Mafikeng Campus to launch project on lifestyle disease

NWU Mafikeng Campus, in collaboration with the Provincial Department of Health, will launch a project that is aimed at reducing diseases of lifestyle in the community of Lokaleng village, on 8 August 2015. The main aim of the project is to ensure the university embarks on research relevant to the community.

Diseases of lifestyle is a new research niche area, approved for the campus in 2014. It embraces disciplines across inter-professional education and practice of health sciences, nursing, agricultural sciences and technology, and human and social sciences. The area has three sub-themes: non-communicable diseases; violence, injuries and psychological interventions; and social aspects, management of disability and inter-professional care.

Lifestyle diseases are diseases that appear to increase in frequency as countries become more industrialised and people live longer. They can include arthritis, asthma, some kinds of cancer, chronic liver disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, chronic renal failure, stroke, depression and obesity. Diet and lifestyle are major factors thought to influence susceptibility to many diseases. Drug abuse, tobacco smoking, and alcohol drinking, as well as a lack of exercise may also increase the risk of developing certain diseases, especially later in life.

"We have decided as a university to embark on research that will transform the lives of the community," said Professor Useh who is the Niche Area leader.

"We are starting this project at Lokaleng because they are nearer to the university; once it is successful, we will expand to the whole province," concluded Prof Useh.