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A mixed-methods, population-based study of a syndemic in Soweto, South Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Emily Mendenhall

    (Georgetown University
    University of the Witwatersrand)

  • Andrew Wooyoung Kim

    (University of the Witwatersrand
    Massachusetts General Hospital)

  • Anthony Panasci

    (Georgetown University)

  • Lindile Cele

    (University of the Witwatersrand)

  • Feziwe Mpondo

    (University of the Witwatersrand
    University of the Witwatersrand)

  • Edna N. Bosire

    (University of the Witwatersrand
    Georgetown University
    Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi)

  • Shane A. Norris

    (University of the Witwatersrand
    University of Southampton)

  • Alexander C. Tsai

    (Massachusetts General Hospital
    Massachusetts General Hospital
    Harvard Medical School)

Abstract

A syndemic has been theorized as a cluster of epidemics driven by harmful social and structural conditions wherein the interactions between the constitutive epidemics drive excess morbidity and mortality. We conducted a mixed-methods study to investigate a syndemic in Soweto, South Africa, consisting of a population-based quantitative survey (N = 783) and in-depth, qualitative interviews (N = 88). We used ethnographic methods to design a locally relevant measure of stress. Here we show that multimorbidity and stress interacted with each other to reduce quality of life. The paired qualitative analysis further explored how the quality-of-life impacts of multimorbidity were conditioned by study participants’ illness experiences. Together, these findings underscore the importance of recognizing the social and structural drivers of stress and how they affect the experience of chronic illness and well-being.

Suggested Citation

  • Emily Mendenhall & Andrew Wooyoung Kim & Anthony Panasci & Lindile Cele & Feziwe Mpondo & Edna N. Bosire & Shane A. Norris & Alexander C. Tsai, 2022. "A mixed-methods, population-based study of a syndemic in Soweto, South Africa," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 64-73, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nathum:v:6:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41562-021-01242-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41562-021-01242-1
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