Impact of Group Education Intervention on Psychosocial and Reproductive Health Outcomes Among Displaced Women in Ethiopia

Study Context

Over three million people are internally displaced in Ethiopia due to conflict and political instability, with women facing heightened risks to their reproductive and mental health. Despite the interconnected nature of these challenges, most interventions in humanitarian settings address either mental health or sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in isolation. This study will evaluate an integrated SRH-mental health group education program—with and without cash support—designed to improve SRH and psychosocial outcomes among displaced women in three camps in Ethiopia.

The study addresses a critical evidence gap on scalable, integrated approaches to improving health outcomes among displaced women and their children, with potential to inform humanitarian policy and practice.

Study Design

The cluster-randomized controlled trial pilot study will take place in 15 administrative blocks across three displacement camps, with 15 women who have at least one child age 6-59 months  enrolled in each block totaling 225  participants. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) group education sessions on mental and reproductive health, (2) the same education program plus unconditional cash transfers, or (3) a control group receiving standard humanitarian support. The intervention will be delivered bimonthly for three  months by trained Women’s Development Group leaders, using materials adapted from national family planning guidelines and WHO’s Problem Management Plus curriculum.

Primary outcomes include modern contraceptive uptake and depression symptoms. Secondary outcomes include anxiety, loneliness, perceived social support, employment, and unmet need for contraception. Baseline and endline surveys, along with qualitative interviews, will assess impact and implementation. The preliminary findings will inform how integrated behavioral and financial interventions can improve health outcomes and resilience in fragile settings.

Results and Policy Lessons

Results forthcoming.