¡Bebé-Sonrie!: Theory-Based Behavioral Program for Enhancing Maternal-Child Health in Venezuela

Objectives: To develop theory-based Behavioral Program “¡Bebé-Sonrie!” (BB-S) for enhancing maternal-child health
behaviors during the first 1000 days of life in a Venezuelan Community.
Methods: Intervention Mapping (IM) framework was applied as a planning model to design and develop BB-S. A 6
stepped-process was followed: (1) assess needs and develop a logic model of the problem, (2) develop
matrices of behavioral change objectives for the program, (3) identify theory-based methods and practical
applications (4) Identify program components, scope and sequence and produce program materials, (5)
plan for program adoption, implementation, and sustainability, and (6) plan for evaluation.
Results: The final product “¡Bebé-Sonrie!” is a theory-evidence-based health promotion program that aims to
impact dental caries disease origin and enhance maternal-child behaviors during the first 1000 days of
life. It is grounded in constructs from Social Cognitive Theory (knowledge, skills, attitudes, outcome
expectations, self-efficacy) and the SEM. The priority population is Latin/Hispanic mother-children dyads,
in a low-income country in Latin America (Venezuela). It comprises a 2-year culturally relevant
multicomponent curriculum (health-team module and maternal-child module), in a hybrid clinic-home
setting, focusing on the positive influence of nutrition and oral health on quality of life. Behavioral
outcomes target performance of a balanced diet, adequate oral care and health service utilization.
Environmental outcomes focus on building effective patient-provider communication. Core methods
include modeling, active learning, guided practice, motivational interviewing, goal-setting and
reinforcement. Practical application involves in-person and digital channels of communication. Evaluation
plan includes: feasibility and an effectiveness assessment (randomized clinical trial).
Conclusions: This is the first study in Latin-America that applies an effective and systematic framework to produce an
OHPP that impacts dental caries disease determinants during its origin.