Asenze

The Issue

The impact of changes in social determinants of health on adolescent and young adult mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A longitudinal study of the Asenze cohort in South Africa.

The Asenze Study is a longitudinal, population-based study following children from early childhood into adolescence in peri-urban and peri-rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal. The study examines child health, neurodevelopment, behaviour, household and caregiver wellbeing, and broader social outcomes, with a focus on factors such as HIV, nutrition, education, and family functioning. The Asenze Impilo sub-study explores adolescent and young adult mental health, particularly in the context of COVID-19, and evaluates the acceptability of targeted interventions.

The Intervention

Over multiple waves since 2008, children and their primary caregivers have been assessed through comprehensive medical, developmental, psychosocial, and educational measures. Data collection combines household surveys, clinical assessments, and neuropsychological testing. The study actively engages communities and stakeholders, including local authorities, schools, and civil society, to ensure findings inform practical interventions such as school-based cognitive screening and community health programs.

The Impact

By tracking developmental and mental health outcomes over time, the Asenze Study provides evidence to guide policy, strengthen child and adolescent health services, and inform community-based interventions. Its findings support targeted programs to improve nutrition, education, psychosocial support, and mental health, ultimately enhancing the wellbeing and life opportunities of children and adolescents in KwaZulu-Natal.

Project Information

Project Leads

Chris Desmond, Centre for Rural Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Leslie L. Davidson, Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University
Jeremy C. Kane, Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University

Co-Leads

University of KwaZulu-Natal: Gavin George, Jane D. Kvalsvig, Saloshni Naidoo, Myra Taylor
University of Witwatersrand: Sahba Besharati
Human Sciences Research Council: Alude Mahili
Columbia University: Jeremy C. Kane, Silvia S. Martin, Claude A. Mellins, Reuben N. Robbins, Caleb Miles, Justin Knox

Project Timeline

September 2008 – September 2026

Funders

National Institute on Drug Abuse
The Fogarty International Center Brain Disorders in Developing Countries Program
The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research
The Office of Disease Prevention of the National Institutes of Health
National Institute Mental Health

Collaborators and Partners

Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA

Project Keywords

Adolescent health
Longitudinal cohort