Background Faltered linear growth and pubertal delay, which are both common in children with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, might affect adolescent bone accrual and future fragility fracture risk. We investigated the association of HIV with bone density adjusted for skeletal size in peripubertal children in Zimbabwe. MethodsWe did a cross-sectional study of baseline data from the IMVASK cohort, which enrolled children aged 8-16 years with HIV who had been taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) for at least 2 years, and children of the same age without HIV. Children with HIV were recruited from public sector HIV clinics at Parirenyatwa General Hospital and Harare Central Hospital (Harare, Zimbabwe), and children without HIV were recruited from six schools in the same suburbs that the hospitals serve. Sociodemographic, clinical, and anthropometric data were collected. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure the bone outcomes of total-body less-head bone mineral content for lean mass adjusted for height (TBLH-BMC LBM ), and lumbar spine bone mineral apparent density (LS-BMAD), and we assessed the prevalence of low TBLH-BMC LBM and low LS-BMAD (defined by Z-scores of less than -2•0). Size adjustment techniques were used to overcome the size dependence of DXA measurement. We used linear regression models, with multiple imputation for missing data, to assess relationships between risk factors and TBLH-BMC LBM and LS-BMAD Z-scores in children with and without HIV. Findings We recruited 303 children with HIV (mean age 12•4 years [SD 2•5]; 151 [50%] girls) and 306 children without HIV (mean age 12•5 years [SD 2•5]; 155 [51%] girls). In children with HIV, median age of HIV diagnosis was 3•0 years (IQR 1•2-5•8), and median ART duration was 8•1 years (6•2-9•5); for 102 (34%) children, ART included tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF). Children with HIV had a higher prevalence of low TBLH-BMC LBM Z-score than children without HIV (29 [10%] of 279 children with available data vs 18 [6%] of 292 with available data; p=0•066) and a higher prevalence of low LS-BMAD Z-score (40 [14%] of 279 vs 17 [6%] of 293 with available data; p=0•0007). HIV and male sex were associated with earlier pubertal (Tanner) stage. The negative associations between HIV and Z-scores for TBLH-BMC LBM and LS-BMAD were more pronounced with pubertal maturation, particularly in girls. Among children with HIV, TDF exposure and orphanhood were associated with lower TBLH-BMC LBM Z-score in confounder-adjusted analysis. Current TDF use (vs non-TDF-based ART) was associated with a reduction in TBLH-BMC LBM Z-score of 0•41 (95% CI 0•08-0•74; p=0•015) and in LS-BMAD Z-score of 0•31 (0•08-0•69; p=0•12). Interpretation Despite ART, HIV is associated with substantial skeletal deficits towards the end of puberty. The extent of bone deficits associated with TDF and its widespread use in children in sub-Saharan Africa are a concern for future adult fracture risk. Funding Wellcome Trust.

Background: The 2012 Global Lung Function Initiative (GLI 2012) provide multi-ethnic spirometric reference equations (SRE) for the 3-95 year-old age range, but Sub-Saharan African populations are not represented. This study aimed to evaluate the fit of the African-American GLI 2012 SRE to a population of healthy urban and peri-urban Zimbabwean school-going children (7-13 years). Methods: Spirometry and anthropometry were performed on black-Zimbabwean children recruited from three primary schools in urban and peri-urban Harare, with informed consent and assent. Individuals with a history or current symptoms of respiratory disease or with a body mass index-z score (BMI) < − 2 were excluded. Spirometry z-scores were generated from African-American GLI 2012 SRE, which adjust for age, sex, ethnicity and height, after considering all GLI 2012 modules. Anthropometry z-scores were generated using the British (1990) reference equations which adjust for age and sex. The African-American GLI 2012 z-score distribution for the four spirometry measurements (FVC, FEV 1 , FEV 1 / FVC and MMEF) were evaluated across age, height, BMI and school (as a proxy for socioeconomic status) to assess for bias. Comparisons between the African-American GLI 2012 SRE and Polgar equations (currently adopted in Zimbabwe) on the percent-predicted derived values were also performed. Results: The validation dataset contained acceptable spirometry data from 712 children (344 girls, mean age: 10.5 years (SD 1.81)). The spirometry z-scores were reasonably normally distributed, with all means lower than zero but within the range of ±0.5, indicating a good fit to the African-American GLI 2012 SRE. The African-American GLI 2012 SRE produced z-scores closest to a normal distribution. Z-scores of girls deviated more than boys. Weak correlations (Pearson's correlation coefficient < 0.2) were observed between spirometry and anthropometry z-scores, and scatterplots demonstrated no systematic bias associated with age, height, BMI or socioeconomic status. The African-American GLI 2012 SRE provided a better fit for Zimbabwean paediatric spirometry data than Polgar equations. Conclusion: The use of African-American GLI 2012 SRE in this population could help in the interpretation of pulmonary function tests.

The rollout of antiretroviral therapy globally has increased life expectancy across Southern Africa, where 20.6 million people now live with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We aimed to determine the prevalence of age‐related osteoporosis and sarcopenia, and investigate the association between HIV, bone mineral density (BMD), muscle strength and lean mass, and gait speed. A cross‐sectional community‐based study of individuals aged 20–80 years in rural South Africa collected demographic and clinical data, including HIV status, grip strength, gait speed, body composition, and BMD. Sarcopenia was defined by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2 (EWGSOP2) guidelines, and osteoporosis as BMD T‐score ≤ −2.5 (if age ≥50 years). The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of 805 black South African participants was 44.6 ± 14.8 years, 547 (68.2%) were female; 34 (13.2%) were men, and 129 (23.6%) women had HIV, with 88% overall taking anti‐retroviral therapy. A femoral neck T‐score ≤ −2.5, seen in four of 95 (4.2%) men and 39 of 201 (19.4%) women age ≥50 years, was more common in women with than without HIV (13/35 [37.1%] versus 26/166 [15.7%]; p = 0.003). Although no participant had confirmed sarcopenia, probable sarcopenia affected more men than women (30/258 [11.6%] versus 24/547 [4.4%]; p = .001]. Although appendicular lean mass (ALM)/height2 index was lower in both men and women with HIV, there were no differences in grip strength, gait speed, or probable sarcopenia by HIV status. Older age, female sex, lower ALM/height2 index, slower gait speed, and HIV infection were all independently associated with lower femoral neck BMD. In conclusion, osteoporosis rather than sarcopenia is the common musculoskeletal disease of aging in rural South Africa; older women with HIV may experience greater bone losses than women without HIV. Findings raise concerns over future fracture risk in Southern Africa, where HIV clinics should consider routine bone health assessment, particularly in aging women. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Background: Although asthma is a serious public health concern in Zimbabwe, there is lack of information regarding the decision to seek for healthcare services among patients. This study aimed to determine the health care seeking behaviour of adult patients with asthma attending Chitungwiza Central Hospital in Zimbabwe. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 patients with asthma. A questionnaire with four thematic areas (i) patients' demographic characteristics, (ii) types of health seeking behaviours (iii) knowledge of asthma treatment and (iv) attitudes on asthma treatment was used. Results: We determined the sequence of remedial action that people undertake to rectify perceived ill health commonly referred to as health care seeking behaviours in 400 adult patients with asthma. This behaviour was considered good if the patient sought care at the hospital/clinic and or private practitioners. Poor health seeking behaviour was adjudged if patients sought no treatment, self-treated or resorted to traditional or faith healers for care. The majority 261(65.3%) of the study participants were females mainly between ages 29-39 years who lived in the urban setting. Distance to health facility, perception of supportive roles of healthcare providers, perceived good quality of service and knowledge of asthma complications were key determinants for health seeking behaviour. The results showed that majority 290 (72.5%) reported good health seeking behaviour. The correlates of good health seeking behaviour included financial capacity to pay for medical care [OR: 0.50 (CI: 0.31-0.83); p = 0.008)] and receiving good quality of asthma treatment [OR: 0.59 (CI: 0.37-0.93); p = 0.03)]. The inability to voluntarily seek own asthma treatment [OR: 1.68 (CI: 1.05-2.70); p = 0.03) was a significant risk factor (68% more likely) for poor health seeking behaviour. Conclusions: We concluded that prior to scaling up asthma treatment programmes in Zimbabwe, there is need to address, individual-level, community-level and health service level barriers to health seeking among asthma patients.

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An estimated 25% of South African women live with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Antiretroviral therapy roll-out has improved life expectancy, so many more women now reach menopause. We aimed to quantify changes in bone mineral density (BMD) during the menopausal transition in urban-dwelling South African women with and without HIV and determine whether HIV infection modified the effect of menopause on BMD changes. A 5-year population-based longitudinal study recruited women aged 40-60 years residing in Soweto and collected demographic and clinical data, including HIV status, anthropometry, and BMD, at baseline and at 5-year follow-up. All women were staged as pre-, peri-, or postmenopausal at both time points. Multivariable linear regression assessed relationships and interactions between HIV infection, menopause, and change in BMD. At baseline, 450 women had mean age 49.5 (SD 5.7) years, 65 (14.4%) had HIV, and 140 (31.1%), 119 (26.4%), and 191 (42.4%) were pre-, peri-, and postmenopausal, respectively; 34/205 (13.6%) women ≥50 years had a total hip (TH) or lumbar spine (LS) T-score ≤ À2.5. At follow-up 38 (8.4%), 84 (18.7%), and 328 (72.9%) were pre-, peri-, and postmenopausal. Those with HIV at baseline lost more total body (TB) BMD (mean difference À0.013 [95% confidence interval À0.026, À0.001] g/cm 2 , p = 0.040) and gained more weight 1. 96 [0.32, 3.60] kg; p = 0.019 than HIV-uninfected women. After adjusting for age, baseline weight, weight change, and follow-up time, the transition from pre-to postmenopause was associated with greater TB BMD losses in women with HIV (À0.092 [À0.042, À0.142] g/cm 2 ; p = 0.001) than without HIV (À0.038 [À0.016, À0.060] g/cm 2 , p = 0.001; interaction p = 0.034). Similarly, in women who were postmenopausal at both time points, those with HIV lost more TB BMD (À0.070 [À0.031, À0.108], p = 0.001) than women without HIV (À0.036 [À0.015, À0.057], p = 0.001, interaction p = 0.049). Findings were consistent but weaker at the LS and TH. Menopause-related bone loss is greater in women with HIV, suggesting women with HIV may be at greater risk of osteoporotic fractures. HIV services should consider routine bone health assessment in midlife women as part of long-term HIV care delivery.

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HIV infection has multi-system adverse effects in children, including on the growing skeleton. We aimed to determine the association between chronic HIV infection and bone architecture (density, size, strength) in peripubertal children. We conducted a cross-sectional study of children aged 8 to 16 years with HIV (CWH) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and children without HIV (CWOH) recruited from schools and frequency-matched for age strata and sex. Outcomes, measured by tibial peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT), included 4% trabecular and 38% cortical volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), 4% and 38% cross-sectional area (CSA), and 38% stress-strain index (SSI). Multivariable linear regression tested associations between HIV status and outcomes, stratified by sex and puberty (Tanner 1-2 versus 3-5), adjusting for age, height, fat mass, physical activity, and socioeconomic and orphanhood statuses. We recruited 303 CWH and 306 CWOH; 50% were female. Although CWH were similar in age to CWOH (overall mean AE SD 12.4 AE 2.5 years), more were prepubertal (ie, Tanner 1; 41% versus 23%). Median age at ART initiation was 4 (IQR 2-7) years, whereas median ART duration was 8 (IQR 6-10) years. CWH were more often stunted (height-for-age Z-score <À2) than those without HIV (33% versus 7%). Both male and female CWH in later puberty had lower trabecular vBMD, CSA (4% and 38%), and SSI than those without HIV, whereas cortical density was similar. Adjustment explained some of these differences; however, deficits in bone size persisted in CWH in later puberty (HIV*puberty interaction p = 0.035 [males; 4% CSA] and p = 0.029 [females; 38% CSA]). Similarly, puberty further worsened the inverse association between HIV and bone strength (SSI) in both males (interaction p = 0.008) and females (interaction p = 0.004). Despite long-term ART, we identified deficits in predicted bone strength in those living with HIV, which were more overt in the later stages of puberty. This is concerning, as this may translate to higher fracture risk later in life.