Jennifer M Belus
Biographic Data
| ID | 934089 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Jennifer M Belus |
| GIVEN NAMES | Jennifer M |
| FAMILY NAME | Belus |
| SIGNATURE | BELUS J M |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Basel |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-4091-4889 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 20 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 4 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 20 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2018 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
Cost-effectiveness of a peer-delivered behavioral intervention for adherence to antiretroviral therapy and alcohol and drug use in South African HIV care
Cost-effective approaches for integrating behavioral interventions for problematic alcohol and other drug (AOD) use into HIV care is needed, as problematic AOD is a primary barrier to adherence of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Thus, we investigated the cost-effectiveness of a recently completed pilot trial in South Africa, that showed promising findings in improved adherence of antiretroviral therapy (ART). The trial compared a task-shared, peer-…
Drivers of chronic depressive and harmful alcohol use symptoms among adults living with HIV in Lesotho
Introduction Mental health problems are prevalent among people with HIV (PWH) in Southern Africa. However, mental health problems are substantially under-diagnosed and under-treated in this setting. This study explores the drivers, explanatory factors, and coping mechanisms of mental health problems among PWH in Lesotho who have lived experience with depressive symptoms and/or alcohol use problems and attempts to contextualize the findings to loc…
Hair salons as a promising space to provide HIV and sexual and reproductive health services for young women in Lesotho
This study suggests that offering HIV/SRH services in hair salons in Lesotho seems to be largely acceptable and feasible with some addressable barriers, based on survey data. A pilot intervention, guided by this study's recommendations, is warranted to translate these findings into practice
Mental health and substance use problems among adolescents in Lesotho
Adolescence is a developmental window in which mental health symptomatology and other health behaviors can set lifelong trajectories. Yet, adolescent development research in rural areas of low-resource communities is severely lacking. Conceptualized in the Adolescent Well-Being Framework, where diet and activity form a core domain of well-being, we examined two modifiable risk behaviors (sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and physical activity)…
Face-to-face, confidential and health worker-led
Behavioral treatments can help people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) improve their quality of life and treatment adherence. In Lesotho, where a fifth of adults live with HIV and depression and harmful alcohol use is prevalent among this group, little is known about the local suitability of established behavioral treatment strategies. We explored preferences regarding two strategies evaluated in other settings: involving phones and truste…
Piloting Siyakhana
South Africa has one of the highest rates of HIV/tuberculosis (TB) co-infection, and poor engagement in HIV/TB care contributes to morbidity and mortality. In South Africa, community health workers (CHWs) are tasked with re-engaging patients who have dropped out of HIV/TB care. CHWs have described substantial challenges with substance use (SU) and depression among their patients, while patients have described CHW stigma towards SU and depression …
Development and empirical test of the research‐informed South African Relationship Functioning Assessment ( Sarfa )
Intimate partners play an important role in chronic diseases. Despite the chronic disease burden in sub‐Saharan Africa, very few culturally relevant quantitative measures of intimate relationship functioning are available. We conducted an empirical investigation evaluating the psychometric properties of the South African Relationship Functioning Assessment (SARFA) assessing healthy relationship functioning in N = 150 community members (50% women;…
Prevalence of Mental Health and Substance use Problems and Awareness of Need for Services in Lesotho
We conducted a household survey among 6061 adults in Lesotho to (1) assess the prevalence of moderate/severe mental health (MH) and substance use (SU) problems (2) describe the MH and SU service cascades, and (3) assess predictors of MH and SU problem awareness (i.e., awareness of having a MH/SU problem that requires treatment). Moderate/severe MH or SU problems was reported between 0.7% for anxiety in the past 2 weeks to 36.4% for alcohol use in…
Increases in employment over six months following Khanya
Facilitators and barriers to Covid-19 testing in community and clinical settings
The sudden emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had a devastating impact on health systems and population health globally. To combat the spread of COVID-19, countries enacted guidelines and safety measures, including testing, contact tracing, and quarantine. It was unclear the extent to which uptake of COVID-19 testing and other health initiatives would be accepted in countries with a history of dealing with widespread communicabl…
“I think it’s communication and trust and sharing everything”
In South Africa, couple‐based interventions (CBIs) have been used to increase HIV testing, reduce HIV transmission, and shift relationship dynamics. To understand local definitions of healthy relationships, this study sought to collect qualitative data on a model of healthy relationships in a semi‐rural area of KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa. We conducted semi‐structured qualitative interviews with HIV‐positive women ( n = 15) and men of mixed HIV s…
The combination of HIV and alcohol use internalized stigmas are associated with greater symptoms of depression in a South African sample living with HIV
Approximately one-third of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in South Africa (SA) present to HIV care with unhealthy alcohol use (UA); depression is highly prevalent among this population. Internalized HIV and UA stigma have been associated with greater depressive symptoms when examined in isolation. Yet, prior research has rarely examined how internalized HIV and UA stigmas together relate to depressive symptoms and related o…
Patient and provider perceptions of a peer-delivered intervention (‘ Khanya ’) to improve anti-retroviral adherence and substance use in South Africa
Findings underscore the importance of examining patients' perspectives on specific intervention components within intervention packages. While mindfulness training and peer delivery models were positively perceived by consumers, they are rarely used within task-shared behavioral interventions in low- and middle-income countries
The Relationship Between Harmful Alcohol Use and Antiretroviral Non-adherence in People Accessing HIV Treatment in Cape Town, South Africa
Gender Moderates Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial for the Khanya Intervention for Substance Use and ART Adherence in HIV Care in South Africa
Little is known about gender effects of alcohol and drug use (AOD) among people living with HIV (PLWH) in resource-limited settings. Using multilevel models, we tested whether gender moderated the effect of Khanya, a cognitive-behavioral therapy-based intervention addressing antiretroviral (ART) adherence and AOD reduction. We enrolled 61 participants from HIV care and examined outcomes at 3- and 6-months compared to enhanced treatment as usual (…
Act Healthy
Psychiatric Comorbidity of Unipolar Mood, Anxiety, and Trauma Disorders Prior to HIV Testing and the Effect on Linkage to Care Among HIV-Infected Adults in South Africa
Hand in Hand
Staying Connected
Romantic long-distance relationships (LDRs) are becoming increasingly prevalent as individuals seek educational and employment opportunities across the globe. LDRs create unique challenges for couples, potentially impacting couple and individual well-being. It is important to understand efforts that LDR partners make to stay engaged, known as relationship maintenance behaviors (RMBs), and whether common RMBs facilitate or hinder relational and in…
A Model of Heterosexual Adaptive Relationship Functioning in South Africa
Objectives: Couple-based HIV prevention efforts are an important HIV prevention strategy in South Africa but there is a lack of understanding as to what constitutes healthy relationships in South African sociodisadvantaged communities. Methods: To address this, 8 focus group discussions were conducted with 27 men and 23 Black African women living in a large disadvantaged community in Cape Town, South Africa. Results: A model of adaptive relations…
Staying Connected
Romantic long-distance relationships (LDRs) are becoming increasingly prevalent as individuals seek educational and employment opportunities across the globe. LDRs create unique challenges for couples, potentially impacting couple and individual well-being. It is important to understand efforts that LDR partners make to stay engaged, known as relationship maintenance behaviors (RMBs), and whether common RMBs facilitate or hinder relational and in…
Hand in Hand
A Model of Heterosexual Adaptive Relationship Functioning in South Africa
Objectives: Couple-based HIV prevention efforts are an important HIV prevention strategy in South Africa but there is a lack of understanding as to what constitutes healthy relationships in South African sociodisadvantaged communities. Methods: To address this, 8 focus group discussions were conducted with 27 men and 23 Black African women living in a large disadvantaged community in Cape Town, South Africa. Results: A model of adaptive relations…
Psychiatric Comorbidity of Unipolar Mood, Anxiety, and Trauma Disorders Prior to HIV Testing and the Effect on Linkage to Care Among HIV-Infected Adults in South Africa
Hand in Hand
Staying Connected
Romantic long-distance relationships (LDRs) are becoming increasingly prevalent as individuals seek educational and employment opportunities across the globe. LDRs create unique challenges for couples, potentially impacting couple and individual well-being. It is important to understand efforts that LDR partners make to stay engaged, known as relationship maintenance behaviors (RMBs), and whether common RMBs facilitate or hinder relational and in…
Act Healthy
“I think it’s communication and trust and sharing everything”
In South Africa, couple‐based interventions (CBIs) have been used to increase HIV testing, reduce HIV transmission, and shift relationship dynamics. To understand local definitions of healthy relationships, this study sought to collect qualitative data on a model of healthy relationships in a semi‐rural area of KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa. We conducted semi‐structured qualitative interviews with HIV‐positive women ( n = 15) and men of mixed HIV s…
The combination of HIV and alcohol use internalized stigmas are associated with greater symptoms of depression in a South African sample living with HIV
Approximately one-third of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in South Africa (SA) present to HIV care with unhealthy alcohol use (UA); depression is highly prevalent among this population. Internalized HIV and UA stigma have been associated with greater depressive symptoms when examined in isolation. Yet, prior research has rarely examined how internalized HIV and UA stigmas together relate to depressive symptoms and related o…
Patient and provider perceptions of a peer-delivered intervention (‘ Khanya ’) to improve anti-retroviral adherence and substance use in South Africa
Findings underscore the importance of examining patients' perspectives on specific intervention components within intervention packages. While mindfulness training and peer delivery models were positively perceived by consumers, they are rarely used within task-shared behavioral interventions in low- and middle-income countries
The Relationship Between Harmful Alcohol Use and Antiretroviral Non-adherence in People Accessing HIV Treatment in Cape Town, South Africa
Gender Moderates Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial for the Khanya Intervention for Substance Use and ART Adherence in HIV Care in South Africa
Little is known about gender effects of alcohol and drug use (AOD) among people living with HIV (PLWH) in resource-limited settings. Using multilevel models, we tested whether gender moderated the effect of Khanya, a cognitive-behavioral therapy-based intervention addressing antiretroviral (ART) adherence and AOD reduction. We enrolled 61 participants from HIV care and examined outcomes at 3- and 6-months compared to enhanced treatment as usual (…
Facilitators and barriers to Covid-19 testing in community and clinical settings
The sudden emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had a devastating impact on health systems and population health globally. To combat the spread of COVID-19, countries enacted guidelines and safety measures, including testing, contact tracing, and quarantine. It was unclear the extent to which uptake of COVID-19 testing and other health initiatives would be accepted in countries with a history of dealing with widespread communicabl…
Piloting Siyakhana
South Africa has one of the highest rates of HIV/tuberculosis (TB) co-infection, and poor engagement in HIV/TB care contributes to morbidity and mortality. In South Africa, community health workers (CHWs) are tasked with re-engaging patients who have dropped out of HIV/TB care. CHWs have described substantial challenges with substance use (SU) and depression among their patients, while patients have described CHW stigma towards SU and depression …
Development and empirical test of the research‐informed South African Relationship Functioning Assessment ( Sarfa )
Intimate partners play an important role in chronic diseases. Despite the chronic disease burden in sub‐Saharan Africa, very few culturally relevant quantitative measures of intimate relationship functioning are available. We conducted an empirical investigation evaluating the psychometric properties of the South African Relationship Functioning Assessment (SARFA) assessing healthy relationship functioning in N = 150 community members (50% women;…
Prevalence of Mental Health and Substance use Problems and Awareness of Need for Services in Lesotho
We conducted a household survey among 6061 adults in Lesotho to (1) assess the prevalence of moderate/severe mental health (MH) and substance use (SU) problems (2) describe the MH and SU service cascades, and (3) assess predictors of MH and SU problem awareness (i.e., awareness of having a MH/SU problem that requires treatment). Moderate/severe MH or SU problems was reported between 0.7% for anxiety in the past 2 weeks to 36.4% for alcohol use in…
Increases in employment over six months following Khanya
Drivers of chronic depressive and harmful alcohol use symptoms among adults living with HIV in Lesotho
Introduction Mental health problems are prevalent among people with HIV (PWH) in Southern Africa. However, mental health problems are substantially under-diagnosed and under-treated in this setting. This study explores the drivers, explanatory factors, and coping mechanisms of mental health problems among PWH in Lesotho who have lived experience with depressive symptoms and/or alcohol use problems and attempts to contextualize the findings to loc…
Hair salons as a promising space to provide HIV and sexual and reproductive health services for young women in Lesotho
This study suggests that offering HIV/SRH services in hair salons in Lesotho seems to be largely acceptable and feasible with some addressable barriers, based on survey data. A pilot intervention, guided by this study's recommendations, is warranted to translate these findings into practice
Mental health and substance use problems among adolescents in Lesotho
Adolescence is a developmental window in which mental health symptomatology and other health behaviors can set lifelong trajectories. Yet, adolescent development research in rural areas of low-resource communities is severely lacking. Conceptualized in the Adolescent Well-Being Framework, where diet and activity form a core domain of well-being, we examined two modifiable risk behaviors (sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and physical activity)…
Face-to-face, confidential and health worker-led
Behavioral treatments can help people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) improve their quality of life and treatment adherence. In Lesotho, where a fifth of adults live with HIV and depression and harmful alcohol use is prevalent among this group, little is known about the local suitability of established behavioral treatment strategies. We explored preferences regarding two strategies evaluated in other settings: involving phones and truste…
Cost-effectiveness of a peer-delivered behavioral intervention for adherence to antiretroviral therapy and alcohol and drug use in South African HIV care
Cost-effective approaches for integrating behavioral interventions for problematic alcohol and other drug (AOD) use into HIV care is needed, as problematic AOD is a primary barrier to adherence of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Thus, we investigated the cost-effectiveness of a recently completed pilot trial in South Africa, that showed promising findings in improved adherence of antiretroviral therapy (ART). The trial compared a task-shared, peer-…
Medicine (17 works) · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions (15 works) · Psychology (14 works) · Psychiatry (12 works) · Family medicine (11 works) · Clinical Psychology (10 works) · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (9 works) · Clinical Psychology (8 works) · Environmental health (8 works) · Nursing (8 works)