Are socio-economic inequalities related to cardiovascular disease risk? A systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies.

Purpose: The aim of this research was to investigate the relationship between socio-economic inequalities and fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events.

Methods: A systematic review of recently published cohort studies and a meta-analysis of relative risk (RR) of low compared with high socio-economic status (SES) in relation to cardiovascular incidence and mortality was conducted. Supplementary evaluations were conducted considering different proxies of SES in relation to different types of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Obesity, beverage consumption and sleep patterns in rural African women in relation to advertising of these beverages.

Background: The burden of obesity-related, non-communicable diseases in South Africa is persistent, with poor and black South African women particularly vulnerable. The purpose of the present study was to determine relationships between obesity, physical activity, sleep patterns and beverage consumption among black South African women in a rural village in the Limpopo province.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 rural-dwelling African women.

Relationship between Psychosocial Factors and Physical Activity among Undergraduate Students from a South African University.

Psychosocial factors such as mental health, motivation, and social support are key determinants of behavior that play a significant role in physical activity participation. Limited studies have investigated the relationship between psychosocial factors and physical activity among university students in Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between psychosocial factors and physical activity participation among undergraduate university students at a historically disadvantaged university (HDU) in South Africa.

Sedentariness and overweight in relation to mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. A mediation analysis based on the World Health Organization-Global Health Observatory data repository.

Background: Globally, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have been continuously reported to be the number one leading cause of reduced life expectancy and poor life quality and have thus become a major public health concern.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the complex mediation analysis between physical inactivity and overweight in relation to mortality.

Methods: The study is based on public data collected by the Global Health Observatory of the World Health Organization.

Strategies and best practices that enhance participation in regular physical activities among undergraduate university students: a systematic review protocol.

Introduction: Physical activity has health benefits, including lowered obesity, diabetes and hypertension levels. However, participation in regular physical activities among undergraduate students is declining and, instead, physical inactivity sets the path for sedentarism. Strategies and best practices used to enhance participation in regular physical activities among undergraduate students are beneficial for mitigating sedentariness and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Diabetes self-management: a qualitative study on challenges and solutions from the perspective of South African patients and health care providers.

Background: Health education and self-management are among key strategies for managing diabetes and hypertension to reduce morbidity and mortality. Inappropriate self-management support can potentially worsen chronic diseases outcomes if relevant barriers are not identified and self-management solutions are not contextualised. Few studies deliberately solicit suggestions for enhancing self-management from patients and their providers.

Corrigendum: Novel coronavirus and regular physical activity involvement: Opinion.

No abstract available.

Prevalence of disease complications and risk factor monitoring amongst diabetes and hypertension patients attending chronic disease management programmes in a South African Township.

Background: South Africa established chronic disease management programmes (CDMPs) called 'clubs' to ensure quality diabetes care. However, the effectiveness of these clubs remains unclear in terms of disease risk factor monitoring and complication prevention.

Aim: We assessed risk factor monitoring, prevalence and determinants of diabetes related complications amongst type-2 diabetes (T2D) and hypertension (HTN) patients attending two CDMPs.

Erratum: Demographic and socio-economic predictors of physical activity among people living with HIV of low socio-economic status.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.4102/hsag.v24i0.

Exposure of Children to Unhealthy Food and Beverage Advertisements in South Africa.

Television (TV) is a powerful medium for marketing food and beverages. Food and beverage marketers tend to use this medium to target children with the hope that children will in turn influence their families' food choices. No study has assessed the compliance of TV marketers with the South African Marketing to Children pledge since the enactment of the 2014 food advertising recommendations by the South African Department of Health and the Advertising Standards Authority.

Novel coronavirus and regular physical activity involvement: Opinion.

The novel coronavirus (NCOVID-19) has quickly become a public health concern globally and needs urgent attention. While there is no current evidence of vaccines and specific drugs to prevent and treat the ailments emanating from NCOVID-19 infections, complementary and conventional medical treatments could prove beneficial in ameliorating some of the respiratory difficulties, especially in countries in sub-Saharan Africa. These treatments include specific breathing exercises, a diet that strengthens the immune system, as well as avoiding tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption.

Body Image and the Double Burden of Nutrition among South Africans from Diverse Sociodemographic Backgrounds: SANHANES-1.

This study investigated the associations between underweight, obesity and body image (BI) among 15+ year-old South Africans with diverse socio-demographic backgrounds. A cross-sectional survey and the analyses of data for 6411 15+ year-old participants in the first South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey was undertaken. Body image was compared to body mass index (BMI) and socio-demography.

Demographic and socio-economic predictors of physical activity among people living with HIV of low socio-economic status.

Background: Physical activity (PA) is beneficial for the health of people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA).

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine if age, body weight, height, gender, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), educational attainment, employment status, CD4+ cell count and body mass index (BMI) can predict overall PA among PLWHA of low socio-economic status (SES).

Setting: Participants in this study were HIV-infected patients on first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen offered by the South African National Department of Health, and those not on ART.

Prevalence of the risk factors for cardiometabolic disease among firefighters in the Western Cape province of South Africa.

Background: Cardiometabolic disease (CMD) risk factors have reached epidemic proportions, with many people at risk of premature disability and death. There is insufficient data regarding the prevalence of CMD risk factors among firefighters in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of CMD risk factors among South African firefighters in the Western Cape Province.

Validity and reliability of the Setswana translation of the Short Form-8 health-related quality of life health survey in adults.

Background: The absence of culturally relevant measures in indigenous languages could pose a challenge to epidemiological studies on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in developing nations.

Aim: To explore the feasibility and determine the validity and reliability of the Setswana translation of the HRQoL Short Form-8 (SF-8) among Setswana-speaking adults.

Setting: Potchefstroom in the North West province.

Managing Noncommunicable Diseases in an African Community: Effects, Compliance, and Barriers to Participation in a 4-Week Exercise Intervention.

To determine the compliance, barriers, and effects of participation in a 4-week exercise intervention aimed at reducing risk factors for noncommunicable diseases among community-dwelling adults from a low-resourced area of South Africa. An exercise program and associated pre-posttest were performed by 76 participants (men, n = 26 and women, n = 50) aged 35 to 65 years. Baseline and end tests included height, weight, hip and waist circumference, heart rate, blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, quality of life, and cardiorespiratory fitness measurements.