By Nokwanda Gibixego
Nokwanda is a lecturer in the New Generation of Academics Programme at the University of Fort Hare’s Department of Public Health.
Previously, she worked as a professional nurse at one of the tertiary hospitals in the Eastern Cape before joining the university in 2017.
Her research interest is broadly in adolescent health behaviour, health disparities, health inequality, social determinants of health, substance use disorders, tobacco use, and many other key and emerging public health concerns. She is a PhD candidate at the University of Western Cape.
Nokwanda says: “Neglecting psychological health concerns can lead to negative outcomes, such as impaired social functioning, lower educational achievements, higher rates of teenage pregnancy, and an increased risk of engaging in criminal activities and substance abuse.
“These issues are often associated with untreated psychological health problems and risky behaviours, including smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor dietary choices, and physical inactivity. These behaviours are known contributors to the development of NCDs [non-communicable diseases], like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, and certain types of cancer.”
