Can a phone-based parenting program boost child development as well as in-person visits?

NCT ID NCT06140017

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether a parenting program that combines mobile health (mHealth) messages with some in-person group meetings can improve early child development as effectively as a fully in-person program. Around 1,200 mothers or primary caregivers of children aged 6-18 months in rural Kenya will take part. The program, called Msingi Bora, covers responsive parenting, talk, play, hygiene, and nutrition. Researchers will compare child cognitive, language, and social development, as well as parenting behaviors, between the two delivery methods to find the most cost-effective approach.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Msingi Bora responsive parenting and family wellbeing program

What this could lead to

If the hybrid approach works as well as in-person meetings, it could offer a lower-cost way to support early childhood development at scale in low-resource settings.

What could go wrong

Remote delivery may be less effective than in-person visits, and the study is testing this in a specific rural Kenyan context, so results may not apply elsewhere.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Child Behavior Language

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Safe Water and AIDS Project

    Kisumu, 40100, Kenya