Publications by authors named "Chipo Chitambi"

Background: Unhealthy alcohol use is an unaddressed barrier to achieving and maintaining control of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. Integrated screening, treatment of common behavioral and mental health comorbidities, and telemedicine can improve alcohol treatment and HIV clinical and quality of life outcomes for rural and underserved populations.

Objective: In a randomized controlled clinical trial, we will evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of telephone-delivered Common Elements Treatment Approach (T-CETA), a transdiagnostic cognitive behavioral therapy protocol, on unhealthy alcohol use, HIV, other substance use and mental health outcomes among predominantly rural adults with HIV receiving care at community clinics in Alabama.

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Background: Clinical and quality of life outcomes in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) are undermined by unhealthy alcohol use (UAU), which is highly prevalent in this population and is often complicated by mental health (MH) or other substance use (SU) comorbidity. In sub-Saharan Africa, evidence-based and implementable treatment options for people with HIV and UAU are needed.

Methods: We are conducting a hybrid clinical effectiveness-implementation trial at three public-sector HIV clinics in Lusaka, Zambia.

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Background: This study evaluated the test characteristics of brief versions of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), the AUDIT-C and AUDIT-3, compared to the full AUDIT in populations with heavy drinking living in Zambia and compared differences in effect size estimates when using brief versions in clinical trials.

Methods: Data were obtained from two randomized trials of the Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA) for reducing unhealthy alcohol use among adult couples and people living with HIV (PLWH) in Zambia. The full AUDIT was administered to participants at baseline and at 6- or 12-month follow-up.

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This randomized controlled trial tested the efficacy of a multi-session, evidence-based, lay counselor-delivered transdiagnostic therapy, the Common Elements Treatment Approach (CETA), in reducing unhealthy alcohol use and comorbidities among persons living with HIV (PLWH) in Zambia. Adult PLWH with (a) unhealthy alcohol use plus mental health or substance use comorbidities, or (b) severe unhealthy alcohol use were randomized to receive a single-session alcohol brief intervention (BI) alone or BI plus referral to CETA. Outcomes were measured at baseline and a 6-month follow-up and included Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score (primary), depression and trauma symptoms, and other substance use (secondary).

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Aims: Prevalence of unhealthy alcohol use and co-occurring mental health problems is high among persons living with HIV (PLWH) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Yet, there is a dearth of evidence-based treatment options that can address both unhealthy alcohol use and comorbidities in SSA HIV care settings. Recent studies testing single-session alcohol brief interventions (BIs) among PLWH in SSA have suggested that more robust treatments are needed.

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