title: Sustained health home visiting can improve families' social support and community connectedness.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Home visiting (HV) is a strategy used internationally to address the multiple needs of infants and families at risk of suboptimal health and developmental outcomes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Describe nursing interventions and program achievements of a pilot HV program for families living in a highly disadvantaged outer suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A family partnership model was adopted. Follow-up is reported for 65 of the 75 clients remaining in the program for at least 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nurses most commonly provided clients with emotional support, information about health and well-being and information on infant development. Clients experienced noteworthy improvements consistent with key objectives - greater access to support services, and increased self-efficacy and social networks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Consistent with the growing body of international literature on the achievements of HV, HV programs can empower vulnerable families to better cope with daily life demands and their family.
authors: a Epidemiology and Health Analytics , Western Sydney Local Health District , Locked Bag 7118, Parramatta BC , NSW 2124 , Australia.
authors: Joanne M
authors: JM
authors: Stubbs
authors: a Epidemiology and Health Analytics , Western Sydney Local Health District , Locked Bag 7118, Parramatta BC , NSW 2124 , Australia.
authors: Helen M
authors: HM
authors: Achat
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care / Q000523:psychology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D064691:Nurses, Community Health / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000523:psychology*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support
keywords: child development; house calls; self-efficacy; social networking; social support; vulnerable populations