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Many elderly people have hypertension, and health systems are faced with the challenge of responding to the needs of this population. The availability of Nutrition Management Service (NMS) in Out Patient Department (OPD) services is one of the strategies that have the potential to control these patients' blood pressure. The study sought to investigate the availability of NMS for the hypertensive outpatient elderly in Thamae Health Centre and Khubetsona Health Centre. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study employing both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. NMS was found to be available in the facilities, but incomplete. Of all the patients followed, 16.2% received nutrition counseling and 9.5% received nutrition follow-up, but none of them received nutrition screening. NMS is available in the facilities but it is incomplete, due to many factors which originate from the planners' failure to plan for it.

The current study reports on ways in which Lilaphalapha page on Facebook used language to provide awareness on Corona virus pandemic. Corona Virus affected the whole universe in different ways. Like the rest of the world, to curb the spread of the virus, Lesotho declared a state of emergency and the government put different health protocols in place. To prevent the widespread of COVID-19, a wealth of knowledge was provided in Indo-European languages in many countries. Speakers of African languages such as Sesotho, a national language of Lesotho, had to be innovative and employ region specific methodologies to spread awareness about COVID-19 pandemic. In this qualitative research, data was collected from eight purposely selected episodes posted on Lilaphalapha page on Facebook in April 2020. The videos were analysed through inductive thematic analysis approach. The paper analysed how the use of proverbs and figurative language has helped in preserving Sesotho as a language and filled the gap in preventing language dearth particularly in the advent of COVID-19 pandemic. The findings indicated figurative language, humour and proverbs were used in spreading COVID-19 awareness to Basotho. 

This paper explores the roots of rural poverty in Zimbabwe within the context of the role of the state and its economic and political interests over time and specific space. It traces the socio-economic and political factors that led to the impoverishment of rural areas in Zimbabwe, demonstrating that rural poverty is a colonial legacy whose roots lie in the racial ideology of the state. African Reserves were basically created as reservoirs of cheap labour for whiteowned mines and farms and emerging urban areas. They were also created to separate Africans from whites in terms of service provision at every level. However, the article further examines the role of the post-colonial government in addressing these colonial imbalances that left urban centres as islands of developments in a sea of rural underdevelopment. Using Musana District as a case study, it interrogates post-colonial state policy towards rural development and its impact in addressing the vestigial inequalities that existed between rural and urban areas. The study makes the point that despite the consistent political support it receives from rural dwellers rural development and the government’s claims that have been the cornerstone of its policies since independence, the Zimbabwean government has done little to sustainably and effectively provide basic amenities to rural areas since independence. Moreover, the paper argues that the ruling party has not only failed to contribute towards rural development but has been a direct beneficiary of the status quo as it has enabled it to maintain political stranglehold in rural areas.

The loss of life and destruction of property caused by Tropical Cyclone Idai in southern Africa in 2019 highlight the need for a review of the mainstreaming of early warning system (EWS) into development plans and effectiveness in protecting lives, property and livelihoods in the region. This review examines Tropical Cyclone Idai forecasting, warning message dissemination and public response aspects of EWS in reducing the loss of life, property and livelihoods in three countries of southern Africa impacted by the cyclone. Literature focusing on four elements of the EWS framework of cyclone risk knowledge, forecasting, dissemination of warning messages to the population at risk and public response was reviewed. Results revealed gaps in mainstreaming of EWS into development plans in the region, which compromised its effectiveness. The track, intensity and landfall leading time forecasts were difficult to accurately predict a few days ahead of landfall and warning messages came late, creating ambiguity in the public response to warning communications. Public risk knowledge deficiency combined with a lack of faith in warning communication messages issued contributed to low public response. This review concludes that although EWS are in place in southern Africa, more studies are needed to evaluate their effectiveness in practice.

Lesotho has experienced cyclical episodes of violent conflict over the past 53 years of its independence from Britain. To address this problem, the country has embarked on a process of devising and...

Background Trichiasis is present when one or more eyelashes touches the eye. Uncorrected, it can cause blindness. Accurate estimates of numbers affected, and their geographical distribution, help guide resource allocation. Methods We obtained district-level trichiasis prevalence estimates in adults for 44 endemic and previously-endemic countries. We used (1) the most recent data for a district, if more than one estimate was available; (2) age- and sex-standardized corrections of historic estimates, where raw data were available; (3) historic estimates adjusted using a mean adjustment factor for districts where raw data were unavailable; and (4) expert assessment of available data for districts for which no prevalence estimates were available. Findings Internally age- and sex-standardized data represented 1,355 districts and contributed 662 thousand cases (95% confidence interval [CI] 324 thousand–1.1 million) to the global total. Age- and sex-standardized district-level prevalence estimates differed from raw estimates by a mean factor of 0.45 (range 0.03–2.28). Previously non- stratified estimates for 398 districts, adjusted by ×0.45, contributed a further 411 thousand cases (95% CI 283–557 thousand). Eight countries retained previous estimates, contributing 848 thousand cases (95% CI 225 thousand-1.7 million). New expert assessments in 14 countries contributed 862 thousand cases (95% CI 228 thousand–1.7 million). The global trichiasis burden in 2016 was 2.8 million cases (95% CI 1.1–5.2 million). Interpretation The 2016 estimate is lower than previous estimates, probably due to more and better data; scale-up of trichiasis management services; and reductions in incidence due to lower active trachoma prevalence. Author summary As an individual with trichiasis blinks, the eyelashes abrade the cornea, which can lead to corneal opacity and blindness. Through high quality surgery, which involves altering the position of the eyelid margin, it is possible to reduce the number of people with trichiasis. Accurate estimates of the number of persons with trichiasis and their geographical distribution are needed in order to effectively align resources for surgery and other necessary services. We obtained district-level trichiasis prevalence estimates for 44 endemic and previously-endemic countries. We used the most recently available data and expert assessments to estimate the global burden of trichiasis. We estimated that in 2016 the global burden was 2.8 million cases (95% CI 1.1–5.2 million). The 2016 estimate is lower than previous estimates, probably due to more and better data; scale-up of trichiasis management services; and reductions in incidence due to lower active trachoma prevalence.

The study on which this article is based, intended to assess the level of financial literacy among the Government of Lesotho sponsored university students studying at the National University of Lesotho. The study was carried out during the academic year 2016/17. The objectives of the study were; first, to determine Development Studies education students’ level of financial literacy. Second, to identify if there is a change in Development Studies students’ attitude and behaviour towards handling National Manpower Development Secretariat financial support. Last, to identify strategies that could help students improve knowledge and skills in handling finances. The study adopted both a quantitative and qualitative approaches. It is a qualitative approach because it provided participants responses non-statistically, while quantitative approach descriptive statistics, frequency counts and percentages in order to hear the voices of the student teachers on how they handle their finances. A financial literacy survey questionnaire of four parts was developed to collect data from Development Studies education students/student teachers in the third year of study. The survey questionnaire was self – administered to a purposefully sampled group of 60 students. Data was analysed with the use of descriptive statistics, frequency counts and inclusion of participants’ verbatim excerpts. The study revealed that student teachers lack financial literacy. It concludes with the recommendation that student teachers require financial education that can assist them to understand the use of money.