Using a mobile health app to improve maternal health care in Uganda
Official title: Integration of a patient-centered mobile health intervention (Support-Moms) into routine antenatal care to improve maternal health in Uganda
Funded at Mbarara University/science/ Technology · NIH-10919594 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a helpful app called Support-Moms that sends messages and reminders to pregnant women in Uganda to make sure they get the care they need during their pregnancies, with the goal of improving health for both moms and babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mbarara University/science/ Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Mbarara, Uganda) |
| Project start | September 5, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $473,653 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD111692-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10919594 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women in rural Uganda who have limited access to antenatal care services.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who have access to comprehensive antenatal care services may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on integrating a mobile health intervention called Support-Moms into routine antenatal care in Uganda. The app aims to empower pregnant women by providing them with health-related information and reminders about their appointments through SMS and audio messages. By enhancing communication and support, the intervention seeks to increase the use of antenatal care services and skilled births, ultimately improving maternal and perinatal health outcomes. The study will assess the effectiveness and feasibility of this approach in rural settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce maternal and perinatal mortality rates in Uganda by improving access to and utilization of antenatal care services.
How similar studies have gone: Previous pilot studies have shown promise for mobile health interventions in improving health outcomes, but this specific approach in sub-Saharan Africa is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Mbarara University/science/ Technology
Mbarara, Uganda Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Atukunda, Esther Cathyln — Mbarara University/science/ Technology
- Study coordinator: Atukunda, Esther Cathyln
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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.