Two-way SMS support for newborn care with community health volunteers in Western Kenya
CHV-NEO: Community-based Digital Communication to Support Neonatal Health
This project will test whether daily automated and interactive SMS messages linking new mothers to community health volunteers can help mothers spot newborn danger signs and get timely help in Western Kenya.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 3000 (estimated) |
| Ages | 14 Years and up |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | University of Washington Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Kisumu) |
| Trial ID | NCT05187897 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This cluster-randomized trial integrates an interactive SMS program (Mobile WACh Neo) into the existing digital community health toolkit used by Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) in Western Kenya. Enrolled pregnant women receive daily, theory-based messages after delivery that guide recognition of neonatal danger signs and enable real-time texting with a health worker for triage and support. The intervention is delivered alongside routine CHV home visits and is intended to augment CHV workflow rather than replace in-person care. Outcomes focus on timely care-seeking, neonatal health events, and feasibility of embedding SMS communication into CHV digital systems.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Pregnant women 26–36 weeks gestation who have daily access to a mobile phone (own or shared), are willing to receive and respond to SMS in English, Kiswahili, or Luo (or have household help), are aged 14 or older, receive antenatal care at a participating facility, and plan to remain in the area for at least three months postpartum.
Not a fit: People without reliable phone access, those unwilling or unable to receive/read SMS and without someone to help, or those already enrolled in a conflicting study are unlikely to benefit from this SMS-based intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help mothers identify newborn danger signs earlier and obtain faster guidance and referrals, potentially reducing neonatal deaths.
How similar studies have performed: Related two-way SMS programs (including prior Mobile WACh work) have shown promise for maternal and newborn communication and care engagement, though integrating such systems directly into CHV digital workflows is a newer approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Pregnant * 26-36 weeks gestation * Daily access to a mobile phone (own or shared) * Willing to receive SMS * Age ≥14 years * Able to read and respond to text messages in English, Kiswahili or Luo, or have someone in the household who can help * Receiving antenatal care at study facility * Plan to be in the area for at least 3 months postpartum Exclusion Criteria: * participating in another study * previously participated in this study
Where this trial is running
Kisumu
- Kenyatta National Hospital — Kisumu, Kenya (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Keshet Ronen, MPH, PhD — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Lincoln Pothan
- Email: lpothan@uw.edu
- Phone: +1-206-685-4363
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.