Gold panning in Zimbabwe's Mutoko District : a strategy for rural livelihoods and community development?

This dissertation presents an analysis of gold panning in rural areas. It investigates the contributions of gold panning to rural livelihoods and community development in Zimbabwe. A qualitative design was used in this research because the relevant phenomena like the gold panners? behaviour had to be studied in the natural and context-specific settings. Research methods that were used in the field included interviews, field observations, focus group discussions, life histories and case studies. The dynamics in gold panning were expounded and contributions of gold panning to rural livelihoods and community development were discussed in detail. The study concludes gold panning contributes to improved rural livelihoods. The improved livelihoods in turn have some effects on community development. The effects can either be positive or negative. The study recommends that gold panning should be incorporated into the mainstream economy.Dissertation (MSocSci)--University of Pretoria, 2016.Anthropology and ArchaeologyMSocSciUnrestricte

Perceptions of the "Fabric" - An exploratory study of a novel multi-purpose technology among women in Sub Saharan Africa.

BACKGROUND:HIV and pregnancy prevention are dual health priorities for women, and particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Drug-eluting fibers offer a dosage form that combines HIV prevention and contraception, but early understanding of end-user perspectives is critical to avoid misalignment between products being developed and preferred product attributes. METHODS:Focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted in South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe, among 55 women who had used vaginal products in previous trials. Participants were given the opportunity to feel a sample of electrospun nanofiber (the fabric), see how it dissolves, and give feedback on shape, size and other attributes. Women were also asked to compare the fabric to vaginal gel and film. RESULTS:Three key themes regarding the acceptability of the fabric emerged: 1) look and feel of the product undissolved vs. undissolved, 2) expected effect on sex, and 3) convenience and ease of use. Upon being presented with the fabric, women were initially distrustful, seeing it as undesirable for vaginal insertion. Women generally approved of the product once they saw it dissolve. However, they stressed the importance of the product not interfering with sex by altering the vaginal environment. Women also reacted favorably to the perceived convenience of the fabric, particularly with regards to storage and transport, perceived ease of insertion and use, and dosing regimen. CONCLUSION:Multipurpose prevention technologies, and nanofibers in particular, should be developed with an eye to minimizing impact on sex while maximizing convenience, and presented in such a way as to emphasize non-abrasiveness and ease of dissolution

Understanding the role of men in women’s use of the vaginal ring and oral PrEP during pregnancy and breastfeeding: multi-stakeholder perspectives

We examined men’s influence on women’s interest in biomedical HIV prevention during pregnancy and breastfeeding through structured questionnaires and focus group discussions with currently or recently pregnant and breastfeeding (P/BF) women (n = 65), men with P/BF partners (n = 63) and mothers/mothers-in-law of P/BF women (n = 68) in eastern and southern Africa. Data were transcribed, coded and summarised into analytical memos. Men were depicted by most participants as joint decision-makers and influencers of women’s use of HIV prevention. Cultural and religious norms depicting men as heads, breadwinners and protectors of the family were cited to legitimise their involvement in decision-making. Male partner education and engagement were recommended to garner their support in women’s HIV prevention. This study elucidates how P/BF women’s ability to prevent HIV is shaped by traditional and contemporary gender norms in social settings and locations where the study was conducted. Findings may aid intervention design to engage men for P/BF women’s effective use of microbicide and oral PrEP

Acceptability of the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring and Oral Truvada Among African Users in Late-Stage of Pregnancy.

The Microbicide Trials Network 042 study (MTN-042/DELIVER) is a two-arm, randomized, open-label Phase 3b trial that is evaluating the safety, adherence, and acceptability of the monthly ring and daily oral PrEP among HIV-uninfected pregnant people in four African countries. This analysis focuses on acceptability data captured qualitatively from a subset (n = 48) of the 150 people in the first cohort of the trial who were enrolled in late-stage pregnancy at 36 to 38 weeks gestational age and followed until after delivery. Single IDIs were conducted by trained interviewers at each clinic site using a semi-structured guide. Data excerpts of key codes pertaining to acceptability, pregnancy, and maternal health were summarized, reviewed and interpreted by multinational analyst teams. Although the product use period was relatively short, the data suggested several acceptability findings that may directly translate to longer durations of product use in pregnancy. The first was the overarching maternal sentiment that being able to protect both oneself and their baby was highly valued. The second was the importance of counseling support from providers not only because participants used methods that might generate side effects, but because pregnancy itself is a period with its own set of side effects. The third was that, similar to non-pregnant participants in other trials, here study products were generally liked and described as easy to use. Concerns about ring and oral PrEP use could be addressed with provider counseling and support and should form an essential component rollout among pregnant people