A mental health support program integrated into HIV care for Kenyan adolescents and young people
Official title: INTEGRATING A TRANSDIAGNOSTIC PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTION IN THE CARE FOR ADOLESCENTS AND YOUTH WITH HIV IN KENYA
Funded at University of Nairobi · NIH-11415601 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new program uses a brief, flexible mental health approach delivered by trained lay health workers to help Kenyan adolescents and young people with HIV manage depression, anxiety, and trauma alongside their HIV care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nairobi NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nairobi, Kenya) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $497,628 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH133261-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415601 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are adolescents and young people with HIV in Kenya who have mild to moderate depression or anxiety and can receive care within or alongside HIV clinics.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with severe mental illness or those unable to access HIV care clinics may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This grant tests a transdiagnostic CBT-based intervention (PRO-ACT) that can be delivered in person or by phone to AYHIV in Kenya, aiming to fit real-world HIV care settings. It builds on a successful pilot and focuses on adapting the approach to the local HIV care context, including how many sessions are practical. The study seeks to show whether integrating mental health support within HIV clinics can improve mental health symptoms and HIV treatment outcomes. The delivery relies on lay health workers rather than specialists to broaden access in resource-limited settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could improve mental health and HIV treatment outcomes for AYHIV by integrating care into routine HIV services.
How similar studies have gone: Previous pilot results showed symptom reductions with a brief modular intervention, suggesting potential for broader impact.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wamalwa, Dalton Chekoko — University of Nairobi
- Study coordinator: Wamalwa, Dalton Chekoko
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.