Parenting for Respectability (PfR)-Digital in Uganda Updates

Working closely alongside implementation partner, INNODEMS, refinement of the Parenting for Respectability App continues to progress well. In person workshops were held with INNODEMS colleagues in late August to finalise outstanding images, illustrations, audios and transcriptions in preparation for a planned App release in mid September and internal piloting and baseline data collection from October. In terms of capacity building activities, Carolyn Namutebi (Co-Investigator) and Martha Atuhaire (Executive Assistant) presented a case study focused on the PfR team’s experience of responding to safety and wellbeing challenges during fieldwork, at a GPI training workshop on Tuesday 30 July.

During May and June the Parenting for Respectability team participated in several internal and external events to promote the PfR digital programme’s work. On 2 May, the ‘Inclusive Parenting: Digital Solutions for Disability-Inclusive Family Well-being in Uganda’ project was launched in the district of Wakiso, Kampala. The event was attended by over 60 stakeholders and included presentations from the disability inclusive parenting interns and the PfR team covering the interns research journey within the programme, the disability inclusive adaptation of the Parenting Facilitators’ manual and a policy analysis report for the Ugandan context. On 30 May, at a Child Health and Development Centre symposium, Dr. Godfrey Siu (Principal Investigator), Dr. Betty Okot (Postdoctoral Fellow) and Carolyn Namutebi (Co-Investigator) gave a poster presentation on integrating the Parenting for Respectability programme into the CANGO LYEC Interventions among war affected communities. In addition, Dr. Siu presented for International Family Day on 15 May. With regards to capacity building activities, GPI Playful Parenting Scholars, Onesmus Kamacooko and Martin Joy Omello presented outlines of their planned PhD and MSc research designs and objectives at GPI Research in Progress meetings in May and June respectively.

The Parenting for Respectability digital pilot feasibility study was presented to the Makerere University’s Research Ethics Committee board on 30 April for review. Pending the receipt of ethical approval, the team intends to commence fieldwork activities in June. To prepare for research implementation, study consent forms have been translated, and data collection materials and training content for Research Assistants is being refined. In collaboration with study implementation partner, INNODEMS, a content review of the PfR-Digital App is also progress. With regards to the GPI Emerging Trends funded project ‘Inclusive Parenting: Digital Solutions for Disability-Inclusive Family Well-being in Uganda’, activity planning is progressing well. Following the receipt of first level ethics approval, the team has submitted a study protocol for approval. Implementation of the study is planned in the district of Wakiso, Kampala, where the PfR team recently met with district representatives to discuss engagement and study buy-in. In addition, the team has updated the PfR manual to ensure content is disability inclusive and has conducted a policy analysis to understand disability support within the Ugandan context.

GPI Playful Parenting Scholar’s on the PfR team also continue to make good progress with their activities. PhD student Onesmus Kamacooko’s research proposal is finalised and feedback on his research concept - the mediating role of caregiver mental health in the relationship between family structure and positive parenting - is expected in early June following a second stage review. Masters student Martin Joy Omello has also submitted his research concept to CHDC for review and is currently awaiting feedback. Martin’s research will focus on the development of a mobile based application to track male experiences of intimate partner violence and will also explore positive and playful parenting in relation to male engagement. Following a guest presentation at University College London’s Institute of Education in September 2023, Dr Betty Okot is exploring a potential research collaboration to study parenting from mental health and stress perspectives.

With regards to the scaling of PfR within Uganda, the team continues to consider different mediums to disseminate programming. Alongside a planned radio programme, the team are also reviewing options to develop a film. Other potential exploratory projects include parenting practices in crisis contexts, with a focus on playful parenting within a refugee community as a medium for promoting early years numeracy and literacy and parenting in climate crisis situations.

Preparations for implementation of the Parenting for Respectability Digital feasibility pilot are ongoing, with the aim to commence fieldwork between April - May. A study protocol has been submitted for review and evaluation tools have been adapted, including a baseline tool to assess parents prior to programme onboarding and an endline tool to assess the effectiveness of the App based parenting intervention. A new version of the PfR-App with modular skin has been updated by implementation partner INNODEMS. A review of features and content such as captions on emojis and home tours to facilitate user navigation is in progress. The ‘Inclusive Parenting: Digital Solutions for Disability-Inclusive Family Well-being in Uganda’ Project has also received first level ethical approval and activity planning is underway and Future Leader team members continue to progress their research planning. PhD student, Onesmus Kamacooko submitted and defended his research concept to the Higher Degrees Committee and is writing his thesis proposal. In addition, Masters Student Martin Joy Omello submitted a research concept entitled: “A mobile-phone based application to track and report under-reported experiences of intimate partner violence among men in Amuru town - Uganda: Development and feasibility testing“.

In terms of advocacy and scale up activities, the team participated in a parenting symposium in February. During this event, the four disability inclusive interns based at Makerere University Child Health and Development Centre presented a Skit on disability inclusive parenting, which was very well received. In addition, Professor Godfrey Siu (Principal Investigator) presented on the role of male caregivers in parenting at a recent UNICEF webinar which introduced evidence briefs to support parenting programmes to integrate violence prevention against women and children and promote gender equality. Finally, the team is exploring a potential PfR radio programme to supplement planned study reach and the team’s strategy for PfR scale up.