NCT06880172

Mental Health and Medication Adherence Among MSM in South Africa

Addressing Mental Health and Medication Adherence Among MSM in South Africa

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 12 (actual)
• Sponsor: Emory University · Academic / Other
• Sex: Male
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The goal of this behavioral study is to improve psychological well-being and optimization of HIV prevention and care outcomes for Men who have sex with men (MSM) in South Africa.

Detailed description

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at an increased risk of HIV infection and transmission, and MSM with depression or anxiety may have adherence to medication challenges. Development of an integrated mental health and adherence support intervention for MSM can be an effective strategy to improve both psychological outcomes and care continuum outcomes including adherence to Pre-Exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART). The team proposes developing an intervention approach that responds to the unique social contexts of South African MSM living with or at risk for HIV, and that addresses the relationship between mental health and adherence to HIV prevention medication (daily PrEP) and ART. This intervention approach, WeCare, will adapt an evidence-based program entitled Friendship Bench (i.e., FB) - an empirically supported mental health program using problem-solving therapy (developed/validated in southern Africa) - to incorporate mental health and medication adherence concerns for MSM.

Conditions

• HIV

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	WeCare	Individual level: Problem identification, Linking Mental health and minority stress, medication adherence, developing an action plan, complementing the plan, and follow-up. Group level: Social support and self acceptance in MSM, coping with stigma and minority stress, support for medication adherence
BEHAVIORAL	Standard of Care	Access to services offered at the POP INN Wellness Clinic including psychoeducation for all individuals who enroll in PrEP or ART services, free medication, and enrollment in their standard drop-in. Mpowerment support groups, as well as referrals to mental health services on request

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-05-26
• Primary completion: 2025-07-22
• Completion: 2025-07-22
• First posted: 2025-03-17
• Last updated: 2026-03-10

Locations

1 site across 1 country: South Africa