Women’s perspectives on ImpACT

A coping intervention to address sexual trauma and improve HIV care engagement in Cape Town, South Africa

Bibliographic Data

ID19443237
AuthorsBrandon A Knettel (0000-0003-2986-1579, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA, corresponding author), Marta Mulawa (0000-0001-9687-421X, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA), Elizabeth T Knippler (0000-0002-9976-6932, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA), Nonceba Ciya (University of Cape Town), Corné Robertson (University of Cape Town), John A Joska (0000-0003-4260-1181, University of Cape Town), Kathleen J Sikkema (0000-0003-0371-5119, Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA)
Year2019
Volume31
Issue11
Pages1389-1396
Publication date2019-11-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAIDS Care (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0954-0121 • E-ISSN: 1360-0451
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09540121.2019.1587368
PMID30821168
OpenAlexW2918398038
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited20

HIV-infected women who have experienced sexual violence face unique challenges in their HIV care engagement and adherence to antiretroviral medications (ARVs). Improving AIDS Care after Trauma (ImpACT) is a brief counseling intervention aimed at reducing the negative impact of sexual trauma and HIV, building coping skills, and improving long-term HIV care engagement. We conducted a randomized controlled pilot trial of ImpACT with 64 women initiating ARVs in Cape Town, South Africa, with results suggesting the intervention can reduce PTSD symptoms and increase motivation to adhere to ARVs. For the current study, we abstracted data from ImpACT worksheets completed by 31 participants during intervention sessions, and qualitative responses from post-intervention surveys, to examine mechanisms, facilitators, and barriers to change in the intervention. Data included participant descriptions of the values informing their care, barriers to participation, and perceived benefits of the intervention related to coping with trauma and improving care engagement. During the first session, women reported feelings of shame, sadness, and anger that led to social isolation, mistrust, and damaged relationships. Barriers to participation included work and school demands, issues with transportation, finances, and discomfort in talking about HIV and trauma, particularly in group sessions. Despite these challenges, several women stated they developed more positive thinking, felt more confident, and improved their interpersonal relationships. Participants also reported substantial positive impact on symptoms of sexual trauma and motivation to continue with long-term HIV care, and clearer understanding of barriers and facilitators to ARV adherence. ImpACT is a promising intervention model for building adaptive coping skills and adherence to HIV treatment, informed by personal values, among women with a history of trauma in this high-risk setting. The data also offer insights into strategies to strengthen the intervention, overcome barriers to participation, encourage the practical application of skills, and promote long-term HIV care engagement

Anger · Feeling · Psychiatry · Randomized controlled trial · Shame · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Clinical Psychology · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Intimate Partner and Family Violence · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Social Psychology

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