Smartphone safety and stress support for women facing partner violence during extreme weather in Kenyan informal settlements
Official title: Development and testing of a smartphone-delivered IPV and related stress intervention for residents experiencing extreme weather in informal settlements in Kenya using ecological momentary approaches
Funded at Africa Institute of Mental and Brain Health · NIH-11195270 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A phone app gives real‑time safety tips and emotional support to women experiencing partner violence during extreme weather in informal settlements in Kenya.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Africa Institute of Mental and Brain Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nairobi, Kenya) |
| Project start | September 18, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $218,508 |
| NIH project number | 4R33MH134257-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11195270 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women living in informal settlements in or near Nairobi who have experienced recent intimate partner violence and who own or can use an Android smartphone and complete brief daily app check‑ins.
✕Less likely to help
People without regular access to an Android smartphone, those not living in informal settlements, or anyone needing immediate in‑person emergency services may not benefit from this app.
What this research studies
You would use an Android app that asks brief check‑ins several times a day about partner violence, stress, safety, social support, and local weather. The app collects real‑time information (EMA) for a short baseline period and then delivers timely safety guidance and coping messages (EMI) when needed. The project will enroll about 320 women from informal settlements and test whether the app is usable and helps with safety and stress during extreme weather. Data are collected on participants' experiences, behaviors, and local conditions to tailor support and learn how best to help.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the app could provide immediate, context‑specific safety advice and emotional support to reduce harm and stress during extreme weather events.
How similar studies have gone: Smartphone EMA/EMI approaches have shown promise for mental health and safety support in some prior studies, but applying them specifically to intimate partner violence during extreme weather in informal settlements is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Africa Institute of Mental and Brain Health
Nairobi, Kenya Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Musyimi, Christine Wayua — Africa Institute of Mental and Brain Health
- Study coordinator: Musyimi, Christine Wayua
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.