Abstract

Recruitment, Retention, Participation and Perceptions: Parent's View on their Involvement in the Melbourne Infant Program - A Child Obesity Prevention Intervention for First-Time Parents in Existing Social Networks

Author(s)

Bibi Gerner -Deakin University

Mrs Natasha Napiza -Deakin University

Dr. Kylie Hesketh -Deakin University

Mrs Anne Griffiths -Deakin University

Ms Sanae Roberts -Deakin University

Ms Debbie Leslie -Deakin University

Ms Irene Serebryanikova -Deakin University

Ms Alison Spence -Deakin University

Dr Karen Campbell -Deakin University

Introduction
The Melbourne InFANT Program focuses on parenting skills that support the development of positive lifestyle behaviours in infants from 3 to 18 months of age.

Methods
The 559 participants were recruited within first-time parent groups in 14 Local Government Areas in Melbourne. Participants within groups randomised to receive the program attended 6 x 2-hour sessions over 15 months and completed an evaluation at the conclusion of each session.

Results
Recruitment rates were high with 62 eligible groups agreeing to participate in the study and 88% of parents within these groups consenting to take part. Retention six months into the study was also high in both the program (96%) and control (93%) groups with only 33 families withdrawing from the study. Process evaluation from the first three sessions shows that parents' ratings of all aspects of the sessions declined slightly over the course of the program but remained high. Approximately 90% of parents report finding the sessions to be 'quite' or 'very useful'. Similarly, around 90% indicate that session content is relevant to their circumstances. In general, participants in lower socioeconomic position (SEP) areas were more likely than those in higher SEP areas to rate session content, materials and DVD highly.

Discussion
Preliminary evaluation indicates the Melbourne InFANT Program is useful and relevant to the majority of first-time parents. However socioeconomic disparities are noted, with parents from lower SEP generally reporting greater benefit from the intervention.