Protocol for digital intervention for effective health promotion of small children - a cluster randomized trial.

AimThis article introduces the protocol of a study aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of digital WellWe intervention in supporting the participation of families with small children in the promotion of their health. BackgroundEarly childhood is a meaningful period for building a strong base for good health. Parents play a key role in affecting the health behaviour and psychosocial development of their children. A family-centred approach makes it possible to support families' individual health literacy needs and empower them to take actions towards promoting healthier behaviour. However, there are a lack of family-centred digital health interventions intended for parents and their small children. DesignThe study is designed as a two-arm cluster, randomized, controlled trial with a 4-month follow-up. MethodsThe data are being collected from 200 families with a 4-year-old child. Cluster randomization is being performed at the municipality level. Municipalities (N=4) located in Southwest Finland, comprising child health clinics (N=15) with their family clients, were randomly allocated to either an intervention (WellWe intervention) or a control group (usual care). The outcome measures include parental self-efficacy for healthy behaviours, mindfulness in parenting and the family-centred approach of the extensive health examination. Data collection is being performed at baseline, after the intervention and at a 4-month follow-up. DiscussionThe results from this study will make it possible to determine whether this new method can be recommended for implementation in child health clinic settings to support the participation of families with small children in promoting their health.