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Hines AC, Rose AL, Regenauer KS, Brown I, Johnson K, Bonumwezi J, Ndamase S, Ciya N, Magidson JF, Myers B. " Early in the morning, there's tolerance and later in the day it disappears" - The intersection of resource scarcity, stress and stigma in mental health and substance use care in South Africa. Glob Ment Health (Camb) 2024; 11:e45. [PMID: 38690575 PMCID: PMC11058524 DOI: 10.1017/gmh.2024.41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Stress is a challenge among non-specialist health workers worldwide, particularly in low-resource settings. Understanding and targeting stress is critical for supporting non-specialists and their patients, as stress negatively affects patient care. Further, stigma toward mental health and substance use conditions also impacts patient care. However, there is little information on the intersection of these factors. This sub-analysis aims to explore how substance use and mental health stigma intersect with provider stress and resource constraints to influence the care of people with HIV/TB. We conducted semi-structured interviews (N=30) with patients (n=15) and providers (n=15, non-specialist health workers) within a low-resource community in Cape Town, South Africa. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Three key themes were identified: (1) resource constraints negatively affect patient care and contribute to non-specialist stress; (2) in the context of stress, non-specialists are hesitant to work with patients with mental health or substance use concerns, who they view as more demanding and (3) stress contributes to provider stigma, which negatively impacts patient care. Findings highlight the need for multilevel interventions targeting both provider stress and stigma toward people with mental health and substance use concerns, especially within the context of non-specialist-delivered mental health services in low-resource settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail C. Hines
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Alexandra L. Rose
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | | | - Imani Brown
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Kim Johnson
- Mental Health, Alcohol, Substance Use, Tobacco Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Parow, South Africa
| | - Jessica Bonumwezi
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Sibabalwe Ndamase
- Mental Health, Alcohol, Substance Use, Tobacco Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Parow, South Africa
| | - Nonceba Ciya
- Mental Health, Alcohol, Substance Use, Tobacco Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Parow, South Africa
| | - Jessica F. Magidson
- Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
- Center for Substance Use, Addiction & Health Research (CESAR), University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Bronwyn Myers
- Mental Health, Alcohol, Substance Use, Tobacco Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Parow, South Africa
- Curtin enAble Institute, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Chenneville T, Gabbidon K, Bharat B, Whitney Z, Adeli S, Anyango M. The Biopsychosocial Impact and Syndemic Effect of COVID-19 on Youth Living with HIV in Kenya. J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care 2022; 21:23259582221112342. [PMID: 35818725 PMCID: PMC9280818 DOI: 10.1177/23259582221112342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19's rapid emergence as a biological and psychosocial threat has affected people globally. The purpose of this qualitative study, which was guided by syndemic theory and the biopsychosocial framework, was to examine the impact of COVID-19 on youth living with HIV (YLWH) in Kenya. Seven virtual focus groups and two in-depth interviews were conducted with 15 YLWH aged 18-24, 13 youth affected by HIV aged 18-24, and 12 HIV healthcare providers living in Nakuru and Eldoret, two of Kenya's largest cities. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis, which was guided by a descriptive phenomenological approach. Findings provided information about the problems and needs of YLWH as well as potential solutions for mitigating COVID-19's biopsychosocial impact and syndemic effect on YLWH in Kenya. A variety of individual, community, healthcare, and government issues were identified including but not limited to concerns about psychosocial functioning; economic stability; access to medical treatment and medication; the availability of goods and services; patient education; and the dissemination of accurate information. These findings have important implications for addressing the ongoing and long-term impact of the pandemic on YLWH in resource-limited settings through research, policy, and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bharat Bharat
- 92562University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, FL, USA
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