Feasibility and acceptability of the Mazi Umntanakho digital tool in
South African settings: a qualitative evaluation
Abstract
To address the need for interventions targeting social emotional
development and mental health of young children in South Africa, the
Mazi Umntanakho (‘know your child’) digital tool was co-designed,
and piloted with caregivers and 3–5 year-old children involved in home
visiting programmes promoting early childhood development. The aim of
this study was to qualitatively evaluate the feasibility and
acceptability of this tool in four urban and four rural low-income
communities, from the perspective of home visitors and caregivers. Focus
groups were conducted with home visitors (n=117) and caregivers (n=72).
Issues relating to the feasibility of implementing the tool included
timing of using the tool, technical and social implementation
challenges, WhatsApp as the preferred platform, and participants’
recommendations for future implementation. Overall, the tool was
acceptable for home visitors and caregivers, and was perceived to have a
positive impact on children’s development, and the relationship between
caregivers and children.