Family and child health centre characteristics associated with exposure to universal language and literacy promotion

Abstract

Aims: This study investigated which specific socio-demographic characteristics of the family and child health service centre are associated with parents receiving a video guide. The video guide, intended to be offered universally, aimed at promoting language and literacy development. Methods: The video guide included language and literacy activities and was offered through child healthcare centres to all visiting families. Cross-sectional data were collected during three years through parental self-reported questionnaires when the children were three years old, and families of 2512 children were included. Results: In 60% of the families, none of the parents reported receiving the video guide, and in 84%, none of the parents reported that they had watched the video guide. Most of the parents who watched the video guide reported having tried the presented activities. Socio-demographic characteristics associated with parents having received the video guide were: being married or cohabiting, having a university education, or if the mother was native-born. The child's age when the video guide was initially offered and the child's birth order were also factors associated with parents having received the video guide. Conclusions: The results indicate that few parents overall received the video guide. Socio-economically advantaged parents seemed to have received the video guide to a higher extent.