On 20 February, the SWIFT team, Carly, Cathy, and Cindee attended the City Health Research Day, hosted by the City of Cape Town. This dynamic event brought together leading research teams to showcase their studies and share groundbreaking insights with City officials. The SWIFT team’s abstract, titled “Integrating a low-cost, preventative digital parenting programme into government health services in the Western Cape: The SWIFT study,” captivated the audience as Carly and Cindee took the stage to present their research.
The presentation stood out as the only one focused on parenting. The digital aspect of the intervention attracted significant interest, highlighting the growing recognition of technology-driven solutions in public health. Additionally, the event provided an opportunity to meet several key City officials in person, including the Director of City Health and members of the ethics committee, who had previously only been engaged online. Their enthusiasm for the study and anticipation of its results reaffirmed its relevance and potential impact within government health services.
Following the presentation, attendees posed thoughtful questions about the programme’s inclusivity across different groups, ages, and cultures. The team explained that the content had been carefully adapted to be inclusive, with representations of various guardians, including grandparents and fathers. Another question focused on paternal engagement, allowing the team to highlight GPI’s broader commitment to male involvement in parenting programmes.
The level of interest extended beyond the Q&A session, as conference attendees and officials approached the team throughout lunch and breakaway sessions, eager to learn more about SWIFT and its potential application in their communities.
Events such as City Health Research Day reinforce the City of Cape Town’s commitment to integrating research into policy and programming.
Moving forward, the connections established at this event will be instrumental in shaping the next steps of the study, ensuring that SWIFT reaches those who need it most and contributes meaningfully to public health efforts in Cape Town and beyond.
