Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 28, 2026

Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression

Design and Implementation of an fMRI Study Examining Thought Suppression in Young Women with, and At-risk, for Depression

Published on: May 19, 2015

A trauma-informed substance use and sexual risk reduction intervention for young South African women: a mixed-methods

Bronwyn Myers^1,2, Tara Carney^1,2, Felicia A Browne³

¹Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drug Research Unit, South African medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa.

|February 21, 2019

Objectives:

Sexual and physical trauma and substance use are intersecting risks for HIV among young women. This study assesses the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effects of a novel trauma-informed substance use and sexual risk reduction intervention for young South African women.

Design:

A single arm feasibility test and qualitative interviews of participants.

Participants:

Sixty women, between 18 and 25 years of age, who reported trauma exposure, substance use and recent condom-less sex were recruited. Twenty participants were randomly selected for qualitative interviews.

Intervention:

A six-session group-based intervention.

Main Outcome Measures:

We examined the proportion of women who provided consent, completed counselling and were retained in the study. Qualitative interviews explored intervention acceptability. Preliminary effects of the intervention on substance use, mental health (depression, psychological distress and trauma symptoms) and sexual risk outcomes (STI symptoms, number of partners and condomless sex) were explored.

Results:

Of the 66 eligible women, 91% were enrolled. Intervention completion rates were low; 35% attended all sessions. On average, participants attended four sessions (M=3.8, SD=1.3). A 93% follow-up rate was achieved at the 3-month endpoint. In this single group design, reductions in the proportion of participants who tested positive for methamphetamine, cannabis and methaqualone were observed at the 3-month endpoint. Symptoms of depression, psychological distress and trauma; number of STI symptoms; and number of sexual partners also decreased. Outcomes were similar for participants who completed up to four and those who completed five or more sessions. Participants thought the intervention was highly beneficial and proposed modifications to enhance acceptability.

Conclusions:

This novel intervention seems acceptable and holds potential benefits for trauma-exposed women who use substances. Truncating the intervention may enhance the likelihood of its implementation. The efficacy of the intervention for improving substance use, sexual risk and mental health outcomes requires testing in a controlled design.

Keywords:

gender low-and-middle-income country mental health sexual risk substance use

More Related Videos

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting

Published on: January 12, 2018

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

Related Concept Videos

Nursing Interventions I: Taxonomy of Nursing Interventions

Nursing Interventions I: Taxonomy of Nursing Interventions

Nursing interventions are chosen as part of the planning process to achieve patient outcomes. Once nursing diagnoses are determined, the goals and outcomes are specified, then the nursing interventions are selected and individualized according to the patient's situation.
A nursing intervention is a treatment or action based on scientific concepts and knowledge from the nursing, behavioral, and physical sciences. Identifying and prioritizing nursing interventions based on the desired outcome...

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases transmitted primarily through unsafe sexual interactions. Bacteria, viruses, or parasites cause them and can result in severe health complications if untreated.ChlamydiaThe bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for the disease Chlamydia, the most common STI in the United States. This peculiar pathogen requires human cells to reproduce, residing intracellularly. The initial infection often goes unnoticed because it typically does not...

Nursing Interventions II: Selecting and Classifying the Nursing Interventions

Nursing Interventions II: Selecting and Classifying the Nursing Interventions

Creating and executing a nursing diagnosis helps nurses plan care and guide patient, family, and community interventions. They are developed based on a patient's physical evaluation and support measuring the outcomes. It is not recommended to select random interventions throughout the planning process. Instead, consider the following six essential factors when choosing interventions:

Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

Oxidation–Reduction Reactions

Deleterious Substances in Aggregate

Deleterious Substances in Aggregate

Deleterious substances in aggregates can be detrimental to the quality and durability of concrete. These substances include organic impurities like loam, which interfere with cement hydration and are usually present in the sand. These prevent a good bond between aggregate and cement paste. Organic impurities can be detected using the colorimetric test, where the darkness of a solution after agitation indicates the level of organic content.
Another type of impurity is clay and fine material that...

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Outcomes from a Multilevel Cluster-Randomized Trial Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Tshwane, South Africa.

AIDS and behavior·2026

"I know now I'm not really alone": Qualitative insights from children, parents and caregivers of unguided internet cognitive behavior therapy for grief in children.

Death studies·2026

The Transition to Mental Health Services From the Perspectives of Neurodivergent Young People, Caregivers and Mental Health Professionals: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Approach.

Journal of autism and developmental disorders·2026

Feasibility of Using Wearables to Monitor Physical Activity and Sleep During Substance Use Disorder Treatment: Insights From a Longitudinal Study.

Substance use & addiction journal·2026

A Stepped Care, Peer-Delivered Intervention to Improve Substance Use and HIV Medication Adherence in Primary Care in South Africa (Project Khanya): Protocol for a Hybrid Type 2 Effectiveness-Implementation Randomized Controlled Trial.

JMIR research protocols·2026

Evaluating the effects of a multi-level intervention on young women's contraceptive use: sexual and reproductive health results of a cluster-randomised factorial-design study in Tshwane, South Africa.

Sexual and reproductive health matters·2026

See all related articles