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Marambire ET, Chingono RMS, Calderwood CJ, Larsson L, Sibanda S, Kavenga F, Nzvere FP, Olaru ID, Simms V, McHugh G, Bandason T, Redzo N, Gregson CL, Maunganidze AJV, Pasi C, Chiwanga M, Chonzi P, Ndhlovu CE, Mujuru H, Rusakaniko S, Ferrand RA, Kranzer K. Evaluation of a comprehensive health check offered to frontline health workers in Zimbabwe. PLOS Glob Public Health 2024; 4:e0002328. [PMID: 38190397 PMCID: PMC10773946 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Health workers are essential for a functioning healthcare system, and their own health is often not addressed. During the COVID-19 pandemic health workers were at high risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection whilst coping with increased healthcare demand. Here we report the development, implementation, and uptake of an integrated health check combining SARS-CoV-2 testing with screening for other communicable and non-communicable diseases for health workers in Zimbabwe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Health checks were offered to health workers in public and private health facilities from July 2020 to June 2022. Data on the number of health workers accessing the service and yield of screening was collected. Workshops and in-depth interviews were conducted to explore the perceptions and experiences of clients and service providers. 6598 health workers across 48 health facilities accessed the service. Among those reached, 5215 (79%) were women, the median age was 37 (IQR: 29-44) years and the largest proportion were nurses (n = 2092, 32%). 149 (2.3%) healthcare workers tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Uptake of screening services was almost 100% for all screened conditions except HIV. The most common conditions detected through screening were elevated blood pressure (n = 1249; 19%), elevated HbA1c (n = 428; 7.7%) and common mental disorder (n = 645; 9.8%). Process evaluation showed high acceptability of the service. Key enablers for health workers accessing the service included free and comprehensive service provision, and availability of reliable point-of-care screening methods. Implementation of a comprehensive health check for health workers was feasible, acceptable, and effective, even during a pandemic. Conventional occupational health programmes focus on infectious diseases. In a society where even health workers cannot afford health care, free comprehensive occupational health services may address unmet needs in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for chronic non-communicable conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edson T. Marambire
- The Health Research Unit Zimbabwe, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- CIH Center for International Health, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical Center of the University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rudo M. S. Chingono
- The Health Research Unit Zimbabwe, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Claire J. Calderwood
- The Health Research Unit Zimbabwe, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Leyla Larsson
- The Health Research Unit Zimbabwe, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical Center of the University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sibusisiwe Sibanda
- The Health Research Unit Zimbabwe, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Fungai Kavenga
- The Health Research Unit Zimbabwe, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- National TB Programme, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Farirai P. Nzvere
- The Health Research Unit Zimbabwe, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ioana D. Olaru
- The Health Research Unit Zimbabwe, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Victoria Simms
- The Health Research Unit Zimbabwe, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Grace McHugh
- The Health Research Unit Zimbabwe, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Tsitsi Bandason
- The Health Research Unit Zimbabwe, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Nicol Redzo
- The Health Research Unit Zimbabwe, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Celia L. Gregson
- The Health Research Unit Zimbabwe, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Global Health and Ageing, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | - Chiratidzo E. Ndhlovu
- Internal Medicine Unit, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Hilda Mujuru
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Simbarashe Rusakaniko
- Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Rashida A. Ferrand
- The Health Research Unit Zimbabwe, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Katharina Kranzer
- The Health Research Unit Zimbabwe, Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical Center of the University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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Chingono RMS, Nzvere FP, Marambire ET, Makwembere M, Mhembere N, Herbert T, Maunganidze AJV, Pasi C, Chiwanga M, Chonzi P, Ndhlovu CE, Mujuru H, Rusakaniko S, Olaru ID, Ferrand RA, Simms V, Kranzer K. Psychological distress among healthcare workers accessing occupational health services during the COVID-19 pandemic in Zimbabwe. Compr Psychiatry 2022; 116:152321. [PMID: 35576673 PMCID: PMC9055394 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2022.152321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Healthcare workers (HCWs) have experienced anxiety and psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. We established and report findings from an occupational health programme for HCWs in Zimbabwe that offered screening for SARS-CoV-2 with integrated screening for comorbidities including common mental disorder (CMD) and referral for counselling. METHODS Quantitative outcomes were fearfulness about COVID-19, the Shona Symptom Questionnaire (SSQ-14) score (cutpoint 8/14) and the number and proportion of HCWs offered referral for counselling, accepting referral and counselled. We used chi square tests to identify factors associated with fearfulness, and logistic regression was used to model the association of fearfulness with wave, adjusting for variables identified using a DAG. Qualitative data included 18 in-depth interviews, two workshops conducted with HCWs and written feedback from counsellors, analysed concurrently with data collection using thematic analysis. RESULTS Between 27 July 2020-31 July 2021, spanning three SARS-CoV-2 waves, the occupational health programme was accessed by 3577 HCWs from 22 facilities. The median age was 37 (IQR 30-43) years, 81.9% were women, 41.7% said they felt fearful about COVID-19 and 12.1% had an SSQ-14 score ≥ 8. A total of 501 HCWs were offered referral for counselling, 78.4% accepted and 68.9% had ≥1 counselling session. Adjusting for setting and role, wave 2 was associated with increased fearfulness over wave 1 (OR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.00-1.60). Qualitative data showed high levels of anxiety, psychosomatic symptoms and burnout related to the pandemic. Mental wellbeing was affected by financial insecurity, unmet physical health needs and inability to provide quality care within a fragile health system. CONCLUSIONS HCWs in Zimbabwe experience a high burden of mental health symptoms, intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic. Sustainable mental health interventions must be multisectoral addressing mental, physical and financial wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudo M S Chingono
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe; Institute of Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Farirayi P Nzvere
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe; Centre for Global Health, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Chiratidzo E Ndhlovu
- Internal Medicine Unit, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Hilda Mujuru
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Simbarashe Rusakaniko
- Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | - Ioana D Olaru
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe; Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Rashida A Ferrand
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe; Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Victoria Simms
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe; International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
| | - Katharina Kranzer
- Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe; Clinical Research Department, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK; Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Medical Center of the University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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Mbanje C, Mungazi SG, Muchuweti D, Mazingi D, Mlotshwa M, Maunganidze AJV. Ileo-sigmoid knotting: the Parirenyatwa hospital experience. S AFR J SURG 2020; 58:70-73. [PMID: 32644309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ileo-sigmoid knotting is a rare cause of intestinal obstruction with a rapidly progressive course, for which expedient surgical intervention is required to prevent mortality. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics, presentation, morbidity and mortality associated with ileo-sigmoid knotting at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals (PGH). To determine the preoperative diagnostic precision and management patterns of ileo-sigmoid knotting cases at PGH. METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on patients operated on at Parirenyatwa Hospital with a diagnosis of ileo-sigmoid knotting between April 2011 and April 2018. Data inclusive of demographics, time to presentation and surgery, preoperative diagnosis, complications and in-hospital mortality was collected. The relationship between the duration of symptoms prior to surgery and incidence of both septic shock and transfusion were analysed. RESULTS Twenty-one cases of ileo-sigmoid knotting were identified for analysis. The median age was 37 years (range 18-65 years) with a 6:1 male to female ratio. Two of the three females included were pregnant. Twenty patients (95.2%) described an acute onset abdominal pain, with 83.3% experiencing the pain nocturnally, while asleep. The median duration of symptoms at presentation was 12.5 hours (range 2-39 hours). At admission, leucocytosis (WCC > 11x10³/dl) was noted in eleven patients (52.4%). Seventy-three per cent of patients were noted to have electrolyte derangements at presentation. Seven patients (33.3%) had recorded episodes of severe hypotension (SBP < 90) prior to surgery. The most common preoperative diagnosis, based on both clinical assessment and plain x-ray evaluation, was sigmoid volvulus (52.4%), with no preoperative diagnosis of ileo-sigmoid knotting being made. All patients had gangrenous small bowel, with 81% having a gangrenous sigmoid colon. All cases underwent small bowel resection and primary anastomosis plus Hartmann's procedure. Postoperatively, eleven patients (52.4%) developed septic shock, while 62% required blood transfusion. There was one (4.8%) early postoperative mortality. CONCLUSION To avoid mortality, the diagnosis of ileo-sigmoid knotting should be entertained and the imperative of emergency surgery recognised in the young male or pregnant female patient with acute nocturnal onset abdominal pain, a rapidly deteriorating small bowel obstruction clinical picture and with radiological features suggestive of both small and large bowel obstruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Mbanje
- Department of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
| | - S G Mungazi
- Department of Surgery and Anaesthetics, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe
| | - D Muchuweti
- Department of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
| | - D Mazingi
- Department of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
| | - M Mlotshwa
- Colorectal Surgery, Western Sussex Hospitals, National Health Services Trust, United Kingdom
| | - A J V Maunganidze
- Department of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
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