The effectiveness of psychoeducation and problem-solving on depression and treatment adherence in adolescents living with HIV in Botswana: an exploratory clinical trial.

Background: This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of psychological interventions (PI): psychoeducation, problem-solving, and rehearsal strategies on depression and adherence in HIV-infected adolescents in Botswana.

Methods: Fifty adolescents living with HIV were randomized into control (n = 25) and intervention groups (n = 25), the latter being exposed to five weeks of PI sessions. The PHQ-9 and visual analog scale (VAS) were used to measure the outcomes: depression and adherence at pre-intervention, 5- and 24 weeks post-intervention.