Peer mentoring plus WHO mental-health support for young people with HIV in Zambia
Reducing the Intersecting Stigmas of HIV, Violence Victimization, and Mental Health: a Randomized Controlled Pilot Integrating Project YES! Youth Engaging for Success With WHO-Endorsed Mental Health Approaches Among Youth Living With HIV in Ndola, Zambia
This project will test whether combining a youth peer-mentoring program with WHO-recommended mental health support helps adolescents and young adults (15–21) living with HIV in Zambia reduce stigma and stick to their HIV treatment.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 400 (estimated) |
| Ages | 15 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ndola, Copperbelt) |
| Trial ID | NCT07221201 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The study integrates a WHO-endorsed mental health approach into an existing HIV stigma–reduction intervention (Project YES) to create Project YES+, and refines measures of internalized and intersecting stigmas. It delivers a combined youth peer-mentoring and lay mental health intervention in Bemba and tests the feasibility and acceptability of this combined approach among adolescents and young adults living with HIV. Eligible youth must be on first-line ART for at least 6 months and live within roughly 30 minutes of the clinic; caregivers meeting age and location criteria may also participate. Activities occur at Arthur Davison Children's Hospital in Ndola and include multiple sessions and data collection over a 4–8 month period.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adolescents and young adults with HIV ages 15–21 who speak Bemba, have been on first-line ART for at least 6 months, live within about 30 minutes of the clinic, and can attend sessions for 4–8 months (and their caregivers aged 25+ who meet the location and language criteria) are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People who do not speak Bemba, live farther than the local travel window, are outside the 15–21 age range, are not on first-line ART or have been on ART less than 6 months, or are at imminent risk of suicide are unlikely to benefit or may be excluded.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, Project YES+ could reduce internalized stigma and depression, improve ART adherence, and increase viral suppression among participating youth.
How similar studies have performed: Peer-mentoring programs and WHO-endorsed brief mental health interventions have shown benefits for adolescent mental health and adherence in other low-resource settings, but combining them and specifically measuring intersecting internalized stigmas among AYALHIV is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: For youth * Be between ages 15-21 * living within 30-minutes, by personal transportation, of the clinic by self-report, * and being available to attend sessions and data collection over a 4-8 month time period On ART for at least 6 months * On first-line ART * Speaks Bemba For caregivers * Being 25 years of age or older * Caring for an AYALHIV who meets the study eligibility criteria * Speaks Bemba * Living within 30-minutes, by personal transportation, of the clinic by self-report * Being available to attend sessions and data collection over a 4-8 month time period Exclusion Criteria: For youth, * only one youth per household may join. * Also participants will be excluded from joining the RCT if they are at imminent risk of suicide based on WHO guidance on the Self Help plus program.
Where this trial is running
Ndola, Copperbelt
- Arthur Davison Children's Hospital — Ndola, Copperbelt, Zambia (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Julie A Denison, PhD — Jhbsph
- Study coordinator: Julie A Denison, PhD
- Email: jdenison@jhu.edu
- Phone: 13012838643
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.