Citation

Duby Z, McClinton Appollis T, Jonas K, Maruping K, Dietrich J, LoVette A, Kuo C, Vanleeuw L, Mathews C. AIDS Behav. 2021; 25(2): 344-353.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s10461-020-02974-3

PMID

32683636

PMCID

PMC7368608

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.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; Adult; Female; Adolescent; Depression; Suicide; Young Adult; South Africa; Pregnancy; Mental Health; Mental health; Sexual Behavior; HIV; HIV Infections; Reproductive Health; Adolescent girls and young women