Kathleen Murphy1, Lonnie Embleton2, Jamie M Lachman3, Eucabeth Owino4, Sheila Kirwa5, Dominic Makori5, Paula Braitstein6. 1. Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada, 6420 Coburg Rd., Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4R2, Canada. 2. University of Toronto, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, Canada, 155 College St, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3M7, Canada. 3. Department of Social Policy and Intervention, University of Oxford, UK; MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, UK, 32 Wellington Square, Oxford, United Kingdom, OX1 2ER. 4. Beruham, Eldoret, Kenya, P.O. Box 3950 Eldoret, 30100 Kenya. 5. Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya, P.O. Box 4606, Eldoret, Kenya, 30100. 6. University of Toronto, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, Toronto, Canada, Moi University, College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, Eldoret, Kenya, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON Canada M5T 3M7.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Children of street-connected women in Kenya are at risk of child maltreatment. There have been increasing calls for positive parenting programs for parents experiencing homelessness, however never has one been implemented with this population. We therefore adapted the evidence-based Parenting for Lifelong Health for Young Children program using participatory methods, and piloted the adapted program with street-connected mothers in Kenya. OBJECTIVES: To (a) determine if the adapted program was feasible and acceptable with street-connected mothers, and (b) assess indicative effects on child maltreatment, positive parenting, and parental stress. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Two groups of 15 mothers (ages 19+, and 20- ) participated between June-July 2018 in Eldoret, Kenya. Participants were eligible if they (a) were the mother of at least one child and (b) self-identified as street-connected. METHODS: Feasibility was measured via enrollment, attendance, drop-out rates, and engagement in take-away activities. Focus groups explored program acceptability and program outcomes. Self-report surveys assessed pre-post changes in child maltreatment, parental stress, parental sense of inefficacy, and positive parenting practices. RESULTS: 70% of participants attended ≥3/4 of sessions, 10% dropped out, and >50% of take-away activities were completed. Participants reported high acceptability and requested its continuation for themselves and other parents. There was an increase in supporting good behaviour (t(21)=8.15, p < .000) and setting limits (t(18) = 10.03, p < .000); a reduction in physical abuse (t(23) = -2.15, p = .042) and parental stress (t(22) = -7.08, p < .000); results for parental inefficacy were not statistically significant (t(22) = 0.15, p = .882). CONCLUSIONS: The adapted program is feasible and acceptable to street-connected mothers, and may reduce child maltreatment and parental stress, and increase positive parenting. Further research should test program effectiveness.
BACKGROUND: Children of street-connected women in Kenya are at risk of child maltreatment. There have been increasing calls for positive parenting programs for parents experiencing homelessness, however never has one been implemented with this population. We therefore adapted the evidence-based Parenting for Lifelong Health for Young Children program using participatory methods, and piloted the adapted program with street-connected mothers in Kenya. OBJECTIVES: To (a) determine if the adapted program was feasible and acceptable with street-connected mothers, and (b) assess indicative effects on child maltreatment, positive parenting, and parental stress. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Two groups of 15 mothers (ages 19+, and 20- ) participated between June-July 2018 in Eldoret, Kenya. Participants were eligible if they (a) were the mother of at least one child and (b) self-identified as street-connected. METHODS: Feasibility was measured via enrollment, attendance, drop-out rates, and engagement in take-away activities. Focus groups explored program acceptability and program outcomes. Self-report surveys assessed pre-post changes in child maltreatment, parental stress, parental sense of inefficacy, and positive parenting practices. RESULTS: 70% of participants attended ≥3/4 of sessions, 10% dropped out, and >50% of take-away activities were completed. Participants reported high acceptability and requested its continuation for themselves and other parents. There was an increase in supporting good behaviour (t(21)=8.15, p < .000) and setting limits (t(18) = 10.03, p < .000); a reduction in physical abuse (t(23) = -2.15, p = .042) and parental stress (t(22) = -7.08, p < .000); results for parental inefficacy were not statistically significant (t(22) = 0.15, p = .882). CONCLUSIONS: The adapted program is feasible and acceptable to street-connected mothers, and may reduce child maltreatment and parental stress, and increase positive parenting. Further research should test program effectiveness.
Authors: Susanna E Winston; Amon K Chirchir; Lauryn N Muthoni; David Ayuku; Julius Koech; Winstone Nyandiko; E Jane Carter; Paula Braitstein Journal: Sex Transm Infect Date: 2015-02-24 Impact factor: 3.519
Authors: Lukoye Atwoli; David Ayuku; Joseph Hogan; Julius Koech; Rachel Christine Vreeman; Samuel Ayaya; Paula Braitstein Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-03-13 Impact factor: 3.240