Burnt Forest

Researchers are evaluating an enhanced Mentor Mother MM strategy designed to support pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV WLHIV at Burnt Forest Sub-District Hospital in Kenya. This hybrid implementation-effectiveness study aims to test whether this risk-based, differentiated prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV PMTCT care model can be successfully delivered and improve health outcomes for mothers and their infants. The study will also compare outcomes at the study site with those at other clinics using standard MM services. The enhanced MM strategy involves trained peer supporters who use structured risk assessments at each clinical visit to identify women at higher risk for poor PMTCT outcomes based on factors like HIV viremia, stigma, non-disclosure, and socioeconomic challenges. Mentor Mothers then provide tailored support, such as counseling, resource linkage, or increased follow-up, while women without identified risks receive less intensive care. This approach is integrated into routine antenatal and postnatal clinic visits over a 15-month implementation period. Participants will meet with Mentor Mothers during their regular PMTCT clinic visits, where maternal and infant risks are assessed and individualized support is offered. Researchers will monitor how well the strategy is implemented, its acceptability, and feasibility using checklists, activity logs, audits, surveys, and focus groups. Key outcomes include maternal retention in care, viral suppression, infant HIV testing uptake, and prevention of HIV transmission to infants. Data will be collected before and after implementation and compared with other clinics. Overall participation may last up to 15 months with ongoing monitoring.