ASANTE

The ASANTE Study (Early Structural Heart Disease, HIV, and Tuberculosis in East Africa) is a cross-sectional observational study investigating the relationship between HIV, tuberculosis, and subclinical cardiovascular disease among adults in Nairobi, Kenya. As cardiovascular complications become increasingly prevalent in people living with HIV (PLWH), ASANTE seeks to characterize early heart disease markers in this population and compare them to HIV-negative individuals. The study enrolls adults aged 35 and above, equally split between PLWH and controls, with enrichment for individuals at high cardiometabolic risk. It collects clinical, imaging, and biomarker data to explore both traditional and non-traditional risk factors, and to understand how HIV may modify cardiovascular risk. By focusing on subclinical disease detection, ASANTE aims to generate evidence for improved risk stratification, early diagnosis, and integrated care strategies. Findings will contribute to shaping future research and public health policy across sub-Saharan Africa at the intersection of infectious and non-communicable diseases.

In the ASANTE Study, we serve as the Data Manager and play a central role in the design and implementation of the study’s data architecture. Our responsibilities include developing the REDCap database to support robust data collection and participant tracking, ensuring data accuracy through quality control procedures, and leading the development of reporting tools and monitoring dashboards. We also contribute to the methodological design by advising on variable definitions and analysis planning. In addition, we support the interpretation of complex cardiovascular and infectious disease biomarkers through active involvement in data analysis, helping to ensure the scientific rigor and integrity of the study's findings.