Mobile support to help women living with HIV plan pregnancy and contraception
Mobile WACh Empower: Mobile solutions to empower reproductive life planning for women living with HIV
This project uses two-way text messaging to give women living with HIV personalized reproductive health information and support for contraception or safe conception.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11399632 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would receive tailored messages and be able to text back questions to trained counselors about contraception, antiretroviral interactions, and planning pregnancy. The program is delivered alongside routine HIV care at participating clinics and is designed to reduce the burden on busy providers. Researchers will track outcomes like contraceptive continuation, unintended pregnancies, and steps taken for safer conception. The intervention is focused on settings in sub-Saharan Africa and requires regular mobile phone access.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women living with HIV of reproductive age who are receiving HIV care and have regular access to a mobile phone would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without reliable mobile phone access, those outside the program’s geographic region, or those who are not of reproductive age are unlikely to benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could lower unintended pregnancies, support safer conception, and help prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission.
How similar studies have performed: Two-way SMS programs have previously helped with HIV medication adherence and clinic engagement, but combining interactive messaging with comprehensive reproductive life planning is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Drake, Alison L — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Drake, Alison L
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.