Group-based parenting sessions (Msingi Bora, Kenya)
Two primary methods for delivering ECD interventions are individual home visits with mothers, or group-based meetings in a primary care or community setting. Although individual home visits can offer personalized feedback, as well as individual support and problem solving, they are often expensive to implement at scale in low-income settings. Group-based models in community or clinic settings may have the potential to be more scalable, in addition to the possible benefits of offering caregivers increased peer support. This study, funded by NICHD, assessed the most effective and cost-effective model of delivery for an integrated stimulation and nutrition intervention to improve parenting practices and child developmental outcomes among families with young children in rural Kenya. With supplementary funding from NICHD, we have implemented “booster” sessions to continue providing support for parents even after the 7-months of group sessions had finished. We are currently analyzing data on the effects of booster sessions.
Findings:
This study in Kenya (protocol ) was a multi-arm cluster randomized controlled trial across 60 villages and 1200 households testing different, potentially cost-effective and scalable models to deliver an ECD intervention in biweekly sessions lasting 7 months. The multi-arm study tested two models of delivery: a group-based model versus a mixed model combining group sessions and found that groups were very effective for delivering support for child development (Lancet Global Health). We are currently examining the effects of father engagement on child development (paper under review).
Publications:
Luoto, J.E., Lopez Garcia, I., Aboud, F., Fernald, L.C.H., Singla, D. Testing Means to Scale Early Childhood Development Interventions in Rural Kenya: The Msingi Bora Study Design and Protocol BMC Public Health (2019) Mar 4;19(1):259.
Luoto, J.E., Lopez Garcia, I., Aboud, F.E., Singla, D.R., Fernald, L.C.H., Pitchik, H.O., Saya, U. Group-based parenting interventions to promote child development in rural Kenya: a randomized effectiveness trial. Lancet Global Health Mar;9(3):e309-e319 (2021)
Collaborators:
Jill Luoto (USC), Italo Lopez-Garcia (USC), Frances Aboud (McGill)
Funders: NICHD