Page 60 - SAMRC AnnualReport 2025-26

The Unit also investigated early-life and behavioural
determinants of NCDs. A retrospective study in
KwaZulu-Natal examined comorbidities associated
with childhood obesity. The study received
extensive media coverage across television, radio,
and print platforms, including Newzroom Afrika,
Business Day, News24, CapeTalk, and Channel
Africa. Findings were also presented at national
and international conferences. The CODAD study
further explored the relationship between type 2
diabetes and depression to inform more integrated
models of care.

Community-based initiatives, including the South
African Diabetes Prevention Programme (SA-
DPP), the Eastern Cape Diabetes Prevention
Programme (EC-DPP), and the FoodSAMSA study,
addressed upstream drivers of NCDs. The SA-
DPP and EC-DPP evaluated culturally appropriate
healthy lifestyle interventions focused on diabetes
education, nutrition, physical activity, alcohol
use, tobacco use, and stress management to
prevent type 2 diabetes in high-risk populations.
The FoodSAMSA study examined the influence
of food environments on dietary behaviour and
cardiometabolic risk, generating evidence to
inform policy and community-level interventions.
The project produced six issue briefs and a
benchmarking report, which were disseminated to
key stakeholders, including the government and
the food industry.
Building Capacity Through

Training, Mentorship, and Support
The NCDRU promotes equity and dignity in
health research and healthcare through integrated
capacity development and community engagement
initiatives.

Staff participate in equity-focused workshops The South African Diabetes Prevention
designed to strengthen self-awareness and build Programme is one of the community based
practical skills for inclusive and respectful healthcare initiatives.
delivery. These engagements encourage reflection
on individual and collective responsibilities in
advancing fairness, inclusion, and dignity in both some of the staff members completed this training.
research and service environments. Staff, emerging In addition, some staff members attended a
researchers, and students also receive ongoing biostatistics course to strengthen their capacity to
mentorship and formal training in ethical research independently conduct statistical analyses using
practices to ensure that the rights, well-being, and software such as R and STATA, thereby enhancing
dignity of participants are protected. research quality and analytical autonomy.

All personnel involved in human research are Fieldworkers and junior researchers involved in
required to complete and maintain Good Clinical community-based data collection receive targeted
Practice (GCP) certification. During 2025/2026, training on ethical conduct, including voluntary

58 SA M R C A N N U A L R EP O R T 2 0 2 5 / 2 0 2 6