R4D Zimbabwe

Effects of organic and mineral fertilizer nitrogen on greenhouse gas emissions and plant-captured carbon under maize cropping in Zimbabwe

Mon, 21 May 2012 08:51 GMT

Document Type: Journal Article

Production Year: 2011

Citation: Mapanda, F.; Wuta, M.; Nyamangara, J.; Rees, R.M. Effects of organic and mineral fertilizer nitrogen on greenhouse gas emissions and plant-captured carbon under maize cropping in Zimbabwe. Plant and Soil (2011) 343 (1-2) 67-81. [DOI: 10.1007/s11104-011-0753-7]

Summary: Optimizing a three-way pact comprising crop yields, fertility inputs and greenhouse gases may minimize the contribution of croplands to global warming. Fluxes of N2O, CO2 and CH4 from soil were measured under maize (Zea mays L.) grown using 0, 60 and 120 kg N hm-2 as NH4NO3-N and composted manure-N in three seasons on clay (Chromic luvisol) and sandy loam (Haplic lixisol) soils in Zimbabwe. The fluxes were measured using the static chamber methodology involving gas chromatography for ample air analysis. Over an average of 122 days we estimated emissions of 0.1 to 0.5 kg N2O-N hm−2, 711 to 1574 kg CO2-C hm−2 and−2.6 to 5.8 kg CH4-C hm−2 from six treatments during season II with the highest fluxes. The posed hypothesis that composted manure-N may be better placed as a mitigation option against soil emissions of GHG than mineral fertilizer-N was largely supported by N2O fluxes during the wet period of the year, but with high level of uncertainty. Nitrogen addition might have stimulated both emissions and consumption of CH4 but the sink or source strength depended highly on soil water content. We concluded that the application of mineral-N and manure input may play an important role with reference to global warming provided the season can support substantial crop productivity that may reduce the amount of N2O loss per unit yield. Confidence in fluxes response to agricultural management is still low due to sporadic measurements and limited observations from the southern African region.

Anti-developmental patrimonialism in Zimbabwe

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 08:14 GMT

Document Type: Journal Article
Creator: Dawson, M.; Kelsall, T.

Production Year: 2012

Citation: Dawson, M.; Kelsall, T. Anti-developmental patrimonialism in Zimbabwe. Journal of Contemporary African Studies (2012) 30 (1) 49-66. [Special Issue: Progress in Zimbabwe] [DOI: 10.1080/02589001.2012.643010]

Summary: Research on investment climates and economic growth in developing countries is shifting from institutional ‘best practices’ towards ways in which developmentally successful regimes make use of economic rents. After discussing rent flows in Zimbabwe's history, the paper concludes that the country exhibits a pattern of centralised, short-term rent utilisation, with disastrous results, showing that the centralisation of rent-management by itself does not indicate a ‘developmental patrimonialism’.

This is an abridged version of M. Dawson and T. Kelsall (2011) Anti-developmental Patrimonialism in Zimbabwe. Working Paper 19: Africa Power and Politics Programme.

Policy Brief No. 49. The politics of seed relief in Zimbabwe

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 05:12 GMT

Document Type: Briefing
Creator: Mutonodzo-Davies, C.; Magunda, D.

Production Year: 2012

Citation: Mutonodzo-Davies, C.; Magunda, D. . Policy Brief No. 49. The politics of seed relief in Zimbabwe. FAC, Brighton, UK (2012) 7 pp.

Summary: Over much of the past decade, the Zimbabwean government and donor organisations have implemented agricultural input support programmes, comprised of private suppliers (seed houses and fertiliser manufacturers), wholesalers and rural agro-dealers, bypassing the previously vibrant market chain. This article argues that these 'seed relief' programmes contributed to the collapse of the input supply chain, and therefore hastening the decline of agricultural productivity in Zimbabwe today.

Removing financial barriers to access reproductive, maternal and newborn health services: the challenges and policy implications for Human Resources for Health (HRH)

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 07:48 GMT

Document Type: Case Study
Creator: McPake, B.; Witter, S.; Ensor, T.; Fustukian, S.; Newlands, D.; Martineau, T.

Production Year: 2011

Citation: McPake, B.; Witter, S.; Ensor, T.; Fustukian, S.; Newlands, D.; Martineau, T. Removing financial barriers to access reproductive, maternal and newborn health services: the challenges and policy implications for Human Resources for Health (HRH). Queen Margaret University, East Lothian, UK (2011) 196 pp.

Summary:

In the last decade a growing consensus has emerged that user fees are regressive and undermine equitable access to essential health services, and in particular, may negatively affect pregnant women and children under five. A policy shift removing or reducing fees has occurred with consequences for the health system, including the need for replacement revenue and to ensure quality in response to increased utilization. Both of these raise specific concerns for human resources for health (HRH) and suggest that careful planning of the supply side response to the demand stimulated by removal of fees has to take place.

This research responds to this concern. Its objective is to determine the associations and interrelationships between workforce characteristics (stock, distribution, competencies and motivational state) and equitable access to Reproductive, Maternal and Neonatal Health (RMNH) services resulting from the removal of, or exemption from user fees.

The study was conducted in five countries: Ghana, Nepal, Sierra Leone, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and consisted of literature review of international and local published and grey literature, desk based analysis of secondary data from the five countries and field work in two countries, including primary data collection in Zimbabwe.

This document comprises a 6-page policy brief, the main report, the literature review, the 5 case studies and references.

The Appropriateness of Core Group Interventions Using Presumptive Periodic Treatment Among Rural Zimbabwean Women Who Exchange Sex for Gifts or Money

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 06:42 GMT

Document Type: Journal Article
Creator: Cowan, F. M.; Hargrove, J. W.; Langhaug, L. F.; Jaffar, S.; Mhuriyengwe, L.; Swarthout, T. D.; Peeling, R.; Latif, A.; Bassett, M. T.; Brown, D. W. G.; Mabey, D. Hayes, R. J.; Wilson, D.

Production Year: 2005

Citation: Cowan, F. M.; Hargrove, J. W.; Langhaug, L. F.; Jaffar, S.; Mhuriyengwe, L.; Swarthout, T. D.; Peeling, R.; Latif, A.; Bassett, M. T.; Brown, D. W. G.; Mabey, D. Hayes, R. J.; Wilson, D. The Appropriateness of Core Group Interventions Using Presumptive Periodic Treatment Among Rural Zimbabwean Women Who Exchange Sex for Gifts or Money. JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (2005) 38 (27) 202-207.

Summary: Aim: To map the characteristics of rural based sex workers in Zimbabwe with regard to demographics, mobility, behavior, HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevalence, to explore the appropriateness and feasibility of presumptive periodic treatment (PPT) for bacterial STIs as an HIV prevention intervention among these women, and to compare tolerability of 2 PPT regimens (1 g of azithromycin and 2 g of metronidazole ± 500 mg of ciprofloxacin).

Location: Five commercial farms and 2 mines in Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe.

Methods: Three hundred sixty-three sex workers were recruited and completed a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. Each participant had blood tested for antibody to HIV, herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2), and syphilis; urine tested for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG); and a vaginal swab tested for Trichomonas vaginalis (TV). Women were randomly assigned to receive a single dose of 1 of 2 PPT regimens and then followed to assess rates of side effects and reinfection.

Results: The overall prevalence of antibody to HIV was 55.7% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 50.6-60.9) and that of HSV-2 was 80.8% (95% CI: 76.7-84.9). The prevalence of CT and NG was low (CT = 1.7%, 95% CI: 0.3-3.0); (NG = 1.9%, 95% CI: 0.5-3.4), with a much higher prevalence of TV (TV = 19.3%, 95% CI: 15.2-23.4). Prevalence of CT, NG, and TV was appreciably reduced 1 month after PPT but rose to pretreatment levels at the 2- and 3-month visits. The rate of moderate or severe side effects after PPT was low, but it was higher in the women who received ciprofloxacin in addition to azithromycin and metronidazole (P = 0.007).

Conclusion: It was feasible to access women who reported exchanging money or gifts for sex in rural communities, although many of these women engaged in sex work only infrequently. The prevalence of bacterial STIs was low, suggesting that PPT may not be an appropriate intervention in this setting. Rapid reinfection after PPT suggests that this needs to be given at monthly intervals to reduce prevalence of STIs.

HIV-status and healthcare needs of primary caregivers of HIV-infected children in the ARROW (AntiRetroviral Research for Watoto) trial in Zimbabwe

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 05:00 GMT

Document Type: Poster
Creator: Mudzingwa, S.; Sengayi, M.; Bwakura-Dangarembizi, M.; Mandidewa, R.; Dzapasi, R.; Marozva, C.; Katanda, C.; Nyoni, D.; Chipiti, M.; Muchabaiwa, D.; Maturure, J.; Mapinge, F.; Kibenge, R.; Musinguzi Bwango, M.; Asello, J.; Naidoo, B.; Nathoo, K.J.

Production Year: 2009

Citation: Mudzingwa, S.; Sengayi, M.; Bwakura-Dangarembizi, M.; Mandidewa, R.; Dzapasi, R.; Marozva, C.; Katanda, C.; Nyoni, D.; Chipiti, M.; Muchabaiwa, D.; Maturure, J.; Mapinge, F.; Kibenge, R.; Musinguzi Bwango, M.; Asello, J.; Naidoo, B.; Nathoo, K.J. HIV-status and healthcare needs of primary caregivers of HIV-infected children in the ARROW (AntiRetroviral Research for Watoto) trial in Zimbabwe. Presented at 5th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention, 19-22 July 2009, Cape Town, South Africa. (2009) 1 pp.

Summary: The HIV-status and healthcare needs of primary caregivers of HIV-infected children in the ARROW (AntiRetroviral Research for Watoto) trial in Zimbabwe was assessed using questionnaires. A total of 400 children were enrolled to ARROW in Zimbabwe. The results showed that the majority of primary caregivers of children at enrolment in the ARROW trial in Zimbabwe are biological parents who are HIV positive and have access to ART. Other primary caregivers were less likely to know their HIV status. The carers who are not the biological parents of the children have remained reluctant to get tested whilst older caregivers did not always see the need to be tested at their age. There is a need to establish a family-centred approach to HIV care in order to meet the healthcare needs of caregivers and improve long-term survival of the children in their care.

Integrating indigenous and exogenous communication channels and capabilities through community-based armyworm forecasting

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 08:45 GMT

Document Type: Journal Article
Creator: Negussie, E.; Musebe, R.; Day, R.; Romney, D.; Kimani, M.; Maulana, T.; Mallya, G.

Production Year: 2010

Citation: Negussie, E.; Musebe, R.; Day, R.; Romney, D.; Kimani, M.; Maulana, T.; Mallya, G. Integrating indigenous and exogenous communication channels and capabilities through community-based armyworm forecasting. African Crop Science Journal (2010) 18 (35) 115-125.

Summary: Many development interventions have failed to generate the desired impact among African resource-poor farmers for reasons including the centralised and top-down approach, lack of active community participation, and overreliance on external information and technology delivery strategies and channels. The migrant African armyworm, Spodoptera exempta, is among the major challenges threatening livelihoods of millions of farmers in East and Southern Africa. Outbreaks occur suddenly and can devastate crops and pasture. National and regional forecasting services have been operational since the 1960s to provide warning of potential outbreaks. This system relies on information from armyworm moth traps usually operated at district level. These centralised services have a number of difficulties and limitations which include: delays in communicating trap catch data to the forecaster; forecasts are not village specific; forecasts do not reach many farmers; lack of responsibility and local ownership of traps. An innovative approach called community-based armyworm forecasting (CBAF) was developed as a response to these limitations. The new approach has been piloted and tested in several East African countries and found to be effective. CBAF establishes a system that allows each village to have its own traps and trained forecasters who collect and interpret data, and provide village specific forecasts. A recent project on CBAF piloted the approach in 10, 5 and 39 villages of Malawi, Zimbabwe and Tanzania, respectively, in the 1st year, and in a further 25 and 38 villages of Malawi and Tanzania in the 2nd year. Discussion with stakeholders, field observations and assessments conducted by the authors indicate that the initiative has generated a number of benefits. It built local capacity, and because of the location specific early warning it enabled farmers to combat the pest more effectively. It was noticed by the authors that local communication channels and folk media play an important role in CBAF, complementing and enhancing the effectiveness of exogenous channels. This paper discusses how CBAF makes effective use of different communication channels and capabilities, and highlights preliminary results.

Tablets are more acceptable and give fewer problems than syrups among young HIV-infected children in resource-limited settings in the ARROW trial.

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 08:40 GMT

Document Type: Poster
Creator: Ntege, P.N.; Dangarembizi, M.F.B.; Byaruhanga, J.; Cook, A.; Bakeera-Kitaka, S.; Keishanyu, R.; Mudzingwa, S.; Nabulime, G.; Kekitiinwa, A.; Spyer, M.; Nankya, F.; Nathoo, K.; Tezikyabbiri, J.; Kasirye, P.; Gibb, D.M.

Production Year: 2011

Citation: Ntege, P.N.; Dangarembizi, M.F.B.; Byaruhanga, J.; Cook, A.; Bakeera-Kitaka, S.; Keishanyu, R.; Mudzingwa, S.; Nabulime, G.; Kekitiinwa, A.; Spyer, M.; Nankya, F.; Nathoo, K.; Tezikyabbiri, J.; Kasirye, P.; Gibb, D.M. Tablets are more acceptable and give fewer problems than syrups among young HIV-infected children in resource-limited settings in the ARROW trial. Presented at 2nd International Workshop on HIV Paediatrics, 16 – 17 July 2010 and XVIII International AIDS Conference, 18 – 23 July 2010, Vienna, Austria. (2011) 1 pp.

Summary:

The provision of anti-retrovirals (ARVs) for children is complicated by syrup formulations which in comparison to tablets are: more expensive, harder to transport, harder to store, more difficult for carers to administer, additional problems with syrups include palatability and large volumes, which increase with age, as well as the lack of fixed dose combinations so each agent must be administered separately. Provided correct doses can be given, tablets are often more appropriate for children in resource-limited settings. We studied the acceptability of syrup and scored tablet ARVs dosed according to WHO weight bands among children substituting syrups with tablets. ARROW is an on-going randomised trial of paediatric ARV monitoring and treatment strategies.1207 children aged 3 months to 17 years enrolled in Uganda/Zimbabwe during 2007/08. At enrolment 34%(406/1207) children received syrups of individual drugs (NNRTI + 2 or 3 of ZDV, ABC, 3TC). Of those starting syrups, 58% (236/406) children substituted scored tablets based on WHO weight band dosing tables between May 2008 and December 2009. This was encouraged for children around 3 years of age (according to WHO tables). At time of substitution, baseline questionnaires were administered to carers to elicit their experience with syrups and expectations of tablets. Eight weeks later, follow-up questionnaires asked for their experience with tablets. A total of 79% (186/236) of questionnaires from children changing formulation were analysed: 17 children on tablets less than 8 weeks were excluded; 15 and 18 questionnaires were not completed at baseline or at follow-up respectively. Median age of children at the time of change in formulation was 2.9 years (IQR 2.4, 3.4). At baseline, 77% (144/186) carers reported problems while using syrups, because of the number and weight of bottles of liquid and bottles of liquid being difficult to transport.

Equity matters: Policy-makers need to improve sanitation for the poorest in developing countries

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 08:03 GMT

Document Type: Audio

Production Year: 2012

Citation: Anon. Equity matters: Policy-makers need to improve sanitation for the poorest in developing countries. (2012) Podcast, 20 min 04 sec

Summary: A new SHARE study based on research from 10 countries shows how the poorest suffer disproportionately from their lack of access to sanitation. In this podcsat, Dr Rick Rheingans – the lead author of the report and the Impact Director of SHARE – explains the increased risk of illness and death faced by children from poor families. He suggests policy-makers should focus their efforts on community-level exposure to contaminated waste and should targeting the poorest and most vulnerable, especially the urban poor. The Associate Professor from the University of Florida also describes his research on water, sanitation and hygiene in schools in Kenya

Exploring inequities in sanitation-related disease burden and estimating the potential impacts of pro-poor targeting

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 07:48 GMT

Document Type: Briefing
Creator: Rheingans, R.; Cumming, O.; Anderson, J.; Showalter, J.

Production Year: 2012

Citation: Rheingans, R.; Cumming, O.; Anderson, J.; Showalter, J. Exploring inequities in sanitation-related disease burden and estimating the potential impacts of pro-poor targeting. (2012) 4 pp.

Summary: New research shows the poorest are suffering the most from inadequate sanitation as they are more exposed to human waste and are more susceptible to disease. The findings from the study have far-reaching implications for the better targeting of future sanitation investments, and are summarised in this four-page Policy Briefing.