An interventional study of Peer support intervention in Hiv, sponsored by University of Cape Town. Completed at 1 site in South Africa. Open to female participants aged 16 Years to 24 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2022-05-18.
Sponsored by University of Cape Town · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care
Young pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV are at the greatest risk of disengagement from HIV services and suboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Among young women, stigma is a major barrier to retention in services and adherence to ART, and interventions are needed to combat stigma and improve ART outcomes. The investigators are conducting a pilot study of a peer support intervention to mitigate the negative effects of stigma in this population.
Despite major reductions in mother-to-child HIV transmission (MTCT), young pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV remain a vulnerable group and experience the greatest risk of disengagement from services and suboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). HIV-related and intersectional stigmas are major barriers to uptake and retention in prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services and drive suboptimal adherence, and young women experience unique stigmas. Despite this, there are no evidence-based interventions to combat stigma and improve ART outcomes in this group. Peer support group interventions have shown promise in other populations, but have not been examined in young pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV. The investigators are conducting a pilot study of a peer support intervention to mitigate the negative effects of stigma in young pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV in South Africa. Participants will be allocated to the standard of care, in which no standardized peer support groups exist for this patient population, or to a peer support intervention.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Women receive integrated antenatal and HIV services during pregnancy and are referred to general adult HIV services after delivery; no standardized peer support groups exist for this patient population.
Women will be invited to attend monthly peer support groups during pregnancy and postpartum, separate from any routine health services.
Behavioral: Peer support intervention
Peer support groups will meet monthly for the duration of follow-up, with separate groups for pregnant and postpartum women. Groups will be facilitated by women who are living with HIV and have experience of PMTCT services in this setting. Group sessions will include brief information and a structured discussion about a relevant topic, followed by opportunities for unstructured discussion.
Retention and viral suppression
Combined endpoint of (i) retention in HIV services and (ii) HIV viral suppression. Women will be considered to have achieved the primary outcome if they are both retained in care and virally suppressed.
Time frame: After 6 months of follow-up
Psychosocial outcomes
Psychosocial outcomes, including perceived social support and adherence self-efficacy, assessed using self-report questionnaires
Time frame: 6 months
Implementation of the intervention
Implementation of the peer support intervention including standardization, assessed using logs and process notes completed by counsellors who will deliver the intervention
Time frame: 6 months
Acceptability of the intervention
Acceptability of the peer support intervention, assessed as utilization and during in-depth interviews in a subset of participants
Time frame: 6 months
Health status
Maternal and infant health status, assessed using self-report and routine medical records
Time frame: 6 months
Health service use
Maternal and infant routine medical service use, assessed using self-report and routine medical records
Time frame: 6 months
This study is completed, as verified in May 2022. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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