Young men's experiences of violence and poverty and the relationship to sexually transmissible HIV: a cross sectional study from rural South Africa

Abstract

Background: Young men are inadequately engaged in HIV prevention and treatment globally, including in South Africa, increasing the likelihood of them having sexually transmissible HIV (i.e. living with HIV but with high viral loads). We sought to understand how men's experiences of poverty and violence, impacted on transmissible HIV, directly or indirectly via mental health and substance misuse.

Setting: Rural communities in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Methods: Cross-sectional population-based sample (September 2018-June 2019), assessing transmissible HIV (living with HIV and viral load ≥400 copies/mL, compared to individuals either not living with HIV, or living with HIV and viral load <400 copies/mL) via dried blood spots, and socio-demographic data. Structural equation models (SEM), assessed direct and indirect pathways from food insecurity and violence experience to transmissible-HIV, with mediators common mental disorders, alcohol use, gender inequitable attitudes and perceptions of low life chances.

Results: 2,086 (ages 13-35 years) men and 8.6%(n=178) men had transmissible HIV. There was no direct pathway from food insecurity, or violence experience, to transmissible HIV. Low perceptions of life chances mediated the relationship between food insecurity and transmissible HIV. Additionally increased poor mental health, via increased alcohol use, also mediated these relationships.

Conclusions: Transmissible HIV was common among young men. The analysis highlights the need to address the proximate 'drivers' of low perceptions of life chances and substance misuse, and men's experiences of poverty and violence. Building multicomponent interventions that engage these multiple challenges is critical for improving HIV among young men.

Keywords: Gender; HIV/AIDS; Interpersonal Violence; Male; Mental Health; Poverty.