HIV/AIDS Orphaned and Vulnerable Children Public Health Evaluation

Summary

The PHE study is a two-year longitudinal study evaluating two interventions for reducing depression and HIV risk behaviors among highly vulnerable adolescents in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Research suggests that children affected by AIDS are at heightened risk of HIV infection relative to their peers; however, evidence on how best to address HIV prevention and psychological health among this population is lacking. This study examines the efficacy of both a psychological and behavioral intervention, alone and in combination, on related outcomes among vulnerable youth age 14-17. A mixed methods approach is applied, including a community-randomized controlled trial with a factorial design, a cost-effectiveness analysis, and a qualitative component. At baseline data collection in January 2012, more than 1000 adolescents and their caregivers were interviewed; these participants were invited to take part in two more survey rounds designed to examine both the immediate and long term effects of the interventions. Support for this research was provided by USAID under Grant No. GHH-I-00-007-00069-00.

Conditions

• Adolescent Behavior
• Risk Reduction Behavior
• Stress, Psychological

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Groups (IPTG)

Interpersonal psychotherapy is a theory- and evidence-based treatment approach for depression developed by clinicians. World Vision has helped to pioneer the use of this model in sub-Saharan Africa including adapting the model for use with OVC within South Africa. Sessions are designed to provide participants with opportunities to learn and practice interpersonal skills for solving problems that bring about depression, and to facilitate the provision of emotional support between members of the group. Groups are implemented by a trained adult facilitator from the community who helps participants to identify people who are important in their lives, understand links between their psychological state and current problems, and practice new ways of problem-solving.

BEHAVIORAL

Vhutshilo 2

The Vhutshilo 2 model was developed in 2008 by the Centre for the Support of Peer Education (CSPE), a branch of the South African non-profit organization Health and Education Training and Technical Assistance Services. The Vhutshilo program was designed specifically for adolescent OVC in South Africa, and attends to risk factors and pathways considered particularly relevant for this population. Topics include finding and giving emotional support; dealing with grief and loss; alcohol and substance abuse; crime and sexual violence; HIV/AIDS; healthy and safe sexual relationships; and transactional sex. In addition to its knowledge component, the program places heavy emphasis on building relevant skills and efficacy.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

  collaborator FED

• Tulane University School of Social Work

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Tonya R Thurman, MPH PhD · Tulane University School of Social Work

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

14 Years

Max Age

17 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2012-01-31

Primary Completion

2014-01-31

Completion

2014-01-31