Improving sexual and reproductive health for married adolescent girls in Bangladesh

Development and Testing of Balika Bodhu: a Social Norm Intervention to Address Denial of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights to Married Adolescent Girls in Rural Bangladesh

Not applicable Interventional International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh · NCT06126770

This study is trying to see if a new program can help married adolescent girls in Bangladesh improve their sexual and reproductive health by addressing barriers and involving their husbands and communities.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment2918 (estimated)
Ages15 Years to 19 Years
SexAll
SponsorInternational Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh Academic / other
Locations1 site (Dhaka)
Trial IDNCT06126770 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to identify barriers faced by married adolescent girls in Bangladesh regarding their sexual and reproductive health rights, including family planning and healthcare access. It will develop and test a social norms intervention designed to empower these girls while engaging their husbands and community members to foster positive behaviors related to sexual and reproductive health. The research employs a mixed-method two-arm cluster randomized controlled trial design to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Collaboration with a local organization will enhance capacity building in addressing these issues.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are married adolescent girls aged 15-19 years living with their husbands in Bangladesh.

Not a fit: Patients who may not benefit from this study include those who are physically or mentally unstable or have plans to migrate within the next 15 months.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve the sexual and reproductive health outcomes for married adolescent girls in Bangladesh.

How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success in addressing sexual and reproductive health issues through community-based interventions, suggesting that this approach may also yield positive results.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:

For MAGs:

i) Adolescent girls aged 15-19 years; ii) Currently married and living with husband; and iii) Both the girl and her husband have no intention of migrating out within the next 15 months.

For husbands:

i) The husbands of the selected adolescent girls will also be eligible to be included in the study.

For community members:

i) Aged 35-59 years.

Exclusion criteria:

i) MAGs who are physically or mentally unstable; ii) Any couple having plans to migrate out during the next one and a half years.

Where this trial is running

Dhaka

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Sexual and Reproductive Health and RightsMarried adolescent girlsSexual and reproductive health and rightsFamily planningConceptionSRH service uptakeIntimate Partner violenceConsent and choice
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.