MSINGI BORA M-HEALTH RANDOMISED CONTROL TRIAL PARENTING STUDY
Msingi Bora is an Early Childhood Development (ECD) program facilitated by Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) through community group meetings involving parents, caregivers, and their young children. Every two weeks, crucial messages aimed at fostering children development and learning are shared with parents and caregivers. The sessions, totaling 16, are designed to encourage parents to adopt and practice essential parenting skills, laying a strong foundation for their children physical, mental, and intellectual well-being. Through practical demonstrations and activities, parents actively engage with their children to enhance learning and communication.
The program, spanning from 2017 to 2022, was funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), USA, with SWAP-Kenya serving as the implementing partner in three subcounties: East Rachuonyo and South Rachuonyo (Homa Bay), Sabatia (Vihiga). A cohort of 40 Community Health Volunteers played a pivotal role in delivering the program within intervention villages.
Building on the success of phase one, Msingi Bora embarked on a new project in the period 2023-2028. This second phase, funded by NICHD, focuses on testing a hybrid remote-delivery intervention using mobile technology. The program aims to expand its impact to three new sub counties: Kisumu West, Vihiga, and Hamisi, drawn from Kisumu and Vihiga counties.
The ECD Network for Kenya (ECDNeK) is actively engaged in phase two of the Msingi Bora study. Leveraging its expertise in policy influence and advocacy initiatives in Kenya, ECDNeK is poised to utilize evidence from the study to shape ECD interventions using innovative m- Health tools. The involvement of ECDNeK includes aiding in the adaptation of the Msingi Bora curriculum for remote mobile phone delivery, as well as providing project engagement, dissemination, and research support.
This phase marks a strategic collaboration with ECDNeK, positioning the project to contribute significantly to policy development and advocacy efforts at both the national and local levels. The foundational principles of practice, problem-solving, and peer support remain at the core of Msingi Bora, emphasizing the importance of daily implementation for optimal impact. Furthermore, recognizing that a healthy, strong mother forms the bedrock for a strong, healthy, and smart child remains a fundamental aspect of the program.