Mapping Psychosocial Interventions for Mental Health and Well-Being Among Pregnant Women Living with HIV: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND

Pregnant women living with HIV are at increased risk of depression, anxiety, stigma, gender-based violence, and poor engagement in prevention of mother-to-child transmission services. Psychosocial interventions are increasingly used to complement routine maternal and HIV care, yet evidence remains fragmented across intervention types, settings, and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review aimed to map psychosocial interventions designed to improve mental health and well-being among pregnant women living with HIV.

METHODS

This scoping review followed the Arksey and O'Malley framework, refined by Levac et al, and was reported according to the PRISMA-ScR guideline. PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL were searched for English-language experimental and quasi-experimental studies published from January 2010 to March 2025. Eligible studies focused on non-pharmacological psychosocial interventions for pregnant or perinatal women living with HIV. Data were extracted using a standardized form and synthesized narratively.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Interventions included problem-solving therapy, cognitive-behavioral approaches, peer-mentor and structured support groups, empowerment-based interventions for gender-based violence, community-based counseling, and integrated maternal mental health-parenting programs. Many interventions used task-shifting, peer or lay providers, culturally adapted content, and delivery through clinics, home visits, groups, telephone support, or hybrid formats. Reported benefits included reduced depressive symptoms, improved coping, self-efficacy, disclosure, social support, ART retention, viral suppression, and selected infant growth outcomes. However, findings varied across studies, and some benefits declined over longer follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Psychosocial interventions show promise for improving mental health, well-being, and HIV care engagement among pregnant women living with HIV. The evidence supports integrating culturally adapted psychosocial support into antenatal and PMTCT services, particularly alongside mental health screening during routine maternal care. Future studies should use stronger designs, longer follow-up, implementation evaluation, and context-sensitive approaches involving partners and families where safe and appropriate.