Development and implementation of a parent guidance intervention through mobile devices

Abstract

This study of limited scope forms part of a broader research project which is focused on the promotion of healthy nutrition, physical fitness and the psychosocial well-being practices of primary school children in resource-constrained communities in South Africa. The initial phase of the broader study obtained baseline data on the needs and expectations of parents in resource-constrained communities for health, physical fitness, and psychosocial well-being guidance in terms of suitable content and modes of delivery. The purpose of the present phase of the study is to explore and describe the development and implementation of a parent guidance intervention on health promotion practices in resource-constrained communities through mobile devices.

I followed a qualitative approach for this study and relied on interpretivism as a metatheoretical lens. I implemented a descriptive case study design and utilised Participatory Reflection and Action (PRA) principles in generating data from the parents (n=60) of Grade 1 to 7 learners in two resource-constrained communities in Pretoria, and from a group of university researchers (n=7) who were experts in particular fields related to health promotion and parent guidance. I used PRA-based workshops as well as observation, audio-visual techniques, field notes and a reflective journal in order to obtain data for the study.

Following inductive thematic analysis, four themes and related sub-themes emerged in relation to the development and implementation of a parent guidance intervention based on parents’ needs, modes of delivery for a parent guidance intervention, the utilisation of mobile devices, and the content of the WhatsApp messages for the parent guidance intervention. The findings of this study indicate the effectiveness of mobile devices and WhatsApp groups as a mode of delivery for parent guidance interventions. In addition, recommendations from researchers allowed for the development of suitable content for a parent guidance intervention based on parents’ needs. The study also provides baseline data for the next phase of the broader project which will determine parents’ perceptions on the intervention and their experiences thereof.