Journal of Public Health in Africa最新文献

{"title":"Oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices across four communities in the Western Cape, South Africa: A cross-sectional study.","authors":"Talitha Crowley, Million Bimerew, Thabani Noncungu, Furaha Akimanimpaye, Rukshana Francis, Margaret Hoffman, Pelisa Khonco, Sergio Hendricks, Mogasweri Naidoo, John J Musafiri, Penelope Martin, Jennifer Chipps","doi":"10.4102/jphia.v17i1.1687","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jphia.v17i1.1687","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Oral health conditions are preventable, but frequently neglected because of limited knowledge, negative attitudes, and misconceptions within communities.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aimed to determine the oral health knowledge, attitudes, and practices and factors associated with these outcomes and self-reported oral pain among community members across four communities (two urban and two semi-rural) in the Western Cape, South Africa.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Two urban and two semi-rural communities in the Western Cape, South Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey using a researcher-administered questionnaire with validated instruments (The World Health Organization [WHO] Oral Health Assessment and the Rustvold Scale) was conducted among 776 adults, with knowledge, attitudes, and practices measured using composite scores. Data were analysed using descriptive and multivariable analyses to identify socio-demographic factors associated with knowledge, attitudes, and practices, as well as factors associated with self-reported oral pain.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Most respondents were female (<i>n</i> = 567, 73.1%) with a mean age of 42.3 ± 14.2 years. Overall knowledge was moderate (mean score: 68.4%, 6.84, ± 1.4). While most respondents reported daily toothbrushing and using fluoride toothpaste, only 13.8% used dental floss, and fewer than 20% had visited a dentist in the past year, primarily for pain. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, semi-rural residence (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4-3.1), female gender (aOR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2-2.3), and poor self-reported health status aOR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2-2.7 were associated with higher odds of self-reported oral pain.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite moderate knowledge and positive attitudes, gaps in oral health practices persist, with higher odds of oral pain among semi-rural residents and those with poorer health.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>Findings support targeted oral health promotion and improved access to preventive care in semi-rural communities.</p>","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":"17 1","pages":"1687"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13443220/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148686171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A descriptive cost comparison of Listening and Spoken Language - South Africa versus traditional Speech-Language Therapy as therapeutic approaches for deaf and hard-of-hearing children in South Africa.","authors":"Aisha Casoojee, Katijah Khoza-Shangase","doi":"10.4102/jphia.v17i1.1735","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jphia.v17i1.1735","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Hearing impairment affects speech-language and academic development, creating substantial lifelong public health and economic burdens. In South Africa, early intervention typically follows either the Listening and Spoken Language-South Africa (LSL-SA) or Traditional Speech-Language Therapy (TSLT) model. Although LSL-SA demonstrates promising outcomes, limited evidence compares its costs with TSLT in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Such evidence is needed to inform equitable health financing and disability-inclusion policies.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study aimed to compare the total and component costs of LSL-SA and TSLT; describe cost distribution across healthcare, education and family domains and identify barriers to accessibility and scalability.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>This study was conducted in South Africa and examined intervention pathways for children with hearing impairment.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A comparative costing approach was used to estimate expenditures across healthcare, education, and family sectors and compare the economic implications of LSL-SA and TSLT.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Listening and Spoken Language-South Africa incurred higher upfront therapy and rehabilitation costs but achieved superior outcomes, with 78% of children placed in mainstream schools compared with 42% in the TSLT group. The average total cost per child was ZAR 1.08 million for LSL-SA and ZAR 1.02 million for TSLT. Healthcare accounted for 65% of LSL-SA expenditure, whereas TSLT incurred higher education costs (35%) because of greater reliance on special schooling. Overall, LSL-SA demonstrated a more favourable cost-outcome profile despite its higher initial investment.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Despite greater upfront investment, LSL-SA produced better educational outcomes and a more favourable cost-outcome profile than TSLT.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This study provides LMIC-specific economic evidence to inform resource allocation, disability-inclusive policies, and investment in early hearing intervention.</p>","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":"17 1","pages":"1735"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13443968/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148686161","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Factors associated with non-use of modern contraceptive methods in the school-going adolescent's girls and young women in Guinea.","authors":"Sidikiba Sidibé, Djiba Diakité, Almamy A Touré, Aboubacar S Magassouba, Hadja F Camara, Abdoulaye Sow, Mory Kourouma, Facely Camara, Ansoumane Sidibé, Alexandre Delamou","doi":"10.4102/jphia.v17i1.1670","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jphia.v17i1.1670","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Non-use of modern contraceptive methods among adolescents and young women remains prevalent in Africa.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study analysed factors associated with the non-use of modern contraceptives among unmarried, sexually active school-going adolescent girls and young women in Guinea.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The study was conducted among sexually active school-going adolescent girls and young women in Guinea.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional survey using a three-stage sampling approach was conducted from December 2020 to March 2021 among female students (13-24 years) in secondary schools. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with non-use, reporting adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of non-use was 48.2% (95% CI: 46.3-50.2). Significantly higher odds of non-use were associated with: college-grade level (AOR: 1.67, CI: 1.29-2.17), private schooling (AOR: 1.69, CI: 1.29-2.21), being Muslim (AOR: 4.23, CI: 2.27-7.88) or Christian (AOR: 3.01, CI: 1.62-5.62), no contraceptive knowledge (AOR: 11.95, CI: 7.08-20.1), wanting a birth within 2 years (AOR: 2.51, CI: 1.98-3.17), partner opposition compliance (AOR: 2.05, CI: 1.53-2.74), family planning needs (AOR: 1.68, CI: 1.31-2.15), and poor contraceptive access (AOR: 3.87, CI: 2.97-5.04).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Modern contraceptive non-use is a stark reality among unmarried school-going youth in Guinea. Implementing robust school-based family planning education programmes is crucial to improve knowledge and uptake.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This study guides school sexual health policies, transforming a taboo issue into an opportunity for informed public health action.</p>","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":"17 1","pages":"1670"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13347694/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148425295","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mapping child health and development policies and implementation challenges in South Africa: A scoping review.","authors":"Witness Mapanga, Chenai Mlandu, Khuthala Mabetha","doi":"10.4102/jphia.v17i1.1779","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jphia.v17i1.1779","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>South Africa faces significant health challenges due to a combination of infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, malnutrition and underdevelopment among children. While policies aimed at improving child health and development have sought to address these issues by focusing on improving healthcare access, nutrition, education and equitable service delivery, gaps in implementation persist.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To map available literature and policy documents regarding child health and development in South Africa over the last 15 years.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The review was conducted in South Africa.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>The scoping review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. We searched using academic databases (MEDLINE, Google Scholar, African Journals Online [AJOL]), government reports (South African Department of Health, National Planning Commission) and grey literature from 2008 to 2023. All authors were involved in the study selection and data extraction, and over 90% agreement was reached to include relevant articles. Records were screened using predefined inclusion criteria. Data were charted and synthesised thematically to map policy domains and identify implementation patterns and evidence gaps.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Policy attention was highly concentrated in food provision; maternal and child health; child growth and development; economic well-being; and access to resources, though these themes showed uneven articulation and poor-to-moderate implementation. The policy landscape also reflected poor prioritisation and weak articulation in practice for caregiver mental health and child psychosocial well-being. Major barriers include inequitable resource allocation and service delivery across provinces, limited intersectoral collaboration and incomplete monitoring data.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>South Africa has developed comprehensive child health and development policies; however, gaps in implementation continue to hinder progress.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>The findings can help address gaps in the implementation of child health and development policies in South Africa through policy integration, equitable resource distribution and improved data monitoring to meet child health and development goals.</p>","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":"17 1","pages":"1779"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13347705/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148425283","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ethical approval processes for research during public health emergencies in Africa: Experiences from a multicountry mpox study.","authors":"Mosoka P Fallah, Olayinka S Ilesanmi, Nebiyu Dereje, Oluwatoyosi Olawande, Elvis TemFack, Tamrat Shaweno, Abigael A Mesfin, Cathy A Tabaro, Shahd O S Osman, Yap Boum, Raji Tajudeen, Ngashi Ngongo, Jean Kaseya","doi":"10.4102/jphia.v17i1.1883","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jphia.v17i1.1883","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Timely initiation of outbreak research is essential for timely public health action. Yet conventional ethics review timelines, often measured in weeks, can delay study start-up and blunt the impact of interventions. During epidemics, routine review timelines of 2 weeks - 9 weeks delay research and weaken public health responses. Fast-tracking ethical review allows researchers to initiate studies at the height of an outbreak, when data are most relevant and informative. A spike in mpox cases across 20 Member States in 2024 prompted the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to declare its first Public Health Emergency of Continental Security. To expedite therapeutic trials, develop supporting policies, and mobilise resources for research and response, the Africa CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) developed the Research and Innovation pillar within the Continental Incident Management Support Team (IMST). Among key research initiatives was a multicountry social and behavioural study led by Africa CDC. This article includes a synthesis based on implementation experiences from a multicountry mpox socio-behavioural study coordinated by the Africa CDC across 10 African countries. Within a month of IMST's inauguration, a master protocol and 10 country-specific protocols were finalised, led by Africa CDC in collaboration with national public health institutes and academic experts. Approval processes took 3 weeks - 11 weeks, with most countries completing review within 4 weeks - 8 weeks. This underscores the need to further streamline the ethical review process during emergencies and to improve efficiency.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>As the global research landscape continues to evolve, there is an urgent need for a unified continental ethical oversight framework to address the historical delays caused by multiple and overlapping requirements.</p>","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":"17 1","pages":"1883"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13347672/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148425222","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Public health impacts of gold mining in Ghana: A scoping review of environmental exposures and intersectoral resilience strategies.","authors":"Perfect Edinam Asamoah, Abigail Osei Owusu","doi":"10.4102/jphia.v17i1.1820","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jphia.v17i1.1820","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Ghana's rapid expansion of large-scale and artisanal gold mining has intensified environmental degradation and public health risks in affected communities. Although prior research has largely focused on contamination and ecosystem impacts, less is known about how these hazards are experienced in everyday life.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This scoping review therefore aimed to map and synthesise evidence on the health and well-being impacts of gold mining on communities in Ghana, including community adaptation and coping responses and the actions of institutions and other stakeholders to address these impacts.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The review examines evidence from communities located in gold-mining regions across Ghana.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Guided by Arksey and O'Malley's framework and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Manual, we searched PubMed, MEDLINE, and Scopus, alongside grey literature and university repositories. Screening and data charting were conducted in Microsoft Excel, and reporting followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Nineteen empirical studies published between 2012 and 2025 were included.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Reported outcomes included respiratory illness, dermatological conditions, waterborne infections, malaria, psychosocial distress, and limited evidence on reproductive health effects, linked to exposure to polluted air, contaminated water, and ecological disruption. Mining also undermined livelihoods reduced agricultural productivity, and increased food insecurity. Communities responded through livelihood diversification, informal support networks, alternative water use, and migration, although some strategies introduced new risks. Institutional responses were fragmented, small-scale, and weakly enforced.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Gold mining generates multilayered risks affecting community health and well-being.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>This study highlights the need for community based participatory research, integrated environmental health surveillance and stronger regulatory enforcement to mitigate mining-related public health harms.</p>","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":"17 1","pages":"1820"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13348422/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148425370","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chronic kidney disease among patients from gold-mining communities in southeastern Senegal: A call for further investigation.","authors":"Modou Ndongo, Ibrahima L Sarr, Sidy M Seck","doi":"10.4102/jphia.v17i1.2047","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jphia.v17i1.2047","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":"17 1","pages":"2047"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13347693/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148425226","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Counselling within South Africa's public health system: Mental healthcare users' experiences.","authors":"Maura Lappeman, Cathy Aaron, Rene Botha, Nasera Cader-Mokoa, Nousheena Firfirey-Brijlal, Fatima Ismail, Vivian Leibrandt, Jonathan Nell, Claire van Dyk","doi":"10.4102/jphia.v17i1.1776","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jphia.v17i1.1776","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>South Africa faces a significant mental health treatment gap, with many individuals in need unable to access adequate psychological care. Registered Counsellors (RCs) were introduced to reduce this gap, particularly in impoverished communities, by offering accessible, affordable psychological services.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This article forms part of a broader study on the integration of RCs into public healthcare and specifically explores the lived experiences of mental healthcare users who received counselling from RCs within the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The sampling and interviews were conducted in primary healthcare clinics within the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An exploratory qualitative design was employed, using purposive sampling to recruit 10 participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Four major themes were generated: (1) confronting stigma and misconceptions around counselling, (2) uncertainty about the role of RCs, (3) developing agency and self-reflection through counselling, and (4) recognising the transformative impact of counselling. Findings indicate that RCs play a vital role in providing first-line psychological support by creating non-judgemental spaces that promote self-reflection and emotional processing. However, the study also reveals persistent stigma surrounding help-seeking and a limited public understanding of the RC's role.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These insights underscore the need for clearer role definitions, enhanced public awareness and policy reforms to enhance the integration of RCs within primary healthcare.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>Enhancing mental health literacy across communities remains essential to achieving equitable and effective service delivery.</p>","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":"17 1","pages":"1776"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13348240/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148425272","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Charting a new course: Recommendations for strategic priorities for the African Medicines Agency.","authors":"Olawale Salami, Emmanuel Agogo","doi":"10.4102/jphia.v17i1.1712","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jphia.v17i1.1712","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This article examines the strategic landscape facing the inaugural leadership of the African Medicines Agency. It outlines the core challenges constraining Africa's pharmaceutical sector: fragmented regulatory frameworks, inadequate clinical trial regulation, limited capacity for drug development (notably for neglected and emerging diseases) and slow access to novel medicines. Drawing upon the history of regulatory harmonisation in Africa, international best practices, and current continental initiatives, the article proposes a comprehensive agenda for leadership and operational priorities designed to strengthen regulatory performance, support domestic manufacturing, ensure ethical and efficient trial oversight, and broaden access to innovation. The conclusion calls for multisectoral collaboration, innovative financing and sustained political commitment to realise the vision of Agenda 2063 and universal access to quality medical products in Africa.</p>","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":"17 1","pages":"1712"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13348369/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148425118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Healthcare worker perspectives on barriers to integrating mental health services into human immunodeficiency virus care in Windhoek, Namibia: A convergent parallel mixed-methods design.","authors":"Ndeshiteelela K Conteh, Ozayr Mahomed","doi":"10.4102/jphia.v17i1.1798","DOIUrl":"10.4102/jphia.v17i1.1798","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Mental illnesses are more prevalent in people living with HIV (PLHIV) than in the general population, highlighting the need to integrate mental health services into primary healthcare (PHC). Health workers are key players in integrating these services.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>This study assessed healthcare workers' perceptions, opinions, and experiences on barriers to integrating mental health services into antiretroviral therapy (ART) services.</p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>The study was conducted in public health facilities in Windhoek, Namibia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A descriptive mixed-methods study using a convergent parallel design was conducted among 44 healthcare workers (<i>n</i> = 44), including 10 in-depth interviews. Data were collected through questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using STATA version 15, while qualitative data were analysed using NVivo 12.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study identified several barriers, including inadequate facility space, limited knowledge and skills for managing mental illness, insufficient in-service training, a lack of guidelines and standard operating procedures, and staff shortages.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Significant structural and workforce-related barriers hinder effective mental health screening, diagnosis, and treatment for PLHIV in PHC settings. Addressing these challenges requires facility restructuring, workforce training, task shifting, and strong political commitment to strengthen healthcare infrastructure.</p><p><strong>Contribution: </strong>The study provides valuable insights into healthcare workers' experiences and contributes much-needed regional evidence on barriers to integrating mental health services into HIV care in Namibia.</p>","PeriodicalId":44723,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Public Health in Africa","volume":"17 1","pages":"1798"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13347689/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148425206","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}