Digital Peer-support-based Anti-HIV Stigma Intervention Among Adolescents Living With HIV in Ethiopia
Recruiting · NCT07425925 · Interventional (participants receive a specific treatment) · Lead sponsor: Lund University
View the official record on ClinicalTrials.gov →Interventions studied
What this trial is about
Advances in HIV care and treatment turned a once deadly disease into a chronic condition where people living with HIV, including perinatally HIV acquired children, can now lead a healthy life and live longer with their highly effective antiretroviral therapy. Despite the advancements and successes in HIV care and treatment, HIV-related stigma remained a challenge to people living with HIV and for the provision of the available successful treatment and support. Stigma and discrimination related to HIV infection inhibit health-seeking behaviour, clinical outcomes, physical and psychosocial wellbeing and is a major obstacle for timely diagnosis. Peer support programs to people living with HIV appeared to have improved self-confidence of members and consequently reduced self-stigma and improved their coping ability against external stigma. However, these services are limited in terms of geography owing to lack of adequate financing to cover operational costs for adolescents coming from rural areas and space and facility limitation to accommodate large groups. The eHealth services have potential to provide some of the services offered in the in-person sessions of the peer support group. Despite this important potential of eHealth services, they are underutilized and are not often used to target HIV-related stigma in adolescents living with HIV. The present study will investigate whether the digital peer-support anti-HIV stigma reduces internalized and anticipated stigma among adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) in South Ethiopia. Further, we will explore the health-related outcomes including adolescent's psychological wellbeing, retention in care and sustained viral load suppression.
Who can take part
Inclusion criteria
- Adolescents who have been disclosed of their HIV status
- adolescents and young people between the age of 15 and 22 years old
- receiving antiretroviral medications; and
- completed at least first cycle primary school education (i.e. grade 4).
Exclusion criteria
- Participants with known diagnosed mental health condition
- Participants with hearing loss or loss of vision
Where it is running
5 locations listed.
- Arba Minch General Hospital - Arba Minch, South Ethiopia, Ethiopia
- Dilla University Teaching Hospital - Dara, South Ethiopia, Ethiopia
- Sawula General Hospital - Gofa, South Ethiopia, Ethiopia
- Jinka General Hospital - Jinka, South Ethiopia, Ethiopia
- Wolaita Sodo University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital - Sodo, South Ethiopia, Ethiopia