Theory of change to develop a health and well-being complex intervention for people with HIV.

INTRODUCTION

There is a high prevalence of poor mental health among people with HIV, intersecting with structural inequalities, stigma and co-morbidities. A new person-centred approach to care that utilises health coaching to prioritise health and well-being and connects people to existing sources of support or voluntary sector organisations (social prescribing) could benefit people with HIV.

METHODS

Theory of Change (ToC) methodology was used to develop a health coaching and social prescribing intervention for people with HIV. Two successive ToC workshops were held in September 2023 with a multi-disciplinary group of 39 stakeholders from across the HIV sector.

RESULTS

The two workshops resulted in a TOC map which specified the components and intended outcomes of the intervention, identified the target population of people with HIV for the intervention, identified training requirements for healthcare staff and developed process indicators for monitoring and evaluation of the intervention.

CONCLUSION

The ToC method enabled stakeholders with broad-ranging experience, skills and perspectives concerning the mental health and well-being among people with HIV, to co-develop an appropriate which is being evaluated in the "Psychosocial intervention for people Living with HIV: Evidence from a Randomised Evaluation (SPHERE)" trial across eight HIV clinics in England in 2025.