Predictors of physical and mental health of adults in lower income communities in Gauteng and the Western Cape of South Africa
1
1Mental health, Alcohol, Substance use and Tobacco Research Unit 2Division of Public Health Medicine, University of Cape Town, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
2
1Mental Health, Alcohol, Substance use and Tobacco Research Unit 2Directorate of Research and Innovation, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
3
1Gender & Health Research Unit 2School of Health Systems and Public Health, University of Pretoria, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
4
1Burden of Disease Research Unit 2Division of Public Health Medicine, University of Cape Town, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
5
1Mental Health, Alcohol, Substance use and Tobacco Research Unit 2 Department of Psychiatry, University of Stellenbosch, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2596
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
South Africa ranks 6th globally in alcohol intake per drinker(1), tobacco use is the highest in the African region(2) and cannabis use is similar to other African countries(3). Substance use disorders disproportionately effects lower income populations(4). Alcohol, tobacco and other substances have been linked to increased risk of cancer, heart disease and increased susceptibility to communicable diseases and injuries(5). This research aimed to explore predictors of physical and mental health.
METHODS:
This cross-sectional randomised household survey took place between September-December 2025 in selected small area layers within six different lower income populations in two provinces. We included 2400 participants from the Gauteng Province and Western Cape. Questions included socio-economic, household food security, alcohol consumption patterns, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), tobacco use, other substance use, depression, anxiety, and traumatic experiences. Descriptive tests explored frequencies and associations using Chi-square, T-tests and multiple linear regression models to examine predictors of physical and mental health outcomes.
RESULTS:
The participants were median 38 years with 56.9% females, 35.2% completed grade twelve with 48% reporting a monthly household income of $125-$625. Nearly twenty percent experienced moderate to severe hunger in the household while 14.9% scored ‘low’ on the assets index score. 60% reported drinking alcohol in the past year, 25.8% used tobacco products daily, 7% used cannabis daily and 9.6% used prescription opioids in the past month. Nearly forty percent reported symptoms of mild to severe depression, 6.2% suffered from anxiety,10.6% experienced PTSD symptoms. Nearly one-in-three were previously diagnosed with hypertension. Final analysis of results is not yet available.
CONCLUSIONS:
We hypothesize that alcohol, tobacco and other substance use will influence physical and mental health outcomes of these populations. The closer examination of social determinants of health in conjunction with substance use will assist in leveraging increased public health services for these communities.
South Africa ranks 6th globally in alcohol intake per drinker(1), tobacco use is the highest in the African region(2) and cannabis use is similar to other African countries(3). Substance use disorders disproportionately effects lower income populations(4). Alcohol, tobacco and other substances have been linked to increased risk of cancer, heart disease and increased susceptibility to communicable diseases and injuries(5). This research aimed to explore predictors of physical and mental health.
METHODS:
This cross-sectional randomised household survey took place between September-December 2025 in selected small area layers within six different lower income populations in two provinces. We included 2400 participants from the Gauteng Province and Western Cape. Questions included socio-economic, household food security, alcohol consumption patterns, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), tobacco use, other substance use, depression, anxiety, and traumatic experiences. Descriptive tests explored frequencies and associations using Chi-square, T-tests and multiple linear regression models to examine predictors of physical and mental health outcomes.
RESULTS:
The participants were median 38 years with 56.9% females, 35.2% completed grade twelve with 48% reporting a monthly household income of $125-$625. Nearly twenty percent experienced moderate to severe hunger in the household while 14.9% scored ‘low’ on the assets index score. 60% reported drinking alcohol in the past year, 25.8% used tobacco products daily, 7% used cannabis daily and 9.6% used prescription opioids in the past month. Nearly forty percent reported symptoms of mild to severe depression, 6.2% suffered from anxiety,10.6% experienced PTSD symptoms. Nearly one-in-three were previously diagnosed with hypertension. Final analysis of results is not yet available.
CONCLUSIONS:
We hypothesize that alcohol, tobacco and other substance use will influence physical and mental health outcomes of these populations. The closer examination of social determinants of health in conjunction with substance use will assist in leveraging increased public health services for these communities.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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