Helping young people with HIV in Nigeria improve their mental well-being
An interactive, narrative intervention to address the mental health treatment gap among young people living with HIV in Nigeria
This project creates a new way to help young people living with HIV in Nigeria with their mental health, aiming to improve their treatment and overall care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11115664 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many young people with HIV in Nigeria face challenges with their mental health, which can make it harder to stick with their HIV treatment. This project is developing an engaging, story-based program to offer mental health support in a friendly and accessible way. The goal is to make it easier for these young people to get the help they need, especially since there aren't many mental health services available. By using a task-shifted approach, where non-specialized health workers deliver the program, more people can receive support. This approach hopes to improve both mental health and adherence to HIV care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are young people living with HIV in Nigeria who are experiencing depression or psychological distress and have difficulty adhering to their treatment.
Not a fit: Patients who are not young people, do not live with HIV, or reside outside of Nigeria would not directly benefit from this specific program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly improve mental health and treatment adherence for young people living with HIV in Nigeria, potentially saving lives.
How similar studies have performed: Task-shifted Problem Solving Therapy, a core method in this approach, has shown effectiveness in treating depression and psychological distress in other settings.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Massachusetts General Hospital — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ahonkhai, Aimalohi — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Ahonkhai, Aimalohi
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 below.