Technology-based parent school: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted as a randomized controlled trial to evaluate the technology-based parent school program.

DESIGN

The study was conducted in the well-child care outpatient clinic of a hospital in Turkey. Data were collected between October 31, 2022 and February 17, 2023. The parent school was prepared based on Meleis' transition theory.

SAMPLE

Forty-eight parents participated in the study. Parents in the intervention group participated in a 10-week parent school program (five website modules, five online interactive group trainings, and counseling).

MEASURES

Data were collected before the program, after the program, and 1 month after the program.

RESULTS

There were increases in the mean scores of the "Parent Skill Assessment Form" and "Skills Assessment Form for the Toddler Development" items in the intervention group compared to the control group. The difference between the groups in the mean scores of the Self-Efficacy for Parenting Task Index Toddler Scale (1-3 years) was not statistically significant. However, the difference between the times was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that the technology-based parent school training program could guide parents with children aged 1-3 years on child-rearing.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

It was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov in May 2022 (NCT05370989).

Effectiveness of a brief psychoeducational intervention on postnatal depression in the slums, Nairobi: a longitudinal study

Research has shown that postnatal depression (PND) is higher in low- and middle-income countries as compared to higher-income countries. Despite this, little is known about practical interventions in these poorly resourced countries. This research investigated the effectiveness of a brief, prophylactic and therapeutic psychoeducational intervention in a low-resourced community in Nairobi. Two closely similar Maternal and Child Health (MCH) clinics in urban slums in Nairobi were identified and randomly selected. A total of 567 mothers formed the study population. The experimental group (284) mothers received the intervention, which included psychoeducation on PND, coping skills, healthy way of mother/child interaction and infant stimulation in addition to routine treatment, while the control group (283) mothers received treatment as usual. Data was collected using a social-demographic questionnaire and the English version of Becks Depression Inventory (BDI) at baseline. At 6 months, we reassessed both groups using BDI only. Within group comparison, the percentage reduction of depression was 35.6% among the experimental as compared to 2.3% in the control group. Between group comparison, the mean BDI depression score was significantly low in the experimental arm compared to the control arm at endline (p = 0.025). When all variables were adjusted, using a generalized linear model, BDI depression score reduction among the participants was significantly associated with the intervention (p = 0.040). A brief, psychoeducational intervention that targets the mother and her infant may reduce PND even in poorly resourced environments. Therefore, it can be integrated into existing MCH services.