New hope for HIV-positive moms: counseling tackles depression and boosts care
NCT ID NCT06702722
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests a program called Enhanced Friendship Bench that combines problem-solving therapy with HIV support for pregnant women in Malawi who have HIV and depression. About 400 women will take part to see if the program reduces depression symptoms and helps them stay in HIV care. The goal is to improve both mental health and HIV outcomes for mothers and their babies.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 400 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Feb 2025
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Presenting for antenatal care at one of our 5 recruitment sites * ≥ 18 years of age * ≤ 34 weeks gestation * HIV-positive, based on medical records * Initiating, re-initiating, or on established ART during index pregnancy * Elevated depressive symptoms as indicated by a EPDS score ≥10. The EPDS is widely used to assess perinatal mood disorders that has been validated in perinatal populations in Malawi with this cut point to identify probable perinatal depression Exclusion Criteria: * Suicidal ideation evaluated as acute risk. * Other health concerns requiring emergent response.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
5 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Area 18 Health Center
NOT_YET_RECRUITINGLilongwe, Malawi
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Area 25 Health Center
RECRUITINGLilongwe, Malawi
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Bwaila Hospital
RECRUITINGLilongwe, Malawi
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Kawale Health Center
RECRUITINGLilongwe, Malawi
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Likuni Mission Hosptial
RECRUITINGLilongwe, Malawi
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Can a nudge toward healthy habits boost an online depression and anxiety program?
- Can a simple bottle help turn the tide on HIV?