Trial of a Multi-pronged Intervention to Address Prevention of Violence in Zambia

CETA first focuses on: 1) awareness of alcohol problems, violence, and the link between them; 2) gender norms. Skills taught include: changing drinking behaviors, coping with cravings, family dynamics that contribute and result from alcohol use, the role gender plays, and community norms around problem drinking, and cognitive/emotional/behavioral patterns connected with inter-personal violence. The intervention then addresses: 1) positive parenting, 2) positive family relationships, conflict management, and communication skills, 3) attitudes and beliefs about violence, 4) mental health problems and 5) reducing (further) traumatic experiences. The cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) principles of CETA overlap with the CBT skills for alcohol reduction.

The control condition is defined as 'treatment as usual'. In Zambia, there are no formal services or standard of care for alcohol use problems or domestic violence. There are, however, organizations (such as non-governmental organizations) operating in Lusaka that provide intermittent services for these types of problems. Some families receive informal counseling from parish priests or other leaders in their communities. In this study we are therefore defining these types of informal services as 'treatment-as-usual.' We will closely track the type, number, and degree of these kinds of services that all participants receive and access. Following the conclusion of the study, we will offer the CETA intervention to control families if it has been found to be safe and effective.