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Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker (MIHOW)®

Last updated: June 2018

In Brief

Evidence of Model Effectiveness

This model does not meet the criteria established by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for an “evidence-based early childhood home visiting service delivery model” for the general population or for tribal populations because the findings from high- or moderate-rated effectiveness studies of the model do not meet all required criteria.

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Model Description

The Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker (MIHOW) Program targets underserved communities and primarily serves low-income, stressed, and isolated families with children from birth to age 3. The model is designed to improve child and maternal health, increase use of linkages and referrals, and build positive parenting skills. MIHOW employs parents from the local community as home visitors and role models who educate families about nutrition, health, children’s development, and positive parenting practices. The home visitors also provide links to medical and social services. For more information, please read the Model Overview.

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Extent of Evidence

Results of Research and Review
Number of studies
Eligible for review
6
Rated high
1
Rated moderate
0
Rated low
4
Additional source1
1

1Additional sources overlap with another study and are not rated.

For more information, see the study database. For more information on the criteria used to determine the study ratings, please read Producing Study Ratings.

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Summary of Findings

Outcome domain links to effects details by study.
Outcomes
Primary Outcome Measures
Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Child Development and School Readiness

Not measured in high- or moderate-rated outcomes

Outcome Child Health

Primary outcome measures:
Favorable: 0
No effect: 1
Unfavorable or ambiguous: 0
Secondary outcome measures:
Favorable: 5
No effect: 10
Unfavorable or ambiguous: 4

Outcome Family Economic Self-Sufficiency

Not measured in high- or moderate-rated outcomes

Outcome Linkages and Referrals

Primary outcome measures:
Favorable: 0
No effect: 0
Unfavorable or ambiguous: 0
Secondary outcome measures:
Favorable: 1
No effect: 0
Unfavorable or ambiguous: 0

Outcome Maternal Health

Primary outcome measures:
Favorable: 3
No effect: 0
Unfavorable or ambiguous: 0
Secondary outcome measures:
Favorable: 3
No effect: 8
Unfavorable or ambiguous: 1

Outcome Positive Parenting Practices

Primary outcome measures:
Favorable: 3
No effect: 0
Unfavorable or ambiguous: 0
Secondary outcome measures:
Favorable: 18
No effect: 1
Unfavorable or ambiguous: 0

Outcome Reductions in Child Maltreatment

Not measured in high- or moderate-rated outcomes

Outcome Reductions in Juvenile Delinquency, Family Violence, and Crime

Not measured in high- or moderate-rated outcomes

Please read Describing Effects for more information on these categories. Only results from studies that meet the standards for the high or moderate ratings are included above.

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Criteria Established by the Department of Health and Human Services

Information Based on Comprehensive Review of All High- and Moderate-Impact Studies for this Model
High- or moderate-quality impact study?
Yes
Across high- or moderate-quality studies, favorable impacts in at least two outcome domains within one sample OR the same domain for at least two non-overlapping samples?
Yes
Favorable impacts on full sample?
Yes
Any favorable impacts on outcome measures sustained at least 12 months after model enrollment?1
No
One or more favorable, statistically significant impact reported in a peer-reviewed journal?1
No

1This information is reported for all models, but the requirements for sustained findings and inclusion in a peer-reviewed journal only apply to models for which all findings are from randomized controlled trials.

Please read the HHS Criteria for Evidence-Based Models for more information.

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