Promoting positive parenting through a 5-day chatbot user experience in South Africa: Protocol for a large-scale randomised controlled trial of ParentText

This study aims to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of ParentText, a brief chatbot parenting intervention, in enhancing parenting practices and child well-being among parents and caregivers of children aged 2 to 17 in South Africa. Using a mixed-method design, including a randomised controlled trial (RCT) and qualitative interviews, 24,000 participants will be recruited from Facebook and Instagram and allocated into three groups: ParentText intervention group, ParentText-PLUS intervention group, and WASHText control group. Digital interventions will be delivered via WhatsApp over a 5-day period, with assessments conducted at baseline, 1-month, 3-month and 7-month intervals post-baseline. Quantitative data will be analysed using intention-to-treat methods and regression models, while qualitative interviews will explore participants' experiences and engagement. Ethical approval has been sought from the Universities of Oxford and Cape Town. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, conferences, and engagement with relevant stakeholders.