Evaluation of the effectiveness of an infant and family health and wellbeing text message intervention (Connecting 2u) in supporting expectant and new parents

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.