Evaluation of a U.S. Evidence-Based Parenting Intervention in Rural Western Kenya: From Parents Matter! to Families Matter!

Abstract

We evaluated Families Matter! Program (FMP), an intervention designed to improve parent-child communication about sexual risk reduction and parenting skills. Parents of 10- to 12-year-olds were recruited in western Kenya. We aimed to assess community acceptability and FMP's effect on parenting practices and effective parent-child communication. Data were collected from parents and their children at baseline and 1 year postintervention. The intervention's effect was measured on six parenting and parent-child communication composite scores reported separately for parents and children. Of 375 parents, 351 (94%) attended all five intervention sessions. Parents' attitudes regarding sexuality education changed positively. Five of the six composite parenting scores reported by parents, and six of six reported by children, increased significantly at 1 year postintervention. Through careful adaptation of this U.S. intervention, FMP was well accepted in rural Kenya and enhanced parenting skills and parent-child sexuality communication. Parents are in a unique position to deliver primary prevention to youth before their sexual debut as shown in this Kenyan program.