Initial feasibility and acceptability of a comprehensive intervention for methamphetamine-using pregnant women in South Africa.
The purpose of the present study was to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of a women-focused intervention addressing methamphetamine use and HIV sexual risk among pregnant women in Cape Town, South Africa. A two-group randomized pilot study was conducted, comparing a women-focused intervention for methamphetamine use and related sexual risk behaviors to a psychoeducational condition. Participants were pregnant women who used methamphetamine regularly, had unprotected sex in the prior month, and were HIV-negative. Primary maternal outcomes were methamphetamine use in the past 30 days, frequency of unprotected sexual acts in the past 30 days, and number of antenatal obstetrical appointments attended. Primary neonatal outcomes were length of hospital stay, birth weight, and gestational age at delivery. Of the 57 women initially potentially eligible, only 4 declined to participate. Of the 36 women who were eligible and enrolled, 92% completed all four intervention sessions. Women in both conditions significantly reduced their methamphetamine use and number of unprotected sex acts. Therefore, delivering comprehensive interventions to address methamphetamine use and HIV risk behaviors among methamphetamine-using pregnant women is feasible in South Africa. Further testing of these interventions is needed to address methamphetamine use in this vulnerable population.
UNC Horizons Program, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 400 Roberson Street, Carrboro, NC 27510, USA ; Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
Hendrée E
HE
Jones
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Unit, Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, Cape Town 7505, South Africa ; Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7700, South Africa.
Bronwyn
B
Myers
Department of Psychology, University of Maryland, College Park, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
Kevin E
KE
O'Grady
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa.
Stefan
S
Gebhardt
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa.
Gerhard B
GB
Theron
Substance Abuse Treatment Evaluations and Interventions Research Program, RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
Wendee M
WM
Wechsberg