Peer-reviewed article
Evaluating the dissemination and scale-up of two evidence-based parenting interventions to reduce violence against children: study protocol
Yulia Shenderovich, Catherine L. Ward, Jamie M. Lachman, Inge M. Wessels, Hlengiwe Sacolo-Gwebu et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study protocol describes research that will evaluate how two parenting programs designed to reduce violence against children are being scaled up across 25 low- and middle-income countries. The researchers will use interviews, focus groups, and analysis of routine program data to understand how the programs are being implemented, what barriers and facilitators affect their delivery, and what outcomes families experience. The study will examine family enrolment, parenting practices, violence against children, and implementation costs across multiple contexts.
Key points
- Two evidence-based parenting programs (PLH for Young Children and PLH for Parents and Teens) developed under Creative Commons licensing are being scaled up across 25 LMICs
- The SUPER study will examine five key areas: extent of dissemination and scale-up, implementation variation, violence and family outcomes, barriers and facilitators to sustained delivery, and implementation costs
- Primary data collection will focus on three case study projects using interviews and focus groups with facilitators, coordinators, funders, and stakeholders
- Secondary data analysis will use routine program data on family enrolment, attendance, parenting practices, violence against children, child behaviour, and wellbeing collected before and after program participation
- This will be the first study to examine dissemination and scale-up of a parenting program across multiple LMIC contexts using multiple data sources and methods
Limitations
This is a protocol paper describing planned research, not results. The document does not provide outcomes or effectiveness data, only the methodology for how the evaluation will be conducted. The study focuses on implementation processes and factors affecting scale-up rather than controlled measurement of program efficacy.
Abstract
Background: Eliminating violence against children is a prominent policy goal, codified in the Sustainable Development Goals, and parenting programs are one approach to preventing and reducing violence. However, we know relatively little about dissemination and scale-up of parenting programs, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The scale-up of two parenting programs, Parenting for Lifelong Health (PLH) for Young Children and PLH for Parents and Teens, developed under Creative Commons licensing and tested in randomized trials, provides a unique opportunity to study their dissemination in 25 LMICs. Methods: The Scale-Up of Parenting Evaluation Research (SUPER) study uses a range of methods to study the dissemination of these two programs. The study will examine (1) process and extent of dissemination and scale-up, (2) how the programs are implemented and factors associated with variation in implementation, (3) violence against children and family outcomes before and after program implementation, (4) barriers and facilitators to sustained program delivery, and (5) costs and resources needed for implementation.Primary data collection, focused on three case study projects, will include interviews and focus groups with program facilitators, coordinators, funders, and other stakeholders, and a summary of key organizational characteristics. Program reports and budgets will be reviewed as part of relevant contextual information. Secondary data analysis of routine data collected within ongoing implementation and existing research studies will explore family enrolment and attendance, as well as family reports of parenting practices, violence against children, child behavior, and child and caregiver wellbeing before and after program participation. We will also examine data on staff sociodemographic and professional background, and their competent adherence to the program, collected as part of staff training and certification. Discussion: This project will be the first study of its kind to draw on multiple data sources and methods to examine the dissemination and scale-up of a parenting program across multiple LMIC contexts. While this study reports on the implementation of two specific parenting programs, we anticipate that our findings will be of relevance across the field of parenting, as well as other violence prevention and social programs.