Psychological interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder in people living with HIV in resource poor settings: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE: Posttraumatic stress disorder is pervasive in low and middle-income countries. There is evidence to suggest that posttraumatic stress disorder is more common among people living with HIV than non-infected matched controls. We carried out a systematic review of interventions for adult posttraumatic stress disorder from resource poor settings with a focus on people living with HIV. METHODS: We included all studies that investigated interventions for adult posttraumatic stress disorder from resource poor settings with a focus on interventions that were either randomized controlled trials or observational cohort studies carried out from 1980 to May 2015. RESULTS: Of the 25 articles that were identified for full review, 2 independent reviewers identified 7 studies that met our study inclusion criteria. All randomised controlled trials (n=6) used cognitive behavioral therapy-based interventions and focused on people living with HIV in resource poor settings. There was only one study focusing on the use of lay counselors to address posttraumatic stress disorder but core competencies were not described. There were no intervention studies from Africa, only an observational cohort study from Rwanda. CONCLUSION: Rigorously evaluated interventions for adult posttraumatic stress disorder in people living with HIV are rare. Most were undertaken in resource poor settings located in high-income countries. There is a need for research on the development and implementation of appropriate interventions for posttraumatic stress disorder in people living with HIV in low and middle-income countries.

• Population(s)
  • General HIV+ population
• Mental Health
  • Psychiatric disorders