Evaluation of a U.S. Evidence-Based Parenting Intervention in Rural Western Kenya: From Parents Matter! to Families Matter!

Abstract

We evaluated Families Matter! Program (FMP), an intervention designed to improve parent-child communication about sexual risk reduction and parenting skills. Parents of 10- to 12-year-olds were recruited in western Kenya. We aimed to assess community acceptability and FMP's effect on parenting practices and effective parent-child communication. Data were collected from parents and their children at baseline and 1 year postintervention. The intervention's effect was measured on six parenting and parent-child communication composite scores reported separately for parents and children. Of 375 parents, 351 (94%) attended all five intervention sessions. Parents' attitudes regarding sexuality education changed positively. Five of the six composite parenting scores reported by parents, and six of six reported by children, increased significantly at 1 year postintervention. Through careful adaptation of this U.S. intervention, FMP was well accepted in rural Kenya and enhanced parenting skills and parent-child sexuality communication. Parents are in a unique position to deliver primary prevention to youth before their sexual debut as shown in this Kenyan program.

Attitudes, beliefs and norms relating to contraceptive use among young migrant and non-migrant adults in urban Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

“…Recent quantitative studies in rural and urban Nigeria found that men were generally not involved in FP decision-making despite their partners' wishes (Ijadunola et al, 2011;Ogunjuyigbe, Ojofeitimi, & Liasu, 2009;Utoo, Mutihir, & Utoo, 2010). Other qualitative studies from rural Tanzania also demonstrate that although men dominate several aspects of social life, they do not participate in decision-making around childbearing (Keele, Forste, & Flake, 2005, Wight, Plummer, & Ross, 2012. Furthermore, qualitative studies conducted among rural sub-Saharan African men revealed that men do not accept hormonal contraceptive use due to fear of side effects (Chipeta et al, 2011;Wambui, Ek, & Alehagen, 2009).…”

“…Most Tanzanian studies focus on young women, and those that include young men generally take place in rural settings (Larsen & Hollos, 2003;Marchant et al, 2004;Wight et al, 2006Wight et al, , 2012. Thus, urban studies are needed that include the perspective of both young adult men and women on contraceptive use.…”

“…Furthermore, 19.5% of urban women ages 15-49 have an unmet need for FP, that is, they are sexually active and wish to delay/avoid a birth but are not using any contraception. A number of qualitative studies have recently been undertaken, primarily in rural Tanzania, which examine the sexual norms and behaviours among young people under the age of 20 (Haram, 2005;Plummer et al, 2004;Plummer & Wight, 2011;Setel, 1996;Silberschmidt & Rasch, 2001;Wight et al, 2006Wight et al, , 2012. These ethnographic studies provide rich insight into the lives of young Tanzanians, who often experience pre-marital sex including concurrent partnerships (Wight et al, 2012).…”

“…These ethnographic studies provide rich insight into the lives of young Tanzanians, who often experience pre-marital sex including concurrent partnerships (Wight et al, 2012). They also reflect that young people are misinformed and/or ambivalent about pregnancy and consider contraception beyond their control (Wight et al, 2012) Global Public Health 1049…”

Cross-Cultural Adaptation of an Adolescent HIV Prevention Program: Social Validation of Social Contexts and Behavior Among Botswana Adolescents

“…However, there is relatively little information in the literature to guide the process by which such adaptations can be accomplished (Chu, Huynh, & Arean, 2012), and most of the available articles describe adaptation across different subpopulations within the U.S. (Cardona et al, 2012;Goodkind, Lanoue, & Milford, 2010;Hitt et al, 2006;Hurd, Valerio, Garcia, & Scott, 2010;Kim & McKay-Semmler, 2013). Almost no articles in the literature address international adaptations of HIV/AIDS prevention programs (Poulsen et al, 2010;Vandenhoudt et al, 2010).…”