The Nexus of HIV, substance abuse, and mental health among adolescents in Zambia (2021-2023).

IF 0.6 Q4 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Journal of Public Health in Africa Pub Date : 2025-04-30 eCollection Date: 2025-01-01 DOI:10.4102/jphia.v16i1.1229

Belia Longwe, Lushomo Hachilensa, Chipwailia Chunga, Kutha Banda, Muchindu Ng'andu, Hilda Shakwelele, Trevor Mwamba, Nsanzya Maambo, Japhet Michelo, Prudence Haimbe, Mable Mweemba

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Adolescents in Zambia face interrelated health challenges, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), substance abuse and mental health disorders (MHDs). These issues have significant public health implications, as substance abuse and MHDs are known to increase the risk of HIV incidence.

Aim: This study aimed to analyse trends in HIV incidence, substance abuse and MHDs among Zambian adolescents aged 10-19 years from 2021 to 2023.

Setting: Data were retrieved from the Health Management Information System under Zambia's Ministry of Health, covering all 10 provinces.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of secondary data was conducted using District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2), the Ministry of Health's primary data system. Microsoft Excel and Stata were used for descriptive statistics and regression analysis to examine potential associations.

Results: Findings indicate an increase in national HIV incidence rates from 1.89 in 2021 to 1.99 in 2022, before a decrease to 1.73 in 2023. Substance abuse also showed an upward trend, rising from 0.35 to 0.68 per 1000 adolescents. Incidence of MHDs more than doubled from 0.7 in 2021 to 1.54 in 2023, with Lusaka and Northwestern provinces showing the most significant increases. Our linear correlational analysis showed a positive relationship among the key variables.

Conclusion: The results underscore the interconnectedness of HIV, substance abuse and mental health issues among adolescents in Zambia, emphasising the need for integrated interventions.

Contribution: This study contributes valuable insights for policy and programme development, highlighting the need for targeted, holistic approaches in adolescent health services to address these interconnected issues effectively.

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赞比亚青少年中艾滋病毒、药物滥用和心理健康的关系（2021-2023）。

背景：赞比亚的青少年面临着相互关联的健康挑战，包括人类免疫缺陷病毒（HIV）、药物滥用和精神健康障碍（mhd）。这些问题具有重大的公共卫生影响，因为已知药物滥用和mdd会增加艾滋病毒发病率的风险。目的：本研究旨在分析2021年至2023年赞比亚10-19岁青少年中艾滋病毒发病率、药物滥用和mhd的趋势。环境：数据从赞比亚卫生部卫生管理信息系统检索，涵盖所有10个省。方法：采用卫生部一级数据系统“区卫生信息软件2”（DHIS2）对二级数据进行回顾性分析。使用Microsoft Excel和Stata进行描述性统计和回归分析，以检查潜在的关联。结果：调查结果显示，全国HIV感染率从2021年的1.89上升到2022年的1.99，然后下降到2023年的1.73。药物滥用也呈现上升趋势，从每1000名青少年0.35人上升到0.68人。mdd的发病率从2021年的0.7增加到2023年的1.54，增加了一倍多，其中卢萨卡省和西北省的增长最为显著。我们的线性相关分析显示关键变量之间呈正相关关系。结论：调查结果强调了赞比亚青少年中艾滋病毒、药物滥用和心理健康问题的相互联系，强调了采取综合干预措施的必要性。贡献：这项研究为政策和方案的制定提供了宝贵的见解，突出了在青少年保健服务中需要采取有针对性的整体办法，以有效地解决这些相互关联的问题。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Public Health in Africa PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH-

自引率

0.00%

发文量

审稿时长

10 weeks

期刊介绍： The Journal of Public Health in Africa (JPHiA) is a peer-reviewed, academic journal that focuses on health issues in the African continent. The journal editors seek high quality original articles on public health related issues, reviews, comments and more. The aim of the journal is to move public health discourse from the background to the forefront. The success of Africa’s struggle against disease depends on public health approaches.