Development of a Program to Treat Depression in HIV Positive Youth in Uganda
Nearly 1 in 25 Ugandan youths are HIV+; the rate recently climbed to 1 in 10 among young people living in the slums of Kampala. Because 70% of the population of Uganda is below age 30, it is critical for the nation to slow the rate of HIV transmission among youth. As of March, the Ugandan government will provide antiretroviral (ARV) therapy for all HIV+ individuals regardless of CD4 count, offering substantial hope for improving the health of HIV+ individuals and decreasing HIV transmission. However, 75% of youth in the slums of Kampala are depressed, a comorbidity that results in decreased adherence to HIV care (Swahn, Palmier, Kasirye, & Yao, 2012). This pilot proposal culturally adapts a depression intervention for HIV+ Ugandan youth. Specifically, this project will tailor a cognitive behavioral depression intervention shown to be effective when given by lay health workers (Muñoz & Miranda, 1996) (Munoz, Aguilar-Gaxiola, & Guzmán, 2000) for use with HIV+ youth from the slums of Kampala, Uganda, and will combine the culturally-adapted intervention with evidence-based CLEAR intervention to promote health and increase medical linkage, retention and adherence to anti-retroviral medications.
Youth Livelihoods Program Evaluation
The Ministry of Gender Labor and Social Development provide micro-loans to young Ugandans to start business. Our team is evaluating the program through a randomized design to learn how best to provide these loans. Specific areas we are evaluating is the appropriate number of youth within groups to best insure successful business, resources necessary to support business, and need for mentorship in business development.
We have conducted a qualitative study of the program, throughout seven districts and Kampala. We are now engaging in a randomized trial and will evaluate the impact of the program on Ugandan youth’s ability to develop an income generating business.