No abstract

Condoms have been highlighted as one of the most effective strategies to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS. This study assessed how adolescents and parents perceive the condom distribution programme in selected secondary schools in the highdensity suburbs of Bulawayo. A concurrent mixed method survey was conducted on three selected secondary schools. Three hundred adolescents and three hundred parents responded to a pre tested semi structured questionnaire. Likert scales were developed to assess knowledge and attitude levels. The χ 2 test and multiple logistic regression were used to associate different demographic characteristics with attitudes and levels of knowledge regarding condom distribution at schools using STATA Version 13. Practices and beliefs were assessed using unstructured interviews on purposively selected adolescents and parents. Qualitative data collected was thematically analysed on MAXQDA. The response rate was 100% and 81% for adolescents and parents/guardians respectively. There were more females than males in both response groups. About 67% of adolescents and 60% of parents/guardians were knowledgeable about condom usage and its implications on prevention of spread of sexually transmitted infections and pregnancies. A large proportion of parents/adolescents (72%) had good attitudes towards condom distribution in schools compared to adolescents (27%). Age was strongly associated with knowledge in adolescents, with older adolescent 102 times more likely to be knowledgeable compared to younger adolescents. Religion was the strongest predictor of attitudes in parents/guardians with Catholic having an odds of 227. The concerned sexual health institutions should increase awareness among adolescents, targeting their attitudes towards condom distribution and usage. Targeting attitudes will hopefully foster safe sexual practices.

Background: Mopani worms have been considered a critical food security resource as people living in Mopani woodlands depend on the worms both as a food source and as an income generating resource. These become a readily available substitute if agriculture fails and droughts loom. However the yields from these worms have been dwindling over the years and this has been associated with land use−land cover changes as the worms depend on vegetation. This research sought to investigate the relationship between land use−land cover changes and Mopani worm harvests in Mangwe District in Plumtree from the period 2007 to 2016 in Zimbabwe. Methods: Satellite imagery was collected using LandSat 5 and LandSat 8 satellite and then classified using the Semi-Automatic Classification plugin in Quantum Geographic Information System to identify trees, dams, bare soil and settlements. Thematic maps were then produced and used to quantify extent of Land Use-Land Cover changes in the period from 2007 to 2016. Ground control data was collected using hand held Global Positioning System. Harvests trends (and reasons thereof) were estimated through usage of interviewer administered questionnaires on selected Mopani worm harvesters and harvest data kept by the community leaders. Results: Results showed that settlements and bare soil cover had greatly increased from 2007 to 2016. There was a significant decline on vegetation cover from 2007 to 2016. There was also decline in the Mopani worm harvest over the years. Reasons for reduction of harvest were cited as deforestation, drought, overharvesting, cooking with lids on and occurrence of veld fires. Conclusions: Findings of this study highlight that land use−land cover changes impacted negatively on Mopani worm harvests over the period 2007 to 2016. It is also of paramount importance to note that major reasons for this decline has been associated with Land Use changes that are associated with human activities. There is need for Natural Resource Conservation Agencies to embark on awareness campaigns to encourage reforestation and also control cutting down of Mopani woodlands. Research needs to be conducted to determine the association between cultural beliefs and Mopani worm conservation and utilisation.

Mopani worms are abundant in Gwanda and sporadic in Tsholotsho though the two areas have similar climatic conditions. The study sought to determine nutritional factors that could be associated with distribution of Mopani worms in these two districts. Ten sampling points in undisturbed Mopani woodlands were established in each district. Samples were collected and analysed in the lab to determine the levels of crude protein, tannin and natural detergent fibres levels in leaves and pH, Nitrates, Phosphates and Potassium levels in soil and Welch’s test, Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney, Analysis of Variance and the Bonferroni Confidence Intervals were employed to test for significance in the observed differences. Findings showed differences in tree size and leaf length whilst the differences of all other variables (non-extractible tannis, extractible tannis crude protein levels and natural detergent fibres) relating to leaf sample analysis were not statistically significant. Findings on soil sample analysis pointed out that Gwanda had higher pH, Phosphorus and Potassium levels whilst Nitrates were significantly higher in Tsholotsho. Differences in the tree sizes and leaf sizes of the samples from the two sites show that there could be host selection based on these variables.