The traditional way of assessing water quality of water bodies is through measurement of biological, physical and chemical parameters. However, such assessments only reflect the concentration of pollutants at the time...The traditional way of assessing water quality of water bodies is through measurement of biological, physical and chemical parameters. However, such assessments only reflect the concentration of pollutants at the time of sampling not periodic pollution events. The goal of the study was to evaluate the river health using the macro-invertebrates that are found within the Mucheke and Shagashe rivers of Masvingo City as water quality monitors. The South African Scoring System (SASS 5) was used to score using the sensitivity of macro-invertebrates to levels of pollution in the two river systems. The data collection process was carried in April 2017 at four sampling sites using the kick sampling method and results validated by testing the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the water and comparing them with the macro-invertebrates score. Results showed that the mean sensitivity score of macro-invertebrates showed variations depending on the selected site. Sample sites B2 and A2 downstream of the two river systems show high levels pollution tolerant macro-invertebrates as compared to sites A1 and B1 that are on the upper course and have more of pollution sensitive macro-invertebrates. On validation, to a large extent the levels of pollution indicated by macro-invertebrates were found to be congruent to the levels of pollution indicated by the physical, chemical and biological parameters. The research concludes that the presence of specific types of macro-invertebrates can be used to assess the levels of pollution in Mucheke and Shagashe rivers of Masvingo City.展开更多
Background: Masvingo province is among the top three provinces with high Genital Ulcer Disease incidence rates in Zimbabwe. There has been no documented evidence to establish the burden and epidemiology of STIs in Mas...Background: Masvingo province is among the top three provinces with high Genital Ulcer Disease incidence rates in Zimbabwe. There has been no documented evidence to establish the burden and epidemiology of STIs in Masvingo province. We analysed these data to describe trends in STIs from 2012 - 2015. Methods: A retrospective records review of Masvingo STI data set was conducted. We assessed trends in STIs from 2012-2015. Microsoft Excel 2010 software was used to generate bar and linear graphs. Epi info 7TM was used to calculate Chi-square for trends and p values. Results: Most affected age group was 25 - 49 years (incidence rate of 73.9 cases per 1000). The 50 and above age group had a higher incidence rate than the 10 - 24 year age group (27.5 compared to 15.5 cases per 1000). STI incidence was higher in females (31.9 cases per 1000) than in males (20.6 cases per 1000). The most prevalent STIs were vaginal discharge 48,972 (30.7%) and other forms of STIs 35,777 (22.3%). Masvingo district recorded the highest STI incidence rate (34.1 cases per 1000). There was a decline in HIV testing rates from 36 (100%) to 12,190 (64.4%) (p Conclusion: There was a general decline in the STI trends for all age groups. Age group most affected by STIs was the 25 - 49 years with females being more affected. HIV testing services among STI clients declined. We recommend advocacy on safe sexual practices and further research to identify reasons for low uptake of HIV testing services among STI clients.展开更多
A lot of researches have been done on the negative impacts and challenges caused by extreme weather conditions due to climate change and variability. Not many researches have been focused on the positive side in form ...A lot of researches have been done on the negative impacts and challenges caused by extreme weather conditions due to climate change and variability. Not many researches have been focused on the positive side in form of opportunities presented due to climate change. The study aimed to show the climate change scenarios and explore possible opportunities that could be derived from such scenarios in the southeastern region of Zimbabwe. The research used climate data records from three Zimbabwe Meteorological Services Department run weather stations in the region. The time series data were analyzed to show trends of rainfall and temperature over time. A questionnaire survey was also carried out to enquire from the farmers if they perceived climate change to have any opportunities. The rainfall trend analysis showed that rainfall amounts have declined at two of the three stations used. Rainfall total was also shown to be variable from year to year at all the stations. Ambient temperatures at all the stations were shown to have increased for both winter and summer. Opportunities that could be derived from climate change in the region were identified as the hydrological, agricultural and industrial. The research concludes that taking advantages of opportunities offered by climate change and variability provides the quickest way of embracing climate change adaptation.展开更多
Trends in the proportional contribution to the seasonal rainfall of each month were analyzed for the meteorological stations of Buffalo Range, Masvingo Airport and Zaka in South-Eastern Zimbabwe. Results found indicat...Trends in the proportional contribution to the seasonal rainfall of each month were analyzed for the meteorological stations of Buffalo Range, Masvingo Airport and Zaka in South-Eastern Zimbabwe. Results found indicate the existence of some trends for all the stations and months. However, when subjected to a Mann-Kendel trend analysis, all the trends were found to be statistically not significant for all instances except for the month of October at the Zaka station. This month showed a significant trend of increasing proportional rainfall.展开更多
文摘The traditional way of assessing water quality of water bodies is through measurement of biological, physical and chemical parameters. However, such assessments only reflect the concentration of pollutants at the time of sampling not periodic pollution events. The goal of the study was to evaluate the river health using the macro-invertebrates that are found within the Mucheke and Shagashe rivers of Masvingo City as water quality monitors. The South African Scoring System (SASS 5) was used to score using the sensitivity of macro-invertebrates to levels of pollution in the two river systems. The data collection process was carried in April 2017 at four sampling sites using the kick sampling method and results validated by testing the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of the water and comparing them with the macro-invertebrates score. Results showed that the mean sensitivity score of macro-invertebrates showed variations depending on the selected site. Sample sites B2 and A2 downstream of the two river systems show high levels pollution tolerant macro-invertebrates as compared to sites A1 and B1 that are on the upper course and have more of pollution sensitive macro-invertebrates. On validation, to a large extent the levels of pollution indicated by macro-invertebrates were found to be congruent to the levels of pollution indicated by the physical, chemical and biological parameters. The research concludes that the presence of specific types of macro-invertebrates can be used to assess the levels of pollution in Mucheke and Shagashe rivers of Masvingo City.
文摘Background: Masvingo province is among the top three provinces with high Genital Ulcer Disease incidence rates in Zimbabwe. There has been no documented evidence to establish the burden and epidemiology of STIs in Masvingo province. We analysed these data to describe trends in STIs from 2012 - 2015. Methods: A retrospective records review of Masvingo STI data set was conducted. We assessed trends in STIs from 2012-2015. Microsoft Excel 2010 software was used to generate bar and linear graphs. Epi info 7TM was used to calculate Chi-square for trends and p values. Results: Most affected age group was 25 - 49 years (incidence rate of 73.9 cases per 1000). The 50 and above age group had a higher incidence rate than the 10 - 24 year age group (27.5 compared to 15.5 cases per 1000). STI incidence was higher in females (31.9 cases per 1000) than in males (20.6 cases per 1000). The most prevalent STIs were vaginal discharge 48,972 (30.7%) and other forms of STIs 35,777 (22.3%). Masvingo district recorded the highest STI incidence rate (34.1 cases per 1000). There was a decline in HIV testing rates from 36 (100%) to 12,190 (64.4%) (p Conclusion: There was a general decline in the STI trends for all age groups. Age group most affected by STIs was the 25 - 49 years with females being more affected. HIV testing services among STI clients declined. We recommend advocacy on safe sexual practices and further research to identify reasons for low uptake of HIV testing services among STI clients.
文摘A lot of researches have been done on the negative impacts and challenges caused by extreme weather conditions due to climate change and variability. Not many researches have been focused on the positive side in form of opportunities presented due to climate change. The study aimed to show the climate change scenarios and explore possible opportunities that could be derived from such scenarios in the southeastern region of Zimbabwe. The research used climate data records from three Zimbabwe Meteorological Services Department run weather stations in the region. The time series data were analyzed to show trends of rainfall and temperature over time. A questionnaire survey was also carried out to enquire from the farmers if they perceived climate change to have any opportunities. The rainfall trend analysis showed that rainfall amounts have declined at two of the three stations used. Rainfall total was also shown to be variable from year to year at all the stations. Ambient temperatures at all the stations were shown to have increased for both winter and summer. Opportunities that could be derived from climate change in the region were identified as the hydrological, agricultural and industrial. The research concludes that taking advantages of opportunities offered by climate change and variability provides the quickest way of embracing climate change adaptation.
文摘Trends in the proportional contribution to the seasonal rainfall of each month were analyzed for the meteorological stations of Buffalo Range, Masvingo Airport and Zaka in South-Eastern Zimbabwe. Results found indicate the existence of some trends for all the stations and months. However, when subjected to a Mann-Kendel trend analysis, all the trends were found to be statistically not significant for all instances except for the month of October at the Zaka station. This month showed a significant trend of increasing proportional rainfall.
