Manuscript Details

Kemp, L., Harris, E., McMahon, C., Matthey, S., Vimpani, G., Anderson, T., Schmied, V., Aslam, H., & Zapart, S. (2011). Child and family outcomes of a long-term nurse home visitation programme: A randomised controlled trial. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 96, 533-540.

Moderate 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

Equivalent on SES, information on race/ethnicity not available

None

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

Moderate rating applies to outcomes (birthweight and preterm birth) measured at the one-month post partum follow-up, which had low attrition. Outcomes measured after one month postpartum had high attrition. Because of missing data on race and ethnicity, baseline equivalence could not be established and all other outcomes receive a low rating.

Child Health
Outcome Measure Timing of Follow-Up Rating Direction of Effect Effect Size (Absolute Value) Stastical Significance Sample Size Sample Description
Breastfeeding duration (weeks) 12 months Moderate
0.52 Statistically significant, p = 0.002 139 children Sydney sample
Gastroenteritis 24 months Moderate
0.05 Not Statistically significant, p = 0.76 166 children Sydney sample
Immunization up to date 24 months Moderate
Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05 166 children Sydney sample
Low birth weight (< 2500 g) 1 month Moderate
0.79 Not Statistically significant, p = 0.15 201 mothers Sydney sample
Preterm (< 37 weeks) 1 month Moderate
0.33 Not Statistically significant, p = 0.32 203 mothers Sydney sample
Respiratory infection 24 months Moderate
0.06 Not Statistically significant, p = 0.76 166 children Sydney sample
Transition to solids (weeks) 12 months Moderate
Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05 162 children Sydney sample
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
Family functioning 24 months Moderate
Not Statistically significant, p = 0.21 208 mothers Sydney sample
Maternal depression 24 months Moderate
Not Statistically significant, p = 0.55 208 mothers Sydney sample
Maternal experience of being a mother 12 months Moderate
Not statistically significant, p ≥ 0.05 138 mothers Sydney sample
Maternal general health 24 months Moderate
Not Statistically significant, p = 0.33 208 mothers Sydney sample
Maternal mental health 24 months Moderate
Not Statistically significant, p = 0.69 208 mothers Sydney sample
Maternal physical health 24 months Moderate
Not Statistically significant, p = 0.84 208 mothers Sydney sample
Maternal social support 24 months Moderate
Not Statistically significant, p = 0.26 208 mothers Sydney sample
Mother never smoked 24 months Moderate
0.00 Not Statistically significant, p = 0.38 208 mothers Sydney sample
Stressful life events 24 months Moderate
Not Statistically significant, p = 0.98 208 mothers Sydney sample
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 Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME), Avoidance of restriction and punishment 24 months Moderate
Not Statistically significant, p = 0.18 174 mothers Sydney sample
Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME), Maternal involvement with child 24 months Moderate
Not Statistically significant, p = 0.76 174 mothers Sydney sample
Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME), Organization of environment 24 months Moderate
Not Statistically significant, p = 0.43 174 mothers Sydney sample
Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME), Provision of appropriate play materials 24 months Moderate
Not Statistically significant, p = 0.21 174 mothers Sydney sample
Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME), Responsivity 24 months Moderate
0.26 Statistically significant, p = 0.02 174 mothers Sydney sample
Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME), Variety in daily stimulation 24 months Moderate
Not Statistically significant, p = 0.49 174 mothers Sydney sample
Household always smoke free 24 months Moderate
0.00 Not Statistically significant, p = 0.99 208 mothers Sydney sample
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

Data not available

Maternal Education

High school diploma or GED
78%
Unknown
22%

Other Characteristics

Data not available

This study included participants from the following locations:

  • State not reported or international
International Locations
Australia
Study Participants

Pregnant women were eligible to participate if they did not require the use of an interpreter and reported at least one risk factor for poor maternal or child outcomes during routine psychosocial and domestic violence screenings conducted by midwives in a local hospital. After consenting to participate in the study, 208 eligible mothers were randomly assigned to the program (MECSH) or comparison group before baseline data were collected, assigning 111 to MECSH and 97 to the comparison group. There were no significant differences between the two groups on age, marital status, educational attainment, source of income, or number of risk factors. The study did not report baseline information on race or ethnicity, so equivalence could not be established on this factor. Participants were followed for 24 months.

Setting

The study was conducted in a socioeconomically disadvantaged suburb of Sydney, Australia.

Comparison Conditions

Women in both study conditions received usual antenatal midwifery, obstetric, and birthing services. Comparison group women were expected to receive a home visit by a child health nurse within two weeks of giving birth, in accordance with standard practice in New South Wales.

Author Affiliation

Lynn Kemp, a study author, is a developer of this model.

Funding Sources

The trial was funded by the Australian Research Council (LP0560285), Sydney South West Area Health Service, the New South Wales (NSW) Department of Community Services, and the NSW Department of Health.