Z imbabwe has one of the world's highest tuberculosis (TB) burdens, with an estimated TB incidence of 208 cases per 100 000 population and an associated TB-HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) coinfection rate of 67% in 2016. 1 For many years, the diagnosis of pulmonary TB has relied on sputum smear microscopy, although the test has poor sensitivity and does not detect drug-resistant TB. 2 The introduction of the Xpert ® MTB/RIF assay (Cepheid Inc, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) is a game changer in this regard: Xpert is a fully automated, commercially available nucleic-acid amplification test for sputum and other specimens requiring minimal laboratory expertise, with results available within 2 h. 3 Sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are high, and the assay also detects rifampicin (RMP) resistant TB (RR-TB). Early studies showed that the diagnosis of TB using Xpert was feasible and accurate, 4 prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2010 to strongly rec

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Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in child sex work is reportedly rising in Zimbabwe. While children of both sexes are affected, more females than males are forced to engage in sexual acts in exchange for money, food, access to shelter, education or some other gains from adults who control these means of survival and commodities. Drivers of CSEC include socioeconomic factors, negative peer pressure, childhood abuse, the influence of uncensored social media, and, more recently, the economic impact of COVID-19. Involvement in underage sex work exposes children to severe adversities, such as psychosocial and mental health disorders, physical and biological injuries, venereal diseases and HIV. CSEC is a growing concern for resource-limited countries, disenfranchises children and robs particularly the girl child of a better future. The worsening socioeconomic landscape in Zimbabwe and the COVID-19 pandemic have exacerbated the problem. Solving the problem of CSEC requires a multipronged approach that involves stakeholders from several sectors, including public health, education, social services, security and the legal fraternity. There is a need to empower communities, empower civil society and development partners, enhance legal frameworks, provide messaging, education and vocational training, as well as rehabilitative services for affected children and their families. CSEC is a violation of the child's rights and a public health concern that needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency to preserve the next generation's human capital necessary for the sustainable development of Zimbabwe. K E Y W O R D S child sex work, CSEC, Zimbabwe Key Practitioner Messages • Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is reportedly rising in Zimbabwe. • The worsening socioeconomic landscape in the country and the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem. • Involvement in underage sex work exposes children to severe social and health-related adversities. • Drivers of CSEC are multifaceted and require equally complex solutions.• In this discussion article, the authors unpack CSEC in Zimbabwe and proffer solutions for combatting this harmful practice.

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