Syndemics of psychosocial problems and HIV risk: A systematic review of empirical tests of the disease interaction concept.

ABSTRACT: In the theory of syndemics, diseases co-occur in particular temporal or geographical contexts due to harmful social conditions (disease concentration) and interact at the level of populations and individuals, with mutually enhancing deleterious consequences for health (disease interaction). This theory has widespread adherents in the field, but the extent to which there is empirical support for the concept of disease interaction remains unclear. In January 2015 we systematically searched 7 bibliographic databases and tracked citations to highly cited publications associated with the theory of syndemics. Of the 783 records, we ultimately included 34 published journal articles, 5 dissertations, and 1 conference abstract. Most studies were based on a cross-sectional design (32 [80%]), were co

SUBMITTER: Tsai AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4519429 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature