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April 30, 2026BMC PsychiatryOpen Access

Drought exposure and severe mental distress among adolescent girls and young women in Lesotho: the moderating role of food insecurity

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Authors

OBOlolade Julius BaruwaOSOluwaseyi Dolapo SomefunHGHlengiwe Gwebu

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Overview

Randomized trial examines drought and food insecurity’s impact on mental distress in Lesotho’s young women, suggesting crucial interventions.

Key Points

  • This study aims to explore the link between drought exposure and severe mental distress among adolescent girls and young women in Lesotho and the moderating role of food insecurity.
  • Analyzed data from 7,101 adolescent girls and young women aged 13–24 years from the 2018 Lesotho Violence Against Children and Youth Survey.
  • Used multivariable logistic regression models to assess the association between drought exposure, food insecurity, and severe mental distress.
  • Applied interaction terms to evaluate the moderating effect of food insecurity on the relationship between drought exposure and mental distress.
  • Drought exposure was associated with increased odds of severe mental distress (aOR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.01–2.15; p = 0.045).
  • Food insecurity independently increased the odds of mental distress (aOR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.06–2.05; p = 0.022).
  • The interaction model showed a heightened association between drought and severe mental distress among food-insecure households (interaction aOR = 2.21; 95% CI: 1.15–4.27; p = 0.018).

Cite This Study

Baruwa et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69f2f1771e5f7920c63872d3https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-026-08116-8
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Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

  1. 1Drought exposure and the risk of sexual, emotional, and physical violence against adolescents in Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Lesotho: an observational study2026
  2. 2Violence Victimisation and Mental Health Distress Among Adolescent Girls Living with HIV in Southern Africa: Does Social Protection Help?2026
  3. 3Effect of climate variability, crop production, and household food insecurity on malnutrition among women: A mediation analysis from a drought-prone area in Southern Ethiopia2024
  4. 4Prevalence and risk factors for severe food insecurity and poor food consumption during a drought emergency in Ethiopia2025
  5. 5Associations between Household Food Insecurity and Depressive Symptomology among Adolescent Girls and Young Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic in South Africa2024 · 6 citations