Mental health interventions for adolescents living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa: protocol for a systematic review.

Journal: BMJ open

Volume: 14

Issue: 12

Year of Publication: 2025

Affiliated Institutions:  Health Administration and Education, University of Education Winneba, Winneba, Ghana. Department of Mental Health, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana. Department of Nursing, Knutsford University College, Accra, Ghana. Department of Biostatistics, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana. College of Community Health Nursing, Winneba, Ghana. Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Koforidua, Ghana. Research and Grant Institute of Ghana, Legon, Ghana. Research and Grant Institute of Ghana, Legon, Ghana sadjorlolo@ug.edu.gh.

Abstract summary 

Adolescents living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa have heightened risk for mental health and psychosocial burden owing to their exposure to a multiplicity of adverse conditions such as stigma and discrimination. However, there is no comprehensive evidence synthesis and evaluation of the effectiveness of mental health interventions for adolescents living with HIV/AIDS in this region. We aim to conduct a systematic review to synthesise the literature on existing mental health interventions for adolescents living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.This review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses reporting guidelines. Eligible studies will include those investigating the effectiveness of psychosocial, psychological or other forms of interventions on mental health outcomes, conducted in sub-Saharan African countries and involving adolescents (aged 10-19 years) living with HIV/AIDS. Comprehensive searches will be conducted in electronic databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus and PsycINFO) and grey literature sources. The search will be restricted to studies published from 2004 onwards and in the English language. Study authors will be contacted, and reference lists of retrieved articles will be reviewed for additional papers. Study selection and data extraction will be performed by two independent reviewers, with any disagreements resolved by consensus or involving a third party. A narrative synthesis will be conducted, and if possible, meta-analyses will be performed to estimate the overall effect sizes of interventions on mental health outcomes. Eligible studies will undergo quality assessment using standardised criteria appropriate for each respective study design.No primary data collection will be undertaken; therefore, no ethical approval is required. The findings of this review will be disseminated through publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at relevant conferences.CRD42024538975.

Authors & Co-authors:  Boakye Dorothy Serwaa DS Xatse Eugenia E Akorli Vincent Valentine VV Adjorlolo Paul Kwame PK Battanis Yvonne Yawa YY Frempong Abigail Bempomaa AB Ocansey Lydia Kaki LK Yeboah Cecillia C Adjorlolo Samuel S

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  UNAIDS Global HIV & AIDS statistics — fact sheet. 2022. https://www.unaids.org/en/resources/fact-sheet Available.
Authors :  9
Identifiers
Doi : e088433
SSN : 2044-6055
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Humans
Other Terms
Adolescents;Anxiety disorders;Depression & mood disorders;HIV & AIDS;MENTAL HEALTH;Suicide & self-harm
Study Design
Narrative Study
Study Approach
Systemic Review
Country of Study
Publication Country
England