Mentoring dads: a new way to stop violence and boost child development?

NCT ID NCT06100679

Ongoing Disease control Sponsor: University of California, San Diego Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests a program called REAL Fathers in Uganda, where respected community men mentor young fathers (ages 16-25) on positive parenting, conflict resolution, and family planning. Over 4,700 participants are involved. The goal is to see if this approach reduces intimate partner violence and harsh punishment while improving child development and father-child bonding.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: mentored parenting sessions (REAL Fathers program)
What this could lead to: If successful, this could provide a low-cost, community-based way to reduce domestic violence and improve early childhood development in similar settings.
What could go wrong: This is a behavioral intervention, not a drug, so results depend heavily on community participation and may not generalize to other cultures. The study is large but still early in real-world testing.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for CHILD ABUSE are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Coitus Communication communication disorder Contraception Behavior Negotiating

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CHILD ABUSE CHILD DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION, PARTNER CONFLICT RESOLUTION CONTRACEPTION BEHAVIOR PARENT-CHILD RELATIONS VIOLENCE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE, PHYSICAL VIOLENCE, SEXUAL

Contacts and locations

Locations

All Nations

Lira, Dokolo, Uganda
Bantwana Initiatives Uganda

Kampala, Masindi, Kiryandongo and Katakwi, Uganda
Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) - Uganda Chapter

Mbarara, Isingiro, Uganda
Somero Uganda

Kampala, Kayunga, Bugiri, Luweero, Uganda

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.