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Temple J, Ferretti ML, Reis-Bergan M, Irons JG. Initial Validity Evidence for a Measure of Transactional Sex in a U.S. College Student Sample. JOURNAL OF SEX RESEARCH 2024; 61:1026-1036. [PMID: 38240631 DOI: 10.1080/00224499.2024.2302501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
The current study provides initial validity evidence for a measure of Transactional Sex (TS). Participants (N = 269) were recruited from a Northeastern University in the United States and consisted of undergraduate and graduate students. Participants completed an online survey through QuestionPro that contained the Transactional Sex Measure (TSM) as well as measures of depression, anxiety, and stress, condom use negotiation self-efficacy and sexual risk, alcohol and drug use, and materialism. Construct and criterion validity were examined. Findings revealed that the TSM provided good criterion validity evidence but the construct validity evidence was minimal. Further studies on the conceptualization of TS and distribution of the TSM across a variety of diverse samples can provide more validity evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmine Temple
- Department of Psychological Science, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
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Eshak TB, Hobkirk AL, Whitener CJ, Conyers LM, Hwang W, Sznajder KK. Syndemic of Substance Abuse, Depression, and Type 2 Diabetes and Their Association with Retention in Care Among People Living with HIV. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:1612-1620. [PMID: 38281250 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04275-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Substance abuse (SA), depression, and type 2 diabetes (DM2) often co-occur among people living with HIV (PLHIV). Guided by a syndemic framework, this cross-sectional retrospective study examined the cumulative and interaction effects of SA, depression, and DM2 on retention in HIV care (RIC) among 621 PLHIV receiving medical care in central Pennsylvania. We performed logistic regression analysis to test the associations between SA, depression, and DM2 and RIC. To test the "syndemic" model, we assessed additive and multiplicative interactions. In an unadjusted model, a dose-response pattern between the syndemic index (total number of health conditions) and RIC was detected (OR for 1 syndemic factor vs. none: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.69-1.47; 2 syndemic factors: 1.59, 0.89-2.84; 3 syndemic factors: 1.62, 0.44-5.94), but no group reached statistical significance. Interactions on both additive and multiplicative scales were not significant, demonstrating no syndemic effect of SA, depression, and DM2 on RIC among our study sample. Our findings highlight that comorbid conditions may, in some populations, facilitate RIC rather than act as barriers, which may be due to higher levels of engagement with medical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarek B Eshak
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Professions, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA, USA.
| | - Andrea L Hobkirk
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Penn State University, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Cynthia J Whitener
- Department of Medicine, Penn State University, Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Liza M Conyers
- Department of Educational Psychology, Counseling, and Special Education, Penn State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Wenke Hwang
- Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Penn State University, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Kristin K Sznajder
- Department of Public Health Sciences, College of Medicine, Penn State University, Hershey, PA, USA
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Callands TA, Taylor EN, Sileo KM, Gilliam SM, Hansen NB. Understanding the Effects of Trauma Exposure, Life Stress, Intimate Partner Violence, and Depression on Sexually Transmitted Infection Risk in Post-Conflict Liberia. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:1519-1530. [PMID: 38167991 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02765-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
In sub-Saharan Africa, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a public health concern. The impact of STIs are exacerbated in post-conflict low- and middle-income countries, such as Liberia, where exposure to traumatic events is prevalent and access to mental health services are limited. Following a syndemics framework, this study used regression analyses to explore the independent, additive, and multiplicative effects of four psychosocial conditions (exposure to war-related traumatic events, intimate partner violence [IPV], stressful life events, and depressive symptoms) on self-reported STIs. Data were collected from 379 youth aged 18-30 years (n = 170 women; n = 179 men) in Montserrado County, Liberia. Results revealed that psychosocial variables correlated with each other and STI risk. In multivariable analysis, stressful life events, depressive symptoms, and IPV were statistically significant predictors of STI risk. We found support for an additive effect between the number of psychosocial conditions reported and STI risk, as well as a multiplicative effect (interaction) between IPV and depressive symptoms on STI risk. Our results suggest a synergy between experiencing psychosocial conditions and STI risk and point to the potential benefit of multi-level sexual health approaches that simultaneously address mental health and IPV among youth in Liberia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamora A Callands
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
| | - Erica N Taylor
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Katelyn M Sileo
- Department of Public Health, College for Health, Community and Policy, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | | | - Nathan B Hansen
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
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Callands TA, Hylick K, Desrosiers A, Gilliam SM, Taylor EN, Hunter JJ, Hansen NB. The feasibility and acceptability of Project POWER: a mindfulness-infused, cognitive-behavioral group intervention to address mental and sexual health needs of young pregnant women in Liberia. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:196. [PMID: 36941545 PMCID: PMC10026523 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05435-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following 14 years of civil war in Liberia, war exposure, gender-based violence, and extreme poverty have been identified as key challenges affecting the mental and sexual health of young pregnant women and the health of their unborn children. Despite ongoing efforts to rebuild the country's healthcare infrastructure, empirical and culturally tailored interventions to address the consequences of war are severely limited. To address these concerns, we developed Project POWER (Progressing Our Well-being, Emotions, and Relationships), a mindfulness-infused, cognitive-behavioral intervention for young adult pregnant women. This study sought to 1) assess the feasibility and acceptability of POWER and 2) determine the preliminary efficacy of POWER for improving mental and sexual health outcomes among Liberian war-exposed young adult pregnant women. METHODS Eighty-seven women aged 18-25 were recruited from three catchment areas in Monrovia, Liberia to participate in a two-condition, pre-post design quasi-experimental pilot trial. Participants were allocated to the intervention (POWER) or the control condition (a health education program) based on where they resided relative to the catchment areas. Each condition completed a ten-session program delivered over 5-weeks. Feasibility and acceptability of POWER were examined using program logs (e.g., the number of participants screened and enrolled, facilitator satisfaction, etc.) and data from an end-of-program exit interview. The preliminary efficacy of POWER on mental and sexual health outcomes was assessed using repeated measures ANOVA with time and condition as factors. RESULTS Analyses provided preliminary support for the feasibility and acceptability of POWER. Participants attended an average of 8.99 sessions out of 10 and practiced material outside the sessions at least 2.77 times per week. Women in both conditions showed significant reductions in the level of prenatal distress (baseline, M = 16.84, 3-month assessment, M = 12.24), severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms (baseline, M = 11.97, 3-month assessment, M = 9.79),), and the number of transactional sexual behaviors (baseline, M = 1.37, 3-month assessment, M = .94) over time. Participants who received POWER showed significant reductions in the frequency of depressive symptoms (baseline, M = 5.09, 3-month assessment, M = 2.63) over women in the control condition. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that POWER may be a feasible and acceptable intervention to promote mental and sexual health for young adult pregnant women in Liberia. However, fully powered clinical trials are still needed to determine the efficacy and effectiveness of POWER before recommending its use on a larger scale in Liberia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamora A Callands
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Wright Hall, Room 321D, 100 Foster Road, Athens, GA, 30606, USA.
| | - Kandyce Hylick
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Wright Hall, Room 321D, 100 Foster Road, Athens, GA, 30606, USA
| | - Alethea Desrosiers
- Psychiatry and Human Behavior, The Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Shantesica M Gilliam
- Department of Environmental and Health Science, Spelman College, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Erica N Taylor
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Wright Hall, Room 321D, 100 Foster Road, Athens, GA, 30606, USA
| | - Josalin J Hunter
- School of Social Work, College of Health and Human Sciences, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, USA
| | - Nathan B Hansen
- Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Wright Hall, Room 321D, 100 Foster Road, Athens, GA, 30606, USA
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Levey EJ, Harris BL, Laird LD, Kekulah I, Borba CPC, Henderson DC, Becker AE. Orphans in post-conflict Liberia: Seeking care in fractured communities. Transcult Psychiatry 2022; 59:235-248. [PMID: 35021921 PMCID: PMC9250424 DOI: 10.1177/13634615211066696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Orphans in post-conflict settings have unique needs that have not been well-characterized. In post-conflict Liberia, maternal orphans are more likely to be without care than paternal orphans. This study examined the experiences of maternal orphans in Liberia, as they attempted to care for themselves and seek care from others, and the barriers they faced. In-depth interviews were conducted with 75 post-conflict Liberian orphans. We performed a secondary narrative analysis of interview transcripts from all maternal or double orphans (n = 17). We identified similar elements across narratives: traumatic loss, disconnection from family and community, and the desire for a savior. Female high-risk orphans were more likely to have formal substitute caregiving arrangements in which they were living with someone who was a relative or had been selected by a relative. Male orphans more commonly lacked arranged substitute care, but this allowed them to form relationships with substitute caregivers of their choosing. Sex also played a role in the provision of caregiving; substitute care was provided by women. Findings highlighted the syndemic relationship between poverty, violence, transactional sex, trauma, and substance use that traps high-risk Liberian orphans. Interventions are needed to improve access to mental health care, sober communities, housing, and education support. The need to integrate these services into indigenous institutions and address barriers related to stigma is explored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth J Levey
- The Chester M. Pierce, MD Division of Global Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine
| | | | - Lance D Laird
- Department of Family Medicine, 12259Boston University School of Medicine
| | - Isaac Kekulah
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois College of Medicine
| | - Christina P C Borba
- Department of Psychiatry, 12259Boston University School of Medicine.,Department of Psychiatry, 1836Boston Medical Center
| | - David C Henderson
- Department of Psychiatry, 12259Boston University School of Medicine.,Department of Psychiatry, 1836Boston Medical Center
| | - Anne E Becker
- The Chester M. Pierce, MD Division of Global Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School.,Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
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Sileo KM, Kershaw TS, Gilliam S, Taylor E, Kommajosula A, Callands TA. Trauma Exposure and Intimate Partner Violence Among Young Pregnant Women in Liberia. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2021; 36:10101-10127. [PMID: 31625468 PMCID: PMC7778451 DOI: 10.1177/0886260519881533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a global threat to women's health and may be elevated among those exposed to traumatic events in post-conflict settings, such as Liberia. The purpose of this study was to examine potential mediators between lifetime exposure to traumatic events (i.e., war-related trauma, community violence) with recent experiences of IPV among 183 young, pregnant women in Monrovia, Liberia. Hypothesized mediators included mental health (depression, posttraumatic stress symptoms), insecure attachment style (anxious and avoidant attachment), and attitudes indicative of norms of violence (attitudes justifying wife beating). We tested a parallel multiple mediation model using the PROCESS method with bias-corrected and accelerated bootstrapping to test confidence intervals (CI). Results show that 45% of the sample had experienced any physical, sexual, or emotional IPV in their lifetime, and 32% in the 2 months prior to the interview. Exposure to traumatic events was positively associated with recent IPV severity (β = .40, p < .01). Taken together, depression, anxious attachment style, and justification of wife beating significantly mediated the relationship between exposure to traumatic events and experience of IPV (β = .15, 95% CI = [0.03, 0.31]). Only anxious attachment style (β = .07, 95% CI = [0.03, 0.16]) and justification of wife beating (β = .05, 95% CI = [0.01, 0.16]) were identified as individual mediators. This study reinforces pregnancy as an important window for both violence and mental health screening and intervention for young Liberian women. Furthermore, it adds to our theoretical understanding of mechanisms in which long-term exposure to traumatic events may lead to elevated rates of IPV in Liberia, and points to the need for trauma-informed counseling and multilevel gender transformative public health approaches to address violence against women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katelyn M. Sileo
- The University of Texas at San Antonio, USA
- The Center for Interdisciplinary Research at Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Trace S. Kershaw
- The Center for Interdisciplinary Research at Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
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Velloza J, Hosek S, Donnell D, Anderson PL, Chirenje M, Mgodi N, Bekker L, Delany‐Moretlwe S, Celum C. Assessing longitudinal patterns of depressive symptoms and the influence of symptom trajectories on HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis adherence among adolescent girls in the HPTN 082 randomized controlled trial. J Int AIDS Soc 2021; 24 Suppl 2:e25731. [PMID: 34164929 PMCID: PMC8222844 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2020] [Revised: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION African adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) eligible for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) experience high levels of depressive symptoms. Depression can reduce PrEP adherence among adults, although analyses have considered depression as a time-varying exposure rather than modelling distinct patterns of symptoms. The association between depressive symptoms and PrEP adherence has not been explored for AGYW. To address these gaps, we sought to understand depressive symptom trajectories among African AGYW initiating PrEP and the impact of time-varying depressive symptoms and symptom trajectories on PrEP adherence. METHODS HPTN 082 was an open-label PrEP study among AGYW (ages 16 to 24) in Zimbabwe and South Africa from 2016 to 2018. Depressive symptoms were measured at enrolment and Weeks 13, 26 and 52, using the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies scale; a score ≥10 is indicative of elevated depressive symptoms. PrEP adherence was defined as any detectable tenofovir diphosphate (TFV-DP) levels. Group-based trajectory modelling was used to model longitudinal patterns of depressive symptoms. We assessed psychosocial and behavioural predictors of depressive symptom trajectory membership (e.g. PrEP stigma, intimate partner violence [IPV], sexual behaviour). We modelled associations between (1) group trajectory membership and PrEP adherence at Week 52 and (2) time-varying depressive symptoms and PrEP adherence through follow-up. RESULTS At enrolment, 179 (41.9%) participants had elevated depressive symptoms. Group-based trajectory models revealed persistent elevated depressive symptoms in 48.5%, declining symptoms in 9.4% and no consistent or mild depressive symptoms in 43.3%. AGYW who engaged in transactional sex, reported IPV, or had traumatic stress symptoms were more likely to be assigned to the persistent elevated symptom group compared with the consistent no/mild symptom group (Wald test p-value all <0.01). Participants assigned to the persistent elevated depressive symptom trajectory had a significantly lower risk of detectable TFV-DP at Week 52 than those in the no/mild symptom trajectory (adjusted prevalence ratio = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.80 to 0.98). Elevated depressive symptoms were significantly inversely associated with PrEP use throughout follow-up (adjusted relative risk = 0.73; 95% CI = 0.53 to 0.99). CONCLUSIONS Persistent depressive symptoms were common among African AGYW seeking PrEP. Integration of depressive symptom screening and treatment into PrEP programmes may improve PrEP effectiveness among African women.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sybil Hosek
- Stroger Hospital of Cook CountyDepartment of PsychiatryChicagoILUSA
| | - Deborah Donnell
- University of WashingtonDepartment of Global HealthSeattleWAUSA
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease DivisionFred Hutchinson Cancer Research CenterSeattleWAUSA
| | - Peter L Anderson
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesUniversity of ColoradoAuroraCOUSA
| | - Mike Chirenje
- University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences Clinical Trials Research CentreHarareZimbabwe
| | - Nyaradzo Mgodi
- University of Zimbabwe College of Health Sciences Clinical Trials Research CentreHarareZimbabwe
| | - Linda‐Gail Bekker
- The Desmond Tutu HIV CentreUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Sinead Delany‐Moretlwe
- Wits Reproductive Health & HIV Institute (Wits RHI)Faculty of Health SciencesUniversity of the WitwatersrandJohannesburgSouth Africa
| | - Connie Celum
- University of WashingtonDepartment of Global HealthSeattleWAUSA
- Department of MedicineUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
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Duby Z, McClinton Appollis T, Jonas K, Maruping K, Dietrich J, LoVette A, Kuo C, Vanleeuw L, Mathews C. "As a Young Pregnant Girl… The Challenges You Face": Exploring the Intersection Between Mental Health and Sexual and Reproductive Health Amongst Adolescent Girls and Young Women in South Africa. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:344-353. [PMID: 32683636 PMCID: PMC7368608 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-020-02974-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
In South Africa, adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) are at risk of poor mental health, HIV infection and early pregnancy. Poor mental health in AGYW is associated with increased sexual risk behaviours, and impeded HIV testing and care. Using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, we explored subjective experiences of mental health and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) amongst 237 AGYW aged 15-24 years in five South African districts. Respondents shared narratives of stress, emotional isolation, feelings of depression, and suicidal ideation, interconnected with HIV, pregnancy and violence in relationships. Findings show that AGYW in South Africa face a range of mental health stressors and lack sufficient support, which intersect with SRH challenges to heighten their vulnerability. Framed within the syndemic theory, our findings suggest that South African AGYW's vulnerability towards early pregnancy, HIV infection and poor mental health are bidirectional and interconnected. Considering the overlaps and interactions between mental health and SRH amongst AGYW, it is critical that mental health components are integrated into SRH interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Duby
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Francie van Zijl Drive, Parow Valley, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa.
- Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences in the School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Tracy McClinton Appollis
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Francie van Zijl Drive, Parow Valley, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa
- Adolescent Health Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kim Jonas
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Francie van Zijl Drive, Parow Valley, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa
- Adolescent Health Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Kealeboga Maruping
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Francie van Zijl Drive, Parow Valley, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Janan Dietrich
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Francie van Zijl Drive, Parow Valley, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa
- Perinatal HIV Research Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ashleigh LoVette
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Caroline Kuo
- Adolescent Health Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Lieve Vanleeuw
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Francie van Zijl Drive, Parow Valley, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Catherine Mathews
- Health Systems Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Francie van Zijl Drive, Parow Valley, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa
- Adolescent Health Research Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Singer M, Bulled N, Ostrach B. Whither syndemics?: Trends in syndemics research, a review 2015-2019. Glob Public Health 2020; 15:943-955. [PMID: 32037962 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2020.1724317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
As originally conceived, syndemics refers to complex epidemics involving two types of adverse interaction - the clustering and interactions of two or more diseases or health conditions (the biological-biological interface) and social environmental factors (the biological-social interface). The theory has been widely applied in the fields of medicine, public health and anthropology, but how the concept is conceptualised and investigated in new syndemics literature remains unclear. This paper offers a scoping review of recent syndemics literature aiming to address the question: Where have scholars taken the syndemics concept? Five bibliographic databases were searched for titles containing 'syndemic[s]' revealing 334 records. A total of 143 journal articles, 23 book chapters, 21 commentaries, 2 books and 5 dissertations were assessed. Citations were classified into five categories: syndemics (n = 22), potential syndemics (n = 34), socially determined heightened burden of disease (n = 29), harmful disease cluster (n = 32) and additive adverse conditions (n = 71). The limited number of citations meeting the definition of a syndemic arrangement highlights the challenges related to describing and empirically supporting the biological-biological and biological-social relationships. Nevertheless, there is value in retaining the original, holistic, biosocial meaning of syndemics to identify and detail the casual pathways and mechanisms of interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merrill Singer
- Department of Anthropology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Nicola Bulled
- Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention, and Policy (InCHIP), University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Bayla Ostrach
- Boston University School of Medicine, Family Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
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