Mid-term effects of a parenting program on early childhood development and maternal health

This is a follow-up study to assess the effects of the intervention 'Learning Clubs' now known as ‘Early Journey of Life’ on women's health and child health and development. Specific details of the original trial can be found in the registration record for ACTRN12617000442303. In brief, 'Early Journey of Life' comprised 20 educational modules, delivered in face-to-face groups at a community centre and in one home visit. Each session was facilitated by a member of the local Women's Union, who has had experience in conducting community programs and also received training specific to this trial. When required, a community health worker and/or a kindergarten teacher also participated. Each module aimed to increase perinatal stage-specific essential knowledge and skills through structured learning activities that were translated, culturally adapted and field-tested for salience and comprehensibility. The program was implemented in facilitated small groups of women meeting every two to four weeks in community centres from early pregnancy until the end of the first postpartum year (a total of 19 facilitated sessions) and one home visit during the first eight postpartum weeks when mothers and infants in this setting usually do not go out of the house. Data collection of the original trial was completed in 2021 when the children were two years old. A follow-up study will be conducted to examine the mid-term effects of the intervention. We will re-enrol all mother-child dyads who participated in the original trial and still live in Ha Nam province or Hanoi in Vietnam. As this is a follow-up study, no changes have been made to the intervention. Following re-enrolment, mother-child dyads will complete a questionnaire when the child is approximately seven years old in 2026 and nine years old in 2028. Additionally, when the child is around six years old, a blood sample will be collected from the mothers.