HealthyMaman focuses on improving antenatal care attendance in Mali through SMS-based interventions and related maternal-health support strategies.
The project responds to a major public-health challenge. Regular antenatal visits are crucial for maternal and neonatal outcomes, yet attendance remains uneven, and avoidable complications continue to contribute to maternal and perinatal mortality. HealthyMaman explores how mobile communication can help bridge that gap in a practical and context-sensitive way.
The current phase of the study, launched in 2024, is supported through early-career funding linked to the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and the National Institute for Health and Care Research. Its immediate aim is to document the feasibility of designing a scalable SMS-based intervention for antenatal care in Mali.
Project aims
- Improve attendance at antenatal appointments through timely SMS reminders.
- Share essential health information related to pregnancy, nutrition, and maternal care.
- Strengthen supportive links between pregnant women and healthcare providers.
Current phase
The work has included literature review, local engagement with health professionals, and workshop-based discussions with women and specialists to understand preferred message content, communication rhythms, and practical constraints. That process is meant to inform an intervention that is both usable and scalable.
This project sits at the intersection of public health, digital communication, and implementation research in a low-resource setting.