A Randomized Trial of Nurse-Family Partnership Program for First-Time Pregnant Mothers in Norway

What this Trial Is About

The Norwegian government is studying the Nurse Family Partnership NFP program to help prevent child abuse and reduce social inequality among vulnerable first-time mothers. This research is a randomized controlled trial involving 700 mothers enrolled over three years. The study aims to compare outcomes between mothers receiving NFP services and those receiving standard care, focusing on violence toward mothers and children as the primary outcome. The programs impact on various health-related factors will also be assessed using administrative data, alongside cost-effectiveness analyses to evaluate the value and delivery of NFP services. Participants in the treatment group will receive the NFP intervention, which consists of regular home visits by registered nurses starting early in pregnancy and continuing until the child turns two years old. These visits provide prenatal guidance, parenting support, and emotional assistance, potentially totaling up to 64 visits. The control group will have access to the usual community care and services without additional NFP visits. Enrollment occurs between 2023 and 2026, with the intervention period lasting through 2029 for those in the treatment group. Mothers will complete questionnaires during the last trimester of pregnancy and when their child is 6, 12, and 24 months old, assessing partner violence, parenting skills, coping, control, and child development. At 24 months, trained staff will conduct developmental and language observations using the Bayley test. The study also collects health and social outcome data from administrative records. Researchers will analyze changes in domestic violence, child maltreatment, injuries, parental skills, self-efficacy, and quality of life, with blinded assessments to estimate the effects of NFP compared to standard care.

The Mother in Norway Study