AWI-Gen (Africa Wits-INDEPTH partnership for Genomic studies)
Overview
About this cohort
Africa Wits-INDEPTH partnership for Genomic studies (AWI-Gen) was established to examine genomic, environmental and behavioural factors influencing body composition and cardiometabolic diseases and traits in African populations. Population-based longitudinal cohort, involving four sub-Saharan African countries representing rural and urban settings: West Africa [Nanoro (Burkina Faso) and Navrongo (Ghana)]; East Africa [Nairobi (Kenya)]; and South Africa (Agincourt, Dikgale/DIMAMO and Soweto). Baseline data collected from 2013 to 2017, enrolling 12 032 adults [55.1% women; mean (SD) 51.9 (8.3) years, range 37-82], with follow-up ∼5 years later and a retention rate of almost 60%. In Wave 2 an additional 579 individuals were enrolled (n = 7804; 55.9% women; 57.0 (7.9), 39-98). Main categories of data collected at two time points include sociodemographic characteristics, history of chronic diseases and lifestyle behaviours, with spirometry, cognition and frailty added in the second data collection wave. Measurements at both time points include anthropometry, blood pressure, carotid intima-media thickness and body fat distribution. Blood and urine samples are collected to measure biomarkers for diabetes, HIV, dyslipidaemia and kidney disease, and stool samples are collected in a women's sub-sample for gut microbiome analyses. Genome-wide genotyping is available for all participants and whole genome sequences for a subset. We encourage collaboration, and data are accessible through the AWI-Gen Principal Investigator in consultation with the steering committee or the H3Africa Data and Biospecimen Access Committee. Int J Epidemiol. 2024 Dec 16;54(1):dyae173. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyae173. Cohort Profile: Africa Wits-INDEPTH partnership for Genomic studies (AWI-Gen) in four sub-Saharan African countries.
We do not have a dedicated URL: This is our methods paper that describes the cohort. Ali SA, Soo C, Agongo G, Alberts M, Amenga-Etego L, Boua RP, Choudhury A, Crowther NJ, Depuur C, Gómez-Olivé FX, Guiraud I, Haregu TN, Hazelhurst S, Kahn K, Khayeka-Wandabwa C, Kyobutungi C, Lombard Z, Mashinya F, Micklesfield L, Mohamed SF, Mukomana F, Nakanabo-Diallo S, Natama HM, Ngomi N, Nonterah EA, Norris SA, Oduro AR, Somé AM, Sorgho H, Tindana P, Tinto H, Tollman S, Twine R, Wade A, Sankoh O, Ramsay M. Genomic and environmental risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases in Africa: methods used for Phase 1 of the AWI-Gen population cross-sectional study. Glob Health Action. 2018;11(sup2):1507133. doi: 10.1080/16549716.2018.1507133. PMID: 30259792; PMCID: PMC6161608.
Profile information is generated from APCC cohort source data and may require custodian validation.
Key facts
At a glance
- Countries
- Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa
- Cohort type
- Nested
- Membership
- Network / Nested Member
- Cohort size
- 12,477
- Year started
- 2013
- Setting
- Mixed
- Age group
- 40–60 years
- Population coverage
- To be confirmed
- Lead institution
- University of the Witwatersrand
- Data-sharing
- Policy available
Population
Study population
- Cohort size
- 12,477
- Age group
- 40–60 years
- Population coverage
- To be confirmed
- Setting
- Mixed
- District / location
- This is a multi-country cohort (Ghana, Burkina Faso, Kenya and South Africa)
Research
Research themes
Governance
Institutions & funders
- Lead institution(s)
- University of the Witwatersrand
- Maintenance funders
- U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Hosted-study funders
- U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- Custodian contact
- Contact available through APCC Secretariat.
Data
Data access & sharing
H3Africa data sharing policy - We also have an AWI-Gen governance document for collaboration.
Data access and sharing arrangements should be confirmed with APCC or the relevant cohort custodian before use.
Location
Location
Coordinates are indicative, drawn from the supplementary dataset.
Outputs
Publications & research outputs
Publication linkage is planned as part of future APCC research visibility integration. No publication list is displayed from this source package yet.
Data quality
Validation & readiness
Custodian validation status: requires custodian validation.
Custodians & APCC representatives
Are you connected to this cohort?
If you are a cohort custodian or APCC representative and would like to correct or enrich this profile, please submit an update request. Personal contact details are never displayed publicly.