Manuscript Details

Kitzman, H., Olds, D. L., Henderson, C. R., Hanks, C., Cole, R., Tatelbaum, R., et al. (1997). Effect of prenatal and infancy home visitation by nurses on pregnancy outcomes, childhood injuries, and repeated childbearing. A randomized controlled trial. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 278(8), 644–652.

High rating
Study reviewed under: Handbook of Procedures and Standards, Version 1
Study design characteristics contributing to rating
Design Attrition Baseline equivalence Confounding factors? Valid, reliable measures?
Randomized controlled trial Low

Difference in SES, but controlled in analysis.

None

Not assessed in manuscripts reviewed under Handbook of Procedures and Standards, Version 1
Notes from the review of this manuscript

In 2020, HomVEE updated this review to move the NCAST Child Responsiveness (total score) from the Child Development and School Readiness domain to the Positive Parenting Practices domain because ACF determined that outcomes assessed with the NCAST, including the NCAST total score, most appropriately belong in the Positive Parenting Practices domain.

Child Development and School Readiness
Outcome Measure Timing of Follow-Up Rating Direction of Effect Effect Size (Absolute Value) Stastical Significance Sample Size Sample Description
CBCL (total score) 2 years postnatal High
Not statistically significant,p > 0.05 1082 children Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
BSID (total score) 2 years postnatal High
Not statistically significant,p > 0.05 1082 children Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
Effect rating key
Favorable finding / Statistically significant
Unfavorable finding / Statistically significant
Ambiguous finding / Statistically significant
No effect / Not statistically significant
Child Health
Outcome Measure Timing of Follow-Up Rating Direction of Effect Effect Size (Absolute Value) Stastical Significance Sample Size Sample Description
5-minute Apgar Birth High
Not statistically significant,p > 0.05 1082 children Full, (Memphis)
Birth weight, grams Birth High
Not statistically significant,p > 0.05 1082 children Full (Memphis)
Breastfeeding attempted, percentage 2 years postnatal High
0.37 Statistically significant,p < 0.01 671 children Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
Gestational age, weeks Birth High
Not statistically significant,p > 0.05 1082 children Full, (Memphis)
Immunizations up to date, percentage 2 years postnatal High
0.06 Not statistically significant,p > 0.05 671 children Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
Indicated preterm delivery (percentage) Birth High
0.00 Not statistically significant,p > 0.05 1082 children Full, (Memphis)
Intrauterine growth restriction (percentage) Birth High
0.00 Not statistically significant,p > 0.05 1082 children Full, (Memphis)
Low birth weight (percentage < 2500 g) Birth High
0.05 Not statistically significant,p > 0.05 1082 children Full, (Memphis)
Number of well-child visits 2 years postnatal High
Not statistically significant,p > 0.05 671 children Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
Preterm (less than 37 weeks, percentage) Birth High
0.12 Not statistically significant,p > 0.05 1082 children Full, (Memphis)
Spontaneous preterm delivery, percentage Birth High
0.08 Not statistically significant,p > 0.05 1082 children Full, (Memphis)
Effect rating key
Favorable finding / Statistically significant
Unfavorable finding / Statistically significant
Ambiguous finding / Statistically significant
No effect / Not statistically significant
Family Economic Self-Sufficiency
Outcome Measure Timing of Follow-Up Rating Direction of Effect Effect Size (Absolute Value) Stastical Significance Sample Size Sample Description
Employed during pregnancy 36th week of pregnancy High
0.44 Not statistically significant,p > 0.05 916 mothers Full (Memphis)
In school during pregnancy 36th week of pregnancy High
0.07 Not statistically significant,p > 0.05 916 mothers Full (Memphis)
Months on 2 years postpartum High
Not statistically significant,p > 0.05 671 mothers Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
Months on AFDC , 0–12 months postpartum 2 years postpartum High
Not statistically significant,p > 0.05 681 mothers Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
Months worked, 0–12 months postpartum 2 years postpartum High
Not statistically significant,p > 0.05 681 mothers Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
Months worked, 13–24 months postpartum 2 years postpartum High
Not statistically significant,p > 0.05 671 mothers Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
Used other community services 36th week of pregnancy High
0.30 Statistically significant,p ≤ 0.01 916 mothers Full (Memphis)
Effect rating key
Favorable finding / Statistically significant
Unfavorable finding / Statistically significant
Ambiguous finding / Statistically significant
No effect / Not statistically significant
Maternal Health
Outcome Measure Timing of Follow-Up Rating Direction of Effect Effect Size (Absolute Value) Stastical Significance Sample Size Sample Description
Anxiety (MHI), 24 months postpartum, standardized 2 years postpartum High
Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05 671 mothers Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
Depression (MHI), 24 months postpartum, standardized 2 years postpartum High
Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05 671 mothers Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
Diastolic blood pressure 36th week of pregnancy High
Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05 916 mothers Full (Memphis)
Gestational weight gain 36th week of pregnancy High
Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05 916 mothers Full (Memphis)
Number of Gardnerella infections 36th week of pregnancy High
Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05 916 mothers Full (Memphis)
Number of hospitalizations during pregnancy 36th week of pregnancy High
Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05 916 mothers Full (Memphis)
Number of sexually transmitted diseases 36th week of pregnancy High
Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05 916 mothers Full (Memphis)
Number of yeast infections 36th week of pregnancy High
Statistically significant,p ≤ 0.05 916 mothers Full (Memphis)
Obstetrical evaluation visits (total) 36th week of pregnancy High
Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05 916 mothers Full (Memphis)
Pearlin Mastery, 24 months postpartum, standardized 2 years postpartum High
Statistically significant,p < 0.01 671 mothers Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
Pregnancy-induced hypertension (percentage) 36th week of pregnancy High
0.31 Statistically significant,p ≤ 0.01 916 mothers Full (Memphis)
Spontaneous abortion, 0–24 months postpartum (percentage) 2 years postpartum High
0.32 Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05 671 mothers Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
Standard prenatal care visits (total) 36th week of pregnancy High
Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05 916 mothers Full (Memphis)
Subsequent live birth, 0–24 months postpartum (percentage) 2 years postpartum High
0.28 Statistically significant,p < 0.01 671 mothers Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
Subsequent pregnancy, 0-24 months postpartum (percentage) 2 years postpartum High
0.28 Statistically significant,p < 0.01 671 mothers Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
Systolic blood pressure 36th week of pregnancy High
Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05 916 mothers Full (Memphis)
Therapeutic abortion, 0–24 months postpartum (percentage) 2 years postpartum High
0.43 Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05 671 mothers Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
Effect rating key
Favorable finding / Statistically significant
Unfavorable finding / Statistically significant
Ambiguous finding / Statistically significant
No effect / Not statistically significant
Positive Parenting Practices
Outcome Measure Timing of Follow-Up Rating Direction of Effect Effect Size (Absolute Value) Stastical Significance Sample Size Sample Description
HOME (emotional/ cognitive stimulation) 2 years postpartum High
Statistically significant,p < 0.01 675 mothers Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
NCAST Child Responsiveness (total score) 2 years postnatal High
Not statistically significant,p > 0.05 1082 children Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
NCAST Maternal Teaching (total score) 2 years postpartum High
Not statistically significant,p > 0.05 675 mothers Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
Beliefs associated with child abuse (AAPI total score) 2 years postpartum High
Statistically significant,p < 0.01 672 mothers Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
Effect rating key
Favorable finding / Statistically significant
Unfavorable finding / Statistically significant
Ambiguous finding / Statistically significant
No effect / Not statistically significant
Reductions In Child Maltreatment
Outcome Measure Timing of Follow-Up Rating Direction of Effect Effect Size (Absolute Value) Stastical Significance Sample Size Sample Description
Number of days hospitalized–injuries/ingestions 2 years postnatal High
Statistically significant,p < 0.01 671 children Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
Number of emergency department visits–injuries/ingestions 2 years postnatal High
Not statistically significant,p > 0.05 671 children Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
Number of hospitalizations–injuries/ingestions 2 years postnatal High
Not statistically significant,p > 0.05 671 children Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
Number of outpatient visits–injuries/ingestions 2 years postnatal High
Statistically significant,p ≤ 0.05 671 children Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
Total number of health care encounters–injuries/ingestions 2 years postnatal High
Statistically significant,p ≤ 0.05 671 children Nurse visited during pregnancy + infancy and developmental screening comparison (Memphis)
Effect rating key
Favorable finding / Statistically significant
Unfavorable finding / Statistically significant
Ambiguous finding / Statistically significant
No effect / Not statistically significant

This study included participants with the following characteristics at enrollment:

Race/Ethnicity

The race and ethnicity categories may sum to more than 100 percent if Hispanic ethnicity was reported separately or respondents could select two or more race or ethnicity categories.

Black or African American
92%
Unknown
8%

Maternal Education

Data not available

Other Characteristics

Data not available

This study included participants from the following locations:

  • Tennessee
Study Participants

The sample included pregnant, first-time mothers who were less than 29 weeks pregnant. Women were recruited through an obstetrical clinic if they had no previous live births, no chronic illnesses linked to fetal growth retardation or preterm delivery, and at least two of the following sociodemographic characteristics: unmarried, less than 12 years of education, and unemployed. From June 1990 through August 1991, 1,290 women were invited to participate and 1,139 consented and were randomly assigned. At enrollment, 92 percent of the women enrolled were African American, 98 percent were unmarried, and 64 percent were age 18 or younger. This study measured the sample up through the child’s 24th month. At the 24-month follow-up, the sample included 675 women, 208 in the program group and 467 in the comparison group.

Setting

Memphis, Tennessee

Intervention condition
Comparison Conditions

The study included two comparison groups. The first comparison group received taxicab transportation for prenatal care appointments. The second comparison group received the transportation plus developmental screening and referral to services when the children were 6, 12, and 24 months old. The two comparison groups were combined for the prenatal analysis. Only the second group was followed for postnatal outcomes.

Author Affiliation

David L. Olds, a study author, is a developer of this model.

Funding Sources

Five federal agencies: the National Institute of Nursing Research (grant NR01-01691-05); the Bureau of Maternal and Child Health (grant MCJ 360579); the Administration for Children and Families (grant 90PJ0003); the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation; and the National Center for Child Abuse and Neglect, through a transfer of funds to the National Institute of Nursing Research. Four private foundations: the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Princeton, NJ (grants 017934 and 11084); the Carnegie Corporation of New York, New York, NY (grant 5492); the Pew Charitable Trusts, Philadelphia, Pa (grants 88-0211-000 and 93-02363-000); and the William T. Grant Foundation, New York, NY (grants 88-1246-88 and 91-1246-88), including a William T. Grant Faculty Scholars Award 86108086) and a Senior Research Scientist Award (1-K05-MH01382-01) to Dr. Olds.