SARS-CoV-2 mutations on diagnostic gene targets in the second wave in Zimbabwe:A retrospective genomic analysis

Background. SARS-CoV-2 continues to be a major issue in resource-limited settings, particularly owing to the limited supply of vaccines caused by inequitable distribution. Objective. To monitor diagnostic gene targets to identify potential test failures caused by mutations, which is important for public health. Methods. Here we analysed the genome sequence of SARS-CoV-2 from the second wave in Zimbabwe. A total of 377 samples were sequenced at Quadram Institute Bioscience. After quality control, 192 sequences passed and were analysed. Results. The Beta variant was dominant during this period, contributing 77.6% (149) of the genomes sequenced and having a total of 2994 mutations in diagnostic polymerase chain reaction target genes. Many single nucleotide polymorphism mutations resulted in amino acid substitution that had the potential to impact viral fitness by increasing the rate of transmission or evading the immune response to previous infection or vaccination. Conclusion. There were nine lineages circulating in Zimbabwe during the second wave. The B.1.351 was dominant, accounting for >75%. There were over 3 000 mutations on the diagnostic genes and lineage B.1.351, contributing almost two-thirds of the mutations. The S-gene had the most mutations and the E-gene was the least mutated

Migration as a form of workforce attrition: a nine-country study of pharmacists

Background There is a lack of evidence to inform policy development on the reasons why health professionals migrate. Few studies have sought to empirically determine factors influencing the intention to migrate and none have explored the relationship between factors. This paper reports on the first international attempt to investigate the migration intentions of pharmacy students and identify migration factors and their relationships. Methods Responses were gathered from 791 final-year pharmacy students from nine countries: Australia, Bangladesh, Croatia, Egypt, Portugal, Nepal, Singapore, Slovenia and Zimbabwe. Data were analysed by means of Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and two-step cluster analysis to determine the relationships between factors influencing migration and the characteristics of subpopulations most likely and least likely to migrate. Results Results showed a significant difference in attitudes towards the professional and sociopolitical environment of the home country and perceptions of opportunities abroad between those who have no intention of migrating and those who intend to migrate on a long-term basis. Attitudes of students planning short-term migration were not significantly different from those of students who did not intend to migrate. These attitudes, together with gender, knowledge of other migrant pharmacists and past experiences abroad, are associated with an increased propensity for migration. Conclusion Given the influence of the country context and environment on migration intentions, research and policy should frame the issue of migration in the context of the wider human resource agenda, thus viewing migration as one form of attrition and a symptom of other root causes. Remuneration is not an independent stand-alone factor influencing migration intentions and cannot be decoupled from professional development factors. Comprehensive human resource policy development that takes into account the issues of both remuneration and professional development are necessary to encourage retention

Population geography

The article focuses on population geography of the Southern Hemisphere with special reference to Asia and the Pacific region. The Southern Hemisphere has around 60 percent of global population and thus the population research of the region is strong. Issues like population growth, rural-urban migration and urbanization, brain drain, gender inequality and the spread of HIV/AIDS are prominent in the region. Geography strength is ineven in Asia with greater concentrations in countries influenced by the British.Graeme Hug