Overview
The Parenting for Respectability (PfR) project aims to explore the scaling-up of the programme through digital delivery options in Uganda. The study will evaluate the initial effectiveness of the PfRApp and optimise engagement and retention, to support a full scale RCT to address both violence against children (VAC) and intimate partner violence (IPV). In the reporting period, the team completed a review of PfR programme content, culminating in a final pilot version of the PfRApp. Due to an extended ethical approval and App design process in 2024, there have been some changes to the team’s planned timeline, with study implementation now expected to commence after February 2025. The progression of formative work on an disability inclusive PfR programme adaptation (including a GPI Emerging Trends funded grant, originally due to conclude in April 2024) was adjusted to accommodate a revised research approval deadline. In addition to disability inclusion, the team commenced implementation of two new studies (1. A cluster RCT; 2. Feasibility study) focused on early childhood development within the Ugandan context.
Context
The PfR-Digital study will examine the utility of digital delivery options for scaling-up the Parenting for Respectability (PfR) programme to address both violence against children and intimate partner violence. Formative and pre-post outcome evaluations have found the programme highly promising and both government and NGOs have expressed interest in scaling it. However, until now, delivery has been limited to in-person delivery, resulting in sub-optimal reach. Digital platforms would greatly facilitate larger scale delivery, addressing three main barriers:
- The absence of resources to conduct in-person delivery at scale
- COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, which have affected in-person group-based delivery
- Limited access and participation in in-person sessions by parents with busy work commitments, particularly urban based parents
Objectives
The overall goal is to assess the feasibility, reach, impact, and sustainability of digital delivery of PfR. The research addresses the following objectives:
- Assess readiness of the existing systems, platforms, and parents, to move into systematic delivery of PfR through digital channels, and identify the facilitators and potential obstacles
- Leverage and adapt the existing PLH digital architecture to develop appropriate content and delivery platforms to scale-up the reach of PfR programmes
- Assess acceptability, feasibility, and processes of delivering PfR through digital platforms in Uganda
- Evaluate the outcomes of delivering PfR through digital platforms on reducing violence against children and gender-based violence
Study Setting
The study will be conducted with online/social media communities, and local radio listeners based in three districts of Uganda: Kampala City, Wakiso within the precepts of Kampala, and Gulu in Northern Uganda. Each will contribute parental participants to the 4 digital delivery mechanisms adapted from the PLH digital programme package: ParentText, ParentApp, ParentChat, and video-conference delivery of the in-person programme. In addition, radio drama listenership groups will be established and targeted, especially for rural-based audiences.
Study Significance and Impact
Findings will have a major impact on our knowledge and capacity to prevent violence against children and gender-based violence at scale. The PfR-Digital study is the first of its kind to test an integrative approach that combines parenting and partner relationships in a hybrid-digital delivery system. It will build on the current innovative work of PLH to improve engagement of men in parenting programmes and address gender norms, attitudes and behaviours that contribute to gender-based violence.
