Insaka: mobile phone support groups for adolescent pregnant women living with HIV

Abstract

Background Mobile phone-based interventions have been demonstrated in different settings to overcome barriers to accessing critical psychosocial support. In this study, we aimed to assess the acceptability and feasibility of a phone-based, peer-to-peer support group intervention for adolescent pregnant women aged 15–24 years living with HIV in Zambia. Methods Sixty-one consenting participants were recruited from Antenatal Clinics of two large urban communities in Lusaka. They were invited to participate in the mobile phone-based intervention that allowed them to anonymously communicate in a small group led by a facilitator for 4 months. A mixed methods approach was used to assess acceptability and feasibility, including a focus group discussion, pre- and post-intervention interview and analysis of the content of the text message data generated. Results Participants reported finding the platform “not hard to use” and enjoyed the anonymity of the groups. Seventy-one percent of participants (n = 43) participated in the groups, meaning they sent text messages to their groups. Approximately 12,000 text messages were sent by participants (an average of 169 messages/user and 6 mentors in 6 groups. Topics discussed were related to social support and relationships, stigma, HIV knowledge and medication adherence. Conclusion The study showed that the intervention was acceptable and feasible, and highlighted the potential of the model for overcoming existing barriers to provision of psychosocial support to this population.

Effects of mHealth on the psychosocial health of pregnant women and mothers: a systematic review

“…Self-efficacy outcomes were assessed in 16 studies 37 41 42 46 48 49 51 53 54 57 58 64 66 69 71 78. Seven studies found positive effects, two studies had mixed findings and seven studies found no significant effect (GRADE certainty of evidence: low).…”

“…Ten studies reported on the roles of mHealth in social support from other sources (eg, family, friends and online community) 37 38 41 43 56 67 69 74 78 79. Six studies found a positive effect, while three reported mixed findings and one study reported no significant effect (GRADE certainty of evidence: low).…”

“…64 65 A few studies among the seven qualitative studies [66][67][68][69][70][71][72] lacked information on the positionality of researchers and potential bias may have risen due to the recruitment strategy. Seven mixedmethods study [73][74][75][76][77][78][79] also did not provide any information on confounding. Furthermore, online supplemental file 7 shows the results of the GRADE certainty of evidence assessment.…”

The Impact of Technology on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Needs

“…Text messaging was recommended to provide family planning information to adolescent and young adult women in Sierra Leone [ 16 ]. In Zambia, the Insake mobile phone app provided support to pregnant women living with HIV [ 17 ]. An average of 169 text messages were sent per user.…”

Correction to: Insaka: mobile phone support groups for adolescent pregnant women living with HIV

“…Following publication of the original article [ 1 ], the authors identified an error in the affiliations of Nikita Simpson.…”