title: Project Masihambisane: a cluster randomised controlled trial with peer mentors to improve outcomes for pregnant mothers living with HIV.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pregnant women living with HIV (WLH) face daily challenges maintaining their own and their babies' health and mental health. Standard Prevention of Maternal to Child Transmission (PMTCT) programs are not designed to address these challenges.
  
  
  METHODS
  As part of a cluster randomized controlled trial, WLH are invited to attend four antenatal and four postnatal small group sessions led by a peer WLH (a Peer Mentor). The WLH and their babies are assessed during pregnancy and at one week, six months, and twelve months post-birth. Mobile phones are used to collect routine information, complete questionnaires and remain in contact with participants over time. Pregnant WLH (N = 1200) are randomly assigned by clinic (N = 8 clinics) to an intervention program, called Masihambisane (n = 4 clinics, n = 600 WLH) or a standard care PMTCT control condition (n = 4 clinics; n = 600 WLH).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data collection with cellular phones are innovative and effective in low-resource settings. Standard PMTCT programs are not designed to address the daily challenges faced by WLH; Peer Mentors may be useful in supporting WLH to cope with these challenges.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov registration # NCT00972699.
authors.affiliation: Global Center for Children and Families, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA. rotheram@ucla.edu
authors.forename: Mary-Jane
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Rotheram-Borus
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Rooyen
authors.forename: Alastair
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: van Heerden
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tomlinson
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stein
authors.forename: Tamsen
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rochat
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Kadt
authors.forename: Nonhle
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mtungwa
authors.forename: Lungile
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mkhize
authors.forename: Lindo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ndlovu
authors.forename: Lungile
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ntombela
authors.forename: W Scott
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Comulada
authors.forename: Katherine A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Desmond
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Greco
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D040421:Cell Phone; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy* / Q000635:transmission; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008427:Maternal Health Services; D008611:Mentors; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010379:Peer Group; D011181:Postnatal Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012107:Research Design; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents