THEMATIC LEAD UPDATETHEME: PUBLIC HEALTH

AAUN PRDF PROJECTS

A A U N I N T E R N A T I O N A L A F R I C A F O R U M

M A Y 1 1 T H 2 0 1 5

I N D A B A H O T E L , J O H A N N E S B U R G

CURRENT PORTFOLIO

1. Building an AAUN coalition to support improved nutrition and health of children under 5 years, pregnant and lactating mothers: extension

2. An analysis of the value chain for indigenous edible insects and their potential role in mother and child nutrition in Eastern and Southern Africa: Focus on Mopani

3. Reducing hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa through salt reduction strategies

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS AND OUTPUTS

Partners1. University of Pretoria2. University of Sydney3. University of Nairobi4. University of Ibadan5. University of Mauritius6. University of Wollongong7. University of Queensland

Project 1: Building an AAUN coalition to support improved nutrition and health of children under 5 years, pregnant and lactating mothers

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS AND OUTPUTS

Achievements: Literature review conducted and shared 1. The literature review was conducted to gather information on the AAUN

identified parameters (framework was provided) that would help to understand the nutrition situation of children aged less than 5 years and women of child bearing age in South Africa.

2. The literature study resulted in a database containing childhood nutrition status (stunting, underweight and wasting, micronutrient status) and maternal nutritional status, food quality and production (crops and animals), people living with HIV and poverty levels.

3. Two final year student theses from the University of Nairobi and one from the University of Pretoria

4. Second round of funding- meeting to share and discuss article and grant writing

Project 1: Building an AAUN coalition to support improved nutrition and health of children under 5 years, pregnant and lactating mothers

PROJECT 2Project 2: An analysis of the value chain for indigenous edible insects and their potential role in mother and child nutrition in Eastern and Southern Africa: Focus on Mopani

Project 2: An analysis of the value chain for indigenous edible insects and their potential role in mother and child nutrition in Eastern and Southern Africa: Focus on Mopani

Partners

1.University of Sydney

2.University of Zambia

3.University of Pretoria

4.Makerere University

5.CSIR

PROJECT 2Project 2: An analysis of the value chain for indigenous edible insects and their potential role in mother and child nutrition in Eastern and Southern Africa: Focus on Mopani

Project 2: An analysis of the value chain for indigenous edible insects and their potential role in mother and child nutrition in Eastern and Southern Africa: Focus on MopaniAim:The aim of the multi-country project is to assess and compare the value chain of the

mopani across selected countries in eastern and southern Africa with a view of enhancing maternal and child nutrition and health.

Objectives:

1.To do a situational analysis of insect consumption, in four countries, South Africa, Zambia, Uganda and Malawi.

2.To do literature review on available information on nutrient content, harvesting, processing and storage of the most commonly eaten insects in Southern Africa

3.To conduct nutrient analyses on mopani worms (protein content and quality – amino acid composition)

4.To evaluate potential key roles the insects may play in mother and child nutrition

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS AND OUTPUTS

Situational analysis on insect consumption:A workshop was held to draft terms of reference of project execution, ethics and other approvals required from authorities for collecting information from communities.  Output:A research protocol with data collection instruments was prepared and submitted to the Health Sciences Ethics Committee of the University of Pretoria. Approval is awaited.

Project 2: An analysis of the value chain for indigenous edible insects and their potential role in mother and child nutrition in Eastern and Southern Africa: Focus on Mopani

Project 2: An analysis of the value chain for indigenous edible insects and their potential role in mother and child nutrition in Eastern and Southern Africa: Focus on Mopani

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS AND OUTPUTS

Project 3: Reducing hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa through salt reduction strategies

University of Wollongong, Australia: A/Prof Karen CharltonUniversity of Ghana: Professor Richard Biritwum + PhD student (Elias Menyanu)Human Sciences Research Council, South Africa: Prof Nancy Phaswana-MafuyaWorld Health Organization: Dr Paul Kowal

SALT REDUCTION IN SOUTH AFRICA: SUCCESSES IN POLICY DIRECTIVES

South Africa first country globally to mandate salt levels in processed foods Department of Health. Regulations relating to the reduction of sodium in certain foodstuffs and related matters. Government Gazette, 20 March 2013, no 36274. Aim: To reduce mean population intake of salt from the current level of 8 – 10 g per day to < 5 g per day by 2020.

Overall visionTo lessen the burden of NCDs related to hypertension in sub-Saharan Africa by influencing food policy through the development of population-wide salt-reduction strategies.

Project AimTo estimate baseline population-level dietary salt intake in Ghana and South Africa, from there, track hypertension over time, as well as related health expenditures and covariates that affect prevalence and treatment.

PROJECT OBJECTIVES

• To bring together the researchers to discuss methodology and logistics for collection of 24hr urine samples on a large scale within a community-based survey in developing countries.

• To conduct a pilot study in both countries to test feasibility (N = 50 individuals per country).

• To develop manuals for training of fieldworkers and develop protocols for urinary collections.

• To compare spot urinary Na collections against 24hr Na collections - contribute methodology to population monitoring of salt intakes

EXTERNAL GRANT FUNDING RECEIVED

Bloomberg Philanthropies Foundation (USA): US$291,837 (2014-15)

PROGRESS AND WAY FORWARD TO REACH MILESTONES

GhanaPilot completed (AAUN funding used).

Fieldwork for main study (SAGE-Ghana; n = 1200) underway, 22/24 EAs completed;

Fieldwork to be completed June 2015

South AfricaSouth African partners fell through (HSRC); led to delays of over 18 months

North West University (NWU) now engaged to deliver fieldwork

- Prof Alta Schutte, Dr Lisa Ware

Visit of KC to NWU, South Africa (29-30 April 2015)

Pilot to begin SA end of May 2015 (AAUN funding)

Data collection for main survey (SAGE-SA; n = 1200) due to be completed Oct 2015.

OUTCOMES TO DATE: PUBLICATIONS

CHALLENGES

1. Coordination of meetings/time zones

2. Delays due to institutional timeframes e.g. ethics approval of protocols

3. Challenges in-country – laboratory methods

4. Teams work independently, but need to follow same protocol

5. Difficulties establishing multi-disciplinary teams across geographical boundaries

WAY FORWARD

• Project 1: Discuss the basic data that’s been collected , decide on the best way to analyse it, Publication methods Grant writing to seek more funding for a substantial project.Expand the research to investigate the health-agriculture and nutrition nexus

• Project 2: discuss ethical approval, data collection and analysis

WAY FORWARD PROJECT 3

1. All protocols in place2. Pilot completed in Ghana3. North West University partners on board4. Both country data collection to be completed (n=1200 each

country) by Oct 20155. PhD student (Ghana) to spend 2 years in Australia (Aug

2015-) to complete thesis: capacity development6. Many publications will result and contribution to science and

public health policy7. Funding for Wave 3 (2016-17) is anticipated to repeat data

collection in cohort