Addressing common mental health disorders among incarcerated people living with HIV: insights from implementation science for service integration and delivery

Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Smith, Helene J;Topp, Stephanie M.;Hoffmann, Christopher J.;Ndlovu, Thulani;Charalambous, Salome;Murray, Laura;Kane, Jeremy;Sikazwe, Izukanje;Muyoyeta, Monde;Herce, Michael E.
Abstract

Purpose: Despite evidence of disproportionate burden of HIV and mental health disorders among incarcerated people, scarce services exist to address common mental health disorders, including major depressive and anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders, among incarcerated people living with HIV (PLHIV) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This paper aims to summarize current knowledge on mental health interventions of relevance to incarcerated PLHIV and apply implementation science theory to highlight strategies and approaches to deliver mental health services for PLHIV in correctional settings in SSA. Recent Findings: Scarce evidence-based mental health interventions have been rigorously evaluated among incarcerated PLHIV in SSA. Emerging evidence from low- and middle-income countries and correctional settings outside SSA point to a role for cognitive behavioral therapy-based talking and group interventions implemented using task-shifting strategies involving lay health workers and peer educators. Summary: Several mental health interventions and implementation strategies hold promise for addressing common mental health disorders among incarcerated PLHIV in SSA. However, to deliver these approaches, there must first be pragmatic efforts to build corrections health system capacity, address human rights abuses that exacerbate HIV and mental health, and re-conceptualize mental health services as integral to quality HIV service delivery and universal access to primary healthcare for all incarcerated people.

Journal

Current HIV/AIDS Reports

Publication Name

N/A

Volume

17

ISBN/ISSN

1548-3576

Edition

N/A

Issue

5

Pages Count

12

Location

N/A

Publisher

Springer

Publisher Url

N/A

Publisher Location

N/A

Publish Date

N/A

Url

N/A

Date

N/A

EISSN

N/A

DOI

10.1007/s11904-020-00518-x