Country: Tanzania
Dates: January 2022 – December 2026
The Institute for Life Course Health Research at Stellenbosch University (SU) is undertaking a series of activities to adapt an evidence-based in-person parenting programme delivered to pregnant women and mothers of young infants (Thula Sana/PLH for Infants) for digital delivery, to support parents and caregivers during the antenatal and postnatal period.
The aim of the digital intervention (currently referred to as ParentApp for Babies) will be to support caregiver wellbeing, parental sensitivity and responsiveness, secure caregiver-child relationships, to promote optimal early development of young children.
Many caregivers in the antenatal and early postnatal period lack the skills, confidence and support to respond sensitively to their infant’s cues during a critical phase of attachment formation. This increases the risk for developing insecure attachment, poorer self-regulation, and sub-optimal socio-emotional development.
While a variety of digital apps exist that provide universal information and guidance on supporting young children’s overall health and development, more research is needed to inform the digital delivery of intervention activities that directly support caregivers to get to know their babies, understand their unique cues and signals, respond to their needs appropriately, and build a secure and responsive relationship in the newborn and infancy stages.
The project involves a 3-stage process to explore and identify key intervention and delivery features for a future digital version of ParentApp for Babies:
1. Key informant interviews with experts in mental health, parenting, infant and child development, and digital interventions to:
2. Consultation workshops with groups of pregnant women and mothers with young infants in South Africa to:
3. Consolidation of learnings to develop a draft logic model and intervention strategy, including examples of potential content, activities and app features, as well as considerations for dosage, delivery, and implementation.
Key informant interviews are underway, and consultation workshops will take place in April 2026.
By adapting a proven in-person parenting programme for digital delivery, the project aims to reach a broader population of caregivers who may not otherwise have access to structured in-person support, particularly in resource-constrained settings. Through consultation with both experts and caregivers, the initiative will generate important insights into how responsive caregiving and early relational health can be effectively supported through digital platforms.
In doing so, the project has the potential to inform the design of scalable, culturally relevant digital interventions that strengthen caregiver wellbeing, enhance parental sensitivity, and promote healthy socio-emotional development in the earliest years of life.
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