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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2022 Oct;26(10):3337-3344.
doi: 10.1007/s10461-022-03637-1. Epub 2022 Apr 16.

The Long-term (5-year) Impact of a Family Economic Empowerment Intervention on Adolescents Living with HIV in Uganda: Analysis of Longitudinal Data from a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial from the Suubi+Adherence Study (2012-2018)

Rachel Brathwaite  1 , Fred M Ssewamala  2   3 , Massy Mutumba  4 , Torsten B Neilands  5 , William Byansi  1 , Flavia Namuwonge  6 , Christopher Damulira  1 , Proscovia Nabunya  1 , Gertrude Nakigozi  7 , Fredrick Makumbi  8 , Claude A Mellins  9 , Mary M McKay  10 , Suubi Adherence Field Team  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

The Long-term (5-year) Impact of a Family Economic Empowerment Intervention on Adolescents Living with HIV in Uganda: Analysis of Longitudinal Data from a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial from the Suubi+Adherence Study (2012-2018)

Rachel Brathwaite et al. AIDS Behav. 2022 Oct.

Abstract

150/150 words.We examined the 5-year impact of an economic empowerment (EE) intervention on: adherence, viral suppression, sexual risk-taking intentions (primary); and physical health, educational and economic (secondary) outcomes among adolescents living with HIV in Uganda. The Suubi + Adherence study (2012-2018) randomized clinics to: (1) Control group, n = 19 clinics, n = 344 participants; (2) intervention group which received matched savings accounts, mentorship, financial management and, business development training, n = 20 clinics, n = 358 participants. Participants completed post-baseline assessments at 12-, 24-, 36-, and 48-months. No significant differences in viral load, sexual risk-intentions and physical health perception were observed. The intervention group had better adherence (at 24-months) (Contrast=-0.28; 95% CI: -0.55, -0.004), higher school enrolment (OR = 2.18; 95% CI:1.30, 3.66); reported savings OR = 2.03 (1.29, 3.18) and higher savings (Contrast = 0.40; 95% CI:0.10, 0.70) than controls at 48-months. The EE intervention was efficacious in improving adherence, school enrolment, and economic outcomes creating opportunities for improved overall health among adolescents living with HIV.

Keywords: Adolescents living with HIV; Economic interventions; Sub-saharan Africa.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest/Competing interests

The authors declare they have no competing interests.

References

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