The number of research studies coming out of Africa has been steadily increasing throughout the years. In line with this, the range of topics within these research studies has also been expanding. The following summaries are current studies that are ongoing in Africa at the moment. Both are important for further intervention in the two target areas.
At North-West University in South Africa, a randomized-controlled study by Smutz, M (NCT05168085) is testing the link between eggs and child development. Specifically, this study seeks to determine the effectiveness of chicken eggs as a food to enhance early child growth and development. A goal of this study is to add evidence to support egg consumption in early childhood diets. This allows the information to be used in future programs regarding children’s nutrition in low to middle income countries.
Another university in South Africa at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (NCT04026620) is seeking to find preventative measures for fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). FASDs are a group of conditions related to growth, mental, physical, and physiological conditions that can arise in fetuses exposed to alcohol. This study is testing the effectiveness of Motivational Enhancement Therapy as an intervention and consists of 167 participants, aged 15-44, which are split into two groups: control group and case group. Each group receives a different form of intervention, known as a parallel assignment intervention model. The intervention for both groups consist of two informational pamphlets, which will educate the expected mothers on the harmful effects of alcohol consumption while pregnant. The case group will receive one session of Motivational Enhancement Therapy, in addition to the pamphlets. Using this model, researchers can show which form of intervention is more effective. Pending the results of this study, the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill will have aided in taking a step forward in the prevention of FASD.
References
- Smuts, M. (2021, Dec 23 - ). Efficacy of Providing Eggs as an Early Complementary Food to Promote Child Growth. Identifier NCT05168085. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05168085
- University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill). (2019, July 19 - ). The Trajectory of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Across the LifeSpan: Continuing Prevention and Longitudinal Epidemiology. Identifier NCT04026620. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04026620