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Supporting mothers and babies in Lakes District

Year:
2019
Duration:
47 months
Approved budget:
$249,958.80
Researchers:
Dr Rosie Dobson
Health issue:
Child and youth (healthy) development
Proposal type:
Health Delivery Emerging Researcher First Grant
Lay summary
Pregnancy and the postnatal period present a key opportunity to improve maternal health and future child health particularly for Māori, who compared to non-Māori, have lower rates of childhood immunisation, lower rates of breastfeeding, and higher rates of childhood obesity. This project will use a culturally tailored maternal and child health programme delivered via text messaging to reach priority populations in the Lakes DHB region and improve health outcomes. By utilising low cost and widely accessible technology the programme has potential to reach people that other interventions can’t including people living remotely and those in areas of high deprivation. A mixed-methods evaluation will assess the effectiveness, reach, adoption, and implementation of the programme.