Healthy Options Project: Testing a Group Psychotherapy intervention For HIV-Positive Depressed Peri-Natal woman in Dar es Salaam.

This is an ongoing study with a focus on mental health particularly depression among pregnant women. Tanzania like many other countries in sub-Saharan Africa faces significant challenges in implementing comprehensive mental health care policy. One main reason for the huge gap is shortage of trained psychiatrists and other mental health care professionals. The aims of this randomized controlled trial are to examine the potential for successful integration of enhanced mental health services through structured group counseling among HIV-positive women who are receiving prevention of mother to child transmission-plus services including lifelong anti-retroviral treatment (Option B+), and to evaluate a combination of evidence-based approaches for treating depression in this population. The study is implemented in collaboration with Harvard Medical School. Preliminary findings have demonstrated significant reductions in suicidal thoughts (8.4% at baseline compared to 4.5% at first follow-up) for both the intervention and control groups. The study is ongoing and there is new evidence that enhances the importance of capacitating more providers and lay counselors on mental health care.