Browsing by Author "Chiwaridzo, Matthew"

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    A critical evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions for improving the well-being of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review protocol
    (BioMed Central, 2016-07-13) Dambi, Jermaine M; Jelsma, Jennifer; Mlambo, Tecla; Chiwaridzo, Matthew; Tadyanemhandu, Cathrine; Chikwanha, Mildred T; Corten, Lieselotte
    Background: Over the years, family-centered care has evolved as the “gold standard” model for the provision of healthcare services. With the advent of family-centered approach to care comes the inherent need to provide support services to caregivers in addition to meeting the functional needs of children with physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy (CP). Provision of care for a child with CP is invariably associated with poor health outcomes in caregivers. As such, there has been a surge in the development and implementation of interventions for improving the health and well-being of these caregivers. However, there is a paucity of the collective, empirical evidence of the efficacy of these interventions. Therefore, the broad objective of this review is to systematically review the literature on the effectiveness of interventions designed to improve caregivers’ well-being. Methods/design: This is a systematic review for the evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions designed to improve caregivers’ well-being. Two independent, blinded, reviewers will search articles on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, Psych Info, and Africa-Wide Information using a predefined criterion. Thereafter, three independent reviewers will screen the retrieved articles. The methodological quality of studies meeting the selection criterion will be evaluated using the Briggs Institute checklists. Afterwards, two independent researchers will then apply a preset data-extraction form to collect data. We will perform a narrative data analysis of the final sample of studies included for the review. Discussion: The proposed systematic review will provide the empirical evidence of the efficacy of interventions for improving the well-being of caregivers of children with physical disabilities. This is important given the great need for evidenced-based care and the greater need to improve the health and well-being of caregivers. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42016033975.
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    A structural equation modelling of the buffering effect of social support on the report of common mental disorders in Zimbabwean women in the postnatal period
    (BioMed Central, 2019-02-28) Kaseke, Tanaka; January, James; Tadyanemhandu, Catherine; Chiwaridzo, Matthew; Dambi, Jermaine M
    Objective Globally, 13–20% of women experience a common mental disorder (CMD) postnatally. Unfortunately, the burden of CMDs is disproportionally substantial in women from low-income countries. Nevertheless, there is a growing recognition of the buffering effect of social support (SS) on psychiatric morbidity and the need for mental well-being support services/interventions. This study evaluated the relationship between psychiatric morbidity and SS levels, and factors influencing the mental health functioning of Zimbabwean women postnatally. Data were collected from 340 mothers and were analysed through structural equation modelling. Results The mothers’ mean age was 26.6 (SD 5.6) years. The mean Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support score was 42.7 (SD 10.8), denoting high levels of SS. Additionally, 29.1% of the population reported excessive psychiatric morbidity, the median Shona Symptoms Questionnaire score was 5 (IQR: 2–8). The structural equation model demonstrated the buffering effects of SS on psychiatric morbidity (r = − 0.585, p = 0.01), and accounted for 70% of the variance. Being unmarried, increased maternal age, lower educational and income levels were associated with poorer maternal mental health. There is a need for routine; surveillance and treatment of CMDs in women in the postnatal period, including integration of low-cost, evidenced-based and task-shifting SS interventions.
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    A systematic review investigating measurement properties of physiological tests in rugby
    (BioMed Central, 2017-12-28) Chiwaridzo, Matthew; Oorschot, Sander; Dambi, Jermaine M; Ferguson, Gillian D; Bonney, Emmanuel; Mudawarima, Tapfuma; Tadyanemhandu, Cathrine; Smits-Engelsman, Bouwien C M
    Background: This systematic review was conducted with the first objective aimed at providing an overview of the physiological characteristics commonly evaluated in rugby and the corresponding tests used to measure each construct. Secondly, the measurement properties of all identified tests per physiological construct were evaluated with the ultimate purpose of identifying tests with strongest level of evidence per construct. Methods: The review was conducted in two stages. In all stages, electronic databases of EBSCOhost, Medline and Scopus were searched for full-text articles. Stage 1 included studies examining physiological characteristics in rugby. Stage 2 included studies evaluating measurement properties of all tests identified in Stage 1 either in rugby or related sports such as Australian Rules football and Soccer. Two independent reviewers screened relevant articles from titles and abstracts for both stages. Results: Seventy studies met the inclusion criteria for Stage 1. The studies described 63 tests assessing speed (8), agility/change of direction speed (7), upper-body muscular endurance (8), upper-body muscular power (6), upperbody muscular strength (5), anaerobic endurance (4), maximal aerobic power (4), lower-body muscular power (3), prolonged high-intensity intermittent running ability/endurance (5), lower-body muscular strength (5), repeated high-intensity exercise performance (3), repeated-sprint ability (2), repeated-effort ability (1), maximal aerobic speed (1) and abdominal endurance (1). Stage 2 identified 20 studies describing measurement properties of 21 different tests. Only moderate evidence was found for the reliability of the 30–15 Intermittent Fitness. There was limited evidence found for the reliability and/or validity of 5 m, 10 m, 20 m speed tests, 505 test, modified 505 test, L run test, Sergeant Jump test and bench press repetitions-to-fatigue tests. There was no information from high-quality studies on the measurement properties of all the other tests identified in stage 1. Conclusion: A number of physiological characteristics are evaluated in rugby. Each physiological construct has multiple tests for measurement. However, there is paucity of information on measurement properties from high-quality studies for the tests. This raises questions about the usefulness and applicability of these tests in rugby and creates a need for high-quality future studies evaluating measurement properties of these physiological tests. Trial registrations: PROSPERO CRD 42015029747.
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    A systematic review of the psychometric properties of the cross-cultural translations and adaptations of the Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MSPSS)
    (BioMed Central, 2018-05-02) Dambi, Jermaine M; Corten, Lieselotte; Chiwaridzo, Matthew; Jack, Helen; Mlambo, Tecla; Jelsma, Jennifer
    Background Social support (SS) has been identified as an essential buffer to stressful life events. Consequently, there has been a surge in the evaluation of SS as a wellbeing indicator. The Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MSPSS) has evolved as one of the most extensively translated and validated social support outcome measures. Due to linguistic and cultural differences, there is need to test the psychometrics of the adapted versions. However, there is a paucity of systematic evidence of the psychometrics of adapted and translated versions of the MSPSS across settings. Objectives To understand the psychometric properties of the MSPSS for non-English speaking populations by conducting a systematic review of studies that examine the psychometric properties of non-English versions of the MSPSS. Methods We searched Africa-Wide Information, CINAHL, Medline and PsycINFO, for articles published in English on the translation and or validation of the MSPSS. Methodological quality and quality of psychometric properties of the retrieved translations were assessed using the COSMIN checklist and a validated quality assessment criterion, respectively. The two assessments were combined to produce the best level of evidence per language/translation. Results Seventy articles evaluating the MSPSS in 22 languages were retrieved. Most translations [16/22] were not rigorously translated (only solitary backward-forward translations were performed, reconciliation was poorly described, or were not pretested). There was poor evidence for structural validity, as confirmatory factor analysis was performed in only nine studies. Internal consistency was reported in all studies. Most attained a Cronbach’s alpha of at least 0.70 against a backdrop of fair methodological quality. There was poor evidence for construct validity. Conclusion There is limited evidence supporting the psychometric robustness of the translated versions of the MSPSS, and given the variability, the individual psychometrics of a translation must be considered prior to use. Responsiveness, measurement error and cut-off values should also be assessed to increase the clinical utility and psychometric robustness of the translated versions of the MSPSS. Trial registration PROSPERO-CRD42016052394.
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    A systematic review protocol on the effectiveness of therapeutic exercises utilised by physiotherapists to improve function in patients with burns
    (BioMed Central, 2017-10-23) Mudawarima, Tapfuma; Chiwaridzo, Matthew; Jelsma, Jennifer; Grimmer, Karen; Muchemwa, Faith C
    Background: Therapeutic exercises play a crucial role in the management of burn injuries. The broad objective of this review is to systematically evaluate the effectiveness, safety and applicability to low-income countries of therapeutic exercises utilised by physiotherapists to improve function in patients with burns. Population = adults and children/adolescents with burns of any aspect of their bodies. Interventions = any aerobic and/or strength exercises delivered as part of a rehabilitation programme by anyone (e.g. physiotherapists, occupational therapists, nurses, doctors, community workers and patients themselves). Comparators = any comparator. Outcomes = any measure of outcome (e.g. quality of life, pain, muscle strength, range of movement, fear or quality of movement). Settings = any setting in any country. Methods/design: A systematic review will be conducted by two blinded independent reviewers who will search articles on PubMed, CiNAHL, Cochrane library, Medline, Pedro, OTseeker, EMBASE, PsychINFO and EBSCOhost using predefined criteria. Studies of human participants of any age suffering from burns will be eligible, and there will be no restrictions on total body surface area. Only randomised controlled trials will be considered for this review, and the methodological quality of studies meeting the selection criteria will be evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration tool for assessing risk of bias. The PRISMA reporting standards will be used to write the review. A narrative analysis of the findings will be done, but if pooling is possible, meta-analysis will be considered. Discussion: Burns may have a long-lasting impact on both psychological and physical functioning and thus it is important to identify and evaluate the effects of current and past aerobic and strength exercises on patients with burns. By identifying the characteristics of effective exercise programmes, guidelines can be suggested for developing intervention programmes aimed at improving the function of patients with burns. The safety and precautions of exercise regimes and the optimal frequency, duration, time and intensity will also be examined to inform further intervention. Systematic review registration. PROSPERO CDR42016048370.
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    Anthropometric, physiological characteristics and rugby-specific game skills of schoolboy players of different age categories and playing standards
    (2020-02-10) Chiwaridzo, Matthew; Ferguson, Gillian D; Smits-Engelsman, Bouwien C M
    Abstract Background Rugby is increasingly gaining popularity among school-aged male junior players in countries hardly known for dominating international rugby, such as Zimbabwe. Given rugby combativeness, participating adolescents should possess qualities or skills commensurate with the physical demands of the sport for effective participation. This study investigated the independent and interactive effects of age category and playing standard on anthropometric, physiological characteristics and rugby-specific game skills among Zimbabwean athletes. Methods Two hundred and eight elite, sub-elite and non-rugby players competing at Under 16 and Under 19 age categories were assessed using the School Clinical Rugby Measure (SCRuM) test battery. Participants underwent height, sitting height, mass, skinfolds, speed, agility, upper-and-lower muscular strength and power, prolonged high-intensity intermittent running ability, tackling, passing and catching assessments in a cross-sectional experimental design. Results Age categories had significant main effect on all SCRuM test items except sum of seven skinfolds (p = 0.45, η2p = 0.003). Playing standard had significant main effects for all variables except height (p = 0.40, η2p = 0.01) and sum of seven skinfolds (p = 0.11, η2p = 0.02). Specifically, upper-and-lower muscular strength and power, prolonged high-intensity intermittent running ability, tackling, passing and catching improved with increasing playing standards. However, two-way analysis of variance only demonstrated significant interactions between the effects of age category and playing standards for vertical jump height (VJ) test, 2-kg medicine ball chest throw (2-kg MBCT) test, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (Yo-Yo IRT L1), and tackling and catching tests. Yo-Yo IRT L1, VJ, tackling and catching tests demonstrated greater discriminative ability among Under 16 s, whereas the 2-kg MBCT test showed better ability in Under 19 s. Conclusion All SCRuM variables except skinfolds improved with age, highlighting relative sensitivity in differentiating older from younger athletes. However, the discriminative ability by playing standards for VJ, 2-kg MBCT, Yo-Yo IRT L1, tackling and catching ability tests was age-dependent. These findings informs on general attribute development in junior rugby players with age and on specific players attributes in need of monitoring for attainment of elite status at U16 or U19 level.
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    Are parents and adolescents in agreement on reporting of recurrent non-specific low back pain in adolescents? A cross-sectional descriptive study
    (BioMed Central, 2015-12-08) Chiwaridzo, Matthew; Naidoo, Nirmala
    Background: Non-specific low back pain is a prevalent symptom in adolescents and is recurrent in some instances. Recent studies have highlighted the marked impact the condition has on daily life of adolescents. However, it is unclear if parents of adolescents reporting recurrent non-specific low back pain know about their child’s status. The purpose of the study was to determine the level of agreement between adolescents and their parents in reporting recurrent non-specific low back pain in Harare, Zimbabwe. Methods: This cross-sectional study formed part of a large study carried out to ascertain the prevalence of non-specific low back pain in Zimbabwean adolescents. Six hundred and twenty (n = 620) Medical Health Questionnaires were sent to parents. School-children with returned questionnaires and informed consents signed were subsequently eligible to participate. A reliable and validated low back pain study questionnaire was administered to 544 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19 years randomly selected from government-administered schools. The questionnaire sought to determine adolescents with recurrent NSLBP. The Kappa statistic (k) was used to analyse agreement between adolescents and parental reports on recurrent NSLBP status. Results: Parental and school-children response rates were acceptable (90.3 and 97.8 %, respectively). The prevalence of recurrent NSLBP was 28.8 % [95 % Confidence Interval, CI = 26.0–31.6]. Both sexes were equally affected [χ 2 (1) =0.19, p = 0.67]. The prevalence increased with age in both sexes [χ 2trend =90.9, p < 0.001]. Parental reports agreed in 16.3 and 98.7 % for the adolescents with and without recurrent NSLBP respectively. The value of kappa (k) was 0.20 [SE = 0.04; 95 % CI, 0.13–0.27] with a prevalence index and bias index of −0.65 and 0.23, respectively. These results suggest poor strength of the agreement. Conclusions: Recurrent non-specific low back pain is relatively common among Zimbabwean adolescents. Most of the parents of school-children with recurrent non-specific low back pain are unaware of the low back pain status of their children. Although this does not dismiss the relevance of non-specific low back pain reported during adolescence, these findings create a need to involve parents in awareness or preventive initiatives against low back pain in schools.
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    Content validity and test-retest reliability of a low back pain questionnaire in Zimbabwean adolescents
    (BioMed Central, 2017-02-28) Chiwaridzo, Matthew; Chikasha, Tafadzwa Nicole; Naidoo, Nirmala; Dambi, Jermaine Matewu; Tadyanemhandu, Cathrine; Munambah, Nyaradzai; Chizanga, Precious Trish
    Background: In Zimbabwe, a recent increase in the volume of research on recurrent non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) has revealed that adolescents are commonly affected. This is alarming to health professionals and parents and calls for serious primary preventative strategies to be developed and implemented forthwith. Early identification initiatives should be prioritised in order to curtail the condition and its progression. In an attempt to be proactive in minimising the prevalence of recurrent NSLBP, this study was conducted to evaluate the content validity and test-retest reliability of a survey questionnaire with the aim of proffering a valid and reliable questionnaire which can be used in non-clinical settings to identify adolescents with recurrent NSLBP in Harare, Zimbabwe and determine the possible factors associated with the condition. Methods: The study was conducted in two parts. The first part assessed content validity of the questionnaire using four experts derived from academia and clinical practice. The second part evaluated the reliability of the questionnaire among 125 high school-children aged between 13 and 19 years in a test-retest study. Results: Twenty-six (26) out of thirty questions in the questionnaire had an Item Content Validity index of 1.00, demonstrating complete agreement among content experts. Overall, the Scale Content Validity Index for the questionnaire was 0.97. Item completion for the reliability study was satisfactory. The questionnaire items had kappa values ranging from 0.17 (slight agreement) to 1 (perfect agreement). High levels of reliability were found for the questions on school bag use (k=0.94), sports participation (k=0.97), and lifetime prevalence (k=0.89). Conclusion: Excellent content validity and slight to perfect test-retest reliability was found for the Low Back Pain (LBP) questionnaire. These results are comparable to findings of other studies evaluating the psychometric properties of LBP questionnaires. Cognisant of the limitations of the study, the results of this study suggest that the LBP questionnaire could be used in local studies investigating LBP among adolescents although questions enquiring on functional limitations and sciatica may need further consideration.
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    Development and validation of the School Clinical Rugby Measure (SCRuM) test battery: understanding the qualities or skills defining good male adolescent rugby union players
    (2020) Chiwaridzo, Matthew; Ferguson, Gillian D; Smits-Engelsman, Bouwien CM
    Background: Globally, the number of schoolboy adolescents playing highly competitive rugby is increasing even in countries such as Zimbabwe hardly known for dominating international rugby events. Given the increased participation rates, burgeoning talent identification and recruitment programs and the reportedly high injury risk associated with competitive youth rugby in Zimbabwe and globally, the minimal qualities or skills defining good male adolescent rugby players need further clarification. This study assembled a testing battery and compared the anthropometric variables, physiological characteristics and rugby-specific game skills of Zimbabwean schoolboys to identify qualities and/or skills discriminating elite from sub-elite male adolescent rugby players and non-rugby players within and between Under 16 (U16) and U19 age categories. Methods: This study was structured in three phases. Phase I developed the School Clinical Rugby Measure (SCRuM) test battery based on amalgamated information derived from narrative literature review, qualitative study and two systematic reviews. Using mixed methods sequential explanatory study designs, Phase II refined the test battery through the evaluation of face and logical validity using key informants (n=5) and rugby experts (n=20), respectively. Subsequently, rugby coaches (n=30) assessed the practical feasibility of implementing each SCRuM test item in the local context considering test equipment, procedural and acceptability issues. Phase III evaluated the test-retest reliability of each SCRuM test item among a sample of elite U16s (n=41) and U19s (n=41). The final study in Phase III compared cross-sectional test performances of 208 athletes from different playing standards and age category to identify SCRuM test items discriminating (i) older (U19) players from younger (U16) players regardless of playing standards, and (ii) elite from both sub-elite and nonrugby players regardless of age. Results: Phase I produced the first version of the SCRuM test battery with 23 variables. Phase II reduced the constituent components to 15 variables. The test-retest reliability study showed high intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC>0.70) for all SCRuM test items except for the 5-m, 10-m speed tests and passing-for-accuracy test. Age category had a significant main effect on all SCRuM test items except for sum of seven skinfolds (p=0.45, η2 p=0.003). Playing standard had a significant main effect ii on all variables except for height (p=0.40, η2 p=0.01) and sum of seven skinfolds (p=0.11, η2 p =0.02). Upper-and-lower body muscular strength and power, prolonged high-intensity intermittent running ability, repeated high-intensity exercise performance ability, tackling, passing and catching significantly improved with increasing playing standards. However, the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1 test, vertical jump test, tackling proficiency test and running-and-catching ability skills test demonstrated greater discriminative ability across playing standards among U16s. The 40-m speed test, 2-kg medicine ball chest throw test, repeated high-intensity exercise test, one-repetition maximum bench press and back squat tests, and passing ability skills test showed better discriminative validity for differentiating U19s by playing standards. Conclusion: Irrespective of playing standard and consistent with previous studies, all SCRuM test items significantly increased with age except for skinfolds measures. These results highlight the sensitivity of component SCRuM test items in discriminating younger (U16s) from older (U19s) athletes. U16 coaches should consider these differences when designing training interventions to assist with the development of prospective U19 players. However, prolonged high-intensity intermittent running ability, lower-body muscular power, tackling proficiency and running-andcatching ability demonstrated greater discriminative ability among U16s only, indicating a possible link to higher playing standards for that age category. Upper-body muscular power, upper-and-lowerbody muscular strength, 40-m sprinting ability, repeated high-intensity exercise performance ability, and passing ability significantly improved with playing standards among U19s, highlighting the physiological characteristics and game skills capable of differentiating elite male adolescent rugby players from both sub-elite or non-rugby players at that age category. Collectively, these findings provide insight to the high school rugby coaches into the qualities and skills contextually relevant for training for the attainment of higher playing standards in schoolboy rugby at distinct age categories.
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    Differences in personal and lifestyle characteristics among Zimbabwean high school adolescents with and without recurrent non-specific low back pain: a two part cross-sectional study
    (2015-12-01) Chiwaridzo, Matthew; Naidoo, Nirmala
    Background: Recurrent non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) is increasingly becoming common among adolescents worldwide. A recent study in Zimbabwe showed a relatively high prevalence (28.8 %) among high school students. Influential associated factors, however, remain unclear. This is a significant shortcoming. The aim was to determine personal or lifestyle-related factors associated with recurrent NSLBP among high school adolescents in Harare, Zimbabwe. Methods: This study was part of a large epidemiological study conducted in two continuous parts. Part one sought to determine self-reported associated factors among 532 participants (mean age =16 ± 1.72 years) drawn randomly from selected government schools using a reliable and content-validated questionnaire (Kappa coefficient, k = 0.32–1). Part two purposively identified adolescents (N = 64, median age =17 years, interquartile range, IQR = 15–18 years) with a history of ‘severe’ recurrent NSLBP from part one based on a specific eligibility criteria and compared body mass index, relative school bag weight and hamstring flexibility with matched adolescents without NSLBP. Data was analysed using Statistica version 11. Independent t-tests or χ 2 tests of association were used for continuous and categorical data, respectively. The statistical significance was set at p < .05. Results: Recurrent NSLBP was associated with self-reported factors such as perceptions of a heavy school bag [χ 2 (1) = 85.9, p < 0.001]. A significant proportion of adolescents with recurrent NSLBP spent over 30 min carrying the school bag to and from school [χ 2 (1) =32.2, p < 0.001]. It was also associated with prolonged sitting (p < 0.001), not playing sports [χ 2 (1) =5.85, p = 0.02] and tight hamstrings [χ 2 (1) =7.6, p = 0.006]. Conclusions: Although conclusions from this study are hesitant because of the cross-sectional nature of the study and the relatively small sample size in follow-up study, recurrent NSLBP is associated with perceptions of a heavy school bag, duration of school bag carriage, no sports participation, prolonged sitting on entertainment activities, and tight hamstrings. These findings add to the importance of promoting physical activity at school or home especially aimed at improving muscle flexibility.
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    An evaluation of psychometric properties of caregiver burden outcome measures used in caregivers of children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review protocol
    (BioMed Central, 2016-03-09) Dambi, Jermaine M; Jelsma, Jennifer; Mlambo, Tecla; Chiwaridzo, Matthew; Dangarembizi-Munambah, Nyaradzai; Corten, Lieselotte
    Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common, life-long paediatric disability. Taking care of a child with CP often results in caregiver burden/strain in the long run. As caregivers play an essential role in the rehabilitation of these children, it is therefore important to routinely screen for health outcomes in informal caregivers. Consequently, a plethora of caregiver burden outcome measures have been developed; however, there is a dearth of evidence of the most psychometrically sound tools. Therefore, the broad objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the psychometrical properties and clinical utility of tools used to measure caregiver burden in caregivers of children with CP. Methods/design: This is a systematic review for the evaluation of the psychometric properties of caregiver burden outcome tools. Two independent and blinded reviewers will search articles on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsychINFO and Africa-Wide Google Scholar. Information will be analysed using predefined criteria. Thereafter, three independent reviewers will then screen the retrieved articles. The methodological quality of studies on the development and validation of the identified tools will be evaluated using the four point COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist. Finally, the psychometric properties of the tools which were developed and validated from methodological sound studies will then be analysed using predefined criteria. Discussion: The proposed systematic review will give an extensive review of the psychometrical properties of tools used to measure caregiver burden in caregivers of children with CP. We hope to identify tools that can be used to accurately screen for caregiver burden both in clinical setting and for research purposes.
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    Prevalence and individual risk factors associated with non-specific low back pain among secondary school adolescents in Harare, Zimbabwe
    (2013) Chiwaridzo, Matthew; Naidoo, Nirmala
    Traditionally, non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) has been described as an important public health issue among adults but a rare phenomenon in the young. However, recent epidemiological studies have provided evidence that NSLBP affects all age groups. In adolescents, the literature has shown that the prevalence has increased tremendously during the past two decades. The reasons for this remain unclear. In addition, there is substantial evidence to suggest some adolescents will experience severe episodes of recurrent NSLBP associated with adverse consequences such as long-term chronicity into adulthood, reduced health-related quality of life, and school absenteeism. In-spite of such evidence, no studies have been conducted in Zimbabwe to investigate the subjective presence of NSLBP symptoms among school-aged adolescents and to screen adolescents in schools affected by the condition in an attempt to identify the associated risk factors. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence (lifetime and point) and the one-year prevalence of recurrent NSLBP. In addition, the study aimed at identifying the individual risk factors associated with the report of recurrent NSLBP. A further aim was to compare the health-related quality of life between adolescents with recurrent NSLBP and those without.
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    Profiling the mental health of diabetic patients: a cross-sectional survey of Zimbabwean patients
    (BioMed Central, 2018-10-29) Nyoni, Alima M; Chiwaridzo, Matthew; Tadyanemhandu, Catherine; January, James; Dambi, Jermaine M
    Objective The burden of diabetes mellitus has exponentially increased in low resource settings. Patients with diabetes are more likely to exhibit poor mental health which negatively affects treatment outcomes. However, patients with high levels of social support (SS) are likely to report optimal mental health. We sought to determine how SS affects the report of psychiatric morbidity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in 108 diabetic patients in Harare, Zimbabwe. Results The average age of participants was 54.1 (SD 18.6) years. Most of the participants were; females (69.4%), married (51.9%), and were of low level of income (43.5%). 37.1% of the participants exhibited signs of psychiatric morbidity [mean Shona Symptoms Questionnaire score—6.7 (SD 3.2)]. Further, patients also reported lower HRQoL [mean EQ-5D-VAS score—64.1 (SD 15.3)] and high levels of SS [mean Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support score—43.7 (SD 11.5)]. Patients who received greater amount of SS had optimal mental health. Being female, unmarried, lower education attainment, having more comorbid conditions, being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and having been diagnosed of diabetes for a longer duration were associated with poorer mental health. It is important to develop context-specific interventions to improve diabetic patients’ mental health.
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    The impact of social support on the health-related quality of life of adult patients with tuberculosis in Harare, Zimbabwe: a cross-sectional survey
    (BioMed Central, 2018-11-06) Zarova, Calvin; Chiwaridzo, Matthew; Tadyanemhandu, Catherine; Machando, Debra; Dambi, Jermaine M
    Objective Tuberculosis (TB) is the second prime cause of mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa and remains a major worldwide public health problem. Unfortunately, patients with TB are at risk of poor mental health. However, patients who receive an adequate amount of social support are likely to have improved health outcomes. The study was done to establish how social support influences the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with TB in Harare, Zimbabwe. Data were collected from 332 TB patients and were analysed through structural equation modelling. Results The mean age of the participants was 40.1 (SD 12.5) years and most were; males (53%), married (57.8%), educated (97.3%), unemployed (40.7%), stayed with family (74.4%), and reported of less than average levels of income (51.5%). Patients received the most significant amount of social support from the family. Patients also presented with lower HRQoL as they considerably reported of pain, anxiety and depression. The final model accounted for 68.8% of the variance. Despite methodological limitations, the study findings suggest that social support optimises patients’ HRQoL. Based on the patients’ responses, it was noted that patients presented with lower mental health, therefore, there is a need to develop and implement patient wellness interventions.