Improving HIV treatment outcomes for women affected by violence in South Africa

Testing the effectiveness of an evidence-based transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy approach for improving HIV treatment outcomes among violence-affected and virally unsuppressed women in SA

NIH-funded research Boston University Medical Campus · NIH-10772003

This study is testing a special therapy to help women in South Africa who are living with HIV and have faced violence from their partners, to see if it can improve their health and help them feel safer.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBoston University Medical Campus NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10772003 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a cognitive behavioral therapy approach designed to help women in South Africa who are living with HIV and have experienced intimate partner violence. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA), which is a flexible, evidence-based intervention that addresses both mental health and HIV treatment adherence. By conducting a randomized controlled trial, the research will assess whether CETA can improve viral suppression rates and reduce instances of violence among participants. The focus is on women who are currently on antiretroviral therapy but are not achieving viral suppression.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are HIV-infected women in South Africa who have experienced intimate partner violence and have an unsuppressed viral load.

Not a fit: Patients who are not living with HIV or who have a suppressed viral load may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes for women with HIV by enhancing their treatment adherence and reducing the impact of violence in their lives.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using cognitive behavioral therapy approaches to improve health outcomes in similar populations, indicating that this approach may be effective.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.