The central hypothesis of this study is that women living with HIV in heterosexual couples that have better relationship functioning and more social support will have greater odds of achieving optimal health during and after pregnancy. The study further hypothesizes that the couples-based intervention will improve interpersonal dynamics, such as communication, and in intrapersonal factors, such as women's mental health, which will mediate intervention effects on HIV care and treatment outcomes. The study will test the hypotheses through two specific aims: (1) compare service utilization and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) outcome indicators in two study conditions; and (2) establish the effect of the intervention on intra- and inter-personal mechanisms influencing outcomes.
The objective of this study is to test the preliminary efficacy of a novel couples' counseling intervention to promote the health of pregnant women living with HIV in Lusaka, Zambia.