Mindfulness-integrated reproductive health package for adolescents with parental HIV infection: a group-randomized controlled trial

We assessed the effect of a mindfulness-integrated reproductive health (Mind-RH) intervention on knowledge on RH among adolescents with parental HIV and determined their associated factors. A group-randomized controlled trial was conducted among adolescents aged 10–16 years with HIV-infected parent(s) using Mind-RH intervention package. Four selected townships were randomized into two study townships and two control townships. Knowledge on RH and evaluation of mindfulness practice by mindfulness-based self-efficacy scale-revised were assessed at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. Multivariate multilevel regression was used to identify influencing factors of RH knowledge. A total of 160 adolescents (80 per group) were included. A significant improvement of mindfulness scores at 3 months was found overall and sustained at 6 months (p < 0.01). Univariate analysis showed significantly higher knowledge scores in the intervention group than in the control group at 3 and 6 months (p < 0.001). After adjusting for family type, age and HIV status of the adolescents, RH knowledge scores increased at 3 and 6 months in both groups, but at a higher rate at 3 months for adolescents in the intervention group. Early adolescents, HIV negative adolescents and those from extended families had lower knowledge scores (p < 0.01). The Mind-RH package significantly improved knowledge and mindfulness of adolescents with parental HIV. Longer follow-up is required to evaluate the long-term impact of this intervention.