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

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.

Conditions

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

Interventions

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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

  collaborator NIH

• Africa Institute of Mental and Brain Health (AFRIMEB)

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-03-13

Primary Completion

2027-06-30

Completion

2027-08-31

Countries

• Kenya

Study Locations