Self-Efficacy and Knowledge program to improve sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing for young Syrian refugee women in Lebanon
Self-efficacy and Knowledge (SEEK) Trial to Improve Sexual Reproductive Health and Well-being for Syrian Refugee Women and Girls in Lebanon
This project will test a low-intensity program combining sexual and reproductive health education and psychosocial support to see if it increases family planning use and wellbeing among married Syrian refugee girls and young women aged 15–24 in the Beqaa, Lebanon.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 485 (estimated) |
| Ages | 15 Years to 15 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | American University of Beirut Medical Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Beirut) |
| Trial ID | NCT07008950 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This community-based randomized controlled trial delivers a WHO-developed low-intensity psychosocial support and SRH-integrated intervention package through primary healthcare centres in rural Beqaa. Married Syrian refugee women and girls aged 15–24 will be randomly assigned to receive the intervention or usual care, with follow-up to measure family planning service uptake and mental wellbeing. A rigorous process evaluation will run alongside the trial to document implementation fidelity, acceptability, and barriers to access. The main outcomes are use of selected SRH services (primarily family planning) and self-reported measures of wellbeing.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are married Syrian refugee girls and young women aged 15–24 who have lived in Lebanon for at least six months, are not pregnant or lactating, and can provide consent (or guardian consent plus assent for ages 15–17).
Not a fit: Those who are currently pregnant or lactating, have chronic health conditions that prevent participation, or have severe uncontrolled mental health problems are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit from this low-intensity program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could increase family planning uptake and improve mental wellbeing and SRH knowledge among young Syrian refugee women.
How similar studies have performed: Previous low-intensity SRH and psychosocial programs in humanitarian settings have shown promising improvements in knowledge and service uptake, but rigorous randomized trials remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: \- The target population of the study are Syrian adolescent girls and young women refugees (age 15-24 years) residing in Beqaa governorate in Lebanon. Participants will be included in the study if they meet the following inclusion criteria: 1. are currently married and between the ages of 15 - 24 years, 2. completed an average stay in Lebanon for a minimum of 6 months, 3. are willing to take part in the study as indicated by them signing an informed consent (for young women 18 years of age or older) or through a legal guardian consent form and written assent for adolescents' girls between 15 and 17, 4. have none of the exclusion criteria listed below upon screening. Exclusion Criteria: Participants will be excluded from the study if they meet any of the following criteria: 1. are currently pregnant and/or lactating, 2. have reported chronic health problems interfering with the ability to follow the intervention protocol, 3. have high levels of anxiety and/or depression as well as suicidal ideations and/or attempts upon screening and/or a current diagnosis of a severe mental illness, or undergoing mental health treatment. \-
Where this trial is running
Beirut
- American University of Beirut — Beirut, Lebanon (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Shadi Saleh, PhD — Global Health Institute American University of Beirut
- Study coordinator: Shadi Saleh, PhD, MPH
- Email: ss117@aub.edu.lb
- Phone: +961 3 047 578
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.