Improving care for low birth weight infants in resource-limited areas
Official title: Enhancing the Survival of Low Birth Weight Infants in Low Resource Settings using an Implementation Science Approach
Funded at University of South Carolina at Columbia · NIH-10951866 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how Kangaroo Care—holding your baby skin-to-skin and breastfeeding—can help low birth weight babies thrive, especially by supporting moms in continuing this practice at home, even when resources are limited.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project start | August 13, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $222,499 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD116063-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10951866 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are mothers of low birth weight infants, particularly in low-resource settings.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who may not benefit from this research include those with infants who are not classified as low birth weight or those in high-resource settings.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the survival of low birth weight infants by implementing Kangaroo Care, which involves skin-to-skin contact and exclusive breastfeeding. The study aims to address barriers that prevent mothers from continuing this practice at home, particularly in low-resource settings. By providing emotional and informational support, as well as essential care items, the research seeks to empower families to improve the health outcomes of their infants. The approach is grounded in the Information, Motivation, and Behavior model to ensure effective implementation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the survival rates and health outcomes of low birth weight infants in underserved communities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that Kangaroo Care is effective in improving outcomes for low birth weight infants, making this approach both tested and promising.
Where this research is happening
-
University of South Carolina at Columbia
Columbia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kanyangarara, Mufaro — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Kanyangarara, Mufaro
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Improving colorectal cancer screening and follow-up care.
This study is working to help more people get screened for colorectal cancer and receive the follow-up care they need, especially those who haven't been screened much before, so that everyone can have better access to important health checks and improve their overall health.
-
Making HIV prevention and care easier for Ugandan youth
A Ugandan study is testing ways to help adolescents and young adults (15–24) prevent HIV and stay healthy, using long-acting PrEP and youth-friendly services.
-
Innovative HIV Prevention and Care Interventions for Adolescents and Young Adults in Uganda
A Ugandan research team is testing practical, youth-focused strategies to help 15-24 year-olds using HIV prevention or treatment services stay healthy and engaged in care.
-
How Poverty and the Environment Affect Heart Disease in Haiti and Beyond
This grant studies how poverty-related factors like food insecurity, stress, and pollution contribute to heart disease and aims to follow a large group of adults to better understand and prevent the disease.
-
Resilient HIV Implementation for LGBTQ Youth in Africa and Beyond
A program to help young people ages 15–24 who are at risk for or living with HIV, especially sexual and gender minority youths, access better HIV prevention and care through real-world health practice improvements.
-
Regional hub to speed up ending HIV with practical science
A regional collaboration will translate proven HIV interventions into real-world practice to reduce new infections across priority areas.
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.