The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a program called Kupambana can improve mental health and HIV care outcomes in young people with HIV in Zambia by combining stigma-reduction support with financial and job-skills training. The main questions it aims to answer are whether Kupambana is feasible and acceptable to young people with HIV and whether it improves mental health, reduces stigma, and improves progress along the HIV care continuum, such as staying in care and taking HIV medicine as prescribed. Researchers will compare young people who participate in Kupambana with those who receive a one-time financial literacy training session (usual care) to determine whether Kupambana leads to greater improvements in stigma, mental health, and HIV care outcomes. Participants will complete a baseline questionnaire and then be randomly assigned to either the Kupambana program or the one-time financial literacy training. Those assigned to Kupambana will attend eight weekly peer-led support group sessions focused on reducing HIV- and poverty-related stigma, receive a voucher for technical and vocational education and training, and attend a one-time financial literacy session. Those assigned to the comparison group will attend only the one-time financial literacy session. All participants will complete follow-up surveys at the end of the program and again 3 and 6 months later.
Age range
18 Years – 24 Years
Sex
ALL
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A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
HIV Continuum of Care: Linkage, Receipt, Retention, and Viral Suppression
Timeframe: Baseline; 7 months after baseline (end of program); 10 months after baseline (3 months after end of program); and 13 months after baseline (6 months after end of program)
HIV Treatment Adherence
Timeframe: Baseline; 7 months after baseline (end of program); 10 months after baseline (3 months after end of program); and 13 months after baseline (6 months after end of program)
Mental Health (Depression)
Timeframe: Baseline; 7 months after baseline (end of program); 10 months after baseline (3 months after end of program); and 13 months after baseline (6 months after end of program)
Mental Health (Anxiety)
Timeframe: Baseline; 7 months after baseline (end of program); 10 months after baseline (3 months after end of program); and 13 months after baseline (6 months after end of program)
Mental Health (Psychological Distress)
Timeframe: Baseline; 7 months after baseline (end of program); 10 months after baseline (3 months after end of program); and 13 months after baseline (6 months after end of program)