Design and field methods of the ARISE Network Adolescent Health Study

Abstract

The ARISE Network Adolescent Health Study is an exploratory, community-based survey of 8075 adolescents aged 10-19 in 9 communities in 7 countries: Burkina Faso, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda. Communities were selected opportunistically and existing population cohorts maintained by health and demographic surveillance systems (HDSSs). The study is intended to serve as a first round of data collection for African adolescent cohorts, with the overarching goal of generating community-based data on health-related behaviours and associated risk factors in adolescents, to identify disease burdens and health intervention opportunities. Household-based sampling frames were used in each community to randomly select eligible adolescents (aged 10-19 years). Data were collected between July 2015 and December 2017. Consenting participants completed face-to-face interviews with trained research assistants using a standardised questionnaire, which covered physical activity, cigarette and tobacco use, substance and drug use, mental health, sexual behaviours and practices, sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, food security and food diversity, teeth cleaning and hand washing, feelings and friendship, school and home activities, physical attacks and injuries, health care, health status assessment and life satisfaction, as well as media and cell phone use and socio-demographic and economic background characteristics. Results from this multi-community study serve to identify major adolescent health risks and disease burdens, as well as opportunities for interventions and improvements through policy changes.keywords adolescent health, community-based survey, multi-country study, cohort study, sub-Saharan Africa Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 5 (gender equity), SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals)

Are out‐of‐school adolescents at higher risk of adverse health outcomes? Evidence from 9 diverse settings in sub‐Saharan Africa

“…Data collection at each site took place during 1-2 months between July 2015 and December 2017. Site-specific sampling methodologies and participation rates are described in detail elsewhere [29,30].…”

“…We used a standardised questionnaire that had been translated into local languages. The data collection tool was based on the WHO Global School-based Health Survey (GSHS) with some additional questions included primarily from other validated tools [30]. Modules covered by the questionnaire included demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, food security, dietary diversity, handwashing, physical activity, school and home activities, physical attacks, injuries, health care, general health status, life satisfaction, sexual practice, pregnancy, media use, sexual transmitted infection, cigarette and tobacco use, substance use and drug use.…”

“…Height and weight were measured in all study sites using digital scales and stadiometers, except in Dar es Salaam, Uganda and Eswatini. Additional details on data collection procedures, including the study instrument, are described elsewhere [29,30].…”

“…Our overarching hypothesis is that school enrolment is crucial in helping young people attain the best health and develop to their full potential in the transition to adulthood [28]. [29,30]. Briefly, sites were selected among ARISE Network members.…”

“…The ARISE Network is comprised of over a dozen member institutions in SSA working to improve public health research and training. While all members of the ARISE Network were invited, site participation was based on budgetary constraints, existing data collection infrastructure, research team capacity and willingness of a site leader [30]. In terms of study population selection, two criteria were used for heterogeneity of geography, including cross-regional geographic representation (South, West and East Africa) and within-country geographic representation (urbanicity).…”