CO-OCCURRENCE OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AMONG PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER: EVIDENCE FROM THE 2019 SOUTH AFRICAN GENERAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY

Abstract

Introduction: South Africa faces high burden of communicable diseases, particularly human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB), alongside a growing prevalence of mental health disorders. However, evidence on communicable diseases among individuals with mental health disorders remains sparse. This study assessed the prevalence and determinants of communicable diseases among South Africans with self-reported mental health disorders. Methods: A secondary analysis of the 2019 General Household Survey was conducted among 410 individuals with self-reported mental health disorders by a qualified healthcare professional. Descriptive statistics summarized disease prevalence, while bivariate and multivariable ordinal logistic regression analyses identified associated factors. Variables with p<0.25 in bivariate analyses were considered for multivariable modelling, and statistical significance was set at p<0.05. All analyses accounted for the complex survey design and were performed using STATA version 16.1. Results:  The mean age of participants was 40.55 ±0.90 years. The prevalence of communicable diseases was 13.03%, with 11.87% reporting a single infection and 1.16% reporting two or more infections. Influenza was the most prevalent condition (9.94%), followed by HIV (2.96%), TB (1.17%), and sexually transmitted diseases (0.27%). Higher odds of communicable diseases were observed among cohabiting [OR: 3.61; 95%CI: 1.51, 8.64; p-value = .004] and divorced individuals [OR=6.56; 95%CI: 1.77, 24.28; p-value = .005]. Residents of the Free State [OR: 5.63; 95% CI: 1.13, 28.06; p-value = .035] and Gauteng [OR: 4.44; 95%CI: 1.18, 16.72; p-value= .028] also had increased odds. Conclusion: Communicable diseases were common among individuals in. with mental health disorders. Integrating prevention, screening, and treatment within mental health services may reduce disease burden and improve health outcomes. The prevalence of communicable diseases in this study was high. Public health policy makers and Psychiatrist should collaborate to address the sociodemographic inequalities, moreover KwaZulu-Natal and Northern Cape should be urgently attended to reduce the high prevalence.