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Feasibility and acceptability of the Mazi Umntanakho digital tool in South African settings: a qualitative evaluation
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  • Catherine Draper,
  • Caylee Cook J,
  • Elizabeth Ankrah A,
  • Jesus Beltran A,
  • Franceli Cibrian L,
  • Kimberley Lakes D,
  • Hanna Mofid,
  • Lucretia Williams,
  • Gillian Hayes R
Catherine Draper
University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Caylee Cook J
University of the Witwatersrand Johannesburg
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Elizabeth Ankrah A
University of California Irvine Department of Informatics
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Jesus Beltran A
California State University Fullerton
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Franceli Cibrian L
Chapman University
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Kimberley Lakes D
University of California Riverside
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Hanna Mofid
University of California Irvine
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Lucretia Williams
Howard University College of Engineering and Architecture
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Gillian Hayes R
University of California Irvine Department of Informatics
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Abstract

To address the need for interventions targeting social emotional development and mental health of young children in South Africa, the Mazi Umntanakho (‘know your child’) digital tool was co-designed, and piloted with caregivers and 3–5 year-old children involved in home visiting programmes promoting early childhood development. The aim of this study was to qualitatively evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of this tool in four urban and four rural low-income communities, from the perspective of home visitors and caregivers. Focus groups were conducted with home visitors (n=117) and caregivers (n=72). Issues relating to the feasibility of implementing the tool included timing of using the tool, technical and social implementation challenges, WhatsApp as the preferred platform, and participants’ recommendations for future implementation. Overall, the tool was acceptable for home visitors and caregivers, and was perceived to have a positive impact on children’s development, and the relationship between caregivers and children.
06 Sep 2024Submitted to Infant and Child Development: prenatal, childhood, adolescence, emerging adulthood
09 Sep 2024Submission Checks Completed
09 Sep 2024Assigned to Editor
10 Sep 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned