Evaluation of a 2-session Parent Training Programme for Caregivers of Younger Children in Zimbabwe

A Pilot Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial of a Two-session Parent Training Programme for Delivery to Caregivers of Children Enrolled in Early Childhood Development in Harare, Zimbabwe

A pilot, exploratory cluster Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) with two arms will be conducted to test a two-session parent training programme for caregivers of children enrolled in early childhood development classes in Harare Zimbabwe. The Parenting for Lifelong Health programme for Young Children together with the Mikhulu Trust Book Sharing Programme for Young Children will be adapted into a two-session version programme named Tabudirira Parent Training Intervention for Early Childhood Development.

The RCT aims to assess the following objectives:

Can the programme reduce child maltreatment? Does the intervention improve parent-child engagement with reading material? How best can the 2-session programme delivery be optimised?

A pilot, exploratory cluster Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) with two arms will be conducted to test a two-session parent training programme for caregivers of children enrolled in early childhood development classes in Harare, Zimbabwe. The Parenting for Lifelong Health programme for Young Children together with the Mikhulu Trust Book Sharing Programme for Young Children will be adapted into a two-session version programme named Tabudirira Parent Training Intervention for Early Childhood Development.

The RCT aims to assess the following objectives:

Can the programme reduce child maltreatment? Does the intervention improve parent-child engagement with reading material? How best can the 2-session programme delivery be optimised?

The RCt will have 2 arms with 120 caregivers /arms. The intervention will be a 2-session parent training programme while the control is a 2-session nutrition knowledge dissemination workshop delivered over 2 sessions.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 18 years and above.
• Be a caregiver to a child enrolled in Early Childhood Development Grade A at a school in Harare Northern Central School district.
• Live with the child for a minimum of 5 days/ week.
• Provide informed consent before any study proceedings.

Exclusion Criteria

• Aged below 18
• A child enrolled in a school outside Harare Northern Central School District
• Child not enrolled in Early Childhood Development Grade A