Faith-Based therapy aims to heal trauma in young women
NCT ID NCT07132905
First seen Aug 12, 2026 · Last updated Aug 13, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This trial tests a counseling program called Mpata Yathu ('Our Space') for adolescent girls and young women in Zambia who have experienced gender-based violence and may be living with or at risk for HIV. The program uses problem-solving therapy delivered by trained lay counselors in private spaces within Catholic churches, along with referrals for mental health, HIV, and violence-related services. Participants are randomly assigned to receive counseling right away or after a three-month wait. The study measures changes in mental health symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, to see if this community-based approach can ease distress and support overall well-being.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Church-based problem-solving therapy (Mpata Yathu) delivered by lay counselors
- What this could lead to
- If effective, this approach could offer a scalable, community-based way to reduce mental health distress and improve HIV-related outcomes for young women who have experienced gender-based violence.
- What could go wrong
- This is a pilot trial, so results may not be conclusive. The intervention's success depends on lay counselor training and community acceptance, and it may not work for everyone.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
About 180 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
Nov 2025
- Expected to finish
-
Oct 2026
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
15 to 24 years
- Sex
-
Female participants only
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: To be eligible for enrollment in the RCT, participants must meet the following criteria: 1. aged 15 to 24 years; 2. Speak Nyanja, Bemba, and/or English fluently; 3. Reside in the Matero or Chawama constituency area during the time of recruitment; 4. Report lifetime exposure to GBV, as assessed by the following sections of the WHO Multi-country Study on Women's Health and Domestic Violence Against Women instrument: * Section 7 (Physical Violence by Intimate Partner): Reports of being slapped, pushed, hit with a fist, kicked, dragged, choked, or threatened/attacked with a weapon by a husband or partner. * Section 8 (Sexual Violence by Intimate Partner): Reports of being physically forced to have sex, having sex out of fear, or being forced to engage in degrading sexual acts by a husband or partner. * Section 9 (Emotional Abuse by Intimate Partner): Reports of being insulted, belittled, intimidated, or threatened by a partner. * Section 10 (Physical Violence by Non-Partner): Lifetime experiences of being beaten or physically mistreated by someone other than a partner since age 15. * Section 11 (Sexual Violence by Non-Partner): Forced sex or sexual acts since age 15 by a non-partner, and childhood sexual abuse before age 15. 5. Exhibit moderate depressive symptoms indicated by a score of 10-14 on the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), or common mental disorder (CMD) symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety) as indicated by a score of 9 or higher on the 14-item Shona Symptom Questionnaire (SSQ-14); and 6. Be living with HIV or demonstrate HIV risk behaviors, as defined by validated items from the World AIDS Foundation survey,25 including unprotected sex, multiple sexual partners, coerced sex, or transactional sex. Exclusion Criteria: Women will be excluded if they: 1. Require emergency treatment for any crisis (mental, physical, emotional) at the time of screening 2. Report severe symptoms of depression (score \> 14 on PHQ-9) or no to mild depression symptoms (PHQ-9 score \<10), and/or severe anxiety symptoms using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale or GAD-7 (score \>14 on GAD-7) 3. Have intellectual or cognitive disabilities that limit their ability to complete the screening tools, interact with a lay counselor and/or provide informed consent; and/or 4. Are considered in immediate danger (e.g., reoccurring physical violence) during time of the study. 5. Are currently receiving formal mental health counseling or psychotherapy (to avoid duplication of care and potential confounding effects).
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Anxiety are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
Not applicable (multi-site study)
Lusaka, Zambia
-
Not disclosed for privacy reasons
Lusaka, Zambia
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Gut bacteria may hold clues to dozens of diseases
- VR headset may calm kids before heart procedure
- Could a whiff of xenon replace the Pre-Surgery chill pill?
- Can a pencil and paper calm anxious teens with diabetes?
- Can a tailored therapy ease anxiety and depression in autistic teens?
- Leg cuffs plus walking: a new way to steady Parkinson's balance?