Evaluation of the weekly disease surveillance system in Matabeleland South Province, Zimbabwe, 2018

Background: The weekly disease surveillance system (WDSS) acts as an early warning of potential threats to public health. In 2018, the reporting rates in Matabeleland South Province were below the 100% target, with overall timeliness of 61.7% and completeness of 67.3%. Low reporting rates may imply late detection of outbreaks in the province. The study was conducted to evaluate the WDSS in Matabeleland South province. Methods: We conducted a descriptive cross sectional-study using updated Centers for Disease Control guidelines for evaluating public health surveillance systems. Interviewer administered questionnaires and key informant interviews were used to collect data from the health workers. Resource availability was assessed using checklists. Epi Info 7TM was used to generate frequencies, medians and proportions. Results: Fifty health workers were interviewed, 28 (56%) of whom were females. The majority of the health workers 41 (82%) were nurses. Thirty-two (64%) respondents knew the timelines for submission of data to the next level whilst only 16 (32%) knew the objectives of the WDSS. Eight (16%) respondents were trained on operating the WDSS. Forty-two (84%) respondents reported analyzing the information of the WDSS and willingness to continue participating in the WDSS was indicated by 46 (92%) respondents. Six (85%) health facilities indicated experiencing problems with the District Health Information System. Conclusion: The WDSS was found to be simple, acceptable and flexible. However, it was unstable and untimely. We recommend training of health care workers on the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response in the province

An analysis of the COVID-19 laboratory dataset at AiBST Laboratory in Harare, Zimbabwe, 2020

Introduction: coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a major public health problem and has spread rapidly around the globe since its first identification in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Zimbabwe reported its first case on the 20th March 2020, and since then the disease has spread to almost every part of the country. Laboratory testing is important in controlling this pandemic. However, few studies have focused on assessing trends of SARS-CoV-2 laboratory data. We described SARS-CoV-2 data from African Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology (AiBST) Laboratory in Harare, Zimbabwe. Methods: a retrospective record review of secondary SARS-CoV-2 data from AiBST Laboratory in Harare between May to September 2020 was done. Epi Info TM 7.2.2.6 was used to generate frequencies, proportions and conduct bivariate analysis. Results: a total of 6,535 SARS-CoV-2 laboratory records were analysed. The median age of the patients was 36 years and 55% (3594/6535) were males. There was an increase in average analytical turn-around time (TAT) of SARS-CoV-2 results from May to August 2020. Analytical and preanalytical TAT remained above 2 days from August to September. Males were 1.18 times at risk of being SARS-CoV-2 infected than females (p<0.05). The risk of being SARS-CoV-2 infected increased with age from 1.06 in the 11-20 age group to 1.45 in the 41-50 age group. Conclusion: COVID-19 poses a greater threat to the older age groups and to men. The delayed TAT of SARS-CoV-2 results limits the efforts to control the pandemic. Decentralization of testing to provincial and district level would help improve result TAT

An assessment of the availability of water sources and hygiene practices in response to the Cholera outbreak in Harare City, Zimbabwe, 2018

Introduction: Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease that has a substantial impact on public health. Harare city reported the first cholera case on the 5th of September 2018, and by the 23rd of September 2018, 6403 cases and 43 deaths had been reported (case fatality rate 0.67%). Health promotion on hygiene practices was given through social media and door to door campaigns; however, cases continued to increase in the city. We therefore assessed the availability of water sources and hygiene practises in Harare city. Methods: We conducted a mixed methods study that combined quantitative and qualitative methods. A structured researcher-administered questionnaire and an observational checklist were used to collect data. Systematic random sampling of 156 dwellings was done in Glen View 3, 8 and Budiriro 1 and 2 was done. Epi Info TM statistical software was used to capture data from records and to generate, frequencies, means and proportions. Results: Forty-eight percent (74/156) and 34% (53/156) of the respondents used borehole water and piped water as their main sources of drinking water respectively. Sixty percent (93/156) of the households did not use any water treatment method. Sixty-two percent (96/156) of the respondents washed their hands after using the toilet whilst fifty-two percent (81/156) of the households did not have clean toilets. A proportion of 63% (98/156) of the households did not have soap for hand washing. The predominant methods of refuse disposal were; disposal on a dumpsite (52%) and burning (47%). Conclusion: The main source of drinking water in Glenview and Budiriro was borehole water; inadequate sanitation and hygiene practices were being practiced in Harare city. The city Council should consistently provide residents with safe and clean water and should ensure consistent refuse removal in the city