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Nabunya P, Migadde H, Namuwonge F, Mugisha J, Kirabo W, Ssentumbwe V, Claire N, Raymond A, Bahar OS, Mwebembezi A, McKay MM, Ssewamala FM. Feasibility and Acceptability of Group-Based Stigma Reduction Interventions for Adolescents Living with HIV and Their Caregivers: The Suubi4Stigma Randomized Clinical Trial (2020-2022). AIDS Behav 2024; 28:1630-1641. [PMID: 38308772 PMCID: PMC11070307 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04284-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of two group-based interventions: group-cognitive behavioral therapy (G-CBT) and a family-strengthening intervention delivered via multiple family group (MFG-FS), to address HIV stigma among adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) and their caregivers. A total of 147 adolescent -caregiver dyads from 9 health clinics situated within 7 political districts in Uganda were screened for eligibility. Of these, 89 dyads met the inclusion criteria and provided consent to participate in the study. Participants were randomized, at the clinic level, to one of three study conditions: Usual care, G-CBT or MFG-FS. The interventions were delivered over a 3-month period. While both adolescents and their caregivers attended the MFG-FS sessions, G-CBT sessions were only attended by adolescents. Data were collected at baseline, 3 and 6-months post intervention initiation. The retention rate was 94% over the study period. Across groups, intervention session attendance ranged between 85 and 92%, for all sessions. Fidelity of the intervention was between 85 and 100%, and both children and caregivers rated highly their satisfaction with the intervention sessions. ALHIV in Uganda, and most of sub-Saharan Africa, are still underrepresented in stigma reduction interventions. The Suubi4Stigma study was feasible and acceptable to adolescents and their caregivers -supporting testing the efficacy of the interventions in a larger trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Proscovia Nabunya
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Brown School Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Box 1196, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
| | - Herbert Migadde
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD) Field Office, Masaka, Uganda
| | - Flavia Namuwonge
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Brown School Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Box 1196, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - James Mugisha
- College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Winnie Kirabo
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD) Field Office, Masaka, Uganda
| | - Vicent Ssentumbwe
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Brown School Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Box 1196, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Najjuuko Claire
- Division of Computational & Data Sciences, McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, USA
| | - Atwebembere Raymond
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Brown School Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Box 1196, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Ozge Sensoy Bahar
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Brown School Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Box 1196, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | | | - Mary M McKay
- Office of the Vice Provost, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, USA
| | - Fred M Ssewamala
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Brown School Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Box 1196, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
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Nabunya P, Kizito S, Naseh M, Raymond A, Ssentumbwe V. Preliminary Impact of Group-Based Interventions on Stigma and the Mental Health of Caregivers of Adolescents Living with HIV in Uganda. AIDS Behav 2024:10.1007/s10461-024-04353-8. [PMID: 38683434 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04353-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
This study examined the preliminary impact of group-cognitive behavioral therapy (G-CBT) and a family-strengthening intervention delivered via multiple family groups (MFG-FS) on HIV stigma, parenting stress, and the mental health of caregivers of adolescents living with HIV. We analyzed data from the Suubi4Stigma study (2020-2022), a two-year pilot randomized clinical trial for adolescents and their caregivers (N = 89 dyads), recruited from nine health clinics in Uganda. Adolescent-caregiver dyads were randomized to three intervention conditions delivered over three months, with data collected at baseline, three and six-months follow-up. We fitted mixed-effects linear regression models to test the effect of the interventions on caregiver outcomes over time. At six months, caregivers randomized to the MFG-FS condition reported lower levels of stigma by association (mean difference = -1.45, 95% CI = -2.52 - -0.38, p = 0.008), and stigma and discrimination attitudes (mean difference = -3.84, 95% CI = -4.63 - -3.05, p < 0.001), compared to Usual care condition. In addition, caregivers of adolescents randomized to the G-CBT condition reported lower levels of stigma and discrimination attitudes at three months (mean difference = -5.18, 95% CI = -9.13 - -1.22, p = 0.010), and at six months (mean difference = -6.70, 95% CI = -9.28 - -4.12, p < 0.001). Caregiver mental health and parenting stress significantly reduced over time regardless of intervention condition. Findings point to the importance of incorporating stigma reduction components within psychosocial interventions targeting adolescents and families impacted by HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Proscovia Nabunya
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Brown School Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1196, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA.
| | - Samuel Kizito
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Brown School Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1196, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Mitra Naseh
- The Initiative on Social Work & Forced Migration, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, USA
| | - Atwebembere Raymond
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Brown School Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1196, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
| | - Vicent Ssentumbwe
- International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), Brown School Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1196, St. Louis, MO, 63130, USA
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Kumar M. Strengthening the Understanding of South Partnerships and Rigor in Addressing Social Determinants of Child and Adolescent Mental Health. J Adolesc Health 2023; 72:S1-S2. [PMID: 37062577 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Manasi Kumar
- Brain and Mind Institute, Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya
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Irwin CE. International Collaboration to Support Research in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. J Adolesc Health 2023; 72:649. [PMID: 37062571 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
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