Daniela Rojas Castro

This session showcased culturally adapted research projects from South Africa, Uganda, and Tanzania, all addressing mental health challenges related to HIV. Each initiative focused on tailored interventions, emphasizing the importance of culturally relevant strategies in improving mental health outcomes for those affected by HIV.

This session, moderated by Thais Aranha Rossi (State University of Bahia), presented three pieces of research on mental health and HIV. L. Sherr, University College London, compared mental health outcomes between AIDS and COVID-orphaned children in South Africa. AIDS-orphaned children are more likely to experience bullying while COVID-orphaned children are more likely to provide care, adding burden to their mental health. One in ten children wished they were dead, with AIDS orphanhood showing the highest levels of suicidality, underscoring the critical need for mental health support in crisis responses. K. Musanje, Makerere University, conducted an adaptation of the Mindfulness and Acceptance-Based Intervention (MABI) for Ugandan adolescents, incorporating local language and practices. The intervention significantly reduced depression, anxiety, and stigma among participants, showing the potential to improve mental health outcomes in low-resource settings and warranting further large-scale trials for broader implementation. Chinenye Agina, from Duke University, presented the peer-led Sauti ya Vijana (SYV) intervention implemented in Tanzania. The study found that peer group leaders (PGLs) benefited from shared experiences, although challenges like compensation and emotional strain were noted. The results suggest that peer-led models are feasible and beneficial for both PGLs and participants.

Research and interventions on mental health are still urgently needed. South Africa’s study shows high suicidality ideas among AIDS-orphaned children and shows how necessary is to know the impact of different epidemics (e.g. COVID) on children. Uganda’s research demonstrates that Mindfulness and Acceptance-Based Interventions (MABI) can reduce depression, anxiety, and stigma. However, further large-scale validation is required, and health institutions should ensure the dissemination of this experience. Despite challenges like compensation and emotional strain, Tanzania’s peer-led model proves feasible and beneficial. Using the talent of a peer group leader is an acceptable strategy for delivering a adapted mental health intervention.