Project Acronym (if applicable): ARISE-NUTRINT
Project Duration (Start – End Date): 2023-2026
Project Status (Ongoing / Completed / Upcoming): On-going
2. Project Overview
NUTRINT is a research project focused on improving nutritional outcomes through targeted interventions in HDSS populations. The study investigates how nutrition-related interventions can address malnutrition and its associated health risks, particularly in vulnerable populations. Implemented within HDSS settings, including USINGA, the project leverages longitudinal population data to assess dietary patterns, nutritional status, and the effectiveness of interventions over time. It integrates nutrition science with implementation research to ensure that interventions are both effective and scalable. The importance of NUTRINT lies in the persistent burden of malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa, including undernutrition and emerging overnutrition. By generating high-quality evidence on nutrition interventions, the project contributes to improving health outcomes and informing policy decisions. The project benefits communities by promoting better nutrition, supports policymakers with evidence-based recommendations, and strengthens health systems through improved intervention strategies.
3. Background and Rationale
Malnutrition remains a major public health issue, contributing to poor health outcomes and increased disease burden. There is a need for context-specific, evidence-based nutrition interventions. NUTRINT uses the HDSS platform to monitor nutritional indicators over time and evaluate interventions in real-world settings. The project aligns with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), as well as national nutrition strategies.
4. Objectives
Overall Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of nutrition interventions in improving population health outcomes.
Specific Objectives:
1. To assess baseline nutritional status in HDSS populations
2. To implement targeted nutrition interventions
3. To evaluate intervention effectiveness over time
4. To identify determinants of nutritional outcomes
5. To inform policy and programmatic responses
5. Study Setting and Population
Geographic Area: Multi-country Sub-Saharan African HDSS sites, including South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda, Burkina Faso, and Ethiopia
Target Population: 1200 adolescents aged 10-19 years and young adults aged 20-24 years per HDSS.
Is the project nested within the HDSS cohort? (Yes/No – Explain) Yes — fully embedded within HDSS systems, allowing:
- Longitudinal tracking of nutritional outcomes
- Linkage to socio-demographic and health data
- Evaluation of interventions over time
Estimated Sample Size (if applicable): 1200 adolescents aged 10-19 years and young adults aged 20-24 years per HDSS.
6. Methodology
Study Design: Longitudinal and intervention-based study
Data Collection Methods: Dietary assessments
Surveys
Policy analysis
HDSS-linked longitudinal tracking
Data Collection Tools: Surveys
Anthropometric measurements
Dietary assessments
Biomarkers
Follow-up Frequency: Complete three rounds of annual surveys with the cohort of adolescents and young adults across sites.
7. Partnerships and Collaborators
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
- Technical University of Munich
- Africa Academy for Public Health
- University of KwaZulu-Natal
- Makerere University
8. Community Engagement
- Community consultations
- CAB involvement
- Feedback sessions
- Local employment opportunities
9. Ethical Approval
Name of Ethics Committee:
Approval Number:
Consent Procedures:
Confidentiality and Data Protection Measures:
10. Outputs and Impact
Completed studies
- Community-based Adolescent Health Study 2018-2020
- School-based Adolescent Health and Nutrition Study 2020-2022
- Tropical Medicine & International Health; Volume 25, Issue 1; January 2020
Publications
- Adolescent Health in sub-Saharan Africa. Edited by: Justine Bukenya, Chelsey Canavan, Till Bärnighausen, Wafaie Fawzi. Adolescent Health and Well-being Longitudinal Study 2021-2023
- Maternal & Child Nutrition; Special Issue; 2024. Nutrition of school-age children https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1111/(ISSN)1740-8709.Nutrition_of_school-age_children
11. Data Access (if applicable)
Is data available for external researchers? (Yes/No) Yes, upon request.
Data Access Process: Through ARISE data access procedures.
Link to Data Access Policy:
Contact Email: Machanyangwa@ukzn.ac.za or MahlaseT@ukzn.ac.za
12. Project Team (Please provide head shots as well)
Principal Investigator: Prof. Till Bärnighausen
Co-Investigators: Prof. Dr. Michael Laxy
Dr. Jacob Burns
Prof. Dr. Dr. Wafaie Fawzi
Dr. Mary Mwanyika-Sando
Prof. Dr. Dr. Mosa Moshabela
Project Manager: Irene Brandt
Field Coordinator: Christine Neumann
Key Staff: Dr Nompumelelo Nzimande-Mbele, Prof. Jabulani Ncayiyana, Dr Nolwazi Dlamini, Siphindile Machanyangwa, Tankiso Mahlase, Njabulo Ngidi, Dr Nonzuzo Mbokazi, Nomzamo Mthembu, Themba Manqele and Senhora Litchfield.
13. Contact Information
Project Email:
Social media platforms:
Physical Address:
Website link (if applicable):
14. Visual Content (Optional for Website Use)
-Maps of Study Area
-Infographics
-Photographs (with consent)
-Project Timeline