Combining poverty alleviation with depression treatment for women in Bangladesh
ASHA Bangladesh--An Integrated Intervention to Address Depression in Low Income Rural Women
This study is testing if helping women in rural Bangladesh with both financial support and depression treatment can improve their mental health more than just treating depression alone.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 680 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 45 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | University of Massachusetts, Worcester Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Dhaka, Dhaka Division) |
| Trial ID | NCT06295250 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an integrated intervention that combines poverty alleviation strategies with depression treatment in low-income rural Bangladeshi women. The study will compare outcomes between participants receiving both interventions and those receiving depression treatment alone, focusing on improvements in depressive symptoms and relapse rates over a 24-month period. Participants will undergo interviews at multiple time points to assess both mental health and implementation outcomes such as treatment uptake and retention.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are married women aged 18-75 who are fluent in Bengali and meet specific criteria for economic vulnerability and depression severity.
Not a fit: Patients who are not married, do not meet the economic vulnerability criteria, or have less severe depression may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve mental health outcomes for women facing both depression and economic hardship.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in integrating mental health treatment with socioeconomic interventions, suggesting potential for success in this novel approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age 18-45 2. Meets criteria for Economic Vulnerability as measured by: household income \<= 15000 Taka per month; food insufficiency in household over previous six months; OR owning \<= 10 decimals of land 3. Family willingness to participate in the program 4. Basic literacy as measured by ability to read a simple sentence; 5. A score \>=10 on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9 Depression Scale) at baseline Exclusion Criteria: 1. Pregnancy at screen; 2. Cognitive or physical impairment precluding participation 3. Plans to relocate or to travel for \> 1 month during 18 M period. 4. Household debt greater than 70,000 Taka
Where this trial is running
Dhaka, Dhaka Division
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research — Dhaka, Dhaka Division, Bangladesh (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Alison Karasz, PhD — UMass Chan Medical School
- Study coordinator: Alison Karasz, PhD
- Email: alison.karasz@umassmed.edu
- Phone: 3478435652
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.