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.

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.

Previous studies found that sexual harassment of the female student by male lectures/ officials was highly prevalent in colleges and universities in Zimbabwe and invariably compromises the performance of women in sport. The focus of this study was to establish the level of sexual harassment in sport on the female college athletes. Ten-item self-administered questionnaires were distributed to a population of five hundred female college athletes. One hundred and sixty responses were received. The results revealed widespread sexual harassment of the female college athletes by male coaches, peers, administrators and spectators. The results also revealed a variety of types of sexual harassment, locations where perpetrators meet the victim athletes and the most frequent time of harassment. The authors concluded that sexual harassment of the female college athlete was likely to remain a problem for the foreseeable future. The study recommended that colleges should embark on awareness campaigns on sexual harassment among the college fraternity and provide counselling services to victims of sexual harassment.

The world today is replete with stressful situations whether at home or in away-from home situations. To live meaningful lives, people should learn to cope with the stress which has become part of everyday life. Without adequate coping strategies there is threat to health which may even lead to premature death. The aim of the study was establishing sources of stress and coping strategies among high school athletes. A population of 183 Zimbabwe National Youth Games Manicaland Chapter was available for this study. Fifty athletes actually took part in this study .Data collection was by a structured questionnaire. Findings revealed the most stressful factors among high school athletes to be injury and illness, pressure of competition, the referee and conflict with the coach. The least perceived stress originated from spectators. The athletes identified almost the same extent of the use of the approach and avoidant styles as stress coping strategies. The findings also recorded a good number of respondents who were not able to specify whether they were using approach or avoidance techniques in handling stress in sports. The findings in this study were generally consistent with the finding of researchers in other countries. The study recommends the need for sports psychologist to man ZNYG athletes to help them develop stress coping mechanisms. It would also be helpful if coaches and trainers in high schools were also exposed to skills that would enable them to assist the young athletes with any necessary stress-coping mechanisms.

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.

Purpose: We examine effects of school support as a structural HIV prevention intervention for adolescent female orphans in Zimbabwe after 5 years.Methods: Three hundred twenty-eight orphan adolescent girls were followed in a clustered randomized controlled trial from 2007 to 2010. The experimental group received school fees, uniforms, and school supplies and were assigned a school-based "helper." In 2011-2012, the control group received delayed partial treatment of school fees only. At the final data point in 2012, survey, HIV, and Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2) biomarker data were collected from approximately 88% of the sample. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted on end point outcomes, controlling for age, religious affiliation, and baseline socioeconomic status.Results: The two groups did not differ on HIV or HSV-2 biomarkers. The comprehensive 5-year intervention continued to reduce the likelihood of marriage, improve school retention, improve socioeconomic status (food security), and marginally maintain gains in quality of life, even after providing school fees to the control group.Conclusions: Paying school fees and expenses resulted in significant improvements in life outcomes for orphan adolescent girls. Biological evidence of HIV infection prevention, however, was not observed. Our study adds to the growing body of research on school support as HIV prevention for girls in sub-Saharan Africa, but as yet, no clear picture of effectiveness has emerged. (C) 2015 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. All rights reserved.

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.

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.

We sought to establish stressors and coping mechanisms for student teachers on Teaching Practice from a Christian-related university and a government-owned teachers' college in Zimbabwe. The sample was made up of 77 participants (38 females, 39 males). Thirty-two participants were from the university and 45 were from the teachers' college. A questionnaire and an interview schedule were used to collect data. Frequencies and percentages were used in quantitative data analysis while qualitative data were thematically analysed. The main stressors revealed were problems with difficult learners, low allowances, heavy workload, and shortage of teaching and learning aids and, to some extent, supervision-related matters and the effect of the protracted industrial action by serving teachers that overlapped with the Teaching Practice period in the study. Most coping strategies were in the form of social-support networks, particularly interactions with family and friends. Student teachers suggested a number of actions to be taken to reduce the related stress. Recommendations are made.

OBJECTIVESUsing a randomized controlled trial in rural eastern Zimbabwe, we tested whether comprehensive support to keep orphan adolescent girls in school could reduce HIV risk.METHODSAll 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.RESULTSThe 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.CONCLUSIONSWe 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.

This study set out to establish the level of sexual activity and prevalence of concurrent sexual partnerships among students in two Faculties at a University in Zimbabwe. The study also investigated the extent and motivation for age-discrepant sexual partnerships and the possible link between multiple concurrent sexual partnerships and the spread of HIV/AIDS. Four research questions were posed to establish the level of sexual activity among university students, prevalence of concurrent relationships, motivation for and involvement in intergenerational sexual partnerships, and students' knowledge of the possible link between concurrent sexual behaviour and the spread of HIV/AIDS. A convenience sample of 145 student respondents (85 females and 60 males) was used in this study. A ten-item self-administered questionnaire and focus group discussion were used to collect the necessary data. The study found high levels of sexual activity (more for male than for female students) and high prevalence of concurrent sexual behaviour. The study also found that female students participated in concurrent sexual partnerships to benefit from the resources of their male partners while males were largely motivated around the sex motive. In spite of the high levels of knowledge about HIV/AIDS, high levels of concurrent sexual relationships were prevalent among students who participated in this study. This study confirmed results reported in the literature and has implications for the spread of HIV/AIDS.Key Words: Sexual PartnershipsUniversity StudentsHIV/AIDSZimbabwe

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 organization's 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.

The study explored the lived experiences of informal settlers in two pen-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.

The study sought to find out school counsellors’ perceptions of headmasters’ attitudes towards the guidance and counselling programme in Zimbabwe Secondary schools. Two hundred and six (N=206) school counsellors participated in the study. A questionnaire was developed to collect the data. The SPSS 7.5 version was used to analyze the data. A t-test for independent samples was used. The results revealed that headmasters were perceived as having negative attitudes towards the guidance and counselling programme. There was no significant difference between male and female counsellors’ perceptions of headmasters’ attitudes towards the guidance and counselling programme. Recommendations for improving headmasters’attitudes were made.

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.

This study sought to establish the level of marital adjustment among 198 students (135 male and 63 female) of the Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU) at the Manicaland and the Masvingo regional campuses. These students were on the B.Sc. Counselling, B.Sc. Psychology and B.Sc. Special Education programmes. The adapted Locke’s Marital Adjustment Test (LMAT) was administered to collect data. The results showed that the bulk of the ZOU students were perfectly happy and only a small percentage was outright unhappy in their marriages. The former would remarry the same partner if thy were given a second-chance, while a high percentage of the latter would marry a different partner. The respondents in unhappy marriages predicted divorce, but those in happy marriages did not. Even those unhappy in their present marriages wished to remarry again if given a second chance, although, understandably, they would wish to marry different partners from those thy presently live with. Recommendations on overcoming marital maladjustment were given, and these are given as suggestions for comprehensive research studies in the area.

The study investigated the career perceptions and visions of boys and girls in secondary schools.Subjects (N=120) were students enrolled in Fonns 1 to 6 who were drawn from secondary schools in ManicalanJ and Masvingo educationalregions.An open-ended questionnaire ivas used to generate data.The Pearson Product Moment Conelation (r) was used to analyse the data.Results showed that both boys and girls had similar perceptions about male and female jobs.It was also indicated that relatives were the chief influences in career choice among boys and girls.Male students had higher educational aspirations than females.The study recommended the education of relatives especially parents on careers so as to avoid negative influences on career choice.A vigorous offering of guidance and counseling in secondary schools was also recommended. ' FEMALE' JOBS 'MALE' JOBSThank you very much.

The study sought to establish levels of stress among teachers, what stresses Zimbabwean teachers and how these teachers cope with the stress. Subjects (N-165) were teachers drawn from Masvingo and Manicaland Educational Provinces. A questionnaire was used to collect data. A t-test for independent samples was used to analyse the data. The results showed that teachers have moderate stress levels. The results showed that there is no significant difference in stress levels between male and female teachers and between graduate and non-graduate teachers in Zimbabwe. It also emerged that teachers are stressed by heavy teaching loads, low salaries, student indiscipline and poor working environments. The teachers also indicated that they use more than one strategy to reduce stress. Recommendations on coping with stress were made.