Effectiveness of the "Home-but not Alone' mobile health application educational programme on parental outcomes: a randomized controlled trial, study protocol

AimsThe aim of this study was to describe a study protocol that evaluates the effectiveness of the Home-but not Alone' educational programme delivered via a mobile health application in improving parenting outcomes. BackgroundThe development in mobile-based technology gives us the opportunity to develop an accessible educational programme that can be potentially beneficial to new parents. However, there is a scarcity of theory-based educational programmes that have incorporated technology such as a mobile health application in the early postpartum period. DesignA randomized controlled trial with a two-group pre-test and post-test design. MethodsThe data will be collected from 118 couples. Eligible parents will be randomly allocated to either a control group (receiving routine care) or an intervention group (routine care plus access to the Home-but not Alone' mobile health application. Outcome measures comprise of parenting self-efficacy, social support, parenting satisfaction and postnatal depression. Data will be collected at the baseline (on the day of discharge) and at four weeks postpartum. DiscussionThis will be an empirical study that evaluates a theory-based educational programme delivered via an innovative mobile health application on parental outcomes. Results from this study will enhance parenting self-efficacy, social support and parenting satisfaction, which may then reduce parental risks of postnatal depression.