What is the MAMMS IYCF study testing for malnutrition in HIV-exposed children?

This study is testing a two-way SMS system that supports caregivers in monitoring and improving their child's nutrition to reduce malnutrition and related health problems. The University of Washington leads the research to see if this approach helps children recover faster and lowers hospital visits and deaths compared to usual care.

Who may be eligible for this malnutrition clinical trial?

Children aged 6 to 24 months who are HIV-exposed or living with HIV may be eligible, along with their caregivers who can read or have help reading and have access to a Safaricom phone. Children with moderate or severe malnutrition or certain feeding conditions are not eligible. Please review eligibility criteria for more details.

Is there any cost to participate in this malnutrition clinical trial?

Study-related care, including the use of the SMS system and all trial visits, is provided at no cost. However, personal travel expenses to clinic visits may vary and are not guaranteed to be covered by the study.

Actively Recruiting

Phase Not Applicable

Age: 6Months - 24Months

All Genders

Healthy Volunteers

ID06842732

Testing a Two-Way SMS System to Prevent Wasting in HIV-Exposed Children Aged 6 to 24 Months in Kenya

Led by University of Washington · Updated on 2026-06-18

776

Participants Needed

Research Sites

10 weeks

Total Duration

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a two-way text message system called MAMMS IYCF designed to help caregivers of HIV-exposed children aged 6 to 24 months in Kenya monitor and improve their childs nutritional status at home. The study aims to see if this system reduces malnutrition rates, speeds recovery, lowers hospitalizations and deaths, and positively affects caregiver behavior around feeding and healthcare trust. The trial compares this new approach to the standard care following Kenyan national guidelines. Caregiver-child pairs are randomly assigned to either the MAMMS IYCF group or the standard of care group and followed for about six months. In the MAMMS IYCF group, caregivers receive weekly educational messages and are trained to measure their childs arm circumference using MUAC tapes, then report the color outcome via SMS. If a concerning measurement is reported, caregivers are contacted to bring their child for clinical assessment and treatment. The standard care group receives SMS reminders only, with nutritional monitoring and treatment provided during routine clinic visits. Participants attend follow-up visits at 90 and 180 days for medical exams, growth measurements, and surveys on child health and caregiver knowledge. Caregiver experiences with the SMS system are also assessed through questionnaires and interviews. The study tracks outcomes like malnutrition incidence, hospitalizations, deaths, feeding practices, and healthcare trust. All SMS services are free, and caregivers can ask health questions via the messaging system. The total participation lasts around six months with ongoing support and monitoring.

CONDITIONS

Brief Title

A Trial Testing a Two-way SMS Platform to Recognize and Prevent Wasting Among HIV-infected and HIV-exposed Uninfected Children in Kenya

Who Can Participate

Age: 6Months - 24Months

All Genders

Healthy Volunteers

Eligibility Criteria

You may qualify if you...

Children aged 6 to 24 months inclusive with MUAC 12.5 cm or greater at recruitment
Children living with HIV or HIV-exposed uninfected children seen as outpatients in early infant detection or HIV-care clinics
Child's caregiver is willing and able to provide informed consent
Child's caregiver can read or write or has assistance to do so
Child's caregiver plans to stay in the area with the child for more than 6 months and will return for follow-up visits
Child's caregiver has access to a Safaricom phone line and provides a mobile phone number
Healthcare workers working in Homa Bay and Migori County Referral Hospitals who have contact with pediatric inpatients

You will not qualify if you...

Children with moderate or severe wasting (MUAC less than 12.5 cm, weight-for-height z-score below -2, or nutritional edema) at screening
Children with congenital conditions limiting feeding or syndromes preventing age-appropriate feeding
Child enrolled in another study that compromises this study's aims
Child's caregiver fails the second MUAC training after the first training
Child's caregiver is under 18 years old

Research Team

Arianna R Means, PhD

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Testing a Two-Way SMS System to Prevent Wasting in HIV-Exposed Children Aged 6 to 24 Months in Kenya

On this page

AI-Summary

What this Trial Is About

Brief Title

Who Can Participate

Eligibility Criteria

Research Team

Not the Right Trial for You?

On this page

Who Can Participate

Eligibility Criteria