Depression and treatment adherence support for people with HIV in South Africa
Official title: Implementing depression and adherence treatment in S. Africa HIV care
Funded at University of Miami Coral Gables · NIH-11538495 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project will test strategies to bring proven depression and ART-adherence treatments to people living with HIV in South Africa.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami Coral Gables NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $359,521 |
| NIH project number | 3R01MH136972-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11538495 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with HIV and co-occurring depression in South Africa, treated in participating clinics, who could benefit from integrated depression care and adherence support.
✕Less likely to help
Patients in clinics not participating in the study or who do not have depression or adherence challenges may see no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project builds on earlier work showing that CBT-AD helps both depression and medication adherence. It will run in 10 clinics in South Africa, comparing a core set of implementation strategies to an enhanced set to reach more patients. The study design is a two-arm hybrid effectiveness-implementation trial using cluster randomization by clinic, with a focus on how best to deliver evidence-based care in real-world settings. The goal is to improve depression outcomes and viral suppression among people with HIV by integrating scalable, nurse-delivered interventions and practical implementation approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients with HIV and depression in South Africa could experience better mental health, improved adherence to ART, and higher chances of viral suppression.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies in SA showed CBT-AD improves depression and adherence and can be cost-effective when delivered by nurses.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami Coral Gables
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Safren, Steven a — University of Miami Coral Gables
- Study coordinator: Safren, Steven a
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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.