James Hlengani Siweya

By Monyeki K. Daniel, Siweya H. James, Kemper C.G. Han and Ramoshaba N. Elfas

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for two out of three deaths worldwide with their profile changing from one country to another. But evidence to sustained these changes are still very limited in rural South African population. The well-characterized Ellisras Longitudinal Study (ELS) provides a unique opportunity of mapping some of these changes in vulnerable adolescent and young adults. The objective is we determined the extent of NCD risk factors derived from anthropometric and blood pressure measurements affected Ellisras Longitudinal Study (ELS) subjects over time for those who died or permanently lost to follow-up. A total of 2238 subjects aged 3–10 years (born between 1994 and 1986) were randomly selected to take part of the Ellisras Longitudinal Study (ELS) in November 1996. The attrition rate of ELS subjects based on death ranges between 0.71 and 3.73% for boys and 0.75 and 4.89% for girls. The prevalence of sever undernutrition ranges from 3.2 to 53%, moderate undernutrition ranges from 9.7 to 28.8%, while mild undernutrition ranges from 17.9 to 59.1% for both males and females. The prevalence of undernutrition was high while hypertension, obesity, and overweight were low in the population. The identification of appropriate NCD indicators for mortality in rural South African population needs more consideration and evaluation.

Part of the book: Nutrition in Health and Disease

By Moloko Matshipi, Hlengani James Siweya and Phuti Joanna Makgae

Obesity as directly measured by anthropometric parameters has been demonstrated to be associated with hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus, which are common risk factors for CVD. The study aimed at assessing the relationship between blood pressure, blood glucose and anthropometric parameters in Ellisras children. A total of 492 children aged 6 to 11 years, participated in the study. Neck circumference, waist circumference, body mass index, waist-to-height ratio, fasting blood glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured using standard procedures. Linear regression showed significant association (P < 0.05) of anthropometric parameters (except waist-to-height ratio) with blood pressure. Fasting blood glucose was significantly associated with neck circumference when adjusted for age and gender. Positive correlation was found for systolic blood pressure with neck and waist circumference and body mass index in both genders and for diastolic blood pressure, the correlation was only found in boys. Fasting blood glucose was negatively correlated with neck circumference. Waist circumference (P = 0.025, β = 1.208, 95% CI = 1.017–1.285) was better than BMI (P = 0.046, β = 1.340, 95% CI = 1.005–1.788) in predicting elevated systolic blood pressure. These findings suggest that it is crucial to manage anthropometric parameters in the Ellisras community in order to decelerate the increase of hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

Part of the book: Lifestyle and Epidemiology

By Mbelege Rosina Nkwana, Gift Makaleng, Mafoloa Suzan Monyeki, Hlengani James Siweya and Kotsedi Daniel Monyeki

In South Africa, substance rehabilitation centers found alcohol as the primary substance abuse in eight out of the nine provinces. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of alcohol use and associated risk factors among University of Limpopo students with mean age of 21.5 years. This was a cross-sectional study and constituted a total of 500 female students and 417 male students from the University of Limpopo. Logistic regression was used to calculate the association between alcohol consumption and its predictors. Information about their alcohol consumption, the type of alcohol and the practice related to alcohol consumption was collected using a validated questionnaire. Tobacco and marijuana product use were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with alcohol use among University of Limpopo students for unadjusted (OR ranges 4.31 95%CI 2.71 6.87 to 4.92 95%CI 3.16 7.70) and after adjusting for age gender and amount of money deposited into the student account by the bursary scheme (OR ranges from 4.14 95%CI 2.59 6.62 to 4.50 95%CI 2.87 7.06). Tobacco product use, marijuana use and enhancing interpersonal relationships are major risk factors associated to current alcohol use. Future studies are required to investigate the development of lifestyle and cardiovascular disease over time among University of Limpopo students.

Part of the book: Lifestyle and Epidemiology

By Betty Sebati, Kotsedi Monyeki, Hlengani Siweya and Susan Monyeki

Cardiovascular disease is a notable cause of death globally. When undetected, varying measurements of BP between arms can lead to inaccuracies in the interpretation and management of blood pressure consequently putting individuals in an avoidable risk through sub-optimal blood pressure control. The aim of the study was to determine the difference in blood pressure between the arms and its association to cardiovascular risk in young adults at Ellisras. A total of 624 young adults aged 18 to 29 years old participated in the study. Blood pressure measurements and blood analysis were done according to standard procedures. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the association between interarm blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors. There was significant (p ≤ 0.05) mean difference of diastolic blood pressure of the <10 mmHg and ≥ 10 mmHg groups. There was a positive significant association between systolic inter arm blood pressure difference and hypertension (B = 5.331; 95%CI = 12.260–23.183; P = 0.026) while no significant association was found between diastolic blood pressure and interarm diastolic differences in diastolic blood pressure (B = 1.081; 95%CI = 1.032–1.131; P = 0.920). The current study showed positive associations between inter arm differences and a few cardiovascular risk factors including BMI and gender. Detection of an interarm BP difference should motivate the need for a thorough cardiovascular/health assessment.

Part of the book: Lifestyle and Epidemiology

By Kotsedi Daniel Monyeki, Hlengani James Siweya and Phut Johanna Makgae

The use of tobacco products is a modifiable risk factor for non-communicable diseases. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of waterpipe tobacco product use and associated risk factors amongst University of Limpopo students aged 17–43 years. This cross-sectional study comprises 916 (415 males and 501 females) University of Limpopo students aged 17–43 years. The questionnaire was validated for the University of Limpopo student population before it was used. Logistic regression was used to determine the associated risk factors for waterpipe tobacco product use among the University of Limpopo students. Staying on campus (OR 2.54 95%CI 1.87 3.44) or off-campus (0.39 95%CI 0.29 0.54) was significantly (p<0.05) associated with using waterpipe tobacco products even after adjusting for age and gender and receiving a bursary (on Campus OR=3.8095%CI 2.59 5.57) off-campus (0.26 95%CI 0.18 0.39). Our results demonstrate that waterpipe smoking was more prevalent among university male students than female students. Liking the taste and difficulties to refuse were significantly (p<0.05) associated with the use of waterpipe amongst University students. Future research should investigate the association of waterpipe use with risk factors for non-communicable diseases over time.

Part of the book: Lifestyle-Related Diseases and Metabolic Syndrome