AI SMS Enhances Breastfeeding in Lagos, Nigeria

Published Date : 17/07/2025 

Nigeria faces one of the highest child mortality rates globally, with 111 deaths per 1000 live births. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) is crucial for infant survival, but EBF rates in Nigeria remain low at 29%. This study evaluates the effectiveness of Mwana, an AI-powered SMS-based app, in enhancing breastfeeding outcomes for postpartum mothers in Lagos, Nigeria. 

Nigeria has one of the highest child mortality rates globally, with 111 deaths per 1000 live births. Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) improves infant survival by providing essential nutrients and antibodies that protect against infections and diseases. Despite its benefits, EBF rates in Nigeria remain low at 29%, largely due to limited health care support and breastfeeding guidance. With the proliferation of mobile phones in Nigeria, mobile health (mHealth) interventions are being explored as scalable solutions. SMS text messaging interventions have demonstrated success in delivering behavioral interventions; yet, few use artificial intelligence (AI) for personalized breastfeeding support.

Mwana, an AI-powered SMS-based app, was developed to address these challenges. The app aims to provide personalized breastfeeding support to postpartum mothers in Lagos, Nigeria. Mwana was developed using TextIt for SMS integration and Meta's Wit.ai for natural language processing (NLP). The chatbot offers personalized tips, addresses common breastfeeding challenges, and connects users to human agents when necessary.

The intervention was piloted with 216 postpartum mothers recruited through local health care networks. The study used a mixed methods approach, combining structured surveys and observations to assess participant experiences at multiple intervals over a 6-month period. Primary outcomes measured were app usability, usefulness, and breastfeeding adherence.

The results were promising, with high scores for both usefulness (mean 4.01, SD 1.41) and usability (mean 3.92, SD 1.35) on a 5-point scale. A significant majority of respondents, 57% (118/206), rated the chatbot's usefulness at the highest score of 5. Qualitative feedback highlighted areas for improvement, including enhancing AI comprehension, response times, and human-like interaction.

The study highlights the potential of Mwana to improve breastfeeding outcomes in resource-limited settings. By leveraging personalized messaging, SMS-based delivery, and language localization, Mwana offers a scalable, accessible solution. However, challenges remain in AI comprehension, and further research is necessary to evaluate Mwana's effectiveness among populations not actively engaged with health care services. Future iterations will expand AI training datasets, refine NLP capabilities, and scale to broader populations.

In conclusion, Mwana demonstrates the potential of AI-powered SMS interventions to enhance breastfeeding outcomes in Nigeria. The app's personalized and accessible approach makes it a valuable tool in improving maternal and child health in resource-limited settings. Further research and development will continue to refine and expand the app's capabilities to better serve the needs of postpartum mothers and their infants. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the primary goal of the Mwana app?

A: The primary goal of the Mwana app is to improve breastfeeding outcomes for postpartum mothers in Lagos, Nigeria, by providing personalized support and guidance through AI-powered SMS messages.

Q: How was the Mwana app developed?

A: Mwana was developed using TextIt for SMS integration and Meta's Wit.ai for natural language processing (NLP). The chatbot offers personalized tips, addresses common breastfeeding challenges, and connects users to human agents when necessary.

Q: What were the key findings of the study?

A: The study found that the Mwana app was well-received, with high scores for both usefulness and usability. A majority of respondents rated the chatbot's usefulness at the highest score of 5.

Q: What are the challenges identified in the study?

A: The study identified challenges in AI comprehension, response times, and human-like interaction. These areas need further improvement to enhance the effectiveness of the app.

Q: What are the future plans for Mwana?

A: Future plans for Mwana include expanding AI training datasets, refining natural language processing capabilities, and scaling the app to broader populations to better serve the needs of postpartum mothers and their infants. 

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