Feasibility and acceptability of using the Alarm Distress BaBy (ADBB) scale within universal health visiting practice in England: a mixed-methods study protocol

IntroductionThe Alarm Distress BaBy (ADBB) scale developed by Guedeney and Fermanian in 2001, is a validated screening tool designed for use by healthcare practitioners to identify infant social withdrawal. This study will explore the acceptability and feasibility of the use of the full ADBB scale and a modified ADBB (m-ADBB) scale as part of routine health visiting visits in England.Methods and analysisA mixed methods sequential exploratory design will be used. Five health visitors will be trained in using the ADBB scale and 20 in the m-ADBB scale, from two National Health Service sites in England. Qualitative semi-structured interviews will be carried out with health visitors after they receive the training and again 2 months after using the scales in routine family health visits. Quantitative data will also be collected from the same participants for a range of items during the study period. The theoretical framework of Normalisation Process Theory will underpin the study, to provide in-depth explanations of the implementation process. Qualitative data will be analysed using thematic analysis. Quantitative data will be analysed using descriptive analysis.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval was granted by the University of Oxford Departmental Research Ethics Committee. Dissemination of results will be via organisational websites, social media platforms, newsletters, professional networks, conferences and journal articles.