1
|
Bengtson AM, Filipowicz TR, Mphonda S, Udedi M, Kulisewa K, Meltzer-Brody S, Gaynes BN, Go VF, Chibanda D, Verhey R, Hosseinipour MC, Pence BW. An Intervention to Improve Mental Health and HIV Care Engagement Among Perinatal Women in Malawi: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:3559-3570. [PMID: 37084104 PMCID: PMC10119837 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-023-04070-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Abstract
Perinatal depression (PND) is common and an important barrier to engagement in HIV care for women living with HIV (WLHIV). Accordingly, we adapted and enhanced The Friendship Bench, an evidence-based counseling intervention, for perinatal WLHIV. In a pilot randomized trial (NCT04143009), we evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, fidelity, and preliminary efficacy of the Enhanced Friendship Bench (EFB) intervention to improve PND and engagement in HIV care outcomes. Eighty pregnant WLHIV who screened positive for PND symptoms on the Self-Report Questionnaire (≥ 8) were enrolled, randomized 1:1 to EFB or usual care, and followed through 6 months postpartum. Overall, 100% of intervention participants were satisfied with the intervention and 93% found it beneficial to their overall health. Of 82 counseling sessions assessed for fidelity, 83% met or exceeded the fidelity threshold. At 6 months postpartum, intervention participants had improved depression remission (59% versus 36%, RD 23%, 95% CI 2%, 45%), retention in HIV care (82% versus 69%, RD 13%, -6%, 32%), and viral suppression (96% versus 90%, RD 7%, -7%, 20%) compared to usual care. Adverse events did not differ by arm. These results suggest that EFB intervention should be evaluated in a fully powered randomized trial to evaluate its efficacy to improve PND and engagement in HIV care outcomes for WLHIV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela M Bengtson
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Teresa R Filipowicz
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Michael Udedi
- Mental Health Unit, Malawi Ministry of Health, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Kazione Kulisewa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Samantha Meltzer-Brody
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Bradley N Gaynes
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Vivian F Go
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Dixon Chibanda
- Department of Psychiatry & Research Support Centre, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
| | | | - Mina C Hosseinipour
- UNC Project Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Brian Wells Pence
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kulisewa K, Minnick CE, Stockton MA, Gaynes BN, Hosseinipour MC, Mphonda S, Sansbury G, Udedi MM, Pence BW. The acceptability of antidepressant treatment in people living with HIV in Malawi: A patient perspective. Glob Public Health 2023; 18:2201327. [PMID: 37088107 PMCID: PMC10465971 DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2023.2201327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Depression is common among people living with HIV (PLWH). Measurement-based care models that measure depression severity and antidepressant side effects, and use an algorithm to guide antidepressant prescription by non-specialized health workers represent an evidence-based treatment for severe depression in sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted in-depth interviews from June to December 2018 with eleven patients enrolled in Project SOAR-Mental Health, a pilot project integrating depression treatment into HIV care in Malawi. Patients treated with amitriptyline or fluoxetine participated in interviews exploring antidepressant acceptability through patient knowledge, side effect severity, pill burden, adherence, perceived efficacy, and tolerability. Patients described a lack of detailed antidepressant education from their providers. Variable, typically self-limiting side effects were reported from both amitriptyline and fluoxetine. While most side effects were mild, three patients reported functional impairment. Patients reported high adherence, though the additional pill burden was a challenge. Most patients found the antidepressants efficacious, tolerable, beneficial and acceptable. Although patient psychoeducation is notably lacking as a facet of clinical management, antidepressant prescription by primary care providers appears acceptable for comorbid severe depression in PLWH initiating HIV care in sub-Saharan Africa. Health workers should be mindful of dosing to minimise side effects and considerate of the additional pill burden.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ID [NCT03555669]. Retrospectively registered on 13 June 2018.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kazione Kulisewa
- Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Caroline E. Minnick
- Epidemiology Department, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Melissa A. Stockton
- Epidemiology Department, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Bradley N. Gaynes
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Mina C. Hosseinipour
- Tidziwe Centre, University of North Carolina Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Steven Mphonda
- Tidziwe Centre, University of North Carolina Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Griffin Sansbury
- Tidziwe Centre, University of North Carolina Project-Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | | | - Brian W. Pence
- Epidemiology Department, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| |
Collapse
|