Stakeholders’ perspectives on integrating the management of depression into routine HIV care in Uganda: qualitative findings from a feasibility study

International Journal of Mental Health Systems

Vikram Patel¹  Pontiano Kaleebu²  James Mugisha³  Eugene Kinyanda⁴  Leticia Kyohangirwe⁴  Rwamahe Rutakumwa⁴  Christine Tusiime⁴  Joshua Ssebunnya⁴  Richard Steven Mpango⁴  Hafsa Sentongo⁵  Geoffrey Taasi⁶ 

[1] Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School;Director of the MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit;Kyambogo University;MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit & Senior Wellcome Trust Fellowship, Mental Health Section;Mental Health Division, Ministry of Health;STD/AIDS Control Program, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Health;

关键词: Depression;    HIV;    ART;    Mental health;    Uganda;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13033-021-00486-8

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Abstract Background HIV/AIDS continues to be a major global public health problem with Eastern and Southern Africa being the regions most affected. With increased access to effective antiretroviral therapy, HIV has become a chronic and manageable disease, bringing to the fore issues of quality of life including mental wellbeing. Despite this, the majority of HIV care providers in sub-Saharan Africa, including Uganda’s Ministry of Health, do not routinely provide mental health care including depression management. The purpose of this paper is to explore stakeholders’ perspectives on the feasibility and acceptability of integrating depression management into routine adult HIV care. The paper addresses a specific objective of the formative phase of the HIV + D study aimed at developing and evaluating a model for integrating depression management into routine HIV care in Uganda. Methods This was a qualitative study. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 11 patients at enrollment and follow-up in the pilot phase, and exit interviews with 11 adherent patients (those who completed their psychotherapy sessions) and six non-adherent patients (those missing at least two sessions) at the end of the pilot phase. Key informant interviews were held with four clinicians, five supervisors and one mental health specialist, as were three focus group discussions with lay health workers. These were purposively sampled at four public health facilities in Mpigi District. Data were analysed thematically. Results Patients highlighted the benefits of treating depression in the context of HIV care, including improved adherence to antiretroviral therapy, overcoming sleeplessness and suicidal ideation, and regaining a sense of self-efficacy. Although clinicians and other stakeholders reported benefits of treating depression, they cited challenges in managing depression with HIV care, which were organisational (increased workload) and patient related (extended waiting time and perceptions of preferential treatment). Stakeholders generally shared perspectives on how best to integrate, including recommendations for organisational level interventions–training, harmonisation in scheduling appointments and structural changes–and patient level interventions to enhance knowledge about depression. Conclusions Integrating depression management into routine HIV care in Uganda is acceptable among key stakeholders, but the technical and operational feasibility of integration would require changes both at the organisational and patient levels.

【 授权许可】

Unknown