A program to reduce intimate partner violence and alcohol use in couples in South India
A Combined Motivational Interviewing and Behavioral Couples Therapy Intervention to Reduce Intimate Partner Violence and Alcohol Use in South India
This study tests a new program that helps couples in South India communicate better and reduce both fighting and alcohol use.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 800 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of California, San Francisco Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Bangalore, Karnataka) |
| Trial ID | NCT05893277 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial tests a combined intervention of behavioral couples therapy and motivational interviewing aimed at improving communication and reducing conflicts between couples while decreasing harmful drinking among spouses. The intervention is delivered by nurses in urban primary health centers in South India, with supervision from a clinical psychologist. The study involves a randomized controlled trial with 400 married couples, where the effectiveness of the intervention will be assessed after 12 months. The trial also includes a pilot phase to refine the intervention measures and ensure fidelity in delivery.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are married couples aged 18 and older, living in the catchment area of the primary health center, where the wife has reported intimate partner violence and the husband has alcohol use disorder.
Not a fit: Patients who may not benefit include those with severe alcohol dependency, significant medical issues, or a history of severe IPV that required hospitalization.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly reduce intimate partner violence and alcohol use, leading to healthier relationships and improved well-being for couples.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success with similar interventions combining motivational interviewing and couples therapy, indicating potential for positive outcomes.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. married couple with both spouses age ≥18; 2. living within the catchment area of the PHC (primary health center); 3. speaking Kannada or Hindi; 4. wife reporting any physical or sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) in the past 12 months (note exclusion for severe IPV below); 5. the husband having Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) measured by AUDIT-C (AUDIT-C ≥4). Exclusion Criteria: 1. husband has severe alcohol dependency (per Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire, SADQ ≥ 31) or is at risk of severe withdrawal symptoms (Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol Scale-Revised - CIWA-AR); 2. significant medical problems that will make the couple unable to participate in the intervention sessions; 3. cognitive problems (adapted Short-Blessed Cognitive Test score ≤7); 4. past year history of IPV severe enough to result in hospitalization (per an adapted version of the International Violence Against Women Survey - IVAWS), or 5) wife screens positive for any AUD (AUDIT-C \>4).
Where this trial is running
Bangalore, Karnataka
- St. John's Research Institute — Bangalore, Karnataka, India (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Maria L Ekstrand, PhD — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Maria L Ekstrand, PhD
- Email: maria.ekstrand@ucsf.edu
- Phone: (415) 476-6288
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.