Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable
Age: 14Years - 22Years
All Genders
ID07425925

Feasibility and Effectiveness of Digital Peer-support-based Anti-HIV Stigma Intervention in Improving Clinical Outcomes Among Adolescents Living With HIV in Ethiopia

Led by Lund University · Updated on 2026-02-23

282

Participants Needed

5

Research Sites

4 weeks

Total Duration

On this page

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Advances in HIV care have transformed HIV into a chronic condition, allowing people living with HIV, including those infected perinatally, to live longer and healthier lives with antiretroviral therapy. Despite this progress, HIV-related stigma remains a significant barrier affecting health-seeking behavior, clinical outcomes, and psychological wellbeing, especially among adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV). This study evaluates whether a digital peer-support intervention can reduce internalized and anticipated HIV stigma among ALHIV in South Ethiopia, while also exploring effects on psychological wellbeing, retention in care, and viral load suppression. The study compares two groups: one receiving a digital peer-support intervention and the other attending standard in-clinic peer support. The digital intervention involves adolescents and youth living with HIV participating in 12 structured educational sessions delivered over 16 weeks via the Telegram messaging app, covering life skills and social mastery topics. Smartphones and technical guidance are provided if needed to support participation. The in-clinic group meets fortnightly for peer-led lessons and social activities, with transport fees supported. Participants will be assessed using validated tools to measure HIV-related stigma, depression, anxiety, and retention in care from baseline to the end of the 16-week intervention. Researchers will monitor changes in stigma using the HIV stigma scale and evaluate psychological wellbeing with questionnaires for depression and anxiety. Retention in care is measured by attendance at scheduled visits. The study follows participants over this period to understand the impact of digital peer support on health and psychosocial outcomes.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

Digital Peer-support-based Anti-HIV Stigma Intervention Among Adolescents Living With HIV in Ethiopia

Who Can Participate

Age: 14Years - 22Years
All Genders

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible

You may qualify if you...

  • Adolescents who have been disclosed of their HIV status
  • Adolescents and young people between the age of 15 and 22 years old
  • Receiving antiretroviral medications
  • Completed at least first cycle primary school education (i.e. grade 4)
Not Eligible

You will not qualify if you...

  • Participants with known diagnosed mental health condition
  • Participants with hearing loss or loss of vision

AI-Screening

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Your Study Journey

Screening

Duration - 2 to 4 weeks

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.

1 visit (in-person)

Outpatient Treatment

Duration - 16 weeks

Participants receive digital peer-support or in-person peer support to reduce HIV-related stigma and improve psychological wellbeing and retention in care.

Fortnightly online sessions for digital peer support or fortnightly in-person group meetings

Trial Site Locations

Total: 5 locations

1

Arba Minch General Hospital

Arba Minch, South Ethiopia, Ethiopia

Completed

2

Dilla University Teaching Hospital

Dara, South Ethiopia, Ethiopia

Actively Recruiting

3

Sawula General Hospital

Gofa, South Ethiopia, Ethiopia

Actively Recruiting

4

Jinka General Hospital

Jinka, South Ethiopia, Ethiopia

Actively Recruiting

5

Wolaita Sodo University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital

Sodo, South Ethiopia, Ethiopia

Completed

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Research Team

M

Melkamu Merid Mengesha, Master of Public Health in Epi

C

Cecilia Follin, PhD

How is the study designed?

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Masking

NONE

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Model

PARALLEL

Primary Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Number of Arms

2

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Published Research Related To This Trial

Accuracy of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for screening to detect major depression: individual participant data meta-analysis.

Brooke Levis, Andrea Benedetti, Brett D Thombs...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30967483

A scoping review of health-related stigma outcomes for high-burden diseases in low- and middle-income countries.

Jeremy C Kane, Melissa A Elafros, Sarah M Murray...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30764819

Health-related needs reported by adolescents living with HIV and receiving antiretroviral therapy in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic literature review.

Elvis D Chem, Alissa Ferry, Janet Seeley...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35983685

Peer Support for Adolescents and Young People Living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: Emerging Insights and a Methodological Agenda.

Daniella Mark, Susan Hrapcak, Wole Ameyan...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31776974

Hope for the Future But Fear the Risk of Stigma: Ethiopian Family Caregivers' Lived Experience of Caring for Their HIV Positive Child Two Years After Starting Antiretroviral Treatment.

Mulatu Biru, Pia Lunqvist, Mitikie Molla...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29220598