Talk-based support for depression in pregnant women with HIV in Malawi
Tests Enhanced Friendship Bench for depression in pregnant women living with HIV.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Enhanced Problem-solving Therapy and HIV Engagement Support to Improve Perinatal Mental Health & HIV Outcomes in Malawi
Key facts
- Where
- Lilongwe, MalawiSee the 5 sites
AI summary: who the study is looking for
From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.
The trial is looking for pregnant women with HIV who have signs of depression and attend antenatal care at one of 5 sites in Malawi.
- Age
- 18 years or older
- Sex
- Women only
- Disease stage
- Up to 34 weeks of pregnancy. Elevated depressive symptoms, with an EPDS score of 10 or more.
- Earlier treatment
- Starting, restarting, or already on ART (HIV treatment) during this pregnancy.
- Biomarker or test result
- HIV-positive, based on medical records.
Main reasons for not taking part
- Suicidal thoughts judged to be an acute risk
- Other health concerns that need an emergency response
Read by machine on 9 November 2026.
Where in Malawi
- Area 18 Health CenterLilongwe, MalawiNot yet recruiting
- Area 25 Health CenterLilongwe, MalawiTaking people
- Bwaila HospitalLilongwe, MalawiTaking people
- Kawale Health CenterLilongwe, MalawiTaking people
- Likuni Mission HosptialLilongwe, MalawiTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorTrial details
- Who runs it
- University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
- Trial code
- NCT06702722
- Record updated
- 29 April 2026
- Original description
The main objective of the proposed study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Enhanced Friendship Bench intervention to improve perinatal depression, HIV care engagement, and infant health outcomes among pregnant women with HIV and depression in Malawi.Read full original descriptionShow less
Enhanced Problem-solving Therapy and HIV Engagement Support to Improve Perinatal Mental Health and HIV Outcomes in Malawi: A Randomized Controlled Trial
The main objective of the proposed study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the Enhanced Friendship Bench intervention to improve perinatal depression, HIV care engagement, and infant health outcomes among pregnant women with HIV and depression in Malawi.
Inclusion: 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: Suicidal ideation evaluated as acute risk; Other health concerns requiring emergent response.