Extreme heat, exclusive breastfeeding and maternal mental health in northern Senegal: a population health intervention research protocol for the SPRINT-Sen study

Introduction: Extreme heat has always been a public health challenge in the Sahel, with growing evidence of its adverse effects on maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH), including mental health. In Senegal’s Matam region, high seasonal temperatures may affect exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practices and maternal mental health through direct effects of heat perceptions and knowledge. SPRINT-Sen aims to co-design, implement, and evaluate a community-based, population health intervention to improve EBF and maternal mental health under a hot and arid climate. Methods: SPRINT-Sen is a population health intervention research (PHIR) study using a quasi-experimental longitudinal design with four independent cross-sectional surveys in an open cohort. The impact evaluation follows a pre–post design using a mixed-method approach for acceptability and process evaluation. Eligible participants are pregnant women and mothers of infants aged 0–12 months. The co-designed intervention will combine (1) EBF promotion adapted to extreme heat conditions; (2) maternal mental health support through promotion and psychosocial activities; and (3) continuous temperature monitoring to inform a heat warning system. The primary outcome is EBF at six months. Secondary outcomes include maternal mental health impacts such as anxiety, stress, and interpersonal conflict. Meteorological and thermal mapping will assess environmental exposure. Results: The study will generate evidence on the mechanisms and implementation of heat-EBF interventions and heat-related mental health impacts among MNCH. Findings will inform efforts to strengthen a heat-resilient health system through community-based solutions. Knowledge transfer will be supported through co-dissemination with stakeholders and integration into maternal health and climate adaptation policies. Conclusions: SPRINT-Sen will provide novel and context-specific evidence on the feasibility, implementation and effectiveness of an integrated intervention addressing both maternal mental health and EBF in the context of extreme heat. The findings will inform adaptation strategies for MNCH programmes and contribute to global discussions on PHIR in Sahelian contexts.