Children in families who participate in a home visitation program in Maskwacîs are six times more likely to get their childhood vaccines than others in the First Nations community, according to new research from the University of Alberta.
The Early Years is a community-led prenatal to preschool program aimed at strengthening maternal and family wellness, school readiness and cultural pride. Trained home visitors meet with families of young children weekly, using conversation cards on nearly 200 topics - including immunization - to listen, offer supportive guidance and connect them with services.
The improved vaccination rates are an unexpected but very tangible benefit of the program, says registered nurse Charlene Rattlesnake, family and cultural co-ordinator with The Early Years and co-investigator on the research project.
"It was not really a surprise," says Rattlesnake. "It just proves how relationship building between our home visitors and parents is the basis for all of the benefits of Early Years."
