RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT05965245

Suubi-Mhealth: A Mobile Health Intervention to Address Depression Among Youth

Suubi-Mhealth: A Mobile Health Intervention to Address Depression and Improve ART Adherence Among Youth Living With HIV (YLHIV) in Uganda

Sponsor

Washington University School of Medicine

Enrollment

278 participants

Start Date

Nov 23, 2022

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Depression HIV Infection

Summary

The overall goal of this study is to develop an mHealth intervention (Suubi-Mhealth) for use among Ugandan youth (14-17 years) with comorbid HIV and depression, taking into account their unique contextual, cultural, and developmental needs. This digital therapy intervention delivered via a mobile application, will utilize the core tenets of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) found to improve depression and ART adherence.

Eligibility

Min Age: 14 YearsMax Age: 17 Years

Inclusion Criteria5

Ages 14-17 years
HIV positive and aware of their status i.e., disclosed to
Prescribed antiretroviral therapy
Living within a family, including with extended family members (not in institutions)
Health care providers who work with youth at participating clinics who agree to participate in the study.

Exclusion Criteria1

A significant cognitive impairment that interferes with the participant's understanding of the informed consent process, or inability/unwillingness to commit to completing the study

Interventions

BEHAVIORALSuubi-Mhealth

Suubi-Mhealth is a theoretically-based digital therapeutics tool that aims to provide educational content on depression while considering the unique needs of SSA youth living with HIV. This educational content will be aligned with scientific recommendations for cognitive-behavioral therapy for adherence and depression as applied to HIV medication adherence. Core instruction will include psychoeducation on the interplay between HIV and depression; minimizing cognitive distortions related to ART adherence and stigma, as well as depression; challenging negative automatic thoughts; analysis and development of behavioral skills; reducing environmental stressors. Suubi-Mhealth will also have a social networking center in which patients can contact the research team, peers who are also taking part in this intervention, and other trusted individuals such as loved ones. Other features include tools for setting and monitoring goals, and a clinical management dashboard for the research team.