Mentor Moms+ peer support to reduce alcohol use and HIV risk in pregnant and breastfeeding people in South Africa
A community-based adaptation of a peer-led intervention to address alcohol use and HIV risk in pregnant women in South Africa (Mentor Moms+)
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 ID | NIH-11387163 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: 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.
Not a fit: 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.
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 performed: 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
Los Angeles, United States
- 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
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 below.