Family program (MILAP) to reduce depression and partner violence for young married women in Nepal

A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Multi-component Family Intervention to Lower Depression and Address Intimate Partner Violence (MILAP) Among Young Women in Nepal

This project will test whether the MILAP family-based program can lower depression and PTSD symptoms and reduce intimate partner violence for married women aged 15–24 who live with their husbands and mothers-in-law in Nepal.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 900 (estimated)
• Ages: 15 Years to 24 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Possible (other)
• Locations: 1 site (Kathmandu, Bagmati)
• Trial ID: NCT06834867 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This interventional program delivers a multi-component family intervention (MILAP) to households where young married women report recent intimate partner violence, involving the wife, her husband, and her mother-in-law. The program combines family-level sessions with mental health components adapted for the local context and is delivered in Maithili or Nepali. Eligible households are enrolled in the Kathmandu/Bagmati catchment area and outcomes including depressive and PTSD symptoms and ongoing IPV are measured over time. Participants with severe medical/psychological contraindications (for example recent hospitalization for IPV or severe cognitive impairment) are excluded and referred for appropriate care.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are married women aged 15–24 who report physical, sexual, or controlling intimate partner violence in the past year, live with their husband and mother-in-law, speak Maithili or Nepali, and plan to remain in the household during the study.

Not a fit: People unlikely to benefit include pregnant women, those with recent IPV severe enough to require hospitalization, individuals with significant cognitive impairment, or anyone with severe alcohol dependence (SADQ > 31), who are excluded or diverted to other services.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the MILAP approach could reduce depression and trauma symptoms and decrease ongoing partner violence by improving family dynamics and support.

How similar studies have performed: Some CBT-based programs have improved depression after women left abusive relationships, but multi-generational family interventions for women still living with abusive partners in low-resource settings remain largely untested.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Married women aged 15-24 years, their husbands and MILs sharing a household;
* Living in the catchment area with no stated intention of leaving during the study period;
* Participants speaking in Maithili or Nepali;
* Wife reporting Intimate Partner Violence (physical, sexual or abusive control) in last 12 months as measured by three questions from the International Violence Against Women Survey (IVAWS);
* Expressing desire to remain in the current relationship/family

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant women;
* History of IPV severe enough to result in hospitalization in the past 12 months;
* Significant cognitive problems/disability precluding participation;
* Any participant with Severe Alcohol Dependence, defined as Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ) \> 31 (those with mild to moderate dependance will be referred but not excluded)

Where this trial is running

Kathmandu, Bagmati

• Possible — Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Bibhav Acharya, MD — University of California, San Francisco
• Study coordinator: Bibhav Acharya, MD

Conditions: Intimate Partner Violence, Depression, PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Family Intervention, Mental Health, Nepal, MILAP