High cellphone use associated with greater risk of depression among young women aged 15–24 years in Soweto and Durban, South Africa

Abstract

Background The ubiquity of cellular phone (cellphone) use in young people’s daily lives has emerged as a priority area of concern for youth mental health. Objective This study measured the prevalence of depression and its association with high cellphone use among youth in Soweto and Durban, South Africa. Methods We analysed cross-sectional, baseline survey data among youth aged 16–24 who participated in a dual-site cohort study, ‘AYAZAZI’, conducted from 2014 to 2017. The primary outcome was depression using the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, with a score of ≥ 10 indicating probable depression. Cellphone use was measured via self-reported average number of hours of active use, with ‘high cellphone use’ defined as daily usage of ≥ 8. Multivariable logistic regression models assessed the independent relationship between high cellphone use and probable depression, adjusting for potential confounders. Results Of 425 participants with a median age of 19 years (IQR = 18–21), 59.5% were young women. Overall, 43.3% had probable depression, with a higher prevalence among women (49.0% vs. 34.9%, P = .004). Nearly all (94.6%) owned a cellphone. About one-third (29.5%) reported spending ≥ 8 hours per day using their cellphone (39.3% of women vs. 14.9% of men, P < .001). In the overall adjusted model, youth reporting high daily cellphone use had higher odds of probable depression (aOR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.16–2.90). In gender-stratified models, high daily cellphone use was associated with probable depression among women (aOR: 2.51, 95% CI: 1.47–4.31), but not among men (aOR: 0.87, 95% CI: 0.35–2.16). Conclusions Among a cohort of South African youth, we found a high prevalence of probable depression and high cellphone use (30%). The findings indicate a need for intersectoral initiatives focused on meaningful mental health support for South African youth to support positive growth and development.

Problematic smartphone and social media use among undergraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic: In the case of southern Ethiopia universities

“…According to the current study finding result, respondents who had depression increase 2.45 units on problematic social media use which was similar with the study finding done in United states [ 52 ], Nigeria [ 30 ], South Africa [ 31 ]. The possible reason for this may be that people who are depressed may be more likely to utilize problematic social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.…”

“…Overall, 43.3% had likely depression and 22.4% of the students in a Zambian study reported having a social media addiction. The most problematic smartphone use risk profile is that of a female, under the age of 21, with low self-esteem who lives away from home, making her more vulnerable to problems and also to depression and anxiety [ 30 , 31 ].…”

“I feel like it is asking if he is a stalker … but I also feel like it is asking if he cares”: exploring young South African women and men’s perceptions of the Sexual Relationship Power Scale

“…While detailed socio-demographic information (e.g., socio-economic status (SES), education, food-security [ 77 ]), mental health (e.g., stress [ 78 ], depression [ 64 ]), experiences of violence [ 14 ], and substance use were captured during the quantitative AYAZAZI questionnaire, we did not re-ask participants about these factors at the time of the qualitative cognitive interview (3–5 years later), as such we were limited in the ability to compare findings across these factors.…”

Examining gender and sexual orientation differences in physical intimate partner violence experienced and perpetrated by youth living in eThekwini district South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…AYAZAZI RIGHTS (Rapid Investigation of Gendered Health outcomes in the Time of Sars-Cov-2) took place over six months between December 2021 and May 2022, recruiting youth aged 16-24 from across eThekwini district South Africa. AYAZAZI stems from prior South African adolescent and youth health research [34][35][36][37], where AYA stands for adolescents and young adults, and "Zazi" meaning knowing themselves in isiZulu. The city of Durban, situated within eThekwini district, has been criticized their conservative views on LGBTQ + acceptance [38] and the lack of political response to the high sustained incidents of LGBTQ + hate crimes occurring within and around the city in recent years [39].…”