Family-based Prevention of Mental Health Problems in Children Affected by HIV and AIDS: an Open Trial

Overview

Journal AIDS

Specialty Infectious Diseases

Date 2014 Jul 4

PMID 24991909

Citations 32

Authors

Theresa S Betancourt

Lauren C Ng

Catherine M Kirk

Morris Munyanah

Christina Mushashi

Charles Ingabire

Sharon Teta

William R Beardslee

Robert T Brennan

Ista Zahn

Sara Stulac

Felix R Cyamatare

Vincent Sezibera

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the feasibility and acceptability of an intervention to reduce mental health problems and bolster resilience among children living in households affected by caregiver HIV in Rwanda.

Design: Pre-post design, including 6-month follow-up.

Methods: The Family Strengthening Intervention (FSI) aims to reduce mental health problems among HIV-affected children through improved child-caregiver relationships, family communication and parenting skills, HIV psychoeducation and connections to resources. Twenty families (N = 39 children) with at least one HIV-positive caregiver and one child 7-17 years old were enrolled in the FSI. Children and caregivers were administered locally adapted and validated measures of child mental health problems, as well as measures of protective processes and parenting. Assessments were administered at pre and postintervention, and 6-month follow-up. Multilevel models accounting for clustering by family tested changes in outcomes of interest. Qualitative interviews were completed to understand acceptability, feasibility and satisfaction with the FSI.

Results: Families reported high satisfaction with the FSI. Caregiver-reported improvements in family connectedness, good parenting, social support and children's pro-social behaviour (P < 0.05) were sustained and strengthened from postintervention to 6-month follow-up. Additional improvements in caregiver-reported child perseverance/self-esteem, depression, anxiety and irritability were seen at follow-up (P < .05). Significant decreases in child-reported harsh punishment were observed at postintervention and follow-up, and decreases in caregiver reported harsh punishment were also recorded on follow-up (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The FSI is a feasible and acceptable intervention that shows promise for improving mental health symptoms and strengthening protective factors among children and families affected by HIV in low-resource settings.

Citing Articles

Promotive and preventive interventions for adolescent mental health in Sub-Saharan Africa: a combined scoping and systematic review.

Seekles M, Twagira F, Alam A, Obasi A BMJ Public Health. 2025; 1(1):e000037.

PMID: 40017854 PMC: 11812691. DOI: 10.1136/bmjph-2023-000037.

Mental health interventions for adolescents living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa: protocol for a systematic review.

Boakye D, Xatse E, Akorli V, Adjorlolo P, Battanis Y, Frempong A BMJ Open. 2025; 14(12):e088433.

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The unmet mental health needs of adolescents with HIV in eastern Tanzania: Experiences of healthcare providers, adolescents, and caregivers.

Njau T, Sunguya B, Mwakawanga D, Minja A, Kaaya S, Fekadu A PLoS One. 2024; 19(8):e0307143.

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Caregiver preferences for physically harsh discipline of children in rural Uganda.

Satinsky E, Kakuhikire B, Baguma C, Cooper-Vince C, Rasmussen J, Ashaba S J Fam Violence. 2024; 39(5):861-874.

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Mental health outcomes of offspring exposed to parental intimate partner violence in Rwanda.

Bahati C, Nyiranteziryayo A, Izabayo J, Atete P, Sezibera V, Mutesa L BMC Pediatr. 2024; 24(1):419.

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