Case study: multisystemic therapy for adolescents who engage in HIV transmission risk behaviors.
OBJECTIVE
To present a case study using multisystemic therapy (MST), an intensive family focused psychotherapy. For the clinical trial from which this case was drawn, MST was adapted to address multiple human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission risk behaviors in HIV-infected youth. Targeted behaviors included medication nonadherence, risky sexual behaviors, and substance use.


METHODS
One young woman's transmission risk behaviors are described, followed by a description of the MST procedures used to identify and treat the primary drivers of these risk behaviors. Outcome measures were self-report, urine screens, and blood draws.


RESULTS
At discharge, the young woman showed significant improvements in medication adherence and related health status (e.g., reduced HIV viral load), healthier sexual behaviors, and reduced substance use. Importantly, neither her boyfriend nor her newborn tested positive for HIV.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings from this case study suggest that MST has the potential to reduce transmission risk behaviors among teens with HIV.
Letourneau
Elizabeth J
EJ
Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA. letourej@musc.edu
Ellis
Deborah A
DA
Naar-King
Sylvie
S
Cunningham
Phillippe B
PB
Fowler
Sandra L
SL
D000293:Adolescent; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000628:therapy* / Q000635:transmission*; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D013598:Systems Theory; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load