Using interactive SMS support groups to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission in South Africa

Although advances have been made in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, social and psychological factors associated with learning of an HIV diagnosis and living with HIV during pregnancy can impact medication adherence and health outcomes. Mobile technology can increase social support; however, it is unclear if such technology can be used to provide social support to reduce negative psychological outcomes. This study analysed the feasibility of conducting a multi-way interactive SMS-based support group with HIV-positive women in the PMTCT programme in clinics of Tshwane, South Africa. We studied the types of social support women received through using this mobile technology to address personal, interpersonal and social barriers to PMTCT adherence. We analysed the social and psychological content of SMS messages sent between seven HIV-positive pregnant women participating in a 12-week interactive support group. We conducted a qualitative, thematic analysis of the 734 text messages. Five social/psychological themes emerged: appraisal and emotional support, informational support, spiritual support, acceptance and disclosure of HIV status, and gratefulness for the support group, suggesting benefits of the interactive SMS-based support group. This interactive support model can provide social support and information to pregnant women living with HIV, leading to a reduction in isolation and negative psychological outcomes which could promote positive health outcomes

Interpersonal communication · Psychiatry · Qualitative research · Social support · Support group · Thematic analysis · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Clinical Psychology · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Mobile Health and mHealth Applications · Psychology · Social Psychology

• Using interactive SMS support groups to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission in South Africa

  Open Access•Cindy A Crusto, Samantha Pittenger et al.•SAHARA-J Journal of Social…•2025

  Incluir item

• Theoretical Approaches to Individual-Level Change in HIV Risk Behavior

  Jeffrey D Fisher, William A Fisher•Handbook of HIV Prevention•2000

  Incluir item

• Exercise of personal and collective efficacy in changing societies

  Open Access•Albert Bandura•Self-Efficacy in Changing Societies•1995

  Incluir item

• Systematic review on what works, what does not work and why of implementation of mobile health (mHealth) projects in Africa

  Open Access•Clara B Aranda-Jan, Neo Mohutsiwa-Dibe et al.•BMC Public Health•2014

  Incluir item

• A Systematic Review of Individual and Contextual Factors Affecting ART Initiation, Adherence, and Retention for HIV-Infected Pregnant and Postpartum Women

  Open Access•Ian Hodgson, Mary L Plummer et al.•PLoS ONE•2014

  Incluir item

• An information-motivation-behavioral skills model of adherence to antiretroviral therapy.

  Jeffrey D Fisher, William A Fisher et al.•Health Psychology•2006

  Incluir item

• A longitudinal evaluation of a social support model of medication adherence among HIV-positive men and women on antiretroviral therapy.

  Jane M Simoni, Pamela A Frick et al.•Health Psychology•2006

  Incluir item

• Prevalence and psychosocial correlates of suicidal ideation among pregnant women living with HIV in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

  Violeta J Rodríguez, Ryan Cook et al.•AIDS Care•2017

  Incluir item

• Rigor in Qualitative Social Work Research

  Amanda Smith Barusch, A Barusch et al.•Social Work Research•2011

  Incluir item

• On the virgin cleansing myth

  Suzanne Leclerc‐madlala•African Journal of AIDS Research•2002

  Incluir item

• Understanding Patterns of Social Support and Their Relationship to an ART Adherence Intervention Among Adults in Rural Southwestern Uganda

  Open Access•Esther C Atukunda, Angella Musiimenta et al.•AIDS and Behavior•2016

  Incluir item

• Social Support, Stigma and Antenatal Depression Among HIV-Infected Pregnant Women in South Africa

  Open Access•Kirsty Brittain, Claude Ann Mellins et al.•AIDS and Behavior•2016

  Incluir item

• Support Group Processes

  Jonathan Mundell, Maretha Visser et al.•Qualitative Research in Psychology•2012

  Incluir item

• Using interactive SMS support groups to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission in South Africa

  Open Access•Cindy A Crusto, Samantha Pittenger et al.•SAHARA-J Journal of Social…•2025

  Incluir item

• Development of structured support groups for HIV-positive women in South Africa

  Open Access•Maretha Visser, Jonathan Mundell et al.•SAHARA-J Journal of Social…•2005

  Incluir item