Evaluation of the effectiveness of an infant and family health and wellbeing text message intervention (Connecting 2u) in supporting expectant and new parents
Effectiveness of the Connecting2u Text Messaging Intervention for expectant and new parents: evaluation of maternal self-efficacy, and parental attachment and practice
Children's Health Queensland
1,200 participants
Jan 4, 2016
Interventional
Conditions
Summary
The aim of this study is to examine the efficacy of an infant and family health and wellbeing short-term message service (SMS) intervention in supporting expectant and new parents both birthing at partnered Queensland Hospitals. The intervention period will be for 48 weeks from recruitment date and involves the provision of relevant and timely information on positive parenting strategies, attachment and health behaviours and support networks via an SMS program. Participants will be recruited in the antenatal period via antenatal clinics in partnered hospitals in late 2015 (600 intervention; 600 control). This study will follow a mixed methods design involving qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The researchers aim to measure the effectiveness of the project by following a mixed methods design. Study procedures will involve face-to-face and web-based surveys pre-intervention and web based and telephone surveys for the last three data collection points in the evaluation, including post-intervention. Focus group interviews with a selection of participants post project intervention. This trial follows on from the Connecting2u (C2u) pilot project conducted with families delivering at Logan Hospital between March and October 2014 which indicated the effectiveness of text messages in supporting parental confidence. Phase Two includes the dissemination of text messages in the antenatal period as research has indicated the importance of early intervention before birth in regards to health and wellbeing of the parents and child.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria6
- Recruitment of Mothers:
- Mothers are twelve weeks pregnant and over, has a mobile phone, is over 16 years of age, does not require interpreter services, does not suffer from psychosis, and does not plan to place infant in foster care or adoptive care.
- Potential recruitment for postnatal analysis will occur in the late antenatal stage. As such, mothers can be recruited from 12 weeks' gestation until birth.
- Recruitment of Fathers
- Partner is at least 12 weeks' gestation and is over 16 years of age. Father is required to be over 16 years of age, owns his own mobile phone, does not require interpreter services, does not suffer from psychosis, and does not plan to place infant in foster care or adoptive care.
- Potential recruitment for postnatal analysis will occur in the late antenatal stage. As such, fathers can be recruited from when partner is 12 weeks' gestation until birth.
Exclusion Criteria2
- Mothers who are not yet 12 weeks pregnant and/or are under 16 years of age. Furthermore, mothers who do not own a mobile phone, suffer from psychosis, require interpreter services, and/or plan on placing infant in foster care or adoptive care will be excluded.
- Partner is not at least 12 weeks' gestation and/or is not over 16 years of age. Furthermore, fathers who do not own a mobile phone, suffer from psychosis, require interpreter services, and/or plan on placing infant in foster care or adoptive care will be excluded.
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Interventions
The intervention will involve the delivery of C2u text messages to participants in addition to standard practice. The content of the C2u text messages are based on antenatal and postnatal care, focusing on health behaviours (maternal nutrition and weight; physical activity; alcohol, tobacco, drugs, medication consumption; immunisation reminders; appointment reminders), mental health and wellbeing, communication, bonding and attachment, infant feeding, preparing for parenthood/ becoming a parent, and circle of security. The intervention will commence at 16 weeks' gestation, with a duration period of around 12 months. The intervention will cease once the infant is six months of age. For the first 12 weeks of the intervention, the participant will be sent two text messages a week. This will be reduced to one text message a week, after the first 12 weeks, and until birth. After birth, the participant will be sent two text messages a week for the first 12 weeks. This will be reduced to one text message for the remaining weeks of the intervention.
Locations(4)
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ACTRN12616000072415