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Edeh NC, Eseadi C. Mental health implications of suicide rates in South Africa. World J Clin Cases 2023; 11:8099-8105. [PMID: 38130796 PMCID: PMC10731174 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i34.8099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mental health challenges are a severe issue that could lead to suicide if not properly addressed. South Africa has a significant burden of mental health issues, which contributes to the soaring rate of suicide. Adequate mental health-care provision could reduce the high suicide rate in South Africa. Since the apartheid regime, the country has made a series of efforts to improve mental health. This study aimed to review and examine available literature on mental health and suicide issues in South Africa and demonstrate the policy implications. This study adopted a narrative review approach. Electronic databases (PubMed, Scilit, Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar) were used to identify published articles in the English language with crucial search terms that included mental health, South African mental health policy, South Africa, suicide and policy. Literature suggests that at the provincial level, there are no adequate mental health policies, and the implementation of the country's mental health policy is faced with many challenges, such as a shortage of professionals and finances. The review also showed that task sharing and counselling have been pilot-tested and shown to be effective methods for the prevention of mental illness and promotion of positive mental health. This study concludes that the mental health treatment gap still exists in South Africa, and this needs to be tackled using effective, multi-level counselling interventions and policy initiatives. Adequate mental health-care provision and effective implementation of mental health policy could reduce the high rate of suicide in South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nkechinyere C Edeh
- Department of Social Science Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka 41001, Enugu State, Nigeria
| | - Chiedu Eseadi
- Department of Educational Psychology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg 2006, Gauteng, South Africa
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An Y, Hoffmann CJ, Bhoora U, Ndini P, Moyo D, Steiner L, Tshuma S, Mabuto T, Hugo J, Owczarzak J, Marcus TS. Opioid use and HIV treatment services experiences among male criminal justice-involved persons in South Africa: a qualitative study. Harm Reduct J 2023; 20:90. [PMID: 37480041 PMCID: PMC10360229 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00834-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Opioid use disorder (OUD) is overrepresented among people with criminal justice involvement; HIV is a common comorbidity in this population. This study aimed to examine how formerly incarcerated men living with HIV and OUD in South Africa experienced HIV and OUD services in correctional facilities and the community. METHODS Three focus group discussions were conducted with 16 formerly incarcerated men living with HIV and OUD in Gauteng, South Africa. Discussions explored available healthcare services in correctional facilities and the community and procedural and practice differences in health care between the two types of settings. Data were analyzed thematically, using a comparative lens to explore the relationships between themes. RESULTS Participants described an absence of medical services for OUD in correctional facilities and the harms caused by opioid withdrawal without medical support during incarceration. They reported that there were limited OUD services in the community and that what was available was not connected with public HIV clinics. Participants perceived correctional and community HIV care systems as readily accessible but suggested that a formal system did not exist to ensure care continuity post-release. CONCLUSIONS OUD was perceived to be medically unaddressed in correctional facilities and marginally attended to in the community. In contrast, HIV treatment was widely available within the two settings. The current model of OUD care in South Africa leaves many of the needs of re-entrants unmet. Integrating harm reduction into all primary care medical services may address some of these needs. Successful HIV care models provide examples of approaches that can be applied to developing and expanding OUD services in South Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangxi An
- Krieger School for the Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
| | - Christopher J Hoffmann
- School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 1550 Orleans St, CRBII 1M11, Baltimore, MD, 21207, USA.
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA.
- Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Urvisha Bhoora
- Community Oriented Substance Use Programme, Tshwane, South Africa
- Community Oriented Primary Care Research Unit, University of Pretoria, Tshwane, South Africa
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Pretoria, Tshwane, South Africa
| | | | | | - Laura Steiner
- School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 1550 Orleans St, CRBII 1M11, Baltimore, MD, 21207, USA
| | - Sukholuhle Tshuma
- Community Oriented Substance Use Programme, Tshwane, South Africa
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Pretoria, Tshwane, South Africa
| | | | - Jannie Hugo
- Community Oriented Substance Use Programme, Tshwane, South Africa
- Community Oriented Primary Care Research Unit, University of Pretoria, Tshwane, South Africa
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Pretoria, Tshwane, South Africa
| | - Jill Owczarzak
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
| | - Tessa S Marcus
- Community Oriented Primary Care Research Unit, University of Pretoria, Tshwane, South Africa
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Pretoria, Tshwane, South Africa
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Nyashanu T, Visser M. Treatment barriers among young adults living with a substance use disorder in Tshwane, South Africa. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 2022; 17:75. [PMCID: PMC9675246 DOI: 10.1186/s13011-022-00501-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Despite increasing substance use globally, substance use treatment utilisation remains low. This study sought to explore and measure substance use treatment barriers among young adults in South Africa. Methods The study was done in collaboration with the Community-Oriented Substance Use Programme run in Tshwane, South Africa. A mixed methods approach employing focus group discussions with key informants (n = 15), a survey with a random sample of people using substances and receiving treatment (n = 206), and individual semi-structured interviews (n = 15) was used. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to analyse data. Results Contextual barriers seemed more prominent than attitudinal barriers in the South African context. Fragmented services, stigma-related factors, an information gap and lack of resources and support (contextual factors), perceived lack of treatment efficacy, privacy concerns, and denial and unreadiness to give up (attitudinal factors) were treatment barriers that emerged as themes in both quantitative and qualitative data. Culture and religion/spirituality emerged as an important barrier/facilitator theme in the qualitative data. Conclusion Interventions need to embrace contextual factors such as culture, and more resources should be channelled towards substance use treatment. Multi-level stakeholder engagement is needed to minimise stigmatising behaviours from the community and to raise awareness of available treatment services. There is a need for strategies to integrate cultural factors, such as religion/spirituality and traditional healing, into treatment processes so that they complementarily work together with pharmacological treatments to improve health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tichaenzana Nyashanu
- grid.49697.350000 0001 2107 2298Department of Psychology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028 South Africa
| | - Maretha Visser
- grid.49697.350000 0001 2107 2298Department of Psychology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield, 0028 South Africa
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Rukundo GZ, Wakida EK, Maling S, Kaggwa MM, Sserumaga BM, Atim LM, Atuhaire CD, Obua C. Knowledge, attitudes, and experiences in suicide assessment and management: a qualitative study among primary health care workers in southwestern Uganda. BMC Psychiatry 2022; 22:605. [PMID: 36096787 PMCID: PMC9465925 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-022-04244-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Suicide is one of the leading causes of death globally, with over 75% of all suicides occurring in low-and middle-income Countries. Although 25% of people have contact with their health care workers before suicide attempts, most never receive proper suicide assessment and management. We explored primary care health workers' knowledge, attitudes, and experiences in evaluating and managing suicidality in structured primary healthcare services in Uganda. METHODS This was a cross-sectional qualitative study among health workers in southwestern Uganda from purposively selected health facilities. A semi-structured interview guide was used, and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS The in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 individuals (i.e., five medical doctors, two clinical officers, two midwives, and nine nurses) from 12 health facilities in the five selected districts. Four themes emerged from the discussions: a) Knowledge and attitudes of primary healthcare workers in the assessment and management of suicidality, b) Experiences in the assessment and management of suicidality, c) challenges faced by primary healthcare workers while assessing and managing suicidality, and d) Recommendations for improving assessment and management of suicidality in PHC. Most participants were knowledgeable about suicide and the associated risk factors but reported challenges in assessing and managing individuals with suicide risk. The participants freely shared individual experiences and attitudes in the assessment and management of suicide. They also proposed possible ways to improve the evaluation and management of suicidality in PHC, such as setting up a system of managing suicidality, regularizing community sensitization, and training health workers. CONCLUSION Suicidality is commonly encountered by primary health care workers in Uganda who struggle with its assessment and management. Improving the knowledge and attitudes of primary health care workers would be a big step towards ensuring equitable services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godfrey Z. Rukundo
- grid.33440.300000 0001 0232 6272Department of Psychiatry, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda ,African Center for Suicide Prevention and Research, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Edith K. Wakida
- African Center for Suicide Prevention and Research, Mbarara, Uganda ,grid.33440.300000 0001 0232 6272Office of Research Administration, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Samuel Maling
- grid.33440.300000 0001 0232 6272Department of Psychiatry, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Mark M. Kaggwa
- grid.33440.300000 0001 0232 6272Department of Psychiatry, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda ,African Center for Suicide Prevention and Research, Mbarara, Uganda ,grid.25073.330000 0004 1936 8227Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Baker M. Sserumaga
- grid.33440.300000 0001 0232 6272Department of Psychiatry, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Letizia M. Atim
- grid.33440.300000 0001 0232 6272Department of Psychiatry, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Clara D. Atuhaire
- grid.33440.300000 0001 0232 6272Office of Research Administration, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
| | - Celestino Obua
- grid.33440.300000 0001 0232 6272Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda
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Myers B, Koch JR, Johnson K, Harker N. Factors associated with patient-reported experiences and outcomes of substance use disorder treatment in Cape Town, South Africa. Addict Sci Clin Pract 2022; 17:8. [PMID: 35109915 PMCID: PMC8812030 DOI: 10.1186/s13722-022-00289-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Interventions are needed to improve the quality of South Africa’s substance use disorder (SUD) treatment system. This study aimed to identify factors associated with patient-reported suboptimal access, quality, and outcomes of SUD treatment to guide the design of targeted quality improvement initiatives. Method We analysed clinical record and patient survey data routinely collected by SUD services in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. The sample included 1097 treatment episodes, representing 32% of all episodes in 2019. Using multivariate logistic regression, we modelled socio-demographic, substance use and treatment correlates of patient-reported suboptimal access to, quality and outcomes of SUD treatment. Results Overall, 37.9% of patients reported substantial difficulties in accessing treatment, 28.8% reported suboptimal quality treatment, and 31.1% reported suboptimal SUD outcomes. The odds of reporting poor access were elevated for patients identifying as Black/African, in residential treatment, with comorbid mental health problems, and longer histories of substance use. Length of substance use, comorbid mental health problems, and prior SUD treatment were associated with greater likelihood of reporting suboptimal quality treatment. Patients with comorbid mental health problems, polysubstance use, who did not complete treatment, and who perceived treatment to be of poor quality were more likely to report suboptimal outcomes. Conclusion This study is among the first to use patient-reported experiences and outcome measures to identify targets for SUD treatment improvement. Findings suggest substantial room to improve South African SUD treatment services, with targeted efforts needed to reduce disparities in outcomes for patients of Black/African descent, for those with comorbid mental health problems, and for patients who have chronic substance use difficulties. Interventions to enhance the relevance, appropriateness, and acceptability of SUD services for these patient sub-groups are needed to improve system performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronwyn Myers
- Curtin enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA, 6102, Australia. .,Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa. .,Division of Addiction Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - J Randy Koch
- Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Kim Johnson
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Nadine Harker
- Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.,School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Goldstone D, Bantjes J, Nel D, Stanbridge J, Lewis I. Alcohol use predicts emergency psychiatric unit admission for non-fatal suicidal behaviour in the Western Cape (South Africa): a case-control study. Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract 2020; 24:163-172. [PMID: 31928103 DOI: 10.1080/13651501.2019.1711419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Objective: We aimed to describe patterns of substance use among patients admitted to an emergency psychiatric unit for non-fatal suicidal behaviour (NFSB) or another psychiatric reason and establish whether there were significant differences in patterns of substance use between the two groups.Methods: We employed a case-control design (N = 50) and collected data about participants' substance use in Cape Town, South Africa. Data were analysed using Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests, factor analysis, and logistic regressions.Results: Prevalence of lifetime Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) was 60% in the NFSB group and 28% in the control group. 12% of the NFSB group and 20% of the control group had a lifetime Tobacco Use Disorder. Prevalence of lifetime illicit Substance Use Disorder was 44% in the NFSB group and 60% in the control group. Hospital admission for NFSB was associated with: any past 24-hour alcohol use; quantity of past 24-hour alcohol use; quantity of past-month alcohol use; lifetime AUD; past 12-month AUD; and current AUD; and was not associated with the use of any other substances (p<.05). Past 12-month AUD was the best predictor of hospital admission for NFSB, controlling for, respectively, any past 24-hour alcohol use (aOR = 13.33, p = .023) and quantity of past 24-hour alcohol use (aOR = 9.01, p = .022)Conclusions: Patients admitted to emergency psychiatric units for NFSB have increased needs for the treatment of AUDs compared to patients admitted for another psychiatric emergency. Findings support calls for interventions to prevent NFSB among psychiatric patients with a history of AUD.Key pointsRates of substance use among patients admitted to emergency psychiatric units in South Africa were high compared to the general population.Hazardous alcohol use was uniquely associated with hospital admission for non-fatal suicidal behaviour compared to another psychiatric emergency.Tobacco use and illicit substance use were not associated with hospital admission for non-fatal suicidal behaviour compared to another psychiatric emergency.The association between hazardous alcohol use and hospital admission for non-fatal suicidal behaviour did not appear to be affected by demographic variables.Patients admitted to hospital for non-fatal suicidal behaviour have increased needs for the treatment of alcohol use disorders compared to other psychiatric patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Goldstone
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Jason Bantjes
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Daan Nel
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Jessica Stanbridge
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ian Lewis
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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