Young Children Affected by HIV/AIDS Strategic Initiative

Implementing a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Strategy for the  Conrad N. Hilton Foundation's Young Children Affected by HIV/AIDS Initiative

The Initiative seeks to improve the developmental outcomes of all young children (from birth to five) in five focus African countries through ensuring quality evidence-based programmes, strengthening systems and building an evidence base for early childhood development. 

Kenya, Malawi,

Zambia, Mozambique,

Tanzania

Young children and caregivers; community-based organisations

A variety of monitoring and evaluation activities 

Various interventions across the five countries 

Mphatlalatsane: Early Morning Star

A cluster randomised control trial of a parenting intervention integrating early childhood care and development, HIV testing and treatment and nutrition support in Mokhotlong, Lesotho 

Caregivers receive training in sensitive “book-sharing” skills, combined with a participatory approach to addressing issues around health, HIV testing and nutrition education. Eight group-based sessions take place at the local preschool, followed by community wide health events. 

Lesotho:

Mokhotlong

1040 children

(1-5yrs) and their primary caregivers

Baseline, immediate post-intervention and a one-year follow-up

Community-based intervention delivered by CHWs 

The Benefits of Early Book-Sharing (BEBS)

The Benefits of Early Book-Sharing for child cognitive and socio-emotional development in South Africa: A randomised control trial

BEBS is an evaluation of a parenting intervention using dialogic book-sharing, delivered through eight group sessions, to prevent the development of aggression in children in South Africa. The intervention was delivered to groups of caregivers in Khayelitsha, South Africa.

South Africa:

Khayelitsha,

Cape Town

140 caregivers and their children

(23-27mo)

Assessed at baseline, immediate post- and 6mo post-intervention

Group-based intervention delivered by CHWs 

Language ENvironment  Analysis (LENA)

A multi-country, multi-programme implementation of the Language Environment Analysis (LENA) System

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Analysing children's language environment using LENA as part of two intervention studies in Lesotho and South Africa. Participating children wear vests with the LENA recording device, which captures language heard and spoken by the child during the day. 

South Africa

and Lesotho

70 children in South Africa; 600 children in Lesotho

Post-intervention assessments using LENA

Dialogic book-sharing parenting interventions 

Khwezi Lokusa: Early Morning Star

Adapting an intervention to improve HIV testing of young children in South Africa through a community-based parenting programme

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Khwezi Lokusa adapts the Lesotho Mphatlalatsane (Early Morning Star) HIV intervention component for delivery in South Africa, and tests the feasibility and acceptability of integrating the component into an existing community-based parenting programme.  

South Africa:

Khayelitsha,

Cape Town

Children (2-9yrs) and their caregivers; key stakeholders

Qualitative interviews; pre- and post assessment

Community-based parenting programme

Selemela: Sharing picture books with groups of children

A preschool-based book-sharing intervention, implemented in rural preschool centres in Mokhotlong, Lesotho

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Preschool teachers are trained to use dialogic book-sharing in their classrooms, in order to engage children in stimulating activities, and improve the outcomes of young children attending these centres.

Mokhotlong, 

Lesotho

176 preschool children, teachers

& caregivers

Post-intervention assessment

Dialogic book-sharing for groups of children 

Community-led Action for Children (CLAC)

Evaluating Plan International’s parenting and early childhood education programme in Kenya 

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An evaluation of children attending early learning centres supported by Plan International’s CLAC2 programme in Western Kenya. Our team assessed child development and behaviour through direct child assessments and caregiver interviews, and also observed preschool activities and parenting group sessions.”

Kenya

519 preschool children & their caregivers

Baseline and post-intervention assessment

PLAN International's CLAC programme