207405 Small group interventions can improve mood in HIV- Positive Haitian Adults

Monday, November 9, 2009

Keerthi Bangalore Ramanath, BE , Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Florida International University, North Miami, FL
Valerie Pelletier, MD , Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Florida International University, North Miami, FL
Loreto P. Villanueva, MPH , Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Florida International University, North Miami, FL
Michèle Jean-Gilles, PhD , AIDS Prevention Program, Florida International University, Miami, FL
Marie-Marcelle Deschamps, MD , GHESKIO Center, Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Jessy G. Dévieux, PhD , AIDS Prevention Program, Florida International University, Miami, FL
Robert Malow, PhD , AIDS Prevention Program, Florida International University, Miami, FL
Maxi Ascencio, Jr, MA , Psychology, Université du Québec, Montreal, QC, Canada
Haiti has the highest adult HIV prevalence in the Caribbean, which has the 2nd highest global prevalence next to sub-Saharan Africa. Studies have shown that elevated rates of depression and anxiety in HIV infected patients have been linked to poor adherence to antiretroviral treatment and mortality. The current study examined the impact of a culturally adapted Cognitive Behavioral Stress Management (CBSM) intervention on depression and anxiety in a sample of HIV-positive adults living in Haiti.

Participants, 56 HIV-positive adults (mean age = 38.4 years) equally divided among males (n=28) and females (n=28) and currently receiving ARV treatment, were randomly assigned to either an 8-week CBSM intervention or a time-matched Health Promotion Comparison (HPC) condition. Depression and anxiety were measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), at baseline, post intervention, and 3 months follow-up. Repeated measures were conducted for analysis using SPSS.

BDI scores decreased significantly in both the CBSM and the HPC groups from baseline, to post-intervention and 3-month follow-up (F=6.489, p=.003 <.05). Significant reduction in STAI scores were also found in the experimental group (F= 3.616, p= .034 <.05) from baseline to post intervention and 3-month follow-up.

The CBSM intervention appeared to be effective in reducing both depression and anxiety in this sample. The fact that depression was also found to be reduced for participants in the control group suggests that the group format played a supportive role for these HIV-infected adults who are often isolated due to prevailing stigma in the community

Learning Objectives:
Identify effective HIV intervention strategies that might be used to reduce depression and anxiety in HIV-infected individuals. 2. Name two instruments used to measure depression and anxiety. 3. Describe the role of small group interventions in improving mood in HIV-positive individuals.

Keywords: Behavioral Research, Depression

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a student in Masters in Health Services Administration Program. I am also a Graduate assistant in the Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. I work with the research data, analysis and finding results for the manuscripts and scientific paper.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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