Four-year follow-up to a home-visiting intervention to promote early childhood development and prevent family violence in rural Rwanda: the Sugira Muryango cluster randomised trial

Abstract

Background: Sugira Muryango (SM) is a home-visiting intervention designed to promote early childhood development (ECD) and prevent violence in families with young children living in extreme poverty in rural Rwanda.

Methods: We present 4-year follow-up data collected in 2022 in n=1009 households (93%) from a cluster randomised trial. We compare outcomes in SM and usual care (UC) families using mixed-effect models. Results are reported as the average difference in change over time in the SM versus UC group for longitudinal outcomes and the average difference in SM versus UC groups for new outcomes.

Results: Compared with UC caregivers, caregivers who participated in SM report engaging in more stimulating interaction with their children (b=0.531; 95% CI: 0.468, 0.594) and are less likely to report use of harsh discipline (b=-0.189; 95% CI: -0.292, -0.087). The SM caregivers also provide more learning materials (b=0.218; 95% CI: 0.0219, 0.414), language stimulation (b=0.159; 95% CI: 0.080, 0.240), more varied interactions (b=147; 95% CI: 0.030, 0.260), fathers are reported to be more engaged in play (b=0.253; 95% CI: 0.039, 0.467) and SM households have better hygiene practices (b=0.189; 95% CI: 0.052, 0.326) compared with UC households. We do not observe treatment effects on children's cognitive outcomes, self-regulation or behavioural problems. There is a small negative association between SM and height-for-age (b=-0.038; 95% CI: -0.062, -0.012).

Conclusions: SM resulted in changes in caregivers' behaviours to support children's health and development. Despite positive caregiver effects, we did not observe effects on child development or behavioural outcomes. Programme updates may be required to support children's continued cognitive growth.

Trial registration number: NCT02510313.

Keywords: Child health; Intervention study.

Figure 1. Sugira Muryango theory of change.

Figure 2. CONSORT diagram. ¹Clusters had to include ≥10 ePW households to be eligible as an ePW cluster. ²Clusters had to include ≥30 cPW households to be eligible as a cPW cluster. Randomisation within strata of the public works sector did not necessarily guarantee even numbers in the treatment and control arms. cPW, classic public works; ePW, expanded public works.