Depression Screening Rates Increase in HIV Primary Care Study

Trial results for a study investigating computerized screening and behavioral treatment for substance use and depression in HIV primary care were posted on ClinicalTrials.gov on 2025-10-07. The study observed an increase in mental health and substance use screening rates from 2008 participants pre-implementation to 2379 participants post-implementation.

Background

Substance use disorders (SUDs), depression, and anxiety are common among HIV-infected patients and can lead to poorer HIV outcomes. These conditions are often unrecognized and undertreated within routine HIV primary care settings. Addressing these co-occurring issues is crucial for improving the overall health and well-being of individuals living with HIV.

Trial design

This completed study, with an enrollment of 10821 participants, examined the implementation and effectiveness of a clinical intervention. The conditions investigated included Substance Use Disorders, HIV, Depression, and Anxiety. The intervention involved self-administered tablet-based SUD and depression screening at routine HIV primary care clinic visits, followed by evidence-based treatments for SUD, anxiety, and depression delivered by a behavioral health specialist. The trial phase was not applicable (NA).

Key results

The study reported on changes in screening and treatment rates:

• Change in Mental Health and Substance Use Screening Rates:
  • Pre-implementation: 2008 participants
  • Post-implementation: 2379 participants
• Treatment Rate:
  • For a specific measurement:
    • Pre-implementation: 375 participants
    • Post-implementation (Clinical): 83 participants
    • Post-implementation (Survey): 194 participants
  • For another specific measurement:
    • Pre-implementation: 261 participants
    • Post-implementation (Clinical): 50 participants
    • Post-implementation (Survey): 127 participants
  • For a third specific measurement:
    • Pre-implementation: 136 participants
    • Post-implementation (Clinical): 26 participants
    • Post-implementation (Survey): 75 participants
  • For a fourth specific measurement:
    • Pre-implementation: 91 participants

  What this means

  The observed increase in mental health and substance use screening rates from 2008 to 2379 participants post-implementation suggests that the tablet-based screening intervention effectively improved the identification of these conditions in HIV primary care. This enhanced screening is a critical first step in addressing the often-unrecognized mental health and substance use challenges faced by HIV-infected patients. While the treatment rates varied across different measurements and groups (clinical vs. survey), the overall intervention aimed to connect patients with evidence-based treatments following screening, which has potential to reduce related problems and improve HIV outcomes.

  Source

  The information for these trial results was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a public database of clinical studies. The results for the study NCT03217058, titled "Computerized Substance Use and Depression Screening and Behavioral Treatment in HIV Primary Care", were posted on 2025-10-07 on clinicaltrials.gov.