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Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)NCT07492368

Smartphone Climate Adaptation and IPV Intervention for Women in Informal Settlements in Kenya

A study testing Event-Triggered WINGS-Based EMI and Single-Session Mobile WINGS in people with Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Climate Change, run by Africa Institute of Mental and Brain Health (AFRIMEB) at 1 site in Kenya.

Active, not recruiting

Under way, not looking for participants. Everyone needed has enrolled. The study is still running.

Official record
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Trial summary

This study is testing a smartphone-delivered program to help women living in informal settlements in Kenya manage intimate partner violence (IPV) and stress related to extreme weather events. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older, women only
What is being tested?
Event-Triggered WINGS-Based EMI and Single-Session Mobile WINGS
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
272 participants
Where
1 siteKenya
Study dates
13 Mar 2026to 31 Aug 2027
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • Women only
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Female
  • Age 18 years or older
  • Resident of Kibera or Mathare informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya
  • Speaks Swahili or English
  • Participated in the parent study (1R21MH127356)
  • Reported at least one form of intimate partner violence (psychological, -physical, or sexual) in the past 12 months
  • Willing to provide informed consent
  • Willing to use a smartphone for daily assessments and intervention activities

Who cannot join

  • No past-year intimate partner violence reported in parent study
  • Did not participate in the parent study (1R21MH127356)
  • Under 18 years of age
  • Unable to provide informed consent
  • Does not speak Swahili or English
  • Not a resident of Kibera or Mathare informal settlements

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Kenya1 site
  • Africa Institute of Mental and Brain Health

    Nairobi, Nairobi County, 00100

Other trials in Kenya

About this study

Official title: Development and Testing of a Smartphone-Delivered Climate Adaptation and IPV-Related Stress Intervention for Residents of Informal Settlements in Kenya Using Ecological Momentary Approaches

This study is testing a smartphone-delivered program to help women living in informal settlements in Kenya manage intimate partner violence (IPV) and stress related to extreme weather events. Women in these communities often face high levels of violence from partners, challenges caused by climate-related events, and limited access to support services.

Participants will be randomly assigned to either a mobile intervention or a comparison condition. The mobile program provides short, tailored sessions that help women learn safety planning, coping skills, and strategies for adapting to climate-related stress. The program also offers tools to improve communication and strengthen social support.

Read more

The main goal of the study is to see whether this smartphone-based approach can reduce the frequency and severity of IPV over 12 months. The study will also examine changes in stress levels, self-confidence in handling problems, social support, and safety behaviors.

Results from this study may help create accessible, scalable support for women experiencing IPV and climate-related stress in similar settings.

Read the detailed description

This study is a randomized controlled trial designed to test the effectiveness of a smartphone-delivered intervention that integrates climate adaptation strategies with an evidence-based approach to reducing intimate partner violence (IPV) and related stress among women living in informal settlements in Kenya.

Women living in informal settlements face high levels of poverty, climate-related stressors, and intimate partner violence. Climate-related shocks can increase household stress and economic strain, which may in turn increase the risk of IPV. Despite growing evidence linking climate stress and violence, there are few scalable, low-cost interventions that address both climate-related stress and IPV risk simultaneously.

The intervention builds on prior formative and pilot work conducted in the R21 phase of this project. It combines climate adaptation and problem-solving strategies with core elements of the Women Initiating New Goals of Safety (WINGS) intervention. The program is delivered via smartphone and uses brief, event-triggered sessions to provide support when participants report elevated stress or conflict risk. Participants receive tailored content focused on safety planning, coping skills, communication strategies, and climate-related adaptation planning.

In the R33 phase, 272 women who previously participated in the R21 phase and meet eligibility criteria will be enrolled and randomized to either the smartphone intervention or a comparison condition. Participants will be followed for 12 months.

The primary outcome is the incidence and severity of intimate partner violence over the 12-month follow-up period. Secondary outcomes include stress, self-efficacy, social support, safety behaviors, and related mental health indicators. Assessments will occur at baseline and at multiple follow-up time points, including 3, 6, and 12 months.

The results of this trial will provide evidence on whether a scalable, smartphone-delivered intervention that integrates climate adaptation and violence prevention strategies can reduce IPV and related stress among women living in high-risk urban settings in Kenya.

Being tested
Event-Triggered WINGS-Based EMI, Single-Session Mobile WINGS
Keywords
Intimate partner violence, Climate, Stress, Ecological momentary assessment, Ecological momentary intervention

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Event-Triggered WINGS-Based EMIBehavioural

    Participants receive a single-session mobile WINGS intervention with self-administered activities on psychoeducation about IPV types/mechanisms, motivation building, safety planning/revision, goal setting, social support enhancement, service needs identification, referral linkage, and self-care planning. Content adapted to address climate change-IPV linkages. Over 9 months following extreme weather events (heatwaves, cold spells, heavy rainfall), participants receive 2 weeks of daily EMI morning prompts with personalized, revisable safety plans, SOS contact lists, and updated IPV service referrals. Daily questions assess IPV self-efficacy, safety plan implementation, social support, and service utilization. Kenya Meteorological Department provides localized 24-hour forecasts. Delivered via decoy wellness app with PIN protection and untraceable SOS button. Study smartphone, monthly data package, and on-call counselor provided.

  • Single-Session Mobile WINGSBehavioural

    Participants receive a single-session mobile WINGS intervention with self-administered activities on psychoeducation about IPV type, motivation building, safety planning/revision, goal setting, social support enhancement, service needs identification, referral linkage, and self-care planning. Content adapted to address climate change-IPV linkages. Delivered via decoy wellness app with personalized PIN protection and untraceable SOS button that sends pre-written texts to emergency contacts. Participants complete intervention once following enrollment. No event-triggered EMI prompts following extreme weather events. Continuous access to SOS emergency protocols, emergency contact setup, and regularly updated lists of local IPV-related services. Study smartphone, monthly data package, and on-call counselor provided

Study groups in NCT07492368
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Event-triggered WINGS-based EMIExperimentalParticipants receive the single-session WINGS plus ongoing, event-triggered Ecological Momentary Intervention (EMI) following extreme weather events (EWE)(heatwaves, cold spells, heavy rainfall). EMIs include daily prompts with personalized safety plans, SOS contacts, and service lists for two weeks post-EWE.
Receives: Behavioral: Event-Triggered WINGS-Based EMI; Behavioral: Single-Session Mobile WINGS
Single-session WINGS (mobile version)Active comparatorParticipants receive a one-time, self-administered mobile version of the WINGS intervention, including safety planning, psychoeducation, goal setting, and service referrals.
Receives: Behavioral: Single-Session Mobile WINGS

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Incidence and Severity of Intimate Partner Violence (VAR CORR-5)

    Measured using the WHO IPV diagnostic (VAW CORR-5) instrument, which includes subscales for controlling behaviors and sexual, physical, and emotional IPV.

    Measured: Baseline, immediately post single session of WINGS, and at 3, 6, and 12 months; daily during two-week EMA periods

Secondary outcomes (13)
  1. Safety Behaviors (Safety Behavior Checklist)

    Measured using an adapted 7-item Safety Behavior Checklist. Assesses use of safety behaviors including hiding money, hiding an extra set of house keys, establishing a safety code/protocol with family or friends, asking neighbors to call police if violence begins, removing weapons from the house, preparing a safety packet with important documents (national IDs, birth certificates), preparing a list of important phone numbers for emergencies, hiding a bag with extra clothing, and setting aside money or other valuables for safety purposes.

    Measured: Baseline, immediately post single session of WINGS, and at 3, 6, and 12 months

  2. Receipt of IPV-Related Services (SRI)

    Measured using the Services Receipt Inventory (SRI). Assesses whether participants have received services, counseling, or support for partner abuse.

    Measured: Baseline, immediately post single session of WINGS, and at 3, 6, and 12 months; daily during two-week EMA periods

  3. Social Support (ESSI)

    Measured with the 6-item Enriched Social Support Inventory (ESSI), which assesses the availability of emotional and instrumental support and advice for relationship conflict or problems with intimate partners and other issues

    Measured: Baseline, immediately post single session of WINGS, and at 3, 6, and 12 months

  4. Perceived Stress (PSS)

    Measured using the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale. Assesses degree to which situations are felt as stressful over the past month

    Measured: Baseline, immediately post single session of WINGS, and at 3, 6, and 12 months

  5. Depression Symptoms (PHQ-9)

    Measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). Assesses frequency of depressive symptoms over the past two weeks including little interest or pleasure in doing things; feeling down, depressed, or hopeless; trouble sleeping; feeling tired; poor appetite or overeating; feeling bad about yourself; trouble concentrating; moving or speaking slowly or being restless; and thoughts of being better off dead or hurting yourself

    Measured: Baseline, immediately post single session of WINGS, and at 3, 6, and 12 months

  6. Anxiety Symptoms (GAD-7)

    Measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7). Assesses frequency of anxiety symptoms over the past two weeks including feeling nervous, unable to stop worrying, worrying too much, trouble relaxing, restlessness, irritability, and feeling afraid. Also assesses how difficult these problems have made it to do work, take care of things at home, or get along with others.

    Measured: Baseline, immediately post-single session of WINGS, and at 3, 6, and 12 months

  7. Emotional Stress (Momentary)

    Measured using a single-item scale. Assesses current feelings of stress, tension, restlessness, nervousness, or anxiety where 0=Not at all to 5=Very much.

    Measured: Daily during two-week EMA periods

  8. Climate Related Comfort

    Measured using EMA questions. Assesses perceived comfort with temperature (Very comfortable to Very uncomfortable); feeling unsafe/unwell due to temperature; perception of extreme temperatures or rainfall; and approximate temperature where participant is located.

    Measured: Daily during two-week EMA periods

  9. Social and Environmental Context

    Measured using EMA questions. Assesses current location (indoors/outdoors); specific location type (home, work, visiting, vehicle, shop, kitchen, toilet, bar/restaurant); who participant is with (alone, children, partner, friends, strangers, colleagues); and current activities.

    Measured: Daily during two-week EMA periods

  10. Current Safety

    Measured using EMA questions. Assesses perceived safety at the moment (Very unsafe to Very safe) and reasons for feeling unsafe or unsure.

    Measured: Daily during two-week EMA periods

  11. Coping Strategies

    Measured using coping and support questions. Assesses behaviors used to cope with stress over the past month including getting a good night's sleep; meditation/mindfulness practices; talking with friends; talking with family; engaging in more family activities (farming, washing, games, sports); talking to people who are pregnant or parenting; increased television time; increased time on social media; decreased time on social media; increased time following news coverage; decreased time following news coverage; increased food intake; decreased food intake; increased self-care (baths, facial make up); increased time reading books or doing puzzles; using alcohol; using drugs; talking to health providers more frequently; talking with a mental health care provider (therapist, psychologist, counselor); helping others; and other strategies.

    Measured: Baseline, immediately post single session of WINGS, and at 3, 6, and 12 months

  12. Disability and Functioning (WHODAS)

    Measured using the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS). Assesses difficulty over the past 30 days with standing for long periods, household responsibilities, learning new tasks, community participation, concentration, walking long distances, washing whole body, getting dressed, dealing with strangers, maintaining friendships, and day-to-day work due to health problems.

    Measured: Baseline, immediately post single session of WINGS, and at 3, 6, and 12 months

  13. IPV Self-Efficacy (DVSE)

    Measured using the Domestic Violence Self-efficacy Scale (DVSE)-an 8-item scale that measures perceived competency in managing abuse and conflict with partners.

    Measured: Baseline, immediately post single session of WINGS, and at 3, 6, and 12 months; daily during two-week EMI periods

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted25 Mar 2026
  2. Study start13 Mar 2026
  3. Primary completion30 Jun 2027 (estimated)
  4. Study completion31 Aug 2027 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Other
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
None (open label)
Enrolment
272 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07492368
Sponsor's protocol ID
R21_R33
Other IDs
4R33MH134257-03
Status last verified
Aug 2026
First submitted
13 Feb 2026
Last updated
7 Aug 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: IPD and supporting information will become available beginning 6 months after publication of the primary study results. Data will remain available for a minimum of 5 years following study completion. No end date is specified; requests will be considered as long as data are maintained in secure repositories.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Event-Triggered WINGS-Based EMI and Single-Session Mobile WINGS in people with Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and Climate Change, run by Africa Institute of Mental and Brain Health (AFRIMEB) at 1 site in Kenya.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Kenya. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Incidence and Severity of Intimate Partner Violence (VAR CORR-5) (time frame: Baseline, immediately post single session of WINGS, and at 3, 6, and 12 months; daily during two-week EMA periods). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 7 Aug 2026.

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