Asenze Study

The Asenze Study is a longitudinal, population-based cohort study conducted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal and Columbia University. The study was carried out in a peri-urban area outside Durban in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The first two waves, Wave 1 (2008) and Wave 2(2012) began with a door-to-door survey of eligible caregivers with children aged 4-6 years, focusing on child neurodevelopment, cognitive function, behavioral problems, and the physical and mental health (including HIV status) of both children and their caregivers. Wave 3 (2019-2021) spanned the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns, capturing data during the participants' mid-adolescence (average age 16.5 years). Both children and primary caregivers were interviewed in the first three waves, while Wave 4 (2022) exclusively interviewed adolescents via telephone. Wave 5 (currently in progress, 2024-25) will collect data from both the adolescents/young adults and their caregivers through telephone interviews. Throughout its duration, the study has assessed physical and mental health, cognitive function and neurodevelopment, and social and behavioral factors, offering a comprehensive analysis of the biological, environmental, and social determinants of health.