GOGOcare: co-creating positive maternal and child health outcomes with third-generation caregivers
1
goGOGOgo, Johannesburg, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2340
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The first 1000 days of life are critical to a child’s long-term development, yet caregiver interventions often overlook grandmothers, locally known as gogos, in maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes. In South Africa, nearly 8 million children aged 0-17 are being raised in 3.4 million grandparent-headed households, with 64.5% of these households headed by grandmothers (1). Even in triple-generation households where a parent is present, economic pressures - from unemployment, labour migration and hours-long commutes - increase the role of grandmothers in childcare. GOGOcare works with grandmothers who are third-generation caregivers to support positive MCH outcomes for pregnant girls/women and children aged 0-2.
METHODS:
GOGOcare uses weekly facilitated workshops to share current MCH practices with grandmothers, supporting their role as key decision-makers in multigenerational families. Workshop materials have been adapted from the Flourish curriculum to be relevant to grandmothers. Split across 20 sessions in 10 weeks, the curriculum covers antenatal care (ANC), newborn nutrition, early childhood development (ECD), maternal mental health, household budgeting, sensory play, exclusive breastfeeding and healthcare services.
RESULTS:
30 grandmothers completed the pilot programme in July 2024, with 60 more set to participate in the 2026 cycle. Findings from the pilot demonstrated: - Increased support for the recommended six-month exclusive breastfeeding period. - Improved knowledge of newborn nutrition, food preparation and dietary guidelines. - Enhanced awareness and recognition of mental health issues in mothers and grandmothers. - Strengthened intergenerational communication between grandmothers and their granddaughters through post-session knowledge sharing and discussion. - Strengthened household engagement on sexual reproductive health and family planning. - Enhanced education on child immunisation.
CONCLUSIONS:
Support through the first 1000 days is critical for both newborns and their mothers. During this vulnerable period, grandmothers have the potential to influence MCH outcomes by facilitating access to healthcare and co-creating environments for positive growth.
The first 1000 days of life are critical to a child’s long-term development, yet caregiver interventions often overlook grandmothers, locally known as gogos, in maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes. In South Africa, nearly 8 million children aged 0-17 are being raised in 3.4 million grandparent-headed households, with 64.5% of these households headed by grandmothers (1). Even in triple-generation households where a parent is present, economic pressures - from unemployment, labour migration and hours-long commutes - increase the role of grandmothers in childcare. GOGOcare works with grandmothers who are third-generation caregivers to support positive MCH outcomes for pregnant girls/women and children aged 0-2.
METHODS:
GOGOcare uses weekly facilitated workshops to share current MCH practices with grandmothers, supporting their role as key decision-makers in multigenerational families. Workshop materials have been adapted from the Flourish curriculum to be relevant to grandmothers. Split across 20 sessions in 10 weeks, the curriculum covers antenatal care (ANC), newborn nutrition, early childhood development (ECD), maternal mental health, household budgeting, sensory play, exclusive breastfeeding and healthcare services.
RESULTS:
30 grandmothers completed the pilot programme in July 2024, with 60 more set to participate in the 2026 cycle. Findings from the pilot demonstrated: - Increased support for the recommended six-month exclusive breastfeeding period. - Improved knowledge of newborn nutrition, food preparation and dietary guidelines. - Enhanced awareness and recognition of mental health issues in mothers and grandmothers. - Strengthened intergenerational communication between grandmothers and their granddaughters through post-session knowledge sharing and discussion. - Strengthened household engagement on sexual reproductive health and family planning. - Enhanced education on child immunisation.
CONCLUSIONS:
Support through the first 1000 days is critical for both newborns and their mothers. During this vulnerable period, grandmothers have the potential to influence MCH outcomes by facilitating access to healthcare and co-creating environments for positive growth.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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