The IDEAS for Hope study sets out to address suicidal ideation in the context of HIV care. The global mental health treatment gap is a persistent challenge requiring innovative solutions, particularly in low-resource settings. Telehealth is drastically underutilized for mental health and HIV care in sub-Saharan Africa. This will be the first known study to use telehealth to intervene for suicidality among people living with HIV in Africa.
Brief Overview
- Identify the desired characteristics of a telehealth intervention for suicide prevention and HIV care engagement.
- Translate and validate survey tools to ensure their applicability for studies in Tanzania.
- Refine content for the telehealth intervention with support from a study advisory board.
- Pilot test the telehealth intervention in a randomized controlled trial to assess feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy for reducing suicidality and enhancing HIV care engagement.
Telehealth Intervention
Clinic nurses administer 3-question screening at HIV clinic appointments
Those who screen positive for suicidal ideation meet with research assistant in a private clinic office
Research assistant helps connect to counselor at KCMC using a video call on WhatsApp for counseling session
