Home-based support for disadvantaged adult mothers
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|July 20, 2007
Summary
Home visiting programs for disadvantaged mothers show no significant improvements in maternal or child outcomes. Further research is needed to understand potential benefits and improve study designs.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Maternal and Child Health
- Social Work
Background:
- Infants born to socio-economically disadvantaged mothers face increased risks.
- Home visiting programs aim to improve maternal and child well-being through support and guidance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of home visiting programs for socially or economically disadvantaged mothers post-childbirth.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
- Extensive database searches (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ASSIA, LILACS, Sociological Abstracts) and grey literature searches.
- Data extraction and synthesis by independent reviewers.
Main Results:
- Eleven RCTs involving 4751 participants were included.
- No statistically significant differences were found in maternal outcomes (e.g., depression, parenting stress) or child outcomes (e.g., psychosocial health, development).
- Evidence on immunization uptake was mixed, and child maltreatment data were difficult to interpret.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence does not support the widespread adoption of home visiting programs for improving maternal psychosocial health, parenting, or child outcomes in disadvantaged populations.
- The findings do not definitively prove ineffectiveness but highlight the need for careful consideration of program targets and improved outcome study methodologies.
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