Suubi + Adherence4Youth: a study protocol to optimize the Suubi Intervention for Adherence to HIV treatment for youth living with HIV in Uganda

Ssewamala, Fred M.; Sauceda, John A; Brathwaite, Rachel; Neilands, Torsten B.; Nabunya, Proscovia; Brown, Derek S.; Bahar, Ozge Sensoy; Namuwonge, Flavia; Nakasujja, Noeline; Mugarura, Allan; Mwebembezi, Abel; Nartey, Portia B.; Mukasa, Barbara; Gwadz, Marya

doi:10.1186/s12889-023-15564-4

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 119 publications

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“…However, several factors should be considered when defining actionable results, especially among people suffering a chronic illness like HIV/AIDS in lowresource settings. For example, for several decades, many PLHIV have been accessing antiretroviral treatment cheaply or freely from the Government of Uganda (Commission UACJKUA, 2015;Spacek et al, 2006;Ssewamala et al, 2023). The introduction of pharmacogenomic research aimed at optimizing HIV treatment may present information about approved and efficacious antiretroviral drugs with minimal adverse drug reactions tailored to an individual's genetic makeup.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘It is a complex process, but it’s very important to return these results to participants’. Stakeholders’ perspectives on the ethical considerations for returning individual pharmacogenomics research results to people living with HIV

Nabukenya,

Kyaddondo,

Twimukye

et al. 2023

Research Ethics

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This study aimed to explore stakeholders’ perspectives on the ethical considerations for returning individual pharmacogenomics research results to people living with HIV. A qualitative approach to investigation involved five focus group discussions with 30 Community representatives, 12 key informant interviews with researchers, and 12 in-depth interviews with research ethics committee members. In total, 54 stakeholders who were involved in pharmacogenomics research and HIV treatment and care contributed to the data collection between September 2021 and February 2022. The study explored five prominent themes: (i) defining the nature of research results to return to participants; (ii) preparing research participants to receive their results; (iii) obtaining informed consent for the return of results; (iv) opinions on health personnel to return the results to participants; and (v) opinions on how research results should be communicated to participants. Respondents identified various strategies for the return of individual results with minimal ethical risks including the setting up of a diverse and independent committee to undertake a risk-benefit assessment based on local context; ongoing discussions about the possible kinds of results and their implications throughout the study; and employing genetic counsellors to communicate results to participants. The strategies identified in this study should be further studied and independently verified.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘It is a complex process, but it’s very important to return these results to participants’. Stakeholders’ perspectives on the ethical considerations for returning individual pharmacogenomics research results to people living with HIV

Nabukenya,

Kyaddondo,

Twimukye

et al. 2023

Research Ethics

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Pilot Trial Results of Mlambe: An Economic and Relationship-Strengthening Intervention to Address Heavy Drinking and Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy in Malawi

Conroy,

Hahn,

Neilands

et al. 2024

AIDS Behav

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An mHealth Intervention to Address Depression and Improve Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Among Youths Living With HIV in Uganda: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Nabunya,

Cavazos-Rehg,

Mugisha

et al. 2024

JMIR Res Protoc

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Background People living with HIV often struggle with mental health comorbidities that lower their antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. There is growing evidence that depression treatment may improve ART adherence and result in improved HIV outcomes. Given that mental health services are severely underequipped in low-resource settings, including in Uganda, new solutions to increase access to mental health care and close the treatment gap are urgently needed. This protocol paper presents the Suubi-Mhealth study, which proposed to develop a mobile health (mHealth) intervention for use among Ugandan youths (14-17 years) with comorbid HIV and depression, taking into account their unique contextual, cultural, and developmental needs. Objective The proposed study is guided by the following objectives: (1) to develop and iteratively refine an intervention protocol for Suubi-Mhealth based on formative work to understand the needs of youths living with HIV; (2) to explore the feasibility and acceptability of Suubi-Mhealth on a small scale to inform subsequent refinement; (3) to test the preliminary impact of Suubi-Mhealth versus a waitlist control group on youths’ outcomes, including depression and treatment adherence; and (4) to examine barriers and facilitators for integrating Suubi-Mhealth into health care settings. Methods Youths will be eligible to participate in the study if they are (1) 14-17 years of age, (2) HIV-positive and aware of their status, (3) receiving care and ART from one of the participating clinics, and (4) living within a family. The study will be conducted in 2 phases. In phase 1, we will conduct focus group discussions with youths and health care providers, for feedback on the proposed intervention content and methods, and explore the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. In phase II, we will pilot-test the preliminary impact of the intervention on reducing depression and improving ART adherence. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, 1-, 2-, and 6-months post intervention completion. Results Participant recruitment for phase 1 is completed. Youths and health care providers participated in focus group discussions to share their feedback on the proposed Suubi-Mhealth intervention content, methods, design, and format. Transcription and translation of focus group discussions have been completed. The team is currently developing Suubi-Mhealth content based on participants’ feedback. Conclusions This study will lay important groundwork for several initiatives at the intersection of digital therapeutics, HIV treatment, and mental health, especially among sub-Saharan African youths, as they transition through adolescence and into adult HIV care settings. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05965245; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05965245 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/54635

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Suubi + Adherence4Youth: a study protocol to optimize the Suubi Intervention for Adherence to HIV treatment for youth living with HIV in Uganda

Cited by 4 publications

References 119 publications

‘It is a complex process, but it’s very important to return these results to participants’. Stakeholders’ perspectives on the ethical considerations for returning individual pharmacogenomics research results to people living with HIV

‘It is a complex process, but it’s very important to return these results to participants’. Stakeholders’ perspectives on the ethical considerations for returning individual pharmacogenomics research results to people living with HIV

Pilot Trial Results of Mlambe: An Economic and Relationship-Strengthening Intervention to Address Heavy Drinking and Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy in Malawi

An mHealth Intervention to Address Depression and Improve Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Among Youths Living With HIV in Uganda: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

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