NCT07492368

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

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

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 272 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Africa Institute of Mental and Brain Health (AFRIMEB) · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: —
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

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. 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. 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.

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.

Conditions

• Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
• Climate Change
• Stress (Psychology)

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Event-Triggered WINGS-Based EMI	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.
BEHAVIORAL	Single-Session Mobile WINGS	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

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-03-01
• Primary completion: 2027-07-01
• Completion: 2027-07-01
• First posted: 2026-03-25
• Last updated: 2026-03-25