Mobile Health Education and Support for New Mothers
Effectiveness of an mHealth Interactive Education and Social Support Intervention for Improving Postnatal Health
This project explores if a mobile health program can help new mothers in India stay connected with care and support after childbirth.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11093439 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many new mothers in India, especially in rural areas, find it hard to get the postpartum care they need due to various challenges. This project uses a mobile program called MeSSSSage, which offers education and support through group audio calls led by nurse-midwives and a text chat group. The program begins in late pregnancy and continues weekly for six months after birth, helping mothers connect with healthcare providers and a virtual community. We want to see if this approach can improve health for mothers and babies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are pregnant Indian women, particularly those in peri-urban and rural areas, who may face difficulties accessing traditional postpartum care.
Not a fit: Patients outside of India or those not experiencing barriers to postpartum care may not directly benefit from this specific program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly improve maternal and infant health outcomes by ensuring more mothers receive essential postpartum care and support.
How similar studies have performed: Pilot results for this specific MeSSSSage program indicated high acceptability and feasibility, suggesting preliminary effectiveness.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: El Ayadi, Alison M — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: El Ayadi, Alison M
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.