Improved responsive caregiving and home learning environment through a relational home visitation program: Delayed control group comparison

Early child development (ECD) is one of the best long-term investments for sustainable community development. Yet, more research is needed on the impact and implementation of ECD interventions, especially in marginalized communities that need them most. This study investigates the effectiveness of a home visitation program in a Zulu community in South Africa in improving the home learning environment, responsive caregiving, social support, and virtuous hope, compared to a delayed control group. Participants included 290 female caregivers in the intervention and 79 demographically similar families in the delayed control group recruited from a nearby neighborhood of the same peri-urban area. Assessments occurred at baseline and approximately 6 months later. Using propensity score matching, analyses indicated significant improvements in posttest home learning environment and responsive care in the intervention group relative to the control group, controlling for pretest values. No significant increases were noted in social support or virtuous hope. Implications for community ECD implementation and future research directions are discussed.