Exploring enablers of sexually transmitted infections among illegal gold miners in the midlands region of Zimbabwe

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa faces by far the highest rate of HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Illegal mineworkers are considered at risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Men are generally not receptive to health promotion messages.Methods: This study explored the enablers of sexually transmitted infections. The study utilized a qualitative approach. A total of 40 participants were recruited. Semi structured interviews were used to collect data. A thematic approach was used to analyze the data. Zimbabwe, like any other country in the sub-Saharan region of Africa, has been affected by the epidemic of HIV/AIDS and other STIs, because of poor sexual health education.Results: The study found that the enablers of STIs included poor sexual health knowledge, substance misuse, prolonged stay from family, stigma, lack of entertainment, cultural status, and poor sexual health services.Conclusions: STIs among illegal gold miners is a public health concern that needs urgent attention in many developing countries

Legal Education-Informed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (LiCBT) to improve victims’ confidence in the Nigerian police: a single-arm mixed method feasibility intervention study

Police accountability is essential for affected victims and public trust-building, yet there are limited interventions addressing this issue. A mixed method design was adopted to examine the feasibility, appropriateness, and acceptability of a Legal Education-informed Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (LiCBT) for improving victims’ confidence using 24 participants from Delta-State, Nigeria. Participants were assessed using the Legal-Consciousness-Questionnaire, Legal Awareness of Complaint Channel Scale and the PHQ-9. Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test was used to analyse quantitative data, while the qualitative analyses involved thematic-analysis from a social identity theoretical lens. The study recorded retention rates of 96% in the 12-sessions and 100% in the baseline, end-of-intervention and 3-months follow-ups. Participants showed increased knowledge of their legal rights (LCQ) from baseline (Md = 1.00) to end of intervention (Md = 4.00) with z = −4.427, and at 3-months follow-up, z = −4.423. Findings also showed reduced depression from baseline (Md = 4.00) to end of intervention (Md = 1.00) with z = −4.061 and at 3 months (Md = 1.00) with z = −4.142. LiCBT is acceptable and feasible for improving legal knowledge, reducing depression, including improving positive attitudes towards the police. A fully powered randomised control trial is recommended to test its effectiveness

Conceptualising mental illness among University students of African, Caribbean and similar ethnic heritage in the United Kingdom

OBJECTIVE: Students of African, Caribbean and similar ethnicity (ACE) encounter unique mental health challenges within the Western higher education system, such as feeling constrained in social spaces and perceiving greater stigma about mental health. Students of ACE are also resilient to mental health problems, such as depression, when enduring social inequality. This study aimed to conceptualise mental illness and help-seeking behaviours among university students in the United Kingdom (UK) in the context of their identity as ACE.DESIGN: Six university students of ACE in the UK were interviewed about the meaning of mental illness, the influence of ACE culture on mental health and help-seeking by ACE students. Thematic analysis was applied from a socio-constructionist theoretical lens to interpret the interview transcripts.RESULTS: Five main themes emerged, namely 'Perceived meanings and attitudes toward mental health problems', 'Beliefs about the non-existence of mental health problem and its spiritual attributions', 'Family dynamics and the 'silencing' of mental health problems', 'Help-seeking for mental health among people of ACE' and 'Stigma and discriminatory responses to mental health issues'. Participants expressed that mental health is an imported concept that people from ACE communities tend to shy away from. A reluctance to discuss mental health problems arose over fear of rejection from families and fear of not being understood by a mental health professional from a different cultural background.CONCLUSION: University students of ACE and their families struggle to adopt the Western conceptualisation of mental health. Consequently, there is poor awareness of mental health issues and stigma of mental illness among university students of ACE which pose a barrier to help-seeking for mental health. The limited sample size constrains the ability to draw sound conclusions. Nonetheless, a culturally sensitive conceptualisation of mental health is needed to address poor help-seeking for mental health among people of ACE.</p

Lived experiences of stressors and problems of higher education students on teacher education course in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe, 2019

Introduction:&nbsp;there is increasing levels of stressors and hardship among higher education students especially in low and middle income countries. Higher education institutions have an important role to play in the provision of robust and comprehensive support for students who experience stressors and hardship. Research and action in this area has however not been prioritized by the institutions in Zimbabwe. This study examined students´ expression of their experience with stressors and problems of studying in higher education in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe. Methods:&nbsp;the study employed a qualitative approach using the phenomenology approach. Three institutions of higher education in the eastern border highlands of Zimbabwe were considered. Four focus group discussions were conducted with eight participants in each group. A one-to-one semi-structured interview with eight individual participants was also conducted to further examine the issues raised in the focus groups. Data were analyzed thematically using the Silences Framework theoretical model. Results:&nbsp;five overarching themes emerged from the analysis: (i) the stress of completing assessments without adequate learning materials. (ii) Unfair placement workload results into poor assessment outcomes. (iii) College-life is more difficult due to financial constraints. (iv) Marital problems interfering with college work: there is no mental health service available. (v) Enduring pains of bereavement with no emotional support or helpline. Conclusion:&nbsp;the study recommends the need to develop an inter-ministerial mental health strategy for institutions of higher learning with the view of implementing policies that address students suffering in Zimbabwean HE institutions

Insecurity, counterterrorism and the use of private military and security companies in Nigeria: A qualitative study

Insecurity and terrorism pose significant concerns in Nigeria. Yet, there is a paucity of research on citizens’ and private security providers’ (PSP) perceptions of Nigeria’s response to insecurity and the use of Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs). The study adopts a qualitative approach, and data was collected using semi-structured interviews with PSP, non-governmental organisations and lay participants from Nigeria. Thematic analysis from a social constructionist theoretical lens was used to analyse the data. The study found a lack of confidence in the Nigerian security forces, scepticism toward the government’s insincere politicisation of military victory, positive reinforcement of the use of private military companies devoid of identity, ‘othering’, and perceived short-term use of private military security. It also found a perceived mistrust for government approaches in handling insecurity and a positive outlook towards involving PMSCs and mercenaries in combating terrorism regardless of the participants’ identities as Nigerians. In conclusion, the study recommends the need for policies to strengthen Nigerian security agencies to avoid a perceived trust for PMSCs instead of state security