Mentor Moms+ Study

The syndemic of alcohol use and HIV risk in pregnant and lactating people (PLP) threatens the health of mother, fetus, children and families in South Africa. PLP living with HIV who use alcohol may access antiretroviral therapy (ART) late or disengage with ART care, increasing the risk of vertical HIV transmission. PLP not living with HIV who use alcohol are at increased risk of HIV and may require targeted interventions to receive pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) delivery and adherence counselling. Alcohol use also increases risk of HIV acquisition and poor ART adherence. The "mentor mother" (MM) intervention model is an evidence-based intervention (EBI) with demonstrated success in improving HIV and antenatal care outcomes. The model utilizes a task-shifting approach; positive deviant peers (mothers) deliver interventions to PLP within and outside of the antenatal clinic.

Our study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of MM+ on reduction of alcohol use (primary outcome) and PrEP use (in PLP without HIV) and ART adherence (in PLP living with HIV) (secondary outcomes) in a pilot randomized control trial (RCT) in n=100 pregnant women who currently use alcohol. Primary outcome: Reduced alcohol use following the intervention (at 6m via phosphatidylethanol [PEth] levels). Secondary outcomes: PrEP and ART continued use at 6 months via urine tenofovir levels at 6 months.

Inclusion criteria

• • ≥ 16 years;

• Pregnancy confirmed;
• reported alcohol use during pregnancy (in last 2 months);
• lives within 20 kilometers of the study facility;
• able and willing to consent to study participation.

Exclusion criteria

• Individuals not meeting the above criteria will be excluded.