Improving breastfeeding support for African American mothers through a mobile app
Official title: Knowledge and Usage of Lactation using Education and Advice from Support Network (KULEA-NET)
Funded at Benten Technologies, INC. · NIH-10710040 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new mobile app to help African American moms start and keep breastfeeding by offering personalized support and information to overcome common challenges they face.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Benten Technologies, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Manassas, United States) |
| Project start | September 25, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $906,240 |
| NIH project number | 5R44MD016829-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10710040 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are African American mothers who are pregnant or have recently given birth and are interested in breastfeeding.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as African American or who are not interested in breastfeeding may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a mobile health application designed to support African American mothers in initiating and maintaining breastfeeding. It addresses the significant barriers these mothers face, including social, cultural, and informational challenges. By leveraging technology and a support network, the app aims to provide tailored education and advice to improve breastfeeding rates and reduce health disparities. The study builds on previous findings that demonstrated the feasibility and user satisfaction of similar interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to increased breastfeeding rates among African American mothers, improving health outcomes for both mothers and infants.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success in using mobile health interventions to support breastfeeding, indicating a promising approach for this population.
Where this research is happening
-
Benten Technologies, INC.
Manassas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ma, Tony Xuyen — Benten Technologies, INC.
- Study coordinator: Ma, Tony Xuyen
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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.