🌍 World TB Day: Community Wellness Outreach
To mark World TB Day, the Division of Epi & Biostats delivered food parcels to TB TUTT beneficiaries at Gugulethu TB Clinic, alongside TB education, screening, and community outreach with the UCT Lung Institute
@uct-fhs-research.bsky.social

Outcomes of hyperglycaemia in pregnancy in Africa: Systematic review and meta-analysis Objective The global prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus has significantly risen in recent decades, leading to a corresponding increase in the incidence of diabetes-complicated pregnancies. Hyperglycaemia in pregnancy (HIP), the most common metabolic complication encountered during pregnancy, is associated with a range of adverse maternal and foetal outcomes. This systematic review comprehensively examined the maternal, foetal, neonatal, childhood, and long-term maternal outcomes of HIP in Africa. Methods A systematic review of all studies investigating HIP outcomes in Africa from January 1998 to February 2025 was undertaken. We searched PubMed-MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Embase and Web of Science databases for eligible studies. Studies were included if they were observational studies describing outcomes of HIP in Africa. For each outcome, study results were synthesised using an inverse variance heterogeneity meta-analysis with the Freeman-Tukey transformation. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic, and publication bias was assessed using Doi plots. Results Thirty studies were included in the review, comprising 9742 participants. These studies were conducted across the following African countries: South Africa (n = 11), Ethiopia (n = 4), Nigeria (n = 3), Sudan (n = 3), Uganda (n = 2), and one each from Ghana, Algeria, Morocco, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Togo, and Egypt. The most common adverse pregnancy outcomes for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) were caesarean section (CS) (overall prevalence 46.0%, 95% CI 35.7–56.4, I2 = 95.6%), preterm delivery (overall prevalence 25.2% (95% CI 12.7–40.2, I2 = 96.7%) and neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission (overall prevalence 25.9% (95% CI 13.7–40.2, I2 = 85.7%). The most common adverse pregnancy outcomes for women with preexisting type 1 diabetes (T1DM) were CS (overall prevalence 57.5%, 95% CI 44.9–69.7, I2 = 81.2%), preterm delivery (overall prevalence 50.7%, 95% CI 16.3–84.8, I2 = 92.6%), and neonatal hypoglycaemia (overall prevalence 20.2%, 95% CI 0.0–61.4, I2 = 94.6%). CS (overall prevalence 60.6%, 95% CI 45.5–74.8, I2 = 93.6%) and preterm delivery (overall prevalence 35.2%, 95% CI 29.5–41.1, I2 = 49.3%) were the most prevalent adverse pregnancy outcomes for women with preexisting type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Postpartum T2DM was the most common long-term adverse outcome of women who had GDM or hyperglycaemia first detected in pregnancy (HFDP). There was significant heterogeneity across most outcomes. Conclusions The prevalence of adverse outcomes of HIP in Africa is high, in particular CS, preterm delivery and neonatal hypoglycaemia, with higher frequencies in pregestational T1DM and T2DM compared to GDM. Additionally, T2DM prevalence in women post-GDM is about 50%. The outcome data predominantly come from a few studies, indicating the necessity for more high-quality research to improve HIP-related maternal and child health in Africa. The high heterogeneity across most outcomes suggests that their prevalence varies across populations and underscores the need for more high-quality data. PROSPERO Registration Number: CRD42020184573.

🔍New insights on hyperglycaemia in pregnancy (HIP) in Africa
📈The prevalence of adverse outcomes related to HIP in for mothers and babies is high
📌We need earlier screening, improved access to care, and context‑appropriate clinical guidelines
👉🏾Read the article: journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...

Application and implications of new global definitions of obesity: a cross-sectional study of South African women Obesity confirmation increased prevalence estimates, primarily by extending assessment to below BMI 30 kg/m2. Anthropometric confirmation may overestimate obesity prevalence compared with BF% and impr...

📄 New findings in The Lancet Regional Health Africa show BMI ≥30kg/m² alone misses many SA women with excess body fat.
🌍 A lower threshold (~26kg/m²) improves detection which is crucial as NCDs rise across Africa.
👉🏿 Read the full article: www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...

💯 Quiz afternoon, Public Health style! 🧪
We had a great time getting to know our MPH/MSc Epi & Biostats students at our Public Health-themed quiz social event.
#quiz #PublicHealth #MPH #MSC
@uct-fhs-research.bsky.social

Last week we partnered with Central Library for Libraries Week to introduce high school learners to public health. Students explored the role of an epidemiologist and took part in a hands‑on outbreak investigation game. Thanks to Central Library and everyone who joined!

Don’t miss our two in-person upcoming R workshops next week!
Multiple imputation with R:
🔗 docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
📅 Weds, March 25
🕛 11:00 - 14:00
🧑🏾‍💻 Advanced

Group summaries and comparisons with R:
🔗 docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
📅 Fri, March 27
🕛 11:00 - 14:00
🧑🏾‍💻 Beginner

📚 We’re thrilled to celebrate South African Library Week with an interactive presentation for high school learners at Central Library, Cape Town. Join us, all are welcome!
🗓️ 19 March 2026
🕒 3PM
📍 Central Library, Cape Town
@uct-fhs-research.bsky.social
#LibraryWeek

📈Working with data and need to visualise your results effectively? Join our Basic data visualization with R – Part 1 workshop to learn plotting tools to support your analyses.
🔗Link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
🗓️Friday, March 20
🕙10:00 - 13:00
📍In-person
@uct-fhs-research.bsky.social

Extreme Heat Is Taking A Toll On Children’s Health In South Africa Children have a limited capacity to tolerate extreme heat compared with adults.

🌡️ News article warns about dangers of extreme heat in South Africa especially among vulnerable populations. Climate change policy action is needed in South Africa ASAP!
health-e.org.za/2026/03/11/e...
#climatechange #policy #publichealth
@uct-fhs-research.bsky.social @climatencds.bsky.social

Interested in performing statistical inference?

📊 Upcoming R workshop👇🏼
🔗 Link: forms.gle/dUozjGaT3jQu...

📅 Fri, March 13
🕛 10:00-13:00
📍 In-person

#UCTPublicHealth #RStats #Biostatistics #DataScience
@uct-fhs-research.bsky.social @uctcider.bsky.social

Interested in learning how to perform longitudinal data analysis using R?

📊 Upcoming R workshop👇🏼
🔗 Link: forms.gle/P59uU2HqkKF8...

📅 Wed, March 11
🕛 10:00 -13:00
📍 In-person

#UCTPublicHealth #RStats #Biostatistics #DataScience
@uct-fhs-research.bsky.social @uctcider.bsky.social

New to R and want to improve your data analysis skills?
Join us for our Introduction to R workshop – Part 2
🖱️Registration link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
📅 Date: Tuesday 3 March
🕓 Time: 16:00 - 17:30
📍Format: In-person

#CROI2026 Denver 🇺🇸 @epibiostats-uct.bsky.social

🤔 Are you interested in using R for advanced data management? Register and join our in-person workshop on advanced data handling with R.
🖱️ Registration link: forms.gle/Q9bFdssqfCPb...
📅 Date: Wednesday 25 February 2026
🕛 Time: 10:00 – 13:00
📍 Format: In-person

👋🏾 Wishing a warm welcome to all our new and returning students!
💻 We offer a series of R training courses annually that cover a range of skills (beginner to advanced).
🖱️ Please sign up using the registration links or check out the website for more information:
health.uct.ac.za/school-publi...

The professor who wouldn’t look away: Leslie London on poison, the 'dop system', and genocide From academic corridors to ministerial meetings and rural reaches, Leslie London has never shied away from speaking truth to power. Biénne Huisman speaks to the Emeritus Professor at the University of...

🚨New read from @spotlightnsp.bsky.social
✊🏾Prof Leslie London has spent decades fighting for health equity from exposing pesticide harm to advocating against alcohol abuse among vulnerable populations.
👉🏾 Read the full article: www.spotlightnsp.co.za/2026/02/11/t...
#PublicHealth

Exploration of Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women’s Acceptability of Rapid Point-of-Care Urine Testing Within Antenatal and Postnatal Care, and Its Perceived Impact on PrEP Adherence When Paired with Pr... Pregnant and breastfeeding women (PBFW) on oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) face barriers to adherence and persistence which may be improved by point-of-care adherence monitoring using urine tenof...

📰 New publication in AIDS and Behavior
💊 Findings from the SCOPE-PP study among pregnant and breastfeeding women in Cape Town show that urine tenofovir testing paired with non‑judgmental biofeedback counselling is acceptable and can encourage daily PrEP adherence.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...

🤔 Are you interested in realist research approaches?
🖱️ Click the link to register for a two-day in-person workshop
forms.office.com/pages/respon...
@uct-fhs-research.bsky.social

🎓 Registration is open for first- and second-year MPH students
✅ Our division offers both a Master of Public Health (MPH) and a Master of Science (MSc)
❓ Not sure which degree suits you best?
👇🏾 Take a look at the image below to see how they differ
@uct-fhs-research.bsky.social

Global estimates of tuberculosis incidence during pregnancy and postpartum: a rapid review and modelling analysis Despite known maternal, perinatal, and infant health risks of tuberculosis during pregnancy, global estimates of incidence remain scarce. Existing est…

📑 New @lancetgh.bsky.social paper shows a substantial and under-recognized burden of #tuberculosis during pregnancy and postpartum: ~340,000 women affected globally in 2023. Maternal TB needs urgent attention!
Available here 👉 www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
@nyashamafirakureva.bsky.social

📢New publication:
Maternal RSVpreF vaccination in pregnant women living with HIV is safe and leads to strong RSV antibody transfer to infants. This Phase 3 trial in SA shows promise for protecting HIV-exposed uninfected infants from severe RSV illness.
www.mdpi.com/2076-393X/13...

Join the International Social Epidemiology Society for FREE!
✅ Network with professionals at every career stage
✅ Stay informed about upcoming events
✅ Enjoy an exclusive discount for the 2026 conference
Sign up today at tinyurl.com/5xufct6u or scan the QR code on the flyer

Please note that the (con)Founders Journal Club happening on Thursday 13 November has been cancelled

🚨Opportunity alert: Pursue a PhD in Public Health!
We are so excited to advertise a series of new PhD awards to undertake doctoral studies in Epi/Biostats-related disciplines. 🔗Check out the advert for more information.
#PhD #Epidemiology #Biostatistics #PublicHealth #Research

📅 Join us for the two (con)Founders Journal Club events happening this week.
Wednesday 12-1pm we’ll be learning about the ZAMSA TB Study and Thursday 1-2pm to hear about the latest findings from the TOPOWA Cohort Study
@uct-fhs-research.bsky.social

Withdrawal of US aid has hurt South Africa’s HIV programme Number of viral load tests is significantly lower than expected

The cancellation of US aid funding to South Africa is harming the country’s HIV response.

Read groundup.org.za/article/with... by Nathan Geffen and Marcus Low

Cervical cancer awareness among women recently diagnosed with cervical cancer in South Africa and Zimbabwe - ecancer Cervical cancer awareness among women recently diagnosed with cervical cancer in South Africa and Zimbabwe Sudarshan Govender1,a, Tamsin K Phillips2,b, Fio

📣 New MPH student publication exploring cervical cancer awareness among women recently diagnosed in SA and Zimbabwe. Findings highlight an urgent need for targeted awareness campaigns to improve early detection and prevention efforts in Southern Africa.
#PublicHealth
ecancer.org/en/journal/a...

<em>Journal of the International AIDS Society</em> | IAS HIV Research Journal | Wiley Online Library Introduction Achieving and maintaining viral suppression (VS) during pregnancy and breastfeeding is central to preventing vertical transmission and optimizing maternal health. High rates of VS have ...

📣New publication:
Interesting findings from the ORCHID cohort study on viral suppression during pregnancy and postpartum among women with HIV using TLD. Important insights for improving maternal and infant health!
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...
#PublicHealth #Epidemiology #Biostatistics

❗ Calling all prospective 2026 MPH/MSc candidates! Don't miss the 31 October deadline for application review.
📗 MPH: health.uct.ac.za/school-publi...
📘 MSc: health.uct.ac.za/school-publi...
Late applicants interested in applying after the deadline are encouraged to contact epiadmin@uct.ac.za

Jim Read presented updates on the #DOLPHIN3 study website, reminding all study sites and work pages leads that impactful communication starts with shared ownership, and that everyone has a role in generating engaging content. #AtTheEquatorUG @catrionawaitt.bsky.social @epibiostats-uct.bsky.social