A Booklet Self-Help Intervention for People Living with HIV and Depressive Symptoms in Botswana
A Randomized Controlled Trial
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15337262 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Boitumelo Vavani (0000-0001-7097-8686, University of Botswana, corresponding author), Nadia Garnefski (0000-0003-1198-0502, Leiden University), Sanne van Luenen (0000-0002-7871-5888, Leiden University), Elise Dusseldorp (0000-0002-6305-4060, Leiden University), Kennedy Amone-P’olak (0000-0003-4493-0659, Kyambogo University), Philip Spinhoven (0000-0002-4117-335X, Leiden University), Vivian Kraaij (0000-0003-1146-177X, Leiden University) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 29 |
| Issue | 9 |
| Pages | 2855-2868 |
| Publication date | 2025-04-29 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | AIDS and Behavior (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1090-7165 • E-ISSN: 1573-3254 |
| Publisher | Springer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE) |
| DOI | 10.1007/s10461-025-04742-7 |
| PMID | 40299259 |
| OpenAlex | W4409959474 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 63 |
In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), there is a scarcity of psychological treatment options for people living with HIV (PLWH) with depressive symptoms. Self-help programs for depressive symptoms, in particular, are cost-effective and scalable, and therefore a promising tool in the treatment of depressive symptoms for people in low-resourced countries. This paper presents the results of a study that examined the effectiveness of a guided self-help program in reducing depressive symptoms in PLWH in Botswana. A Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) was conducted on a sample of PLWH who were screened at HIV treatment centers in Botswana. The RCT had two conditions: an intervention group that received the self-help program with coaching and an attention-only control group. In both groups, a pre-test, post-test, and 3-month follow-up measurement were administered. Patients in the intervention group followed a booklet Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)-based self-help program. Seventy-two participants were included in the study. The results indicated significantly larger decreases in depressive symptoms in the intervention group than in the attention-only control group, both in the short and longer term, with large effect sizes. In addition, there were significant reductions in anxiety symptoms in the intervention group compared to the control group. The user satisfaction was high. Implementing this low-cost and scalable self-help program in a LMIC such as Botswana is critical in bridging the existing mental health treatment gap. This clinical Trial was registered with the Netherlands Trial registry, number NTR5407on August 23, 2018
Anxiety · Health psychology · Intervention (counseling · Physical therapy · Psychiatry · Public health · Randomized controlled trial · Self-help · Clinical Psychology · Family Caregiving in Mental Illness · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Nursing
Applied Longitudinal Analysis
Prevalence and factors associated with depression in people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa
The Patient Health Questionnaire Somatic, Anxiety, and Depressive Symptom Scales
What is meant by intention to treat analysis? Survey of published randomised controlled trials
HIV and Depression – a systematic review of interventions
How Many Participants Do We Have to Include in Properly Powered Experiments? A Tutorial of Power Analysis with Reference Tables
Digital technology for treating and preventing mental disorders in low-income and middle-income countries
A Brief Measure for Assessing Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Clinical significance
The PHQ-9
Effect of a brief psychological intervention for common mental disorders on HIV viral suppression
The relationship between depression, anxiety and medication adherence among patients receiving antiretroviral treatment in South Africa
Distinctive barriers to antiretroviral therapy adherence among non-adherent adolescents living with HIV in Botswana
Common elements in self-management of HIV and other chronic illnesses
Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and thoughts of suicide/self-injury in adolescents and young adults living with HIV in Botswana
Intervention targets for people living with HIV and depressive symptoms in Botswana
Long-Term Effectiveness of an Online Self-help Intervention for People with HIV and Depressive Symptoms
Depression Among HIV-Positive Individuals in Botswana
Depression in HIV-Positive Women in Gaborone, Botswana
A Meta-Analysis of Motivational Interviewing
Improving the Health and Mental Health of People Living With HIV/Aids
Mental Illness Stigma, Help Seeking, and Public Health Programs
The Patient Health Questionnaire-2
Disclosure Decisions
Cultural adaptation of a cognitive-behavioural intervention to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy among people living with HIV/Aids in Zimbabwe
Goal Disturbance, Cognitive Coping and Psychological Distress in HIV-infected Persons
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2025 (1) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |