The Nexus of HIV, substance abuse, and mental health among adolescents in Zambia (2021–2023)

Abstract

Background: Adolescents in Zambia face interrelated health challenges, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), substance abuse and mental health disorders (MHDs). These issues have significant public health implications, as substance abuse and MHDs are known to increase the risk of HIV incidence. Aim: This study aimed to analyse trends in HIV incidence, substance abuse and MHDs among Zambian adolescents aged 10–19 years from 2021 to 2023. Setting: Data were retrieved from the Health Management Information System under Zambia’s Ministry of Health, covering all 10 provinces. Methods: A retrospective analysis of secondary data was conducted using District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2), the Ministry of Health’s primary data system. Microsoft Excel and Stata were used for descriptive statistics and regression analysis to examine potential associations. Results: Findings indicate an increase in national HIV incidence rates from 1.89 in 2021 to 1.99 in 2022, before a decrease to 1.73 in 2023. Substance abuse also showed an upward trend, rising from 0.35 to 0.68 per 1000 adolescents. Incidence of MHDs more than doubled from 0.7 in 2021 to 1.54 in 2023, with Lusaka and Northwestern provinces showing the most significant increases. Our linear correlational analysis showed a positive relationship among the key variables. Conclusion: The results underscore the interconnectedness of HIV, substance abuse and mental health issues among adolescents in Zambia, emphasising the need for integrated interventions. Contribution: This study contributes valuable insights for policy and programme development, highlighting the need for targeted, holistic approaches in adolescent health services to address these interconnected issues effectively.

Keywords

• hiv
• incidence
• mental health
• substance abuse
• adolescents
• trends