Expanding the human gut microbiome atlas of Africa.

Population studies provide insights into the interplay between the gut microbiome and geographical, lifestyle, genetic and environmental factors. However, low- and middle-income countries, in which approximately 84% of the world's population lives, are not equitably represented in large-scale gut microbiome research. Here we present the AWI-Gen 2 Microbiome Project, a cross-sectional gut microbiome study sampling 1,801 women from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa.

Recognition of language barriers in comprehending non-communicable disease management among rural elderly people in the DIMAMO surveillance area: a case of AWI-Gen participants.

Background: Language plays a critical role in health communication, particularly in the management and understanding of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among elderly populations. This study aimed to explore the language barriers that affect elderly participants' comprehension of NCDs, focusing on how these barriers impact their understanding of disease causes, symptoms, treatment, and self-management. The study also investigated how linguistic differences between healthcare workers and patients influence the effectiveness of health interventions in a rural South African context.

The association of menopause with cardiometabolic disease risk factors in women living with and without HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: Results from the AWI-Gen 1 study.

Background: Menopause and HIV are associated with cardiometabolic disease. In sub-Saharan Africa there is a growing population of midlife women living with HIV and a high prevalence of cardiometabolic disease.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether menopause and HIV were associated with cardiometabolic disease risk factors in a population of midlife sub-Saharan African women.

Expanding the human gut microbiome atlas of Africa.

Population studies are crucial in understanding the complex interplay between the gut microbiome and geographical, lifestyle, genetic, and environmental factors. However, populations from low- and middle-income countries, which represent ~84% of the world population, have been excluded from large-scale gut microbiome research. Here, we present the AWI-Gen 2 Microbiome Project, a cross-sectional gut microbiome study sampling 1,803 women from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa.

Genome-wide association study meta-analysis of blood pressure traits and hypertension in sub-Saharan African populations: an AWI-Gen study.

Most hypertension-related genome-wide association studies (GWASs) focus on non-African populations, despite hypertension (a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease) being highly prevalent in Africa. The AWI-Gen study GWAS meta-analysis for blood pressure (BP)-related traits (systolic and diastolic BP, pulse pressure, mean-arterial pressure and hypertension) from three sub-Saharan African geographic regions (N = 10,775), identifies two novel genome-wide significant signals (p < 5E-08): systolic BP near P2RY1 (rs77846204; intergenic variant, p = 4.95E-08) and pulse pressure near LINC01256 (rs80141533; intergenic variant, p = 1.

Modifiable determinants of central obesity among the rural black population in the DIMAMO HDSS, Limpopo, South Africa.

Background: Central obesity is a leading risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases, in which body fat accumulates to a particular extent, and may negatively impact on health. The prevalence of abdominal obesity has increased over the last 10 years and currently surpasses that of overall obesity. There is a scarcity of data on the determinants of central obesity, especially among populations residing in rural Africa.

Cardiometabolic disease risk factors in pre- and postmenopausal women from four sub-Saharan African countries: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: To compare the risk factors for cardiometabolic disease between pre- and postmenopausal women from four sub-Saharan African countries.

Study Design: This cross-sectional study included 3609 women (1740 premenopausal and 1869 postmenopausal) from sites in Ghana (Navrongo), Burkina Faso (Nanoro), Kenya (Nairobi), and South Africa (Soweto and Dikgale). Demographic, anthropometric and cardiometabolic variables were compared between pre- and postmenopausal women, within and across sites using multivariable regression analyses.

Diabetes care cascade and associated factors in 10 700 middle-aged adults in four sub-Saharan African countries: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: We investigated progression through the care cascade and associated factors for people with diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa to identify attrition stages that may be most appropriate for targeted intervention.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Community-based study in four sub-Saharan African countries.

Identifying the prevalence and correlates of multimorbidity in middle-aged men and women: a cross-sectional population-based study in four African countries.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of multimorbidity, to identify which chronic conditions cluster together and to identify factors associated with a greater risk for multimorbidity in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Design: Cross-sectional, multicentre, population-based study.

Setting: Six urban and rural communities in four sub-Saharan African countries.

Racial and Ethnic Differences in the Association Between Classical Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Common Carotid Intima-Media Thickness: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis.

Background The major risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease differ by race or ethnicity but have largely been defined using populations of European ancestry. Despite the rising prevalence of cardiovascular disease in Africa there are few related data from African populations. Therefore, we compared the association of established cardiovascular risk factors with carotid-intima media thickness (CIMT), a subclinical marker of atherosclerosis, between African, African American, Asian, European, and Hispanic populations.

Association of microalbuminuria with serum lipids and inflammatory markers in an adult population in the Dikgale Health and Demographic Surveillance System site, South Africa.

Background: There is evidence that microalbuminuria (urinary albumin excretion) is an early sign of vascular damage and an established risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This study investigated the magnitude of microalbuminuria and its association with serum lipids and inflammatory markers among a rural black population residing in the Dikgale Health and Demographic Surveillance System site, South Africa.

Methods: Data were collected from 602 presumably healthy participants (225 men and 377 women) aged ≥ 18 years.

Carotid Atherosclerosis, Microalbuminuria, and Estimated 10-Year Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Importance: Carotid atherosclerosis and microalbuminuria are associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) but are understudied in sub-Saharan Africa.

Objective: To evaluate the association of carotid atherosclerosis and microalbuminuria with 10-year ASCVD risk in middle-aged sub-Saharan African individuals.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cross-sectional study conducted analyses of baseline data from the African-Wits-INDEPTH (International Network for the Demographic Evaluation of Populations and Their Health in Low- and Middle-Income Countries) genomic study (AWI-Gen).

The optimal WC cut-off points for the prediction of subclinical CVD as measured by carotid intima-media thickness among African adults: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Increased waist circumference (WC) is one of the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors used to predict cardiovascular events. Waist circumference cut-off values for predicting metabolic syndrome and other cardiovascular risks have been previously studied. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is one of the cardiovascular risk factor recently described and reported to be suitable as it is a direct measurement of vascular quality.

Poor cardiovascular health is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in apparently healthy sub-Saharan African populations: an H3Africa AWI-Gen study.

Background: The cardiovascular health index (CVHI) introduced by the American Heart Association is a valid, accessible, simple, and translatable metric for monitoring cardiovascular health in a population. Components of the CVHI include the following seven cardiovascular risk factors (often captured as life's simple 7): smoking, dietary intake, physical activity, body mass index, blood pressure, glucose, and total cholesterol. We sought to expand the evidence for its utility to under-studied populations in sub-Saharan Africa, by determining its association with common carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT).

Androgenic effect of aqueous leaf extract of Moringa oleifera on Leydig TM3 cells in vitro.

Moringa oleifera (MO) is an excellent source of dietary antioxidant. MO is used traditionally to enhance libido and as an aphrodisiac in the treatment of sexual dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the direct effect of aqueous leaf extract of MO on Leydig cell in vitro.

The risk of metabolic syndrome as a result of lifestyle among Ellisras rural young adults.

The study aimed to investigate the association between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and lifestyle risk factors among Ellisras adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 624 adults (306 males and 318 females). MetS was defined according to the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation.

The Prevalence and Determinants of Chronic Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors amongst Adults in the Dikgale Health Demographic and Surveillance System (HDSS) Site, Limpopo Province of South Africa.

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of chronic non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors in a rural community in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.

Methods: This survey was conducted using the WHO "STEPwise approach to the surveillance of non-communicable diseases" (STEPS) methodology. Participants were residents of the Dikgale HDSS site and standardised international protocols were used to measure behavioural risk factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, fruit and vegetable intake and, physical activity) and physical characteristics (weight, height, waist and hip circumferences and blood pressure-BP).

Prevalence and associated risk factors of hypertension amongst adults in a rural community of Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Background: Hypertension is problem already faced by urban populations of South Africa, but little is known about its prevalence and risk factors in rural areas.

Aim: To assess the prevalence of and risk factors associated with hypertension amongst adults in a rural community in South Africa.

Setting: Dikgale Health and Demographic Surveillance Site, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Conflicting effects of BMI and waist circumference on iron status.

The association between obesity and iron status has a long history and is still receiving attention. However comparative analysis of the association between general obesity (BMI) and visceral obesity (waist circumference) with iron status has not been extensively researched. The aim of the present study is thus to determine if body mass index and waist circumference have the same correlation with iron status.

Descriptive epidemiology of ambulatory activity in rural, black South Africans.

Purpose: We investigated the distribution of objectively measured ambulation levels and the association of ambulation levels to adiposity levels in a convenience sample of adolescent and adult, rural black South Africans.

Methods: We analyzed 7-d pedometry data, collected over a period of nine consecutive days, in 789 subjects (women, n = 516; men, n = 273). Adiposity measures included body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC).

The effect of different apo(a) isoforms on plasminogen activation in black South African subjects.

Objective: The present study evaluates the effect of different apolipoprotein(a) [apo(a)] isofroms on plasminogen activation.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Setting: A rural village (Dikgale district) in the Northen Province of South Africa.