Dil Mil (Hearts Together)

Summary

A growing body of research indicates that gender-based violence (GBV) is a major global public health challenge. Yet, there is a dearth of evidence to guide program planning and policy-making efforts to reduce GBV. Our study will evaluate the feasibility, safety, and potential effectiveness of an innovative women's empowerment intervention to reduce GBV and related adverse health outcomes. It is expected that the study findings will provide evidence to determine if a phase 3 effectiveness trial is merited and advance the science underlying GBV prevention.

Conditions

• Gender Based Violence
• Women's Health

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Primary care for Daughters-in-Law

Primary care for DILs will be offered based on national and international standards and include access to critical support services for women who have experienced GBV.A comprehensive health examination for MILs will include a gynecological exam and screening for diabetes and hypertension, along with appropriate information, prescriptions, and/or referrals. We will routinely offer GBV-related resources, such as information, counseling, and referrals to all participants. Referrals will be documented using a Referral Care Form and reviewed on a routine basis to ensure that appropriate care is being provided and to detect any potential study-related risks.

BEHAVIORAL

The Dil Mil Intervention

The Dil Mil intervention will be implemented during the second and third trimesters of the DILs' pregnancy. It consists of 2 half-day group sessions with DILs, 5 half-day group sessions with MILs, and one joint half-day session with DILs and MILs. The sessions are based on participatory learning and action principles and use stories, role-play, and discussion to enhance participants' knowledge, skills, and social support. Participants are encouraged to critically analyze their relationships and to develop and implement responses appropriate to their families and communities. The DIL-MIL joint session ends in a short celebration (based on a traditional ritual) in which MILs bless their DILs, and the MIL sessions culminate in a ceremony in which MILs' position in the family and community is recognized and celebrated. MILs draw up a family health action plan and take a pledge to reduce GBV and protect and promote their family's health.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• St. John's Research Institute

  collaborator OTHER

• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

  collaborator NIH

• RTI International

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Suneeta Krishnan, PhD · RTI International

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

85 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2010-08-31

Primary Completion

2013-06-30

Completion

2013-10-31

Countries

• India

Study Locations