Family Connections randomized controlled trial

Assessing the feasibility and acceptability of an intervention with adolescents living with HIV and their caregivers in Ndola, Zambia

Bibliographic Data

ID19442633
AuthorsJulie A Denison (0000-0002-4670-093X, Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA, corresponding author), Catherine Packer (0000-0001-5980-0596, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health, FHI 360, Durham, NC, USA), Namakau Nyambe (0000-0002-0996-5744, Zambia Country Office, FHI 360, Lusaka, Zambia), R B Hershow (0000-0002-8492-3747, Family Health International 360), Stephanie V Caldas (0000-0002-1681-6771, Johns Hopkins University), Stephanie Caldas (Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA), Sam Miti (0000-0002-2217-6897, Arthur Davison Children’s Hospital, Ndola, Zambia), Swati Sudarsan (Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA), Mario Chen (0000-0002-2434-2182, Biostatistics, FHI 360, Durham, NC, USA), Alissa Bernholc (Biostatistics, FHI 360, Durham, NC, USA), Jonathan K Mwansa (Arthur Davison Children’s Hospital, Ndola, Zambia), Donna R McCarraher (0000-0002-9963-9706, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health, FHI 360, Durham, NC, USA)
Year2022
Volume34
Issue4
Pages459-468
Publication date2022-04-03
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAIDS Care (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0954-0121 • E-ISSN: 1360-0451
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09540121.2021.1902935
PMID33764845
OpenAlexW3137268514
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited26

Achieving the 95-95-95 UNAIDS targets requires meeting the needs of adolescents, however we lack evidenced-based approaches to improving adolescent adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), increasing viral suppression, and supporting general wellbeing. We developed Family Connections as a group intervention for adolescents and their adult caregivers and conducted a randomized controlled trial in Ndola, Zambia to test feasibility and acceptability. Fifty pairs (n = 100) of adolescents (15–19 years and on ART ≥ 6 months) and their caregivers were randomly assigned either to the intervention consisting of 10 group sessions over 6 months, or to a comparison group, which received the usual care. Each pair completed baseline and endline surveys, with adolescents also undergoing viral load testing. Of the 24-intervention adolescent/caregiver pairs, 88% attended at least eight group sessions. Most adolescents (96%) and all caregivers would recommend Family Connections to peers. Adolescent viral failure decreased but did not significantly differ by study group. Adolescents in the intervention group showed a greater reduction in HIV-related feelings of worthlessness and shame than the comparison group. The feasibility, acceptability, and the positive trend toward significantly reducing internalized stigma, generated by this Family Connections pilot study, contributes valuable data to support adolescent/caregiver approaches that use peer groups

Family medicine · Feeling · Peer support · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Randomized controlled trial · Shame · Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Clinical Psychology · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology