Strengthening HIV Care for Pregnant Women in Rural South Africa Through Peer Support: Lessons from the Enable Mentor Mother Programme
1
Enable Mentor Mother Programme, One to One Africa, Cape Town, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2290
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Access to quality healthcare remains a persistent public health challenge in rural areas of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, particularly for pregnant women living with HIV. Inadequate health infrastructure, long travel distances, and socio-economic constraints limit consistent engagement in HIV care and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services. To address these barriers, One to One Africa implemented the Enable Mentor Mother Programme, a community-based peer support intervention designed to improve maternal and HIV-related health outcomes.
METHODS:
Since 2016, the programme has trained and deployed local women as Mentor Mothers to deliver integrated HIV, PMTCT, and maternal and child health services through home visits, health education, adherence support, psychosocial counselling, and referrals to health facilities. Mentor Mothers work in collaboration with traditional leaders to mobilise households, uphold cultural norms, and facilitate acceptance of HIV-related services. A complementary Male Engagement initiative, introduced in 2022, expanded the programme to include dialogues with male partners on HIV prevention, treatment adherence, positive fatherhood, shared caregiving, and gender-based violence.
RESULTS:
Lessons learnt from program implementation included: Embedding the programme within traditional governance structures improved community acceptance, participation, and retention in care. Traditional leaders enhanced the credibility of Mentor Mothers and supported ethical, culturally aligned programme delivery. Engaging men alongside women strengthened household support for HIV disclosure, care-seeking, and adherence. Mentor Mothers from the areas in which they work fostered empathy, cultural resonance, and improved follow-up, contributing to reduced loss to care and stronger maternal and HIV outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS:
The Enable Mentor Mother Programme highlights the critical role of peer support in addressing health system gaps and improving HIV-related outcomes among pregnant women in rural communities. Scaling and further integrating peer support models within PMTCT and maternal health services could enhance equity, continuity of care, and long-term public health impact.
Access to quality healthcare remains a persistent public health challenge in rural areas of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, particularly for pregnant women living with HIV. Inadequate health infrastructure, long travel distances, and socio-economic constraints limit consistent engagement in HIV care and prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services. To address these barriers, One to One Africa implemented the Enable Mentor Mother Programme, a community-based peer support intervention designed to improve maternal and HIV-related health outcomes.
METHODS:
Since 2016, the programme has trained and deployed local women as Mentor Mothers to deliver integrated HIV, PMTCT, and maternal and child health services through home visits, health education, adherence support, psychosocial counselling, and referrals to health facilities. Mentor Mothers work in collaboration with traditional leaders to mobilise households, uphold cultural norms, and facilitate acceptance of HIV-related services. A complementary Male Engagement initiative, introduced in 2022, expanded the programme to include dialogues with male partners on HIV prevention, treatment adherence, positive fatherhood, shared caregiving, and gender-based violence.
RESULTS:
Lessons learnt from program implementation included: Embedding the programme within traditional governance structures improved community acceptance, participation, and retention in care. Traditional leaders enhanced the credibility of Mentor Mothers and supported ethical, culturally aligned programme delivery. Engaging men alongside women strengthened household support for HIV disclosure, care-seeking, and adherence. Mentor Mothers from the areas in which they work fostered empathy, cultural resonance, and improved follow-up, contributing to reduced loss to care and stronger maternal and HIV outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS:
The Enable Mentor Mother Programme highlights the critical role of peer support in addressing health system gaps and improving HIV-related outcomes among pregnant women in rural communities. Scaling and further integrating peer support models within PMTCT and maternal health services could enhance equity, continuity of care, and long-term public health impact.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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