Depression care and HIV medication support in South African clinics
Official title: Implementing depression and adherence treatment in S. Africa HIV care
Funded at University of Miami Coral Gables · NIH-11180494 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project brings a proven counseling program that treats depression and helps people stick to HIV medicines to clinics serving people 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 | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $589,711 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH136972-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11180494 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults living with HIV who have symptoms of depression and who receive care at the participating South African clinics are the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People without depression, those not taking antiretroviral therapy, or anyone receiving care outside the participating clinics are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
If you join, clinic staff will deliver cognitive behavioral therapy for adherence and depression (CBT-AD) led by nurses as part of routine HIV care. Ten clinics are randomized to receive either a core set or an enhanced set of strategies to help staff adopt and keep using the program. Researchers will track how many patients are reached, changes in depression and medication-taking, and viral suppression over time. The work builds on earlier trials and was designed with community input to fit local clinic realities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, more people with HIV could get mental health care that improves mood, helps them stay on HIV treatment, and increases viral suppression rates.
How similar studies have gone: Prior trials of CBT-AD have reduced depression and improved antiretroviral adherence, including cost-effective results in South Africa, so this work builds on successful approaches.
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.