The Impact of Structured Support Groups for Pregnant South African Women Recently Diagnosed HIV Positive

Abstract

The authors of this study evaluated a structured 10-session psychosocial support group intervention for newly HIV-diagnosed pregnant South African women. Participants were expected to display increases in HIV disclosure, self-esteem, active coping and positive social support, and decreases in depression, avoidant coping, and negative social support. Three hundred sixty-one pregnant HIV-infected women were recruited from four antenatal clinics in Tshwane townships from April 2005 to September 2006. Using a quasi-experimental design, assessments were conducted at baseline and two and eight months post-intervention. A series of random effects regression analyses were conducted, with the three assessment points treated as a random effect of time. At both follow-ups, the rate of disclosure in the intervention group was significantly higher than that of the comparison group (p < 0.001). Compared to the comparison group at the first follow-up, the intervention group displayed higher levels of active coping (t = 2.68, p < 0.05) and lower levels of avoidant coping (t = −2.02, p < 0.05), and those who attended at least half of the intervention sessions exhibited improved self-esteem (t = 2.11, p < 0.05). Group interventions tailored for newly HIV positive pregnant women, implemented in resource-limited settings, may accelerate the process of adjusting to one's HIV status, but may not have sustainable benefits over time.

Factors Associated with Attendance and Non-Attendance of Support Groups among HIV Positive Adults Attending an Antiretroviral Community Clinic at Ekurhuleni District, South Africa

“…Disclosure of the HIV status is inevitable in support groups, and individuals may fear the possible discrimination following disclosure in support groups [14]. The fear of stigma and discrimination influences the intentions for future participation in support groups.…”

“…This is despite reports that support groups are commonly advocated as the psychosocial support intervention for newly diagnosed HIV positive people as well as PLWHI. Taking into consideration that disclosure of HIV status is inevitable in support groups; individuals may fear social rejection and discrimination [14]. Stigma remains a significant concern within the health care service field across societies and limits the potential value of HIV treatment care and support [20,21].…”

“…An additional reason for the low participation of men in support groups is the reluctance to disclose their HIV status in public. Disclosure of HIV status is inevitable in HIV support groups, and people who are not ready to disclose may fear participation for this reason [14].…”

Understanding Sustained Retention in HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment: a Synthetic Review

“…Counseling/support group interventions also function by fostering patient activation to varying degrees. For example, a structured 10-session weekly psychosocial support group in South Africa focused on BHIV-related knowledge; how to cope more effectively with HIV infection personally, in the home, the family, and within intimate relationships; stress management…^and other HIV self-management skills central to patient activation [41].…”

The Mental Health Problems of HIV Positive Mothers During Pregnancy and After Giving Birth in Mekelle Hospital

“…HIV positive mothers faced with lack of appropriate psychosocial support due to the virus in their blood. The reason for this may be, due to lack of knowledge about the nature of the illness and the way how the virus transmits from one person to another [20]. Therefore, the government and other concerned bodies should design strategies to improve the range of mental health and psychosocial outcomes in newly HIV-diagnosed pregnant women (i.e., to increase HIV disclosure, self esteem, active coping and positive social support or zero stigma and discriminations, decrease depression, avoidant coping, and negative social support) [20].…”