ObjectiveWorldwide, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a common cause of morbidity affecting occupational individuals such as health-care professionals. However, nothing is known about WMSDs in hospital nurses in Zimbabwe. This study was conducted to provide cross-sectional evidence of the 12-month prevalence, consequences and factors associated with WMSDs among 208 nurses at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals (PGH).ResultsThe response rate for the study was 55.7%. The median age for the participants was 32.0 years (interquartile range = 29–36 years). The lifetime prevalence of WMSDs in nurses was 95.7% (n = 112). The first episodes were experienced in the first 5 years of working (n = 59, 52.7%). However, 82.1% (n = 96) nurses experienced WMSDs in the last 12 months. Low back pain was the most common WMSDs reported (n = 55, 67.9%). WMSDs were significantly associated with qualification attained, postgraduate ergonomic training and working experience. Overall, 87.5% (n = 84) nurses experienced at least one of the consequences of WMSDs. Cognisant of the limitations of the study, the present study found that WMSDs are a common occurrence among nurses at PGH. This creates a need for prompt hospital education programs aimed at raising awareness among nurses on the existence of WMSDs and the consequences at PGH.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3412-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Lifestyle modification is an important component of long-term management of patients with diabetes mellitus. The objectives of the cross-sectional study were to measure the level of adherence to lifestyle modification, to identify the factors influencing adherence to lifestyle modification, to measure the prevalence of diabetes complications among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The sample comprised 119 participants who were diabetes mellitus type 2 patients registered at the study site, aged 18 years and above , could converse in English or Shona, and had been diagnosed within a period of 2 years. They were selected using simple random sampling with replacement. Data was collected through an interviewer administered questionnaire.. Adherence to lifestyle modification was low (7.56%). Factors influencing adherence to lifestyle modification; for diet they include, lack of money (21.01%), attending functions (15.13%), lack of satiety (12.61%), tempting foods (12.61%); for exercises they include, illness (26.89%), lack of time (18.49%), fatigue (15.13%) and no education (10.92%). The most common complications were retinopathy (79.83%), peripheral neuropathy (78.99%) and sexual dysfunction (44.54%). A weak negative linear relationship was shown between adherence to lifestyle modification and the total number of diabetes complications (r=-0.1398, p = 0.1295) but was not significant thus linear regression was not done.

This study aimed at determining the factors associated with maternal and child health services uptake and their association with maternal and child health outcomes. Design and setting:The study was conducted in two districts in Mashonaland East namely Murewa and Seke in Zimbabwe. An analytical cross sectional study design was conducted between November 2016 and March 2017. Women with children 0-48 months who were being recruited for an interventional study were targeted with an aim of determining the baseline characteristics and comparability of participants in the intervention and control arm. A sample of 672 mothers was interviewed. Data was analyzed in SPSS version 20 and STATA 13. Main outcome(s):The study focused on maternal and child health outcomes. Results:The mean age for the women was 28.0 years (SD=6.8) and the mean birth weight for children was 3061 g (SD=537). Women had a mean weight of 62.5 kg (SD=11.5) and the mean number of children per woman were 2.6 (SD=1.5). In this study 154 (22.9%) of the participants booked for Antenatal Care (ANC) in the first trimester and 321 (47.7%) and 171 (25.4%) booking in the second and third trimester respectively. There was a statistically significant association between a child's gestational age and birth weight (OR=2.14; 95% CI: 1.22-3.75). Maternal complications were significantly associated with the number of children delivered prior to the last pregnancy (OR=4.4; 95% CI: 2.45-8.04). First ANC timing was strongly associated with the place of delivery (OR=2.84, 95% CI: 1.53-5.25) and so was ANC registration decision making (OR=3.52; 95% CI: 1.88-6.58). The weaning time was significantly associated with child morbidity (OR=5.28; 95% CI: 2.57-9.86). Conclusion:This study revealed that though there is a satisfactory health seeking behavior among pregnant and lactating women, there is still a significant gap in knowledge of critical recommended Maternal Neonatal and Child Health (MNCH) practices. Good knowledge and practices are essential in the reduction of preventable maternal and child morbidity and mortality. Universal maternal health access is only achievable if the women and the community take decisions about their own health in a supportive environment; hence the need to have community based interventions for maternal health access. The results of the study have shown that the quality and methods of delivery of antenatal care education need to reviewed to improve effectiveness of antenatal care.

No abstract

Neonatal mortality remains very high in Zimbabwe (29/1,000 live births). Service-related factors have been linked to the care-giver knowledge and newborn care practices. In Manicaland Province, care-seeking behaviors for fever (the main symptom for childhood infections) and knowledge levels of neonatal danger signs remains unacceptably lower than the national averages. A cross-sectional descriptive and analytic design was carried out to determine service-related factors to newborn care practices and their association with neonatal outcomes in Mutare District. Purposive sampling was used to select health facilities and systematic random sampling was used to select participants. A structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data which was then entered and analyzed using Epi-Info version 7.2. Descriptive and multivariate analysis were performed on data collected from 349 participants. Practice of the five assessed recommended newborn care practices was high. Exclusive breastfeeding (62%), early initiation of breastfeeding (74%), good cord care (73%), care-seeking for neonatal illness within 24hrs of onset of fever (82%) and keeping baby warm was at 58%. Statistically significant independent factors associated with the recommended newborn care practices were post-natal stay for more than 72 hours at the clinic (AOR=0.56; 95%CI: 0.12-0.87, p=0.000), and delivery at the health facility (AOR=0.43; 95%CI: 0.21-0.77; p=0.000). Service delivery had a substantial influence on newborn care practices in Mutare district and influenced neonatal outcomes. Improving newborn care outcomes requires both effective service delivery and community health system strengthening to promote good newborn care.