A community-orientated early intervention programme integrated in a primary preventive child health service—evaluation of activities and effectiveness

Palti, H., Zilber, N., & Kark, S.L. (1982). A community-orientated early intervention programme integrated in a primary preventive child health service—evaluation of activities and effectiveness. Journal of Public Health, 4(4),302-314.

Abstract

In the framework of an existing Mother and Child Health service, a structured intervention stimulation programme was introduced. Its focus was on verbal and play interaction between mother and children between 1–12 months of age. The evaluation of activities of the programme indicated that the amount of stimulation was greater during the first 6 months of life than later. The effectiveness was assessed by the Developmental Quotient (DQ) at 2 years of age. The difference in the mean DQ between the control and experimental group was statistically significant. In the control group a statistically significant difference in mean DQ by educational standard of mother, country of origin and birth order was noted. In the experimental group the mean DQ of the disadvantaged groups increased. No change in the better off population was noted thus closing the gap between the disadvantaged and better off populations. The feasability of the programme in a routine preventive service suggests that our programme could be incorporated into the Mother and Child Health services.