Aging & Social Change: Fifteenth Interdisciplinary Conference

Abstract

GOGOcare addresses a critical gap in maternal and child health interventions in South aAfrica by recognising the vital role of grandmothers who raise over 4 million children. By providing grandmothers with best practice maternal and child health information using appropriate and culturally sensitive resources and fostering supportive networks, GOGcare aims to enhance maternal and child health outcomes. The GOGcare intervention is a collaboration with a South African programme, Flourish Grow Great, currently offering community-based perinatal support and information classes to pregnant women and mothers. Following formative research to identify areas of maternal and child health interest conducted with ten grandmothers living with grandchildren under three years or pregnant daughters/ granddaughters, the flourish curriculum was adapted for grandmothers based on the findings. topics of interest included nutrition, health, changes in pregnancy, exclusive breastfeeding, mental health support and the importance of play. Monitoring and evaluation data were collected through interviews at baseline and upon completion of the sessions. Grandmothers want to participate positively in pregnancy and childcare. Grandmothers attending sessions have expressed strong support for the programme and embraced the opportunity to participate and learn. Results from the pilot include increased maternal and child health knowledge among grandmothers leading to improved care and support for new families and enhanced health outcomes for the babies, mothers and grandmothers. Grandmothers play a vital role in child health. Providing grandmothers with information on best practices in maternal and child health is likely to improve maternal and child health.