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01-04-2013 | Original Article

Co-occurring Psychosocial Problems and HIV Risk Among Women Attending Drinking Venues in a South African Township: A Syndemic Approach

Authors: Eileen V. Pitpitan, Ph.D., Seth C. Kalichman, Ph.D., Lisa A. Eaton, Ph.D., Demetria Cain, M.P.H., Kathleen J. Sikkema, Ph.D., Melissa H. Watt, Ph.D., Donald Skinner, Ph.D., Desiree Pieterse, M.P.H.

Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 2/2013

Abstract

Background

In South Africa, women comprise the majority of HIV infections. Syndemics, or co-occurring epidemics and risk factors, have been applied in understanding HIV risk among marginalized groups.

Purpose

The purposes of this study are to apply the syndemic framework to examine psychosocial problems that co-occur among women attending drinking venues in South Africa and to test how the co-occurrence of these problems may exacerbate risk for HIV infection.

Method

Five hundred sixty women from a Cape Town township provided data on multiple psychosocial problems, including food insufficiency, depression, abuse experiences, problem drinking, and sexual behaviors.

Results

Bivariate associations among the syndemic factors showed a high degree of co-occurrence and regression analyses showed an additive effect of psychosocial problems on HIV risk behaviors.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate the utility of a syndemic framework to understand co-occurring psychosocial problems among women in South Africa. HIV prevention interventions should consider the compounding effects of psychosocial problems among women.

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Title: Co-occurring Psychosocial Problems and HIV Risk Among Women Attending Drinking Venues in a South African Township: A Syndemic Approach
Authors: Eileen V. Pitpitan, Ph.D.
Seth C. Kalichman, Ph.D.
Lisa A. Eaton, Ph.D.
Demetria Cain, M.P.H.
Kathleen J. Sikkema, Ph.D.
Melissa H. Watt, Ph.D.
Donald Skinner, Ph.D.
Desiree Pieterse, M.P.H.
Publication date: 01-04-2013
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 2/2013
Print ISSN: 0883-6612
Electronic ISSN: 1532-4796
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-012-9420-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Co-occurring Psychosocial Problems and HIV Risk Among Women Attending Drinking Venues in a South African Township: A Syndemic Approach

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Purpose

Method

Results

Conclusions

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