Molecular detection of Imbrasia belina proteins associated with allergic reactions on harvesters and consumers from selected districts in Matabeleland: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Harvesting and consuming insects (entomophagy), particularly Imbrasia belina is widespread in developing countries like Zimbabwe. Due to their extraordinary nutritional content, tastiness, ease of processing and storage, Imbrasia belina has become a delicacy, reachable nutritious complement, and money source for some people in Zimbabwean communities. However, some harvesters and consumers have become allergic to the Imbrasia belina, popularly known as Mopani worms. This has been attributed or associated with the changes in the genetic structure of Imbrasia belina. Therefore, this research sought to compare the presence of the genes associated with allergic reactions to mopane worms from Gwanda and Umguza districts in Zimbabwe. METHODS: A lab-based observational study was conducted on collected Imbrasia belina samples from both districts. Fifteen samples of mopane worms were collected from each district, and DNA extraction was performed using DNeasy blood and tissue kit. The DNA extraction products were then amplified using a Polymerase chain reaction. The polymerase chain reaction products were run on agarose gel electrophoresis to determine the presence of the target genes. RESULTS: Three of the five samples from Gwanda district were positive for the tropomyosin gene, whereas two samples from Umguza district were positive. All the samples from the two districts were negative for arginine kinase genes. CONCLUSION: The study results highlighted that allergic reactions to Imbrasia belina reported in Gwanda district are associated with the presence of the tropomyosin gene, which has undergone polymorphism. Responsible authorities such as Gwanda local authority should develop bylaws that govern Imbrasia belina harvesting in the district.

Risk factors associated with a high incidence of sexually transmitted infections in Beitbridge, Zimbabwe.

BACKGROUND:  Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a major public health challenge, particularly in developing countries where the health infrastructure is often poor. Despite having a number of interventions in Beitbridge (such as the 24-h wellness centre), Zimbabwe, the incidence and prevalence of STIs is increasing. OBJECTIVES:  This study, therefore, aims to assess the risk factors associated with the high incidence of STIs in urban Beitbridge. METHOD:  A case-control study was conducted on 30 respondents who had suffered from STIs (selected from the registers at Beitbridge hospital and followed up) and 90 respondents who had not suffered from STIs (from the community) who resided in Beitbridge for at least 6 months and this excluded all those who were in transit. The factors contributing to the high incidence of STIs were identified using a pretested interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire in conjunction with a Likert scale to establish the attitudes and risk behaviours of the respondents on STIs. RESULTS:  A significant association was observed between high STI incidences and the nature of occupation (odds ration [OR]: 3.8), area of residence (OR: 2.78), number of sexual partners (OR: 7.56), payment demanded for sex (OR 22), condom use (OR: 3.7), alcohol use (OR: 2.86), and suspicion that partners had other sexual companions (OR: 15.5). Furthermore, a larger proportion of controls were knowledgeable on STIs as compared to the cases who participated in the study. CONCLUSION:  There is a need to develop awareness strategies that foster safe sexual practices, particularly among populations who do not choose abstinence or a single sexual partner lifestyle.

Traditional Medicine Utilisation Among Pregnant Women in Sub-saharan African Countries: A Systematic Review of Literature.

Traditional medicine has the potential to boost the health and economies of many SSA countries, especially if regulatory mechanisms are deployed to govern their protection and utilisation. There is lack of knowledge regarding traditional medicines and their impact on pregnancy. This paper reviews the literature on traditional medicine utilisation among pregnant women in Sub-Saharan African countries. The paper, determined the proportion of pregnant women utilising traditional medicines in Sub-Saharan Africa, identified the different types of traditional medicine used during antenatal care and reasons for Use in Sub-Saharan Africa and also identified challenges that are faced by women who use traditional medicine in antenatal care. A systematic exploratory review was conducted guided by the PRISMA framework. The databases that were searched included Google Scholar, PubMed, Cochrane, HINARI and the World Health Organization. Forty-one literature sources were eligible and included in the review process. Reported traditional medicine utilisation ranged between 12 and 93% among pregnant women in Sub-Saharan Africa. Different types of traditional medicines have been utilised in Sub-Saharan Africa for different purposes. Safety and poor management of usage were reported to be some of the challenges associated with traditional medicine. There is a need to determine chemical components and mode of action of these herbs as some could be beneficial, whilst others harmful, leading to severe pregnancy complications.

Traditional Practitioners and Nurses' Perspectives on Traditional Medicine Utilisation During Antenatal Care in Matabeleland South Province, Zimbabwe.

BACKGROUND: Traditional Health System has been reported to be the most accessible, affordable, and acceptable in resource-poor settings, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is utilised for different health needs, including pregnancy management. This study sought to explore traditional and Nurses' perspectives on traditional medicine utilisation during antenatal care in Bulilima District, Plumtree, Zimbabwe. METHODS: A qualitative survey was conducted on purposively selected nurses' and snowballed traditional health practitioners who responded to unstructured interviews. Data were collected using a digital tape recorder, transcribed, and thematically analysed on Max Qualitative Data Analysis. RESULTS: A total of 6 superordinate and 10 subordinate themes emerged from the collected and analysed data on both traditional practitioners and nurses. The superordinate themes associated with Traditional Medicine utilisation during pregnancy by women were: protective role, beliefs, shortening of labour, cleansing, accessibility, and collaboration between traditional practitioners and modern health practitioners. Nurses expressed their skepticism on the safety and efficacy of traditional medicine utilisation during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Women utilise traditional medicines and remedies during pregnancy for different reasons, such as protection from evil spirits, foetus growth and shortening labour. There are concerns regarding their safety from the health service providers, although traditional practitioners share a different view. There is a need for investing in research that would ascertain the safety of these traditional medicines as this system has been a cheaper alternative for those who cannot afford or access modern health services.

Exploring traditional medicine utilisation during antenatal care among women in Bulilima District of Plumtree in Zimbabwe.

Traditional medicine utilisation during antenatal care has been on the increase in several countries. Therefore, addressing and reinforcing the Sustainable Development Goal of maternal mortality reduction, there is a need to take traditional medicine utilisation during pregnancy into consideration. This paper explores traditional medicine utilisation during antenatal care among women in Bulilima District of Plumtree in Zimbabwe. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 177 randomly selected women using a semi-structured questionnaire. Fisher's Exact Test, Odds Ratios, and Multiple Logistic Regression were utilised to determine any associations between different demographic characteristics and traditional medicine utilisation patterns using STATA SE Version 13. The prevalence of Traditional Medicine utilisation among pregnant women was estimated to be 28%. Most traditional remedies were used in the third trimester to quicken delivery. The majority of women used holy water and unknown Traditional Medicine during pregnancy. There was a strong association between age and Traditional Medicine utilisation as older women are 13 times more likely to use Traditional Medicine than younger ones. Women use traditional medicine for different purposes during pregnancy, and older women's likelihood to use Traditional Medicine is higher than their counterparts. The traditional system plays an essential role in antenatal care; therefore, there is a need to conduct further studies on the efficacy and safety of utilising Traditional Medicines.

Traditional medicine utilisation and maternal complications during antenatal care among women in Bulilima, Plumtree, Zimbabwe.

BACKGROUND: As part of the expectation enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals, countries are expected to ensure maternal health outcomes are improved. It follows that under ideal circumstances, pregnant women should deliver safely without complications, neonatal, and maternal mortality. This paper analyses the relationship between traditional medicine utilisation and maternal complications during antenatal care among women in Bulilima, Plumtree, Zimbabwe. METHODS: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted on 185 randomly selected women who responded to a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. The Fisher's Exact Test and the Test of Proportions were used to probe the relationship between traditional medicine utilisation and the prevalence of maternal complications using STATA SE Version 13. RESULTS: Complications were reported by (51) 29% of the women who were under study. The proportion of women who developed complications was higher in those that did not use traditional medicine as compared to those that used traditional medicine (30 and 26% respectively). In a generalised assessment, women who did not use traditional medicine contributed a significantly higher proportion of complications as compared to those that utilised traditional medicine. CONCLUSION: This study found a significant relationship between the utilisation of traditional medicines and lesser chances of experiencing maternal complications. Significantly higher prevalence of maternal complications was observed in women who did not use traditional medicine compared to those that did. There is, therefore, a need to investigate further the constituents or active ingredients in this traditional medicine. This study provides a window of opportunity for fully recognising and integrating traditional medicine into Modern Health Systems. It can be argued that traditional medicine utilisation could be a viable alternative to modern medicine, particularly in resource-poor settings where access to modern medicine is seriously constrained.