Studies set to assess broader health profile
Najma Desai
3 February 2012
According to reports in The Citizen and The New Age, two studies aimed at assessing the health, behaviour, HIV- and nutritional status of the South African public kicked off this weekend past.
Findings from the studies conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) will serve as a database of information on communicable and non communicable diseases and their effects on the general population.
The first study, which is the SA National HIV Behaviour Health Survey 2012 is part of a series done every three to four years and focuses on general health topics and issues, most significantly, HIV prevention interventions and their effectiveness. Within the study issues such as male circumcision, mental health and effects of alcohol abuse will be investigated.
The second study, the SA National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (Sanhanes), will take a pragmatic look at the health of South Africans by assessing household interviews, conducting physical examinations from mobile clinics and doing blood analyses to get a broad grasp on health challenges facing the South African population.
Combined, the two surveys are due to set a new precedent for the understanding of local health issues, whilst offering a general health profile of the population.
To read the HSRC press release click here.
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