'I think my future will be better than my past': examining support group influence on the mental health of HIV-infected Rwandan women.
Urgent need exists for improved psychological services among HIV-infected women in post-genocide Rwanda. Psychological problems associated with trauma and sexual violence (i.e., depression, posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD]) place women at increased risk for sexual risk behaviour, low health-seeking behaviour, delay of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and reduced ART adherence. We explored experiences of HIV-infected Rwandan women attending psychosocial support groups and their narratives about how participation affected their mental health and HIV treatment. Focus group discussions examined participants' reasons for support group attendance, perceived psychological benefit of support groups, influence on ART adherence, and other influences on health behaviors and attitudes. Rwandan women (aged 18-65) were randomly selected from 10 health clinic-facilitated support groups for HIV-infected trauma survivors in Kigali. Results identified positive psychological and physical changes as well as behaviour changes in relationships with men, which participants attributed to support group attendance. Data showed significant improvement in mental health, ART adherence and HIV serostatus disclosure resulting from group attendance. Participants acknowledged limitations of support groups with respect to addressing poverty and hunger. Implementing psychosocial support groups may leverage clinical outcomes and rejuvenate the well-being of HIV-infected women with interpersonal trauma and/or PTSD and depressive symptoms, particularly those from post-conflict countries.
Program in Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA. paige_walstrom@brown.edu
Paige
P
Walstrom
Don
D
Operario
Caron
C
Zlotnick
Eugene
E
Mutimura
Chantal
C
Benekigeri
Mardge H
MH
Cohen
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D063365:Genocide / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D012432:Rwanda / Q000453:epidemiology; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057545:Social Stigma; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D014857:Warfare; D055815:Young Adult; D016903:Drug Monitoring
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents