Improving support for mothers with depression to enhance HIV prevention in Malawi
Official title: Addressing Perinatal Depression and PMTCT Adherence in Malawi: A Couple-based Approach
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10924679 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how involving partners can help mothers with perinatal depression stick to their HIV prevention plans, making it easier for them to communicate and support each other while getting the care they need in Zomba, Malawi.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 14, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $709,872 |
| NIH project number | 1R34MH134725-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10924679 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women in Malawi who are experiencing perinatal depression and their male partners.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing perinatal depression or are not involved in the PMTCT program may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a couple-based intervention to help mothers experiencing perinatal depression improve their adherence to HIV prevention strategies. By involving male partners, the study aims to enhance communication and support systems, which are crucial for effective management of depression and adherence to antiretroviral therapy. The intervention will be tested in antenatal and HIV care settings in Zomba, Malawi, utilizing problem-solving therapy techniques tailored for couples. The goal is to create a supportive environment that fosters better health outcomes for both mothers and their infants.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the rates of HIV transmission from mothers to infants by improving adherence to prevention strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that couple-based interventions can effectively improve health outcomes in similar contexts, suggesting potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Conroy, Amy Anne — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Conroy, Amy Anne
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Couples-based approach to prevent perinatal depression in rural India
A new, family-focused program helps new mothers and their husbands address perinatal depression in rural India using trained lay counselors.
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Couples-based approach to prevent perinatal depression in rural India
A pilot program in rural India tests a couples-based, lay-counselor–delivered approach to prevent perinatal depression for new mothers and their partners.
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Machine learning to tailor and prevent perinatal depression for pregnant and new mothers
A machine learning project at Carnegie Mellon aims to find personalized, scalable ways to prevent perinatal depression in pregnant people and new mothers.
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Online sleep therapy to prevent depression during and after pregnancy
This project will see whether an online cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia can help prevent depression during pregnancy and in the first year after childbirth for pregnant people with insomnia.
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Understanding how gut and body signals interact to influence perinatal depression
A study of pregnant people exploring how the gut microbiome and body signals contribute to depression during and after pregnancy.
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Couples program to prevent depression during pregnancy and after birth in rural India
A couples-based program to help first-time pregnant women and their partners in rural India lower the chance of depression during pregnancy and after childbirth.
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.