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This study examines the feasibility of a culturally adapted parenting intervention (MaPa Teens) within the national cash transfer system to reduce violence against adolescents, the first such program in the Philippines. Thirty caregiver-adolescent dyads who were beneficiaries of a government conditional cash transfer program participated in a pilot of a locally adapted version of the Parenting for Lifelong Health for Parents and Teens program. Primary outcomes of reducing child maltreatment and associated risk factors were evaluated using a single-group, pre-post design. Focus group discussions explored the perceptions of participants and facilitators regarding program acceptability and feasibility. Significant and moderate reductions were reported in overall child maltreatment and physical abuse (caregiver and adolescent reports) and in emotional abuse (adolescent report). There were significant reductions in neglect, attitudes supporting punishment, parenting stress, parental and adolescent depressive symptoms, parent-child relationship problems, and significant improvement in parental efficacy in managing child behavior. Adolescents reported reduced behavior problems, risk behavior, and witnessing of family violence. Participants valued learning skills using a collaborative approach, sustained their engagement between sessions through text messages and phone calls, and appreciated the close interaction with caring and skilled facilitators. Program areas of improvement included addressing barriers to attendance, increasing adolescent engagement, and revising the sexual health module. The study provides preliminary support for the effectiveness and feasibility of the program in reducing violence against Filipino adolescents. Findings suggest potential adaptations of the program, and that investment in more rigorous testing using a randomized controlled trial would be worthwhile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is considerable evidence suggesting that parenting programmes reduce violence against children (VAC). Based on this evidence, there have been calls for implementation of parenting programmes at scale. However, most of the existing evidence on implementation quality and scale-up comes from high-income countries and very little research ascertains the perspectives and experiences of programme implementers from low-income settings. Objective: To explore the views and experiences of implementers from six non-profit organisations who delivered Parenting for Lifelong Health for Teens (PLH-Teens) programme at scale in Tanzania in 2020 and 2021. Methods: This paper employed a qualitative research design involving 44 in-depth interviews and 12 focus group discussions (FGDs) with facilitators, coaches, and local implementing partners (LIPs). Data were collected on implementers' experiences of delivering the programme at scale by exploring topics including programme delivery, training and support they received and details around programme logistics. All interviews and FGDs were audio-recorded with the permission of the participants. With the aid of NVIVO 12 qualitative analysis software, thematic analysis was used to synthesise the interview and FGD data. Results: Thematic analyses of the interviews and FGDs revealed three themes: 1) implementers' reflections on factors promoting scale-up; 2) implementers motivation for implementation of the programme; and 3) barriers to scale up. Implementers described factors that promoted successful scale up as: planning and working closely with community organisations, which enhanced trust and buy-in; delivering the programme through role plays; and delivery by skilled implementers. Implementers were motivated to deliver the programme at scale for reasons such as prestige/respect, financial incentives, and acquiring skills for their own parenting. This study highlights barriers to programme scale-up as: conflicting demands on staff time; beneficiaries' initial doubt of the programme's value; COVID-19 related disruptions; and logistical challenges that affected how both implementers and parents/caregivers engaged with the programme. Despite these obstacles, implementers remained flexible in scheduling and adapting the programme to ensure successful completion. Conclusion: This paper highlights the perspectives of staff implementing a parenting programme aiming to reduce VAC at scale. The study suggests that several factors support staff in delivering the programme whereas other factors hindered successful implementation. It is important for all programme stakeholders to understand these factors and find ways of addressing them for desired programme impact. The study also reveals that the successful delivery of parenting programme should allow for flexibility in modes of delivery by allowing for necessary adaptations and adjustments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High levels of violence affect every family in South Africa. Exposure to violence starts early, in both the home and community. There are high levels of physical abuse of children,1 and the national under-five homicide rate is more than double that of other low- and middle-income countries.2 Rates of violence are particularly high in poorer communities in the country, and many children already made vulnerable by poverty are also at risk from increased exposure to violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]