Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial to Assess the Effectiveness of Familia Imara in Preventing Violence Against Women and Children and Improving Child Nutrition and Development in Tanzania

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the Familia Imara program, a group-based, couples-focused parenting intervention aimed at reducing intimate partner violence (IPV), harsh discipline, and improving child development and nutrition in the Mara and Geita regions of Tanzania. This cluster-randomized controlled trial will assess the program's effectiveness, implementation, and scalability in community settings, focusing on families with children under two years old. The study is conducted in two sequential cohorts to compare traditional delivery with government-led scale-up. The Familia Imara program is delivered by trained community health workers (CHWs) who facilitate joint couples' sessions and separate peer group sessions for mothers and fathers. Sessions last about two hours and occur twice monthly over approximately 10 months. Cohort 1 compares intervention villages receiving the program to control villages on a waitlist. In Cohort 2, intervention villages receive the program under government-led delivery, while control villages transition to receive the intervention with combined support from partners and government supervisors. Participants include couples with a child under two years living together who consent to participate. Data collection involves surveys at baseline, 11 months, and 22 months to measure outcomes such as maternal IPV victimization, child dietary diversity, harsh disciplinary practices, and early child development using the Caregiver Reported Early Development Instrument. Secondary outcomes include attitudes toward IPV, parenting, child nutrition knowledge, and gender norms. The study also assesses program delivery models and supports policy development for family violence prevention and child development.

Familia Imara: A Parenting Program to Reduce Family Violence in Tanzania