| Title | The impact of structured support groups for pregnant South African women recently diagnosed HIV positive. |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2011 |
| Authors | Mundell, Jonathan P., Maretha J. Visser, Jennifer D. Makin, Trace S. Kershaw, Brian W. C. Forsyth, Bridget Jeffery, and Kathleen J. Sikkema |
| Journal | Women & health |
| Volume | 51 |
| Issue | 6 |
| Pagination | 546-65 |
| Date Published | 2011 Aug 31 |
| ISSN | 1541-0331 |
| Keywords | Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Avoidance Learning, Case-Control Studies, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Health Resources, HIV Seropositivity, Humans, Poverty, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications, Infectious, Regression Analysis, Self Concept, Self Disclosure, Self-Help Groups, Social Support, South Africa, Young Adult |
| 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. |
| DOI | 10.1080/03630242.2011.606356 |
| Alternate Journal | Women Health |
