This project will pilot the integration of an early childhood development (ECD) intervention into an existing primary care platform across the continuum of facility- and community-based care in a poor, mountainous area of Lesotho. Mothers and other caregivers will learn parenting behaviour and developmental interactions during postnatal clinic and home visits by village health workers, improving access for this hard-to-reach population. This integration addresses multiple risk factors for childhood development where ECD services are currently unavailable. The potential impact will be to demonstrate the feasibility of a low-cost, preventative implementation model to reduce the risk of developmental delays and strengthen caregivers’ knowledge and practices.
