Case Study Hero: MomConnect

MomConnect

Using interactive mobile messaging to improve maternal health in South Africa

  • Created a programme to reduce mother-to-child transmission of HIV
  • Partnered with Johnson & Johnson and the National Department of Health in South Africa
  • Delivered targeted information for expectant and new mums via mobile technology

THE CHALLENGE

Preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV with a targeted programme of SMS messages.

MomConnect is an SMS messaging programme for pregnant women and new mums in South Africa. It was set up by the National Department of Health in South Africa, in partnership with Johnson & Johnson. Thrive designed and created the MomConnect content.

Almost a third of pregnant women in South Africa live with HIV+. The National Department of Health wanted to expand MomConnect to this group, to educate them about preventing infection in their babies.

OUR SOLUTION

Like the original MomConnect messaging, Thrive knew it was important to build and emotional connection with the mothers. Many women in South Africa only find out their HIV status when they attend the antenatal clinic for the first time, which is an incredibly frightening experience. With so much stigma still associated with the virus, it was essential to build trust with the women receiving the messages.

Here’s how we did it:

  • Our team of researchers ran focus groups talking to mothers with HIV+ to gain a thorough understanding of their lives.
  • We recruited local medical advisers who helped us identify key issues and concerns.
  • We visited hospitals, clinics, and homes to review local facilities.
  • Our behaviour change team used the focus group findings, plus desk research, to identify the barriers to and motivators of behaviour.
  • We created the messaging programmes and advised on translation to local languages.
  • We piloted the messages and iterated based on feedback before going live.

THE RESULTS

An analysis of MomConnect published in the BMJ found that: “women, especially first-time mothers, felt that they had a lot to learn and drew support and confidence from the messages.”

The report also observed that: “the knowledge of those who composed the messages appeared to contribute to the success.”

Just after the launch, Thrive’s Director, Daphne Metland, spoke to one mother with HIV+ who had received the MomConnect messages. Living far from her family and without a partner she had very little support. But she said the messages helped: “They made me feel someone cares.”

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