Improving Adherence Among HIV+ Rwandan Youth: A TI-CBTe Indigenous Leader Model

This study proposes a 2-arm, RCT to test and compare adherence-enhanced Trauma Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TI-CBTe) to usual care on ART adherence among HIV+ Rwandan youth. Based on a well-grounded theoretical framework, TI-CBTe blends a culturally adapted empirically-supported intervention (TI-CBT) with strategies to increase ART adherence by reducing depression, trauma, and gender based violence (GBV). 350 HIV+ 14-21 year olds will be randomly assigned to TI-CBTe or usual care and the intervention will be delivered in small groups of 8 - 10 over eight consecutive Sundays. Adult caregivers (where available) will participate in two sessions to address adherence support for youth. Caregivers and youth will complete assessments at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Consistent with the Indigenous Leader Outreach Model (ILOM), HIV+ young adults who are \> 95% ART adherent will be trained to deliver TI-CBTe. An intent-to-treat analysis will be used and a combination of regression techniques and other inferential statistical tests for contrasting means and proportions. Treatment effects on adherence and mediators for youth participants will be examined, as well as indigenous youth leaders. Treatment outcomes will be analyzed using logistic and linear multiple regression models examining effects at 6- and 12- months separately, as well as a combined model with random effects for repeated measurements across time. Participants will be recruited from two clinics: WE-ACTx For Hope and Central University Hospital of Kigali (CHUK), which are the primary providers of HIV care for infected adolescents, and both have long-standing relationships with the community. Youth and caregivers will be invited to meet with research staff if they are interested to inform them about the project and request permission to be contacted by the research team. The assent/consent forms will be reviewed with IYL, youth and caregivers, and trained staff will administer questionnaires and interviews. Both sites have a staff psychologist who will provide clinical backup in cases of mental health distress. Consent/assent forms will state the exceptions to confidentiality, and where a youth reports child abuse or neglect or suicidal ideation or attempts, the psychologist will be consulted. Indigenous youth leaders (IYL), youth and caregivers will each complete the baseline and two follow-up assessments. A month before follow-ups, IYL, youth and caregivers will be contacted to request their participation in the next wave of data collection. Transportation will be offered and interviews will be conducted at the clinics in a confidential location.