Smartphone tool to help women cope with IPV during extreme weather in Kenya
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-11418059 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A smartphone app will deliver real-time safety planning and coping support to women experiencing intimate 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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $216,179 |
| NIH project number | 5R33MH134257-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418059 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Women experiencing intimate partner violence in low-resource urban areas of Kenya who have access to a smartphone.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without IPV exposure or without access to a compatible smartphone may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project will create and pilot a smartphone-based EMA/EMI app that collects real-time information on IPV, stress, and safety, while providing immediate coping strategies and support. The app will be tested with up to 320 IPV survivors in Kenyan informal settlements to understand how weather-related stress affects safety and mental health. Findings will inform how to strengthen violence prevention, mental health responses, and disaster preparedness for vulnerable populations. The work is designed to generate scalable evidence that could improve resilience and public health outcomes in similar settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the app could improve safety planning and mental health support for women facing IPV during extreme weather.
How similar studies have gone: Prior EMA/EMI approaches have shown promise in real-time support for mental health and safety behaviors in other contexts, but application to extreme weather-related IPV is novel.
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.