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

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · Feb 18, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is investigating a new way to help caregivers monitor and improve the nutrition of young children who are either infected with HIV or at risk of infection in Kenya. The study is testing a two-way text-message system that sends helpful information about feeding and child health to caregivers. By using this system, researchers hope to see if it can reduce the number of children who become malnourished, help those who are malnourished recover faster, and lower the number of hospital visits or severe cases of malnutrition.

To participate, children must be between 6 to 24 months old and have a specific arm measurement indicating they are not currently malnourished. Caregivers should be able to read or write, have access to a mobile phone, and be willing to return for follow-up visits. About 600 caregiver-child pairs will be involved, with some receiving the text-message support and others receiving standard care. Caregivers in the study can expect to respond to weekly messages, learn about child feeding, and attend check-up visits at the clinic over six months. This trial aims to not only improve child nutrition but also enhance caregivers' knowledge and confidence in seeking healthcare when needed.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria (HIV-exposed caregiver-child pairs):
• • Children aged 6 to 24 months all-inclusive with a MUAC ≥ 12.5cm at the date of recruitment
• • Children living with HIV or HIV-exposed uninfected children seen as outpatients in early infant detection (EID) or HIV-care clinics at the participating hospitals
• • The child's caregiver is willing and able to provide informed consent
• • The child's caregiver can read or write or has someone to help them read or write
• • The child's caregiver is planning to remain in the catchment area with their child for \> 6 months and willing to return to the health facility for 6-month follow up visits
• • The child's caregiver has access to a Safaricom phone line and provides a mobile phone number
• Inclusion Criteria (healthcare workers):
• • - Healthcare workers working in Homa Bay and Migori County Referral Hospitals, who have contact with pediatric inpatients
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Children with moderate or severe wasting (MUAC \<12.5cm, weight-for-height z-score \<-2, or nutritional edema) at the time of eligibility screening
• • Children with a congenital condition that limit feeding or syndromes that prevents age-appropriate feeding
• • Child is enrolled in another study that the PI judges to compromise the aims of this study
• • Child's caregiver does not pass the second training after being unable to satisfactorily complete the first MUAC training.
• • Child's caregiver is under the age of 18 years.