Effect of the Friendship Bench intervention on antiretroviral therapy outcomes and mental health symptoms in rural Zimbabwe: A cluster randomized trial.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Common mental disorders (CMD) are prevalent in people living with HIV and associated with suboptimal antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence.

Objective

To assess the effect of a lay health worker-led psychological intervention on adherence to ART, virologic suppression and mental health symptoms.

Design

Pragmatic cluster trial with block randomization of health facilities. Treatment assignment was known to participants, providers, evaluators, and data analysts. Recruitment started in October 2018 and the last follow-up visit was done in December 2020. Participants were followed up for 12 months.

Setting

Sixteen public health care facilities in Bikita, a rural district in Masvingo Province, about 300 km south of Harare.

Participants

Men and non-

SUBMITTER: Haas AD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9882617 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature