Mentor Moms+ peer support to reduce alcohol use and HIV risk in pregnant and breastfeeding people in South Africa
Official title: A community-based adaptation of a peer-led intervention to address alcohol use and HIV risk in pregnant women in South Africa (Mentor Moms+)
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-11387163 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will adapt a peer mentor program to help pregnant and breastfeeding people in South Africa cut down on alcohol use and get timely HIV prevention and treatment support.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $91,447 |
| NIH project number | 3R34AA030942-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11387163 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant or breastfeeding people in the participating South African communities who report alcohol use, whether they are living with HIV or at risk for HIV, are the intended participants.
✕Less likely to help
People who are not pregnant or breastfeeding, who do not use alcohol, or who live outside the study communities are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
What this research studies
Community partners and researchers will work together to adapt the proven Mentor Mother peer model so trained local mothers can support pregnant and breastfeeding people who use alcohol. The team will gather views from clinic staff, mentor mothers, and pregnant people through interviews and focus groups to shape the intervention. They will then pilot the adapted Mentor Moms+ program in the community to see if peer-delivered sessions, counseling for alcohol reduction, and links to ART/PrEP services are feasible and acceptable. If invited, I could meet with a mentor mother for counseling, referrals, and ongoing support during pregnancy and postpartum.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, Mentor Moms+ could help pregnant and breastfeeding people reduce alcohol use, improve uptake and adherence to ART or PrEP, and lower the chance of HIV transmission to babies.
How similar studies have gone: The Mentor Mother model has demonstrated success improving HIV and antenatal outcomes, but using it specifically to address alcohol use during pregnancy is a newer adaptation being piloted.
Where this research is happening
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University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Joseph Davey, Dvora Leah — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Joseph Davey, Dvora Leah
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Mentor Moms+: a community-led plan to cut alcohol use and HIV risk during pregnancy in South Africa
A community-based program adapts a trusted peer-led model to help pregnant and lactating people reduce alcohol use and HIV risk in South Africa.
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Mentor Moms+: community-led support to reduce alcohol use and HIV risk for pregnant people in South Africa
A community-based program uses trained mentor mothers to help pregnant and breastfeeding people who use alcohol reduce risk for HIV and improve care in South Africa.
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Peer mentor support to reduce drinking and HIV risk during pregnancy in South Africa
This project offers a peer-mentor program to help pregnant and breastfeeding people who drink alcohol reduce drinking and stay connected to HIV prevention or treatment services in South Africa.
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Helping pregnant women in South Africa reduce alcohol use and HIV risk
This study is all about helping pregnant and new moms in South Africa who are dealing with alcohol use and the risk of HIV; it uses support from other experienced moms to encourage healthier choices and connect them with important health services.
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Biomarkers to detect recent heavy drinking in veterans
A doctor-scientist team is testing blood biomarkers to better identify recent excessive alcohol use in veterans so clinicians can screen, counsel, and care for those at risk.
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Understanding how heavy drinking and anxiety relate in emerging adults
This grant studies how heavy alcohol use and anxiety symptoms interact in young adults (ages 18–34) and what biological stress markers might reveal about that relationship.
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.