Investigation of socio-demographic, clinical and genetic factors associated with blood pressure and glycaemic control among indigenous South African adult patients

Doctor ScientiaeAchieving blood pressure and glycaemic treatment targets remain a major public health challenge in individuals with hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM). This research project was, therefore, designed to investigate the socio-demographic, clinical and genetic factors associated with blood pressure and glycaemic control among indigenous South African adult patients. The main aims of the project were as follows: (1) To assess the prevalence and socio-demographic factors associated with uncontrolled hypertension, in individuals receiving chronic care in primary healthcare facilities, based in the rural areas of Mkhondo Municipality (Study 1). (2) To investigate the association of nineteen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with blood pressure control among adult patients treated with hydrochlorothiazide (Study 2). (3) To assess the level of association between twelve SNPs with uncontrolled blood pressure for adult patients treated with amlodipine (Study 3). (4) To examine the association of five SNPs in selected genes (ABO, VEGFA, BDKRB2, NOS3 and ADRB2) with blood pressure response to enalapril treatment, and further assess interaction patterns that influence blood pressure response (Study 4). (5) To determine the prevalence of poor glycaemic control and its influencing factors among adult patients from Mkhondo Municipality attending chronic care for DM (Study 5). (6) To evaluate the level of association between polymorphisms found in the SLC22A1, SP1, PRPF31, NBEA, SCNN1B, CPA6 and CAPN10 genes, and glycaemic response to metformin and Sulphonylureas (SU) combination therapy among South African adults with DM. Also, to investigate interaction patterns that influence glycaemic control in response to metformin and SU combination therapy (Study 6)

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in amlodipine-associated genes and their correlation with blood pressure control among South African adults with hypertension

This study describes the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in amlodipineassociated genes and assesses their correlation with blood pressure control among South African adults with hypertension. Methods: In total, 304 hypertensive patients on amlodipine treatment belonging to the indigenous Swati, Xhosa and Zulu population groups of South Africa were recruited between June 2017 and June 2019. Participants were categorized into: controlled (blood pressure < 140/90 mmHg) and uncontrolled (blood pressure 140/90 mmHg) hypertension. Thirteen SNPs in amlodipine pharmacogenes with a high PharmGKB evidence base were selected and genotyped using MassArray (Agena BioscienceTM)

Healthcare workers’ perceptions of sexual violence during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Eastern Cape

Background: The South African government implemented lockdown restrictions in order to prevent the spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Aim: This study explored the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on sexual violence in the Eastern Cape province through the lens of healthcare workers’ (HCWs) experiences. Setting: A Thuthuzela care centre in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. Methods: This qualitative study brings together the findings from thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews conducted among 11 purposively selected HCWs in May 2022. Results: Overall, three themes emerged from the study: the effects of COVID-19 on sexual violence, profile of the survivors and recommendations for combating sexual violence in the region. Most respondents believed that the COVID-19 pandemic caused a surge in the incidence of sexual violence, although all acknowledged that movement restrictions affected reporting. The participants treated mostly black women and children’s survivors, who experienced physical injuries simultaneously. The respondents’ narratives revealed that educational campaigns targeting boys and men could reduce sexual violence in the region. In addition, it was recommended that stricter laws and harsher penalties would serve as deterrents for perpetrators of sexual violence in the country. Conclusion: The COVID-19 lockdown restrictions exposed the vulnerabilities of black women and children to sexual violence in the study setting. Educational programmes aimed at re-orientating boys and men in both rural and urban communities should be implemented. Contributions: This study provides an insight into the perceived effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual violence in the Amathole district and South Africa

Genomic association of single nucleotide polymorphisms with blood pressure response to hydrochlorothiazide among south african adults with hypertension

: This study described single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in hydrochlorothiazideassociated genes and further assessed their correlation with blood pressure control among South African adults living with hypertension. A total of 291 participants belonging to the Nguni tribes of South Africa on treatment for hypertension were recruited. Nineteen SNPs in hydrochlorothiazide pharmacogenes were selected and genotyped using MassArray. Uncontrolled hypertension was defined as blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg. The association between genotypes, alleles and blood pressure response to treatment was determined by conducting multivariate logistic regression model analysis. The majority of the study participants were female (73.19%), Xhosa (54.98%) and had blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg (68.73%). Seventeen SNPs were observed among the Xhosa tribe, and two (rs2070744 and rs7297610) were detected among Swati and Zulu participants