Effectiveness of a peer-led adolescent mental health intervention on HIV virological suppression and mental health in Zimbabwe: data collection documents

We assessed the effect of training Zvandiri peer-counsellors known as Community Adolescent Treatment Supporters (CATS) in problem-solving therapy (PST) on virological suppression and mental health outcomes. Sixty clinics were randomised 1:1 to either normal Zvandiri peer-counselling or a peer-counsellor trained in problem solving therapy.

We enrolled on average 14 adolescents per clinic (N=842) aged 10-19 years, living with HIV who screened positive for common mental disorders. The primary outcome was virological non-suppression (viral load ≥1000 copies/mL) one year post-enrolment. Secondary outcomes were symptoms of common mental disorders measured with the Shona Symptom Questionnaire (SSQ≥8) and depression measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9≥10), and health utility score using the EQ-5D.