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Strengthen the Evidence for Maternal and Child Health Programs

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Evidence Tools
MCHbest. Drinking During Pregnancy.

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Strategy. Nurse-Family Partnership

Approach. Implement education on alcohol consumption during pregnancy through nurse-family partnership programs.

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Overview. The Nurse-Family Partnership. (NFP) is a voluntary home visiting program that supports low income, first-time mothers and their babies. Specially trained registered nurses provide support, advice, and education on multiple topics regarding child and maternal health, development, and care. Visits to families begin during pregnancy and continue until a child’s second birthday.[1]

Evidence. Scientifically Rigorous Evidence. Strategies with this rating are most likely to be effective...

Access the peer-reviewed evidence through the MCH Digital Library or related evidence source.

Outcome Components. This strategy has shown to have impact on the following outcomes (Read more about these categories):

  • Health and Health Behaviors/Behavior Change. This strategy improves individuals' physical and mental health and their adoption of healthy behaviors (e.g., healthy eating, physical activity).
  • Patient Experience of Care. This study improves individuals' perceptions, feelings, and satisfaction with the healthcare services they receive.

Detailed Outcomes. For specific outcomes related to each study supporting this strategy, access the peer-reviewed evidence and read the Intervention Results for each study.

Intervention Type. Health Teaching (Education and Promotion) (Read more about intervention types and levels as defined by the Public Health Intervention Wheel).

Intervention Level. Individual/Family-Focused

Examples from the Field. There are currently no ESMs that use this strategy. Search similar intervention components in the ESM database.

Sample ESMs. Here are sample ESMs to use as models for your own measures using the RBA framework (see The Role of Title V in Adapting Strategies).

Quadrant 1:
Measuring Quantity of Effort (“What/how much did we do?”)

  • Number of nurses trained on providing education about alcohol consumption during pregnancy. (Indicates capacity building for delivering tailored education) Number of pregnant women enrolled in Nurse-Family Partnership programs who receive information on alcohol risks during pregnancy. (Shows reach of alcohol education efforts)

Quadrant 2:
Measuring Quality of Effort (“How well did we do it?”)

  • Percent of Nurse-Family Partnership visits that include education on alcohol and pregnancy. (Indicates consistency of integrating alcohol education) Percent of Nurse-Family Partnership nurses who feel confident in their ability to utilize motivational interviewing techniques for assessing alcohol use during pregnancy. (Shows skills in evidence-based approach)

Quadrant 3:
Measuring Quantity of Effect (“Is anyone better off?”)

  • Number of Nurse-Family Partnership nurses who complete continuing education sponsored by Title V on advances in alcohol and pregnancy research. (Indicates ongoing learning to inform practice) Number of women satisfied with the alcohol education and support provided by their Nurse-Family Partnership nurse. (Shows perceived quality and relevance of education) Number of babies born to Nurse-Family Partnership clients with no fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. (Shows prevention of alcohol-related health issues) Number of pregnant women enrolled in Nurse-Family Partnership who avoid alcohol throughout their pregnancy and the postpartum period. (Indicates behavior change related to alcohol use)

Quadrant 4:
Measuring Quality of Effect (“How are they better off?”)

  • Percent of Nurse-Family Partnership nurses who complete continuing education sponsored by Title V on advances in alcohol and pregnancy research. (Indicates ongoing learning to inform practice) Percent of women satisfied with the alcohol education and support provided by their Nurse-Family Partnership nurse. (Shows perceived quality and relevance of education) Percent reduction in alcohol use during pregnancy among Nurse-Family Partnership clients in communities with high prevalence. (Indicates impact) Percent of pregnant women enrolled in Nurse-Family Partnership who avoid alcohol throughout their pregnancy and the postpartum period. (Indicates behavior change related to alcohol use)

Note. When looking at your ESMs, SPMs, or other strategies:

  1. Move from measuring quantity to quality.
  2. Move from measuring effort to effect.
  3. Quadrant 1 strategies should be used sparingly, when no other data exists.
  4. The most effective measurement combines strategies in all levels, with most in Quadrants 2 and 4.

Learn More. Read how to create stronger ESMs and how to measure ESM impact more meaningfully through Results-Based Accountability.

References

[1] NFP - Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP). Helping first-time parents succeed.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U02MC31613, MCH Advanced Education Policy, $3.5 M. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.