HIV treatment and postpartum weight help after birth in South Africa
Official title: HIV Viral suppression and prevention of postpartum weight retention in South Africa: A Pilot trial
Funded at Hartford Hospital · NIH-11625634 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small, patient-friendly study is testing a lay health worker–led program to support postpartum women living with HIV in staying on ART and managing weight.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Hartford Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hartford, United States) |
| Project start | September 14, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $129,170 |
| NIH project number | 3R34MH135761-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11625634 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Postpartum women living with HIV who recently gave birth and are at risk of disengagement from care and weight-management challenges.
✕Less likely to help
Women without HIV or those not in the postpartum period are not the target for this intervention.
What this research studies
This project focuses on new mothers with HIV who may struggle to stay adherent to HIV medicines after giving birth and who may worry about weight gain. A lay health worker will deliver a tailored intervention in a multicenter, pilot format to support ART adherence and address HIV-related weight concerns. The aim is to develop and refine practical strategies that fit the local context and improve health outcomes for both mother and baby. Participation would involve engaging with trained community workers and following the intervention over the study period.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could improve HIV treatment adherence after delivery and help manage weight, reducing risks for future health problems.
How similar studies have gone: Pilot work in similar settings suggests lay health worker interventions can support ART adherence and weight management, though context-specific tailoring is needed here.
Where this research is happening
-
Hartford Hospital
Hartford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pellowski, Jennifer Ann — Hartford Hospital
- Study coordinator: Pellowski, Jennifer Ann
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.