Exploring Fathers’ Engagement With Home Visiting: The Tennessee Dad Project

This study explores fathers’ engagement with home visiting in the “Tennessee Dad” project, a cluster randomized-controlled trial of an in-home parenting education program for fathers delivered alongside a primary home visiting curriculum. Results from three mixed models using data from 2,916 visits with treatment ( n = 113) and control ( n = 117) condition families indicated that visits to treatment condition families were more likely to have a father present than visits to control condition families, but there were no differences between conditions on participation minutes or level of interest. Nonresidential fathers did not differ from married and cohabiting fathers on presence at home visit, controlling for covariates. Implications are discussed, including the need for father-specific materials and father-inclusive funding.

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Detection of Domestic Violence and Abuse by Community Mental Health Teams Using the BRAVE Intervention: A Multicenter, Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/08862605211004177 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 088626052110041

Author(s):

Roos Ruijne ◽

Cornelis Mulder ◽

Milan Zarchev ◽

Kylee Trevillion ◽

Roel van Est ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Domestic Violence ◽

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Referral Rates ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Cluster Randomized ◽

And Control ◽

Domestic Violence And Abuse

Despite increased prevalence of domestic violence and abuse (DVA), victimization through DVA often remains undetected in mental health care. To estimate the effectiveness of a system provider level training intervention by comparing the detection and referral rates of DVA of intervention community mental health (CMH) teams with rates in control CMH teams. We also aimed to determine whether improvements in knowledge, skills and attitudes to DVA were greater in clinicians working in intervention CMH teams than those working in control teams. We conducted a cluster randomized controlled trial in two urban areas of the Netherlands. Detection and referral rates were assessed at baseline and at 6 and 12 months after the start of the intervention. DVA knowledge, skills and attitudes were assessed using a survey at baseline and at 6 and 12 months after start of the intervention. Electronic patient files were used to identify detected and referred cases of DVA. Outcomes were compared between the intervention and control teams using a generalized linear mixed model. During the 12-month follow-up, detection and referral rates did not differ between the intervention and control teams. However, improvements in knowledge, skills and attitude during that follow-up period were greater in intervention teams than in control teams: β 3.21 (95% CI 1.18-4.60). Our trial showed that a training program on DVA knowledge and skills in CMH teams can increase knowledge and attitude towards DVA. However, our intervention does not appear to increase the detection or referral rates of DVA in patients with a severe mental illness. A low detection rate of DVA remains a major problem. Interventions with more obligatory elements and a focus on improving communication between CMH teams and DVA services are recommended.

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Effect of sanitation improvements on soil-transmitted helminth eggs in courtyard soil from rural Bangladesh: Evidence from a cluster-randomized controlled trial

10.1101/2020.09.29.318097 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Laura H. Kwong ◽

Debashis Sen ◽

Sharmin Islam ◽

Sunny Shahriar ◽

Jade Benjamin-Chung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Geometric Mean ◽

Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Rural Bangladesh ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Improved Sanitation ◽

Cluster Randomized ◽

And Control ◽

Animal Feces

AbstractImproved sanitation has been hypothesized to reduce soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections by reducing the prevalence and abundance of STH eggs/larvae in soil. We evaluated the effect of a randomized sanitation program (providing households with an improved dual-pit latrine, tools for child/animal feces management, and behavioral messaging) on reducing STH eggs in soil from household courtyards. We collected soil samples from 1405 households enrolled in the sanitation intervention (n=419) and control (n=914) groups of a cluster-randomized controlled trial (WASH Benefits) in rural Bangladesh approximately 2 years after the initiation of the interventions. We analyzed samples for Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, and hookworm eggs by microscopy. We estimated prevalence ratios (PR) and relative egg count reductions (ECR) to compare the prevalence of any STH eggs and arithmetic and geometric mean egg counts for any STH per gram of soil between the sanitation and control arms.Among intervention households, latrines achieved high and sustained user uptake by adults while child open defecation remained common and most households did not dispose of child feces hygienically. In courtyard soil from control households, the prevalence of any STH eggs was 75.7% and the prevalence of any larvated STH eggs was 67.3%. A. lumbricoides was detected in 63.0% of control samples and T. trichiura in 55.7% of control samples; hookworm was not detected in any sample. The arithmetic mean egg count for any STH was 3.96 eggs/dry gram, while the geometric mean was 1.58 eggs/dry gram. There was no difference between the intervention and control groups in the prevalence of any STH eggs (PR=0.98 (95% CI: 0.91–1.05)) or mean egg counts (ECR=0.08 (95% CI: −0.10, 0.26) for geometric mean and 0.07 (95% CI: −0.22, 0.37) for arithmetic mean). Adjusted models gave similar results.A compound-level sanitation intervention that provided improved latrines and tools for disposal of child and animal feces did not have an impact on environmental reservoirs of STH eggs. In order to effectively reduce the prevalence and abundance of STH eggs in the environment, sustained, widespread use of sanitation strategies to isolate and hygienically dispose of child and animal feces may need to complement traditional strategies for containment of adult human feces.Author summaryImproved sanitation has been hypothesized to reduce soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections by reducing the prevalence and abundance of STH eggs/larvae in soil. We evaluated the effect of a randomized sanitation program (providing households with an improved dual-pit latrine, tools for child/animal feces management, and behavioral messaging) on reducing STH eggs in soil from household courtyards. We collected soil samples from 1405 households enrolled in the control and sanitation groups of a cluster-randomized controlled trial (WASH Benefits) in rural Bangladesh approximately 2 years after the initiation of the interventions. We analyzed samples for Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm eggs by microscopy. We found no effect of the sanitation intervention on STH eggs in soil. In order to effectively reduce the prevalence and abundance of STH eggs in the environment, sustained, widespread use of sanitation strategies to isolate and hygienically dispose of child and animal feces may need to complement traditional strategies for containment of adult human feces.

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Effectiveness of an Educational Video in Maternity Wards to Prevent Self-Reported Shaking and Smothering during the First Week of Age: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Prevention Science ◽

10.1007/s11121-020-01145-z ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (8) ◽

pp. 1028-1036

Author(s):

Takeo Fujiwara ◽

Aya Isumi ◽

Makiko Sampei ◽

Yusuke Miyazaki ◽

Fujiko Yamada ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Educational Video ◽

Health Checkup ◽

Infant Crying ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Cluster Randomized ◽

And Control

Abstract This study aimed to investigate whether watching an educational video on infant crying and the dangers of shaking and smothering within 1 week after delivery at maternity wards reduces self-reported shaking and smothering, at a 1-month health checkup. A cluster randomized controlled trial, stratified by area and hospital function, was employed in 45 obstetrics hospitals/clinics in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. In the intervention group, mothers watched an educational video on infant crying and the dangers of shaking and smothering an infant, within 1 week of age, during hospitalization at maternity wards, without blinding on group allocation. Control group received usual care. A total of 4722 (N = 2350 and 2372 for intervention and control group, respectively) mothers who delivered their babies (still birth and gestational age < 22 weeks were excluded) between October 1, 2014, and January 31 were recruited. Outcomes were self-reported shaking and smothering behaviors, knowledge on infant crying and shaking, and behaviors to cope with infant crying, assessed via a questionnaire at a 1-month health checkup. In all, 2718 (N = 1078 and 1640) responded to the questionnaire (response rate: 58.3%), and analytic sample size was 2655 (N = 1058 and 1597 for intervention and control group, respectively). Multilevel analysis was used to adjust for correlation within the cluster. Prevalence of shaking was significantly lower in the intervention group (0.19%) than in the control group (1.69%). Intention-to-treat analysis showed an 89% reduction in the reported prevalence of self-reported shaking (OR: 0.11, 95% CI: 0.02–0.53) due to watching the educational video. However, self-reported smothering behavior showed no significant reduction (OR: 0.66, 95% CI: 0.27–1.60). No side effects were reported. Watching an educational video on infant crying and the dangers of shaking and smothering within 1 week after delivery at maternity wards reduced self-reported shaking at 1 month of age. UMIN Clinical Trial Registry UMIN000015558.

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Evaluation of the Computer-Based Intervention Program Stayingfit Brazil to Promote Healthy Eating Habits: The Results from a School Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16101674 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (10) ◽

pp. 1674

Author(s):

Karine Brito Beck da Silva ◽

Naiá Ortelan ◽

Sheila Giardini Murta ◽

Isabel Sartori ◽

Ricardo David Couto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Healthy Eating Habits ◽

Cluster Randomized ◽

And Control

Interventions via the Internet are promising regarding the promotion of healthy habits among youth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an adapted version of StayingFit to promote healthy eating habits and the measurement adequacy of anthropometric markers among adolescents. A web school-based 12-month cluster-randomized controlled trial examining 7th to 9th grade students was conducted in twelve schools in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The schools’ students were randomly distributed into the intervention and control groups. The intervention group participated in StayingFit, an online program designed to encourage and guide healthy eating habits and control body weight. Data on food consumption, anthropometry, physical activity level, and sedentary behavior were collected from all of the students at the beginning of and after the 12-month study. Demographic and socioeconomic data were collected at baseline. The baseline data indicated high rates of overweight (14.4% overweight and 8.5% obese), insufficiently active (87.6%), and sedentary (63.7%). Furthermore, few adolescents regularly consumed fruits (18.8%) and vegetables/legumes (16.4%). Generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were used to evaluate the effect of the intervention. At the end of the follow-up period, students in the intervention group had a 43% increased chance of regularly consuming beans (OR = 1.43, 95% CIs = 1.10–1.86) and a 35% decreased chance of regularly consuming soft drinks (OR = 0.65, 95% CIs = 0.50–0.84). No differences were found between the groups studied with regard to the anthropometric parameters. Despite these modest results, the implementation of a web intervention can be beneficial and help promote positive changes in adolescent eating habits.

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Healthy Start Home Visiting Program—School-Based Model: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Research on Social Work Practice ◽

10.1177/1049731518786578 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 29 (6) ◽

pp. 628-643 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Cynthia Leung ◽

Sandra Tsang ◽

Kitty Heung ◽

Mia Tam

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Home Visiting ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Healthy Start ◽

Control Groups ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Children's Behavior ◽

School Based ◽

Home Visiting Program ◽

Cluster Randomized

Objective: This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Healthy Start Home Visiting Program—School-Based Model (HSS), using a cluster randomized controlled trial design. Methods: Participants included 224 parents from 20 preschools randomized into intervention and wait-list control groups at the preschool level. Furthermore, 105 parents from the participating preschools were trained as parent ambassadors to assist in program delivery. They were randomized into intervention and control groups at the preschool level. Outcome measures included parent and teacher reports on children’s learning, parent report on children’s behavior and health, their own parenting, and direct assessment of children. Parent ambassadors completed measures on parenting and their children’s behavior before training and after program delivery. Results: There was significant improvement at postintervention in parenting, children’s behavior, and learning and health in the intervention group, compared with the control group. Conclusions: The results provided evidence on the effectiveness of the HSS program.

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The effectiveness of an interactive organ donation education intervention for Dutch lower-educated students: a cluster randomized controlled trial

10.21203/rs.2.12387/v2 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Esther Steenaart ◽

Rik Crutzen ◽

Math JJM Candel ◽

Nanne K de Vries

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Organ Donation ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Control Group ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Post Test ◽

Cluster Randomized ◽

And Control ◽

Experimental Group

Abstract Background: Organ donation registration rates remain low, especially among people with lower educational levels. An interactive educational intervention was developed to prepare lower-educated students in the Netherlands for making a well-informed decision about organ donation. This article reports on the effects of this intervention on the intention to register (i.e. the primary outcome in the study at hand) and beliefs regarding organ donation. Methods: The effectiveness was investigated in a post-test only cluster randomized controlled trial, in which the intervention was offered to the experimental group and after measurement also to the control group. Randomization to the experimental and control groups took place at a class level. Teachers of schools for intermediate vocational education who taught a course on Citizenship delivered three intervention elements (i.e. video fragments and discussion, quizzes with tailored feedback and exercise filling out a registration form) to their students during two 50-minute lessons. Results: A total of 1170 students participated in the trial and filled out a questionnaire (45 experimental and 43 control classes). Compared to the control group, students in the experimental group had higher odds of having positive registration intentions (OR=1.81; 95%CI [1.10-2.96]), their perceived knowledge was higher (B=.62; 95%CI [.23-1.01]) and they had higher intentions to talk to family members (B=.68; 95%CI [.28-1.08]) and friends (B=.36; 95%CI [.07-.66]) about organ donation. There were no effects on the choice students intended to register (OR=1.08; 95%CI [.67-1.73]). Conclusions: Providing education in a classroom setting is an effective tool in increasing registration intentions. Despite uncertainties about the effects on actual registration behavior, a larger scale dissemination of this intervention is recommended. Providing clear information and opening the discussion about organ donation is an important and promising first step towards higher registration rates. Trial registration: The Dutch Trial Register, NTR6771. Registered on 24 October 2017. https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/6557

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Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Intervention Integrating Technology and In-Person Sexual Health Education for Adolescents (In the Know): Protocol for a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

JMIR Research Protocols ◽

10.2196/18060 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. e18060

Author(s):

Martha J. Decker ◽

Abigail Gutmann-Gonzalez ◽

Melisa Price ◽

Julio Romero ◽

Bhupendra Sheoran ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Contraceptive Use ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Sexual Health Education ◽

Control Groups ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

The Past ◽

Cluster Randomized ◽

And Control

Background Access to a smartphone is nearly universal among American adolescents, and most of them have used the internet to seek health information. Integrating digital technologies into health program delivery may expand opportunities for youth to receive important health information, yet there are few rigorous studies assessing the effectiveness of this type of intervention. Objective The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of In the Know (ITK), a program integrating in-person and technology-based sexual health education for underserved adolescents. Methods Youth were engaged in the development of the intervention, including the design of the digital technology and the curriculum content. The intervention focuses on 3 main areas: sexual health and contraceptive use, healthy relationships, and educational and career success. It includes an in-person, classroom component, along with a web-based component to complement and reinforce key content. A cluster randomized controlled trial is in progress among adolescents aged 13-19 years living in Fresno County, California. It is designed to examine the differences in self-reported health and behavioral outcomes among youth in the intervention and control groups at 3 and 9 months. Primary outcomes are condom and contraceptive use or no sex in the past 3 months and use of any clinical health services in the past 3 months. Secondary outcomes include the number of sexual partners in the past 3 months and knowledge of local clinical sexual health services. We will use mixed-effects linear and logistic regression models to assess differences between the intervention and control groups. Results Trial enrollment began in October 2017 and ended in March 2020 with a total of 1260 participants. The mean age of the participants is 15.73 (SD 1.83) years, and 69.98% (867/1239) of the participants report being Hispanic or Latino. Study results will be available in 2021. Conclusions ITK has the potential to improve contraceptive and clinic use among underserved youth. This trial will inform future youth-focused health interventions that are considering incorporating technology. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/18060

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Dengue surveillance using gravid oviposition sticky (GOS) trap and dengue non-structural 1 (NS1) antigen test in Malaysia: randomized controlled trial

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-04643-4 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sivaneswari Selvarajoo ◽

Jonathan Wee Kent Liew ◽

Tock H. Chua ◽

Wing Tan ◽

Rafdzah Ahmad Zaki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Antigen Test ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Ns1 Antigen ◽

Surveillance Programs ◽

Cluster Randomized ◽

Dengue Control ◽

And Control

AbstractDengue remains a major public threat and existing dengue control/surveillance programs lack sensitivity and proactivity. More efficient methods are needed. A cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted for 18 months to determine the efficacy of using a combination of gravid oviposition sticky (GOS) traps and dengue non-structural 1 (NS1) antigen for early surveillance of dengue among Aedes mosquito. Eight residential apartments were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups. GOS traps were placed at the intervention apartments weekly to trap Aedes mosquitoes and these tested for dengue NS1 antigen. When dengue-positive pool was detected, the community were notified and advised to execute protective measures. Fewer dengue cases were recorded in the intervention group than the control. Detection of NS1-positive mosquitoes was significantly associated with GOS Aedes index (rs = 0.68, P < 0.01) and occurrence of dengue cases (rs = 0.31, P < 0.01). Participants’ knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) toward dengue control indicated significant improvement for knowledge (P < 0.01), practice (P < 0.01) and total scores (P < 0.01). Most respondents thought this surveillance method is good (81.2%) and supported its use nationwide. Thus, GOS trap and dengue NS1 antigen test can supplement the current dengue surveillance/control, in alignment with the advocated integrated vector management for reducing Aedes-borne diseases.

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Micro-Loans, Insecticide-Treated Bednets, and Malaria: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial in Orissa, India

The American Economic Review ◽

10.1257/aer.104.7.1909 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 104 (7) ◽

pp. 1909-1941 ◽

Cited By ~ 90

Author(s):

Alessandro Tarozzi ◽

Aprajit Mahajan ◽

Brian Blackburn ◽

Dan Kopf ◽

Lakshmi Krishnan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Large Scale ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Liquidity Constraints ◽

High Price ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Consumer Loans ◽

Health Initiatives ◽

Cluster Randomized ◽

And Control

We describe findings from the first large-scale cluster randomized controlled trial in a developing country that evaluates the uptake of a health-protecting technology, insecticide-treated bednets (ITNs), through micro-consumer loans, as compared to free distribution and control conditions. Despite a relatively high price, 52 percent of sample households purchased ITNs, highlighting the role of liquidity constraints in explaining earlier low adoption rates. We find mixed evidence of improvements in malaria indices. We interpret the results and their implications within the debate about cost sharing, sustainability and liquidity constraints in public health initiatives in developing countries. (JEL D12, G21, H51, I12, I18, O15, O18)

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