Can text messages and small rewards stop drinking in pregnancy?
NCT ID NCT07828275
First seen Sep 18, 2026 · Last updated Sep 18, 2026
Summary
Researchers are testing a behavioral program that sends supportive text messages and offers small rewards to pregnant women who test positive for alcohol, tobacco, or cannabis use in South Africa. The program aims to reduce substance use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, which could lower the risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and other infant health problems. Participants meet with staff monthly for urine tests and receive incentives when their tests show no substance use. The trial compares this program with usual care referrals to see if it improves birth outcomes.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- A behavioral program that combines text-message support with small rewards for staying substance-free
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could give communities a low-cost way to help pregnant women stop using alcohol and other substances, which may prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and improve infant health.
- What could go wrong
- The trial is mid-stage and runs in one region of South Africa, so results may not apply elsewhere. Text support and incentives may not be enough to change deeply rooted habits, and some participants may drop out.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
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About 184 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Feb 2027
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Jun 2029
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * (1) be pregnant, (2) intend to breastfeed, (3) test positive for alcohol use by urinalysis (i.e., EtG), (4) test positive for tobacco or cannabis use by urinalysis (i.e., cotinine and THC), (5) have an independent access to a mobile phone, (6) plan to remain in the area during pregnancy and 3 months postpartum. Exclusion Criteria: * Report serious medical problems threatening their current pregnancy or current suicidal thoughts or attempts in the past month.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa