The Development and Evaluation of a Web-based Childbirth and Parenting Intervention Program

Background: The transition to parenthood is stressful for first-time mothers and fathers and links to adverse health outcomes. Despite Internet use's popularity, an effective web-based, individually-tailored intervention to enhance parental self-efficacy and infant health for first-time parents remains lacking. Objectives: This study aims to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based, individually-tailored childbirth and parenting intervention program on parenting self-efficacy and infant health outcomes. The feasibility and acceptability of a theory-driven intervention will be examined in first-time mothers and fathers. Methods: A two-arm, single-blind randomized controlled trial will be conducted to investigate the effects of web-based intervention in the first-time mother and father. Participants will be randomly allocated to a web-based intervention or a control condition. A repeated measurement will be performed. Anticipatory results: The efficacy of a theory-driven web-based, individually tailored intervention program will provide a valuable contribution to perinatal health care for first-time mothers and fathers.