Phone-based education and support groups to improve postnatal health
Effectiveness of an mHealth Interactive Education and Social Support Intervention for Improving Postnatal Health
A phone-led group education and support program for pregnant and new mothers in India to help with breastfeeding, postpartum care, and newborn health.
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-11373387 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be invited in late pregnancy and join a provider-moderated group that holds 26 audio education and support sessions led by nurse-midwives (two prenatal sessions and weekly postpartum sessions through six months), plus an ongoing text chat group. The program connects women to providers, encourages timely in-person care when needed, and builds virtual social support to reduce postpartum isolation. In a randomized trial, about 2100 perinatal women will be assigned to this intervention or to standard care so outcomes like exclusive breastfeeding and contraceptive needs can be compared. The intervention was pilot-tested locally and will now be tested at larger scale in peri-urban and rural Indian communities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Pregnant women in India recruited late in pregnancy—especially those living in peri-urban or rural areas with limited access to in-person postpartum services—are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Women without reliable phone access, who cannot use the intervention language, or who already receive intensive in-person postpartum support may not get benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help more mothers breastfeed exclusively, access postpartum contraception and care, and feel less isolated after birth.
How similar studies have performed: A small pilot showed high acceptability and preliminary benefits, and similar mobile support programs have helped some mothers in comparable settings though results vary by context.
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.