Participant experiences with a text message and contingency management intervention for alcohol use during pregnancy and lactation in Cape Town, South Africa

Abstract Background The Western Cape region of South Africa has one of the highest global rates of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), underscoring the urgent need for effective interventions. This qualitative study, designed as a process evaluation, explores pregnant and lactating participants’...

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Main Authors: Lesley-Ann Erasmus-Claassen, Noluthando Mpisane, Petal Petersen Williams, Felicia A. Browne, Bronwyn Myers, Wendee M. Wechsberg, Charles D. H. Parry, Shantae N. Taylor, Yukiko Washio
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:Addiction Science & Clinical Practice
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-025-00594-7
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author Lesley-Ann Erasmus-Claassen
Noluthando Mpisane
Petal Petersen Williams
Felicia A. Browne
Bronwyn Myers
Wendee M. Wechsberg
Charles D. H. Parry
Shantae N. Taylor
Yukiko Washio
author_facet Lesley-Ann Erasmus-Claassen
Noluthando Mpisane
Petal Petersen Williams
Felicia A. Browne
Bronwyn Myers
Wendee M. Wechsberg
Charles D. H. Parry
Shantae N. Taylor
Yukiko Washio
author_sort Lesley-Ann Erasmus-Claassen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The Western Cape region of South Africa has one of the highest global rates of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), underscoring the urgent need for effective interventions. This qualitative study, designed as a process evaluation, explores pregnant and lactating participants’ perceptions and experiences of a text message and contingency management (CM) intervention. Methods The study involved post-intervention interviews with 10 pregnant participants and 10 post-partum lactating participants. Coding and a thematic analysis approach were applied to the collected data using NVivo 12. Results Participants identified key factors influencing their engagement in the intervention. Participants faced logistical barriers, but supportive social networks and flexible program components encouraged participation. Increased self-efficacy and external accountability also facilitated behavior change. Furthermore, participants suggested improvements for accessibility and tailored support, highlighting important considerations for future interventions. Conclusion The findings highlighted the potential benefits of the intervention in improving individuals’ health behaviors. However, logistical barriers and the need for expanded support services were identified, emphasizing the importance of refining intervention strategies in resource-limited settings. Clinical trial registration: NCT05319977.
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language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher BMC
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series Addiction Science & Clinical Practice
spelling doaj-art-ec7f242d776b4ca183a4c071d2fe4ef32025-08-20T03:46:25ZengBMCAddiction Science & Clinical Practice1940-06402025-07-012011910.1186/s13722-025-00594-7Participant experiences with a text message and contingency management intervention for alcohol use during pregnancy and lactation in Cape Town, South AfricaLesley-Ann Erasmus-Claassen0Noluthando Mpisane1Petal Petersen Williams2Felicia A. Browne3Bronwyn Myers4Wendee M. Wechsberg5Charles D. H. Parry6Shantae N. Taylor7Yukiko Washio8Mental Health, Alcohol, Substance Use and Tobacco Research Unit, South African Medical Research CouncilMental Health, Alcohol, Substance Use and Tobacco Research Unit, South African Medical Research CouncilMental Health, Alcohol, Substance Use and Tobacco Research Unit, South African Medical Research CouncilSubstance Use, Gender and Applied Research, RTI InternationalMental Health, Alcohol, Substance Use and Tobacco Research Unit, South African Medical Research CouncilSubstance Use, Gender and Applied Research, RTI InternationalMental Health, Alcohol, Substance Use and Tobacco Research Unit, South African Medical Research CouncilSubstance Use, Gender and Applied Research, RTI InternationalSubstance Use, Gender and Applied Research, RTI InternationalAbstract Background The Western Cape region of South Africa has one of the highest global rates of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), underscoring the urgent need for effective interventions. This qualitative study, designed as a process evaluation, explores pregnant and lactating participants’ perceptions and experiences of a text message and contingency management (CM) intervention. Methods The study involved post-intervention interviews with 10 pregnant participants and 10 post-partum lactating participants. Coding and a thematic analysis approach were applied to the collected data using NVivo 12. Results Participants identified key factors influencing their engagement in the intervention. Participants faced logistical barriers, but supportive social networks and flexible program components encouraged participation. Increased self-efficacy and external accountability also facilitated behavior change. Furthermore, participants suggested improvements for accessibility and tailored support, highlighting important considerations for future interventions. Conclusion The findings highlighted the potential benefits of the intervention in improving individuals’ health behaviors. However, logistical barriers and the need for expanded support services were identified, emphasizing the importance of refining intervention strategies in resource-limited settings. Clinical trial registration: NCT05319977.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-025-00594-7Prenatal alcohol useFetal alcohol spectrum disordersContingency managementText messagingMaternal health
spellingShingle Lesley-Ann Erasmus-Claassen
Noluthando Mpisane
Petal Petersen Williams
Felicia A. Browne
Bronwyn Myers
Wendee M. Wechsberg
Charles D. H. Parry
Shantae N. Taylor
Yukiko Washio
Participant experiences with a text message and contingency management intervention for alcohol use during pregnancy and lactation in Cape Town, South Africa
Addiction Science & Clinical Practice
Prenatal alcohol use
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
Contingency management
Text messaging
Maternal health
title Participant experiences with a text message and contingency management intervention for alcohol use during pregnancy and lactation in Cape Town, South Africa
title_full Participant experiences with a text message and contingency management intervention for alcohol use during pregnancy and lactation in Cape Town, South Africa
title_fullStr Participant experiences with a text message and contingency management intervention for alcohol use during pregnancy and lactation in Cape Town, South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Participant experiences with a text message and contingency management intervention for alcohol use during pregnancy and lactation in Cape Town, South Africa
title_short Participant experiences with a text message and contingency management intervention for alcohol use during pregnancy and lactation in Cape Town, South Africa
title_sort participant experiences with a text message and contingency management intervention for alcohol use during pregnancy and lactation in cape town south africa
topic Prenatal alcohol use
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
Contingency management
Text messaging
Maternal health
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13722-025-00594-7
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