Implementation of a Collaborative Care Model to Manage Depression Among Adolescents and Young Adults in HIV Services in Thailand

Implementation of a Collaborative Care Model to Screen and Treat Depression Among Adolescents and Young Adults Ages 15-24 Years Seeking HIV Treatment and Prevention Services in Bangkok, Thailand

This study aims to investigate the acceptability and feasibility of the implementation of a collaborative care model (CCM) to screen and treat depression. This model will includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and useof a task-shifting model to address depression among adolescents and young adults (AYA) who are seeking HIV treatment and prevention services at a hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Analyses will be guided by the consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR), which will include the identification of facilitators and barriers to implementation of this CCM.

In the last 3 years, 10-20% of AYA patients at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KCMH) who seek HIV treatment or prevention services suffer from mental health disorders. As a result, CCM integration for depression screening and treatment was implemented at the 'CU Buddy Clinic' KCMH with the ultimate goal of increasing access to and engagement in mental healthcare with a goal to improve the overall quality of life for Thai AYA. This project will inform a future implementation science study that will focus on how the optimization of integrated mental healthcare into routine AYA HIV treatment and prevention services can impact health outcomes for patients, including ART adherence and long-term viral suppression (AYA living with HIV) and HIV acquisition risk behaviors and PrEP adherence (AYA at risk for HIV).

AYA patients at the CU Buddy Clinic (for both quantitative and qualitative study)

Inclusion criteria

• Aged 15-24 years of age
• Starting or currently receiving HIV treatment and prevention services, which includes any individual or combination receipt of the following services: ART, PrEP, HIV testing, receipt of condoms, HIV risk counselling
• Thai Nationality

Exclusion criteria

• Individuals with a history of, or are currently receiving, mental healthcare at the CU psychiatric clinic or elsewhere

Service providers at CU Buddy Clinic

Inclusion criteria

• Current staff providing care at the CU Buddy Clinic with any active patient interface, such as physicians, nurses, peer navigators, psychologists and psychiatrists

Exclusion criteria

• Staff with less than 3 months duration of service at the CU Buddy Clinic
• Staff who are not affiliated with the CU Buddy Clinic