Mundell, Jonathan PeterVisser, M.J. (Maretha Johanna)Makin, J.D. (Jennifer Dianne)Kershaw, Trace S.Forsyth, Brian William CameronJeffery, BridgetSikkema, Kathleen J.2012-04-122012-04-122011-08Mundell, JP, Visser, MJ, Makin, JD, Kershaw, TS, Forsyth, BWC, Jeffery, B & Sikkema, KJ 2011, 'The impact of structured support groups for pregnant South African women recently diagnosed HIV positive', Women & Health, vol. 51, no. 6, pp. 546-565.0363-0242 (print)1541-0331 (online)10.1080/03630242.2011.606356http://hdl.handle.net/2263/18551The authors of this study evaluated a structured 10-session psy- chosocial support group intervention for newly HIV-diagnosed pregnant South African women. Participants were expected to display increases in HIV disclosure, self-esteem, active coping and positive social support, and decreases in depression, avoidant coping, and negative social support. Three hundred sixty-one pregnant HIV-infected women were recruited from four antenatal clinics in Tshwane townships from April 2005 to September 2006. Using a quasi-experimental design, assessments were conducted at baseline and two and eight months post-intervention. A series of random effects regression analyses were conducted, with the three assessment points treated as a random effect of time. At both follow-ups, the rate of disclosure in the intervention group was significantly higher than that of the comparison group (p < 0.001). Compared to the comparison group at the first follow-up, the intervention group displayed higher levels of active coping (t = 2.68, p < 0.05) and lower levels of avoidant coping (t = -2.02, p < 0.05), and those who attended at least half of the intervention sessions exhibited improved self-esteem (t = 2.11, p < 0.05). Group interventions tailored for newly HIV positive pregnant women, implemented in resource-limited settings, may accelerate the process of adjusting to one’s HIV status, but may not have sustainable benefits over time.en© Taylor & Francis Group, LLCHIV/AIDSMental healthPregnancyPsychosocialSocial supportAdaptationAdultAvoidance learningCase-control studiesFemaleFollow-up studiesHealth resourcesHIV seropositivityHumansPovertyPregnancy complicationsRegression analysisSelf conceptSelf disclosureSelf-help groupsSocial supportSouth AfricaYoung adultAIDS (Disease)Support (Domestic relations)Pregnancy -- ComplicationsPostprint Article