The PLH for Young Children in Kuwait project, locally known as DAYEM, launched in July 2024 as the first initiative to culturally adapt and evaluate the PLH for Young Children programme in the Gulf region. In partnership with local stakeholders, the project adapted the eight-session programme for the Kuwaiti context and implemented a 12-month randomised controlled trial with 200 caregivers.

The study explored the feasibility of delivering the in-person PLH for Young Children programme, supported by ParentApp for Young Children, and examined its potential to strengthen parenting practices and improve child and caregiver wellbeing. Caregivers assigned to the intervention group participated in eight in-person group sessions supplemented by the app, while the comparison group received weekly WhatsApp messages focused on child nutrition. Parenting and wellbeing outcomes were assessed at baseline, immediately after the programme, and at a three-month follow-up.

Although the trial experienced higher-than-expected attrition, which is common in early-stage implementation research, preliminary patterns suggest that combining in-person PLH sessions with ParentApp for Young Children may help reduce negative parenting behaviours, promote positive parenting, and support caregiver mental health in the Kuwaiti context. These early insights will inform future adaptations, programme strengthening, and larger-scale evaluations.

Full findings will be shared once publications are available.