Collaborative mental health care for HIV-positive pregnant and postpartum women in Kenya
Official title: Integration of a collaborative care model for mental health services into HIV care for pregnant and postpartum women in Kenya (the Tunawiri Study)
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11578570 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A project tests a team-based approach to treat depression and anxiety for pregnant and new mothers with HIV in Kenya, using existing clinic staff and a low-intensity therapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $218,649 |
| NIH project number | 3R01MH133260-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11578570 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are pregnant or up to postpartum women living with HIV in Kenya who experience symptoms of depression or anxiety.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without mental health symptoms or those outside the target perinatal period may not benefit from this intervention.
What this research studies
This study will embed a collaborative care model into routine antenatal and HIV services in Kenya to treat common mental disorders among pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV. It uses a low-intensity therapy plus care management, supported by a consultant psychiatrist, and leverages peer mentors and non-specialist staff to deliver care. The project will also examine costs and cost-effectiveness to inform scale-up within real-world health systems, guided by the EPIS framework to plan for sustainability. The goal is to improve mental health, HIV care engagement, and ultimately maternal and child health outcomes in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve mental health and HIV outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women with HIV in Kenya and provide a scalable model for LMIC settings.
How similar studies have gone: There is prior evidence that collaborative care models can improve CMD outcomes and be feasible in LMIC settings, with this study aiming to adapt and scale within perinatal HIV care.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abuogi, Lisa Lynn — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Abuogi, Lisa Lynn
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Collaborative mental health care for pregnant and postpartum women with HIV in Kenya
A program to bring proven mental health care into routine HIV and prenatal services for Kenyan women who are pregnant or recently postpartum and living with HIV.
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Mental health support for pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV in Kenya
This project brings team-based mental health care into antenatal and postpartum HIV clinics in Kenya to help women with depression, anxiety, and staying on HIV treatment.
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Understanding how early life experiences affect maternal mental health after childbirth
This study is looking at how good experiences in childhood and strong coping skills during pregnancy can help new moms feel better mentally after giving birth, especially for those who have dealt with a lot of stress in their lives.
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Collaborative mental health care for pregnant and new mothers with HIV in Kenya
This project will bring mental health support into regular HIV and antenatal care to help pregnant and postpartum women with HIV manage depression, anxiety, stigma, and partner violence.
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Wearable tech to track blood loss during childbirth
A wearable device monitors cardiovascular signals to detect postpartum hemorrhage early so clinicians can act quickly to protect mothers.
-
HIV treatment and postpartum weight help after birth in South Africa
A small, patient-friendly study is testing a lay health worker–led program to support postpartum women living with HIV in staying on ART and managing weight.
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.