This study aims to assess the potential of coupling solar PV power plants with Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to curtail load-shedding and provide a stable and reliable baseload power generation in Zimbabwe. Data from geographical surveys, power plant proposals, and investment information from related sources were reviewed and applied accordingly. Areas considered to be of good potential to employ the use of BESS were identified considering such factors as feasibility of PV plants, proximity to transmission lines, the size of a town or neighborhood, and energy demands for BESS Return On Investment (ROI) calculations. Previous studies have proven that 10% of the suitable land for PV systems has the capability to generate thirty times the current power demand of the nation operating even with the least efficiency. In recent years, coupling renewable energy sources with a suitable energy storage system yielded improved performances, giving consumers a reliable, stable, and predictable grid. BESS technologies on the utility scale have improved in recent years, giving more options with improved safety, and decreasing the purchase costs, too.

Background: Gender-based violence (GBV) has been shown to have significant and longlasting impacts on women’, s physical and mental health. It is, therefore, important to study its occurrence in a population and its intersect with infectious diseases such as HIV to inform the wider health promotion agenda. This study aimed to determine the association between GBV and HIV status in women and adolescent girls in Zimbabwe. Methods: A secondary data analysis of data from a cross-sectional Zimbabwe Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) was conducted. Statistical analysis was employed to establish the association between GBV and HIV status. Geospatial mapping was conducted using a kernel smoothing method was employed to generate a continuous kernel density surface to illustrate the local spatial variations of female HIV and GBV prevalence. Results: Women and adolescent girls suffering emotional GBV, such as those subjected to humiliation by their husbands or partners, were 1. 45 (1. 14-1. 84) [OR (95% CIs)] times more likely to be HIV positive than those who were never humiliated. The same was true for women and adolescent girls whose husbands or partners threatened to harm them or someone they love, 1. 33 (1. 04-1. 68). There is a relationship between women’, s HIV status and intimate partner aggression, such as when their partners pushed, shook, or threw something at them or physically abused them. This was also the case for those who reported that partners kicked, dragged, or beat them, tried to choke or burn them on purpose, or threatened or attacked them with a knife, gun, or other weapons. Women who experienced forced sexual violence with threats were more likely 1. 61 (1. 08-2. 41), to be HIV positive than those women who did not experience the same. Conclusion: GBV is widely spread in Zimbabwe. There is a need for the government to implement creative strategies to reach out to survivors, especially those that are forced to have unprotected sex and are at increased risk of HIV acquisition. This manuscript raises issues that can be addressed by robust health promotion strategies to reduce the impact of the syndemic of GBV and HIV acquisition in Zimbabwe.

Background: Malaria outbreaks are common in Zimbabwe. They are common in Manicaland, which has the greatest burden of malaria in the country. Methods: A matched case control study was conducted to investigate the malaria outbreak in ward 13 and 14 of Chipinge district in Manicaland Province in Zimbabwe, week 30 to week 40 of year 2015. A sample size of 92 (46 cases and 46 controls) was used. Guided interviews were conducted with the aid of a structured questionnaire and a checklist. The investigation assessed factors associated with contracting malaria and the community knowledge levels on malaria. Results: Participants who stayed in houses with open eaves had 2. 4 odds (95% CI=1. 0; 5. 6) of contracting malaria compared to those who lived in houses without open eaves. Staying within a radius of 3 km from the river or swamp also predisposed people to contracting malaria (OR =2. 7, 95%CI=1. 2; 6. 3). People who had no insecticide treated mosquito nets hanged in their bed rooms had odds of 2. 2 (95%CI=1. 2; 6. 4) of contracting malaria compared to those that hanged insecticide-treated mosquito nets in their bedrooms. Consequently, among people exposed to outdoor activities in the evening and at night, those that had insecticidetreated mosquito nets hanged in their rooms were more protected from malaria than those that did not. Conclusion: There is high need to intensify all pillars in the malaria prevention and control programs and maintenance of a strong surveillance system to prevent future occurrences of outbreaks.

The paper’s purpose was to investigate the obstacles the Zimbabwean government faces as it works towards meeting Sustainable Development Goal 3, which speaks of health and well-being for all. Various obstacles were observed, such as political and economic issues, personnel leaving for greener pastures, dilapidated infrastructure, and a lack of monitoring and evaluation systems that allow tracking of the goals. The author used a qualitative method and adopted a document review for data collection. Three major documents were used: The Ministry of Health and Child Care’s national policy (2021-2025), the World Health Organization 2023 report, and UNDP’s 2020 Zimbabwe’s SDG Progress report. The researcher scanned through the documents and highlighted areas where they discussed the SDG 3 challenges faced. The results confirmed that Zimbabwe is facing numerous challenges, including a fragmented procurement system and political and economic issues. The study's practical implications are that this document may remind policymakers that the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 3, cannot be ignored, but effort is needed to ensure that all obstacles impeding the attainment of SDG 3 are addressed. Policymakers should provide a conducive environment that allows the ministries concerned to work towards the attainment of SDG 3. Healthy people are productive, and the focus will be on improving everyone's life, hence the need for SDG 3 to be fulfilled so no one is left behind. Significant progress is made when people are protected from illness, premature death is avoided, and the overall health of the population is improved. Issues such as inequalities and poverty are eradicated, and people enjoy prosperity and justice. The study is original and seeks to contribute to the body of knowledge regarding SDG 3, the challenges Zimbabwe is facing, and how they can be addressed to protect its citizens from diseases, improve prosperity, and enhance socio-economic factors.

Access to healthcare technologies like computed tomography (CT) is essential for diagnosing and treating both non-communicable diseases and communicable diseases, especially in low-resource settings. Unfortunately, there is limited information available globally, and even less so in Zimbabwe, regarding local imaging resources. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to review the current state of CT services in Zimbabwe, to identify the opportunities and challenges presented. The review reveals that access to CT services in Zimbabwe is hindered by various factors. These include the high costs associated with purchasing and maintaining CT scanners, a shortage of certified manpower, a lack of postgraduate CT courses, inadequate information, and communication technologies (ICT) infrastructure, insufficient research, an inconsistent supply of consumables, and a lack of integrated support for CT services. To address these issues, a multifaceted approach will be necessary. This could involve investing in postgraduate training programs and recognizing the skills acquired by radiographers. Additionally, investing in equipment and ICT infrastructure will be crucial in supporting CT services. Providing ongoing education for radiographers and radiologists will help ensure a sufficient number of trained personnel. Establishing centers of reference, allocating funds for the purchase of new equipment, and maintaining existing CT equipment can significantly improve the availability of these services.

This study determines the effects of variations in relative water supply (RWS) on bean and wheat crop water productivity (WP) under irrigation in Block C at Nyanyadzi irrigation scheme in Zimbabwe. Water supply, bean and wheat crop yield data spanning 17 cropping seasons from 1970 to 2003 were obtained from the irrigation scheme files. Research findings show a weak and significant (R2=0. 448, p = 0. 006) quadratic relationshipbetween bean WP and RWS. Whereas, for the wheat crop, the relationship WP and RWS is a linear and significant (R2 = 0. 438, p = 0. 004). Based on the research findings, the study recommends the measures to improve water supply and therefore, crop production. These include among others, switching to more drought tolerant crop varieties that require less water, rainfall harvesting, water conservation measures to retain soil water and, use of more efficient water application methods.