100, Q3 = 100)] IYDP. CONCLUSION: Overall compliance was poor. It is recommended that people with disabilities and the experts in the area of physical ability management be consulted and involved in the design and construction of these buildings.

Preliminary study of body mass index and its relationship to percent body fat in Harare, Zimbabwe.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this paper were to document the body mass index (BMI) and anthropometric characteristics of the city of Harare urban dwellers of Zimbabwe. To investigate the relationship between BMI, sum of skin folds (SSF) and percent body fat (PBF). DESIGN: Cross sectional study. SETTING: Designated fitness awareness locations in the city of Harare during the 1998 physiotherapy awareness week. SUBJECTS: The participants were 140 apparently healthy adults, males (n = 71) and females (n = 69). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Body Mass Index. RESULT: The minimum and maximum values of BMI were 17.7 and 33.3 for men, 17.6 and 47.8 for women. BMI was not found to increase with aging but PBF on the contrary did. The mean BMI value for the males and females was 24.89 +/- 3.18 and 27.8 +/- 5.89 respectively. There was no significant difference in mean BMI between sexes (p = 0.331). Weight was also similar by gender (p = 0.4691). In both sexes, the BMI showed a significant positive correlation with PBF, SSF, body weight and age (for males r = 0.721, 0.731, 0.900, 0.369, p < 0.01 respectively; and in females r = 0.786, 0.804, 0.940, 0.404 and p < 0.01 respectively). CONCLUSION: Women were found to have higher BMI, PBF, SSF than their male counterparts. On the average, men were found to be taller, with no significant difference in weight. There was a linear relationship between BMI and PBF, and all the variables investigated except age and stature in both sexes. Because of the differences of environment and industrialisation, estimation of BMI should involve such factors as ethnicity, race, gender and age.