The Nexus of HIV, substance abuse, and mental health among adolescents in Zambia (2021–2023)
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 inciden...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Public Health in Africa |
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| Online Access: | https://publichealthinafrica.org/index.php/jphia/article/view/1229 |
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| author | Belia Longwe Lushomo Hachilensa Chipwailia Chunga Kutha Banda Muchindu Ng’andu Hilda Shakwelele Trevor Mwamba Nsanzya Maambo Japhet Michelo Prudence Haimbe Mable Mweemba |
| author_facet | Belia Longwe Lushomo Hachilensa Chipwailia Chunga Kutha Banda Muchindu Ng’andu Hilda Shakwelele Trevor Mwamba Nsanzya Maambo Japhet Michelo Prudence Haimbe Mable Mweemba |
| author_sort | Belia Longwe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8040a29c29f547f7b3a33aa73c43cb67 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2038-9922 2038-9930 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Public Health in Africa |
| spelling | doaj-art-8040a29c29f547f7b3a33aa73c43cb672025-08-20T02:24:23ZengAOSISJournal of Public Health in Africa2038-99222038-99302025-04-01161e1e910.4102/jphia.v16i1.1229856The Nexus of HIV, substance abuse, and mental health among adolescents in Zambia (2021–2023)Belia Longwe0Lushomo Hachilensa1Chipwailia Chunga2Kutha Banda3Muchindu Ng’andu4Hilda Shakwelele5Trevor Mwamba6Nsanzya Maambo7Japhet Michelo8Prudence Haimbe9Mable Mweemba10Department of Programs, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Lusaka, Zambia; and Department of Programs, Women in Global Health Zambia, LusakaDepartment of Policy and Planning, Ministry of Health, LusakaDepartment of Research, National Health Research Authority, LusakaDepartment of Programs, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Lusaka, Zambia; and Department of Programs, Women in Global Health Zambia, LusakaDepartment of Policy and Planning, Ministry of Health, LusakaDepartment of Programs, Clinton Health Access Initiative, LusakaDepartment of Programs, Clinton Health Access Initiative, LusakaDepartment of Research Coordination, Capacity Building and Knowledge Translation, National Health Research Authority, LusakaDepartment of Programs, Clinton Health Access Initiative, LusakaDepartment of Programs, Clinton Health Access Initiative, LusakaDepartment of Public Health, Ministry of Health, LusakaBackground: 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.https://publichealthinafrica.org/index.php/jphia/article/view/1229hivincidencemental healthsubstance abuseadolescentstrends |
| spellingShingle | Belia Longwe Lushomo Hachilensa Chipwailia Chunga Kutha Banda Muchindu Ng’andu Hilda Shakwelele Trevor Mwamba Nsanzya Maambo Japhet Michelo Prudence Haimbe Mable Mweemba The Nexus of HIV, substance abuse, and mental health among adolescents in Zambia (2021–2023) Journal of Public Health in Africa hiv incidence mental health substance abuse adolescents trends |
| title | The Nexus of HIV, substance abuse, and mental health among adolescents in Zambia (2021–2023) |
| title_full | The Nexus of HIV, substance abuse, and mental health among adolescents in Zambia (2021–2023) |
| title_fullStr | The Nexus of HIV, substance abuse, and mental health among adolescents in Zambia (2021–2023) |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Nexus of HIV, substance abuse, and mental health among adolescents in Zambia (2021–2023) |
| title_short | The Nexus of HIV, substance abuse, and mental health among adolescents in Zambia (2021–2023) |
| title_sort | nexus of hiv substance abuse and mental health among adolescents in zambia 2021 2023 |
| topic | hiv incidence mental health substance abuse adolescents trends |
| url | https://publichealthinafrica.org/index.php/jphia/article/view/1229 |
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