ANRS12373 GUNDO SO - Evaluation of an Empowerment Program for WLHIV in Mali

ANRS, Emerging Infectious Diseases

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Disclosure; HIV/AIDS; HIV Seropositivity; Empowerment

Treatments: Behavioral: Gundo So

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03795415

ANRS12373

Details and patient eligibility

About

The objective of this research is to measure the short- and mid-term effects of an empowerment program focused on serostatus disclosure management for women living with HIV (WLHIV) in Mali on the "burden of secrecy".

Full description

Serostatus disclosure is a critical issue for persons living with HIV (PLHIV). Studies identified numerous benefits associated with disclosure, but various negative consequences have also been documented. Gender inequality must be taken into account regarding the disclosure issue, in particular in Mali, where women are economically dependent and have a low decision-making power. Moreover, in Mali, since 2006, PLHIV have a legal obligation to disclose their serostatus to their spouse and sexual partner(s) " as soon as possible, or within 6 weeks " after the diagnosis. Although this law is not enforced, it highlights the sensitive nature of the serostatus disclosure issue and raise concerns among PLHIV and other stakeholders.

To support women living with HIV (WLHIV), an empowerment program (Gundo-So) was implemented by ARCAD-SIDA in Mali, in collaboration with several partners. This program aims to empower WLHIV, so that they can make informed decision about disclosing or keeping their serostatus secret in their various life contexts, and that they can identify strategies to disclose or to keep the secret, as well as to manage potential negative reactions. Gundo-So ("The room of confidences") was adapted from a program established in quebec and has been implemented in Mali.

The objective of this research is to measure the short- and mid-term effects of an empowerment program focused on serostatus disclosure management for women living with HIV (WLHIV) in Mali on the "burden of secrecy".

The evaluation of the effects of the Gundo-So program will be helpful to assess the relevance of a national or subregional extension of the program, or even an adaptation to other target populations (e.g. heterosexual men and men who have sex with men living with HIV).

Enrollment: 224 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• women living with HIV
• living in Bamako area (Mali)
• over 18 years old
• knowing their serological status for more than 6 months and less than 5 years
• being available to participate in the 9 weekly sessions lasting about 2 hours each.

Exclusion criteria

• having already participated in Gundo-So

Trial design

224 participants in 2 patient groups

Immediate Arm (G1)

Description:

3 months after enrollment, each big groups of 16 will be split in two groups. Women in G1 will receive the intervention Gundo-So immediately. (From month 3 to month 6). 112 women will be in immediate arm in 14 groups of 8 women.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Gundo So

Delayed Arm (G2)

Description:

3 months after enrollment, each big groups of 16 will be split in two groups. Women in G2 will receive the intervention Gundo-So 3 months after. (From month 6 to month 9). 112 women will be in delayed arm in 14 groups of 8 women.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Gundo So