Soluble P-selectin as an inflammatory mediator potentially influencing endothelial activation in people living with HIV in sub-rural areas of Limpopo, South Africa.

Objectives: There is a growing need to understand the potential role of soluble platelet selectin (sP-selectin) in sustained endothelial activation through increased levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular adhesion-1 (sVCAM-1) in people living with HIV (PLWH) on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study involving PLWH on HAART (n = 55), in comparison to PLWH not on treatment (HAART-naïve) (n = 29), and (iii) HIV negative controls (n = 48) from the Mankweng area in the Limpopo province, South Africa. We quantified serum levels of sP-selectin, together with sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1.

The extent of outdoor food and beverage advertising surrounding primary and secondary schools in poorly resourced townships in Cape Town, South Africa.

Background: The targeted marketing of unhealthy food and beverages to vulnerable populations, particularly children and adolescents in lower-income communities, is pervasive and coincides with increased non-communicable disease (NCD) rates. This study examined the extent of food and beverage advertising surrounding schools in three townships in Cape Town, South Africa: Gugulethu, Nyanga, and Kensington.

Methodology: Trained fieldworkers used web-based surveys on smartphones to capture all observable outdoor food and beverage advertisements in the three townships.

A systematic review assessing the association of inflammatory markers with kidney dysfunction in people living with HIV on highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Monitoring chronic diseases, particularly kidney disorders, in people living with HIV (PLWH) is of paramount importance. Here, a systematic search was conducted across electronic search engine and databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, from date of inception until December 2023, to identify pertinent studies reporting on any association between inflammation and kidney function in PLWH. Only six clinical studies in peer-reviewed journals met the inclusion criteria, involving 1467 participants aged 37 to 51, with approximately 17% being females.

Substance Use among School-Going Adolescents and Young Adults in Rural Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.

The ongoing public health crisis of substance use among school adolescents and young adults (AYAs) in South Africa is not new in research parlance, amidst the national policy of drug abuse management in schools. In view of no tangible progress to reduce substance use in high schools in the country, we conducted a cross-sectional quantitative study aimed at investigating substance use among adolescents and young adults in the four public high schools selected through multi-stage sampling in rural Mpumalanga province, South Africa. Data on substance use, demographics, household socio-demographics, and related factors were collected via a validated self-administered questionnaire.

Prevalence of chronic kidney disease and associated risk factors among people living with HIV in a rural population of Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Background: Limited evidence informs on the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in people living with HIV (PLWH) in South Africa. Thus, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of CKD and its associated risk factors among PLWH within the rural province of Limpopo, South Africa.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 143 participants, subdivided into groups of PLWH ( = 103) and individuals without HIV ( = 43).

Classification of Obesity among South African Female Adolescents: Comparative Analysis of Logistic Regression and Random Forest Algorithms.

Background: This study evaluates the performance of logistic regression (LR) and random forest (RF) algorithms to model obesity among female adolescents in South Africa.

Methods: Data was analysed on 375 females aged 15-17 from the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011/2012. The primary outcome was obesity, defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m.

The Association between Plant-Based Diets and Dietary Patterns with Cardiometabolic Risk in a Sample of Commercial Taxi Drivers in South Africa.

The consumption of unhealthy foods and a sedentary lifestyle predispose individuals to non-communicable diseases. This study investigated the distribution and the association of plant-based diets (PBDs) and dietary patterns in relation to the cardiometabolic risks in commercial taxi drivers. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among males (≥19 years) who consumed street foods sold by vendors in the Cape Metropole.

Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors and the risk of metabolic syndrome in taxi drivers: A focus on street food.

Background: In South Africa, similar to other populous countries, the taxi industry is an important form of transportation that contributes to the country's development. As a result, minibus taxi driving is an occupation characterized by strenuous activities such as long hours of driving, limited rest, and challenges related to securing passengers, among several others. Consequently, to combat stress, some commercial drivers resort to smoking, overeating unhealthy food sold at transportation interchange areas (i.

Association between Macronutrient and Fatty Acid Consumption and Metabolic Syndrome: A South African Taxi Driver Survey.

We aimed to examine the association between macronutrient and fatty acid intake and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in South African male mini-bus taxi drivers. One hundred and eighty-five ( = 185) male taxi drivers, aged 20 years and older, who operate in the Cape Town metropole, South Africa, were included. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) algorithm was used to define MetS.

Anthropometric indices and cut-off points for screening of metabolic syndrome among South African taxi drivers.

Background: Detecting the early onset of metabolic syndrome (MetS) allows for quick intervention which may slow progression to a variety of health consequences, hence, determining the best measurement to detect MetS is essential.

Aim: This research aimed at examining the MetS predictive power of anthropometric indices, such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), body shape index (ABSI), body roundness index (BRI), percentage body fat (%BF), conicity index (CI), and Clínica Universidad de Navarra-body adiposity estimator (CUN-BAE) to determine the cut-off points to identify male South African taxi drivers with MetS.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 185 male taxi drivers.

Comparison of the Ability of Anthropometric Indices to Predict the Risk of Diabetes Mellitus in South African Males: SANHANES-1.

This study aimed to assess the sensitivity of body mass index (BMI) to predict the risk of diabetes mellitus (DM) and whether waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip (WHR) and waist-to-height (WHtR) ratios are better predictors of the risk of DM than BMI in South African men aged 20 years and older. Data from the first South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1) were used. Overall, 1405 men who had valid HbA1c outcomes were included.

Anthropometric indices for predicting cardiovascular risk factors: Ellisras longitudinal study.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to determine which anthropometric indices can best predict the presence of common cardiovascular risk factors among young adults in the rural village of Ellisras in the Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Methods: A total of 624 young adults (306 males and 318 females) aged 18 to 29 years took part in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometrics were measured according to the standard procedures.

Dietary Fiber Intake and Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors among Young South African Adults.

This study attempts to bridge the research gap regarding the importance of dietary fiber in reducing metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk factors in young rural South Africans. A total of 627 individuals (309 males and 318 females) aged 18–30 years participated in the study. Dietary intake was measured using a validated 24-h recall method.

Association between Blood Pressure and Birth Weight among Rural South African Children: Ellisras Longitudinal Study.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between birth weight, underweight, and blood pressure (BP) among Ellisras rural children aged between 5 and 15 years. Data were collected from 528 respondents who participated in the Ellisras Longitudinal Study (ELS) and had their birth weight recorded on their health clinic card. Standard procedure was used to measure the anthropometric measurements and BP.