John Mapfumo

Supporting Adolescent Orphan Girls to Stay in School as HIV Risk Prevention: Evidence From a Randomized Controlled Trial in Zimbabwe

OBJECTIVES Using a randomized controlled trial in rural eastern Zimbabwe, we tested whether comprehensive support to keep orphan adolescent girls in school could reduce HIV risk. METHODS All orphan girls in grade 6 in 25 primary schools were invited to participate in the study in fall 2007 (n = 329). Primary schools were randomized to condition. All primary schools received a universal daily feeding program; intervention participants received fees, uniforms, and a school-based helper to monitor attendance and resolve problems. We conducted annual surveys and collected additional information on school dropout, marriage, and pregnancy rates. We analyzed data using generalized estimating equations over 3 time points, controlling for school and age at baseline. RESULTS The intervention reduced school dropout by 82% and marriage by 63% after 2 years. Compared with control participants, the intervention group reported greater school bonding, better future expectations, more equitable gender attitudes, and more concerns about the consequences of sex. CONCLUSIONS We found promising evidence that comprehensive school support may reduce HIV risk for orphan girls. Further study, including assessment of dose response, cost benefit, and HIV and herpes simplex virus 2 biomarker measurement, is warranted.

Apostolic faith church organization contexts for health and wellbeing in women and children.

Objective. The study explored contexts for health and wellbeing for women and children influenced by the structural behavior of an Apostolic faith church organization in Zimbabwe. Methods. Twenty-three purposively selected members of an African indigenous Apostolic church (males = 12; females = 11; age range 22–95 years) were informants to a focus group discussion session. They provided data on the institutional behaviors that were culturally-historically embedded in the organizations activities. Data were analyzed thematically and using cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) to foreground essential themes. Results. The church organization provided social capital to support health and wellbeing in members. However, the culturally embedded practices to minimize decision making by women and child members potentially compromised their health and wellbeing. Conclusion. The findings suggest that the structural activities of the church for health and wellbeing could also have the paradoxical effect of exposing women and children to health risks from obligatory roles.

Preventing HIV by providing support for orphan girls to stay in school: does religion matter?

Objective. The paper examines the influence of religion on attitudes, behaviors, and HIV infection among rural adolescent women in Zimbabwe. Design. We analyzed data from a 2007 to 2010 randomized controlled trial in rural eastern Zimbabwe testing whether school support can prevent HIV risk behaviors and related attitudes among rural adolescent orphan girls; supplementary data from the 2006 Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) were also analyzed. The present study design is largely cross-sectional, using the most recent available survey data from the clinical trial to examine the association between religious affiliation and religiosity on school dropout, marriage, and related attitudes, controlling for intervention condition, age and orphan type. The ZDHS data examined the effect of religious denomination on marriage and HIV status among young rural women, controlling for age. Results. Apostolic Church affiliation greatly increased the likelihood of early marriage compared to reference Methodist Church affiliation (odds ratio = 4.5). Greater religiosity independently reduced the likelihood of school dropout, increased gender equity attitudes and disagreement with early sex, and marginally reduced early marriage. Young rural Apostolic women in the ZDHS were nearly four times as likely to marry as teenagers compared to Protestants, and marriage doubled the likelihood of HIV infection. Conclusions. Findings contradict an earlier seminal study that Apostolics are relatively protected from HIV compared to other Christian denominations. Young Apostolic women are at increased risk of HIV infection through early marriage. The Apostolic Church is a large and growing denomination in sub-Saharan Africa and many Apostolic sects discourage medical testing and treatment in favor of faith healing. Since this can increase the risk of undiagnosed HIV infection for young married women and their infants in high prevalence areas, further study is urgently needed to confirm this emerging public health problem, particularly among orphan girls. Although empirical evidence suggests that keeping orphan girls in school can reduce HIV risk factors, further study of the religious context and the implications for prevention are needed.

Educational Outcomes for Orphan Girls in Rural Zimbabwe: Effects of a School Support Intervention

Educational achievement has important implications for the health and well-being of young women in sub-Saharan Africa. The authors assessed the effects of providing school support on educational outcomes of orphan girls in rural Zimbabwe. Data were from a randomized controlled trial offering the intervention group comprehensive schooling support and controls no treatment initially and then fees only. Results indicated comprehensive support reduced school dropout and absence but did not improve test scores. Providing support to orphan girls is promising for addressing World Health Organization Millennium Development Goals, but further research is needed about contextual factors affecting girls’ school participation and learning.

Resilience Among Zimbabwean Youths with Orphanhood

The experience of orphanhood is associated with multiple stressors, including the disintegration of the immediate family, changes in living arrangements, access to material resources, and alternative carer relationships. However, orphanhood also presents opportunities for personal growth and development. The resilience processes of Zimbabwean teenagers with orphanhood are incompletely understood. This chapter reports on a survey with 18 such youth to consider how these youth negotiate Ungar et al.’s seven tensions in a collectivist cultural context in which the extended family is the default primary care provider. Findings foreground that youths’ resilience processes are supported by a broad collectivistic cultural template rooted in extended family obligations and church belonging, that seemed to be similar for youth from rural and urban areas.

Sources and Levels of Stress among Mainstream and Special Needs Education Teachers in Mutare Urban in Zimbabwe

Abstract This study attempted to identify, describe and compare the sources and levels of stress as well as the coping strategies among teachers in four mainstream schools (n=40; males=20; females=20) and three Special Needs Education schools (n=40; males=20=; females=20) in the Mutare Urban district of Education in Eastern Zimbabwe. The seven schools were conveniently selected. A comparative survey design was used. The respondents were requested to complete a stress diagnostic questionnaire. Respondents were also asked to report on how they coped with stress and what system changes in the Ministry of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture in Zimbabwe could prevent or ameliorate their stress. Cross tabulations were used. The study revealed that both groups of teachers were stressed by perceived lack of government support, lack of resources and heavy workload, and time spent on individual pupils for those in Special Needs Education. Stress levels for the teachers were in general elevated but those of women both in the mainstream and in Special Needs Education were more elevated than those of their male counterparts. Main stress management methods included sharing problems with colleagues, physical exercise, cheering with family and friends. Suggested system-wide improvements to reduce stress included provision of more resources, reduction of class size and better remuneration.

Sexual activity and prevalence of multiple sexual relationships among female students at a university campus in Zimbabwe.

Abstract This study sought to determine the extent of sexual activity and prevalence of multiple concurrent sexual relationships among female students at a university campus in Zimbabwe. A qualitative research design was used in this study. Three focus group discussions were conducted to collect qualitative data from 30 participants. A purposive sample was used and participation was voluntary in this study. Data collected were analysed thematically. The study found that there was a great deal of sexual activity and high prevalence of multiple concurrent sexual relationships among female students in this study. The study found among others the following as some factors leading to multiple sexual relationships: poverty; financial gains (get money to buy food, clothes and pay fees); boyfriend staying far away (distance); and partners provide transport to town and places of entertainment. Despite the threat of HIV infection in the multiple concurrent sexual partnerships, female students still participate in these partnerships.

Lived Experiences of Informal Settlers in Peri-Urban Districts in Zimbabwe

The study explored the lived experiences of informal settlers in two peri-urban cities of Zimbabwe (n=53, males=19, females=34; Age range 18 to 76 years). The settlers self-reported on aspects of wellbeing, including perceived neighborliness of habitats. Data were thematically analyzed. The informal settlers felt insecure, psychologically stressed and socially marginalized. Some reported being optimistic about the future and their life chances in general.

Community Psychology in Zimbabwe: Past, Present and Future

The study describes and evaluates community psychology in Zimbabwe. We distinguish between a professional with the title ‘community psychologist’ and the practice of the field of community psychology in Zimbabwe. Community psychology services in Zimbabwe include the provision of education to all school- going age children, and free health services and housing for all. We also consider community psychology applications in the context of the HIV and AIDS pandemic, rising unemployment, homelessness, child abuse, disabilities, disasters and other hardships from urbanization, economics, and other challenges. Psychologists and other professionals offer community psychology services in the context of these challenges.