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Intersecting Epidemics Among Pregnant Women: Alcohol Use, Interpersonal Violence, and HIV Infection in South Africa

  • The Science of Prevention (S Kalichman, Section Editor)
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Abstract

A critical factor for understanding negative health outcomes is acknowledging the synergistic quality that clusters of health problems create. An important step in addressing clusters of health problems involves gaining an awareness of the contextual factors that connect them. This paper considers the intersection of 3 mutually reinforcing health problems: alcohol use, interpersonal violence (IPV), and HIV infection among pregnant women residing in South Africa. We explore how SAVA (substance abuse, violence and AIDS) - a syndemics related theory - underscores the dire need to intervene in various areas of psycho-social health and general well-being. Based on World Health Organization data, we highlight the remarkably high rates of alcohol use, IPV, and HIV infection among South African women compared with women residing in other countries around the world. We conclude by highlighting the need for improved recognition of the intersection of these epidemics and for improved surveillance of the prevalence of alcohol use among pregnant women. Finally, based on the literature reviewed, we provide recommendations for future interventions.

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Notes

  1. The terms “white,” “black,” and “coloured” in South Africa, refer to demographic markers and do not signify inherent characteristics. They refer to people of European, African and mixed (African, European and/or Asian) ancestry, respectively. The continued use of these markers in South Africa is important for monitoring improvements in health and socio-economic disparities, identifying vulnerable sections of the population, and planning effective prevention and intervention programs.

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Acknowledgement

This project was supported in part by National Institute of Mental Health grant R01 MH094230.

Disclosure

B.S. Russell: none; L.A. Eaton: grant from National Institutes of Health (NIH).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Development & Family Studies, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Rd, Unit 1058, Storrs, CT, 06269-1058, USA

    Beth S. Russell & Lisa A. Eaton

  2. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Unit, Medical Research Council, PO Box 19070, Tygerberg, 7505, South Africa

    Petal Petersen-Williams

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  1. Beth S. Russell
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Correspondence to Beth S. Russell.

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Russell, B.S., Eaton, L.A. & Petersen-Williams, P. Intersecting Epidemics Among Pregnant Women: Alcohol Use, Interpersonal Violence, and HIV Infection in South Africa. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 10, 103–110 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11904-012-0145-5

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