Improving mental health and HIV care for pregnant women in Malawi
Official title: Enhanced problem-solving therapy and HIV engagement support to improve perinatal mental health and HIV outcomes in Malawi: A randomized controlled trial
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11142661 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help pregnant and breastfeeding women in Malawi who are dealing with depression and HIV by providing them with special support to improve their mental health and keep them on track with their HIV care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | July 22, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $577,537 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH134660-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11142661 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant or breastfeeding women living with HIV in Malawi who may be experiencing perinatal depression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or breastfeeding, or those who do not have HIV, may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing problem-solving therapy and providing support for HIV engagement among pregnant and breastfeeding women in Malawi. It aims to address the high rates of perinatal depression, which can hinder effective HIV care and treatment. By implementing a randomized controlled trial, the study will evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions in improving mental health and HIV outcomes for mothers and their infants. Participants will receive tailored support to help them stay engaged in their HIV care during and after pregnancy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mental health and better HIV care engagement for pregnant women, ultimately reducing vertical transmission of HIV to infants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that addressing mental health issues can significantly improve engagement in HIV care, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pence, Brian W — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Pence, Brian W
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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.