Pepea Pamoja: Cluster-Randomized Trial for Caregivers of Children With Autism in Kenya
Key facts
- Where
- Eldoret, KenyaSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 90 years old?
Source: NCT07259044, who can take part
Where in Kenya
- Moi Teaching and Referral HospitalEldoret, KenyaNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Indiana University
- Trial code
- NCT07259044
- Record updated
- 31 August 2026
- Original description
Pepea Pamoja is a ten-session, group-based caregiver intervention designed to improve caregiver well-being and strengthen caregivers' ability to support communication and positive behavior in children with autism. This study will enroll approximately 240 caregivers of children ages 2-8 years in western Kenya. Caregiver groups will be randomized to one of three conditions: standard-of-care control, professional-led Pepea Pamoja, or peer-led Pepea Pamoja.Read full original descriptionShow less
A Three-Arm Cluster-Randomized Comparative Effectiveness Trial of Professional-Led and Peer-Led Pepea Pamoja for Caregivers of Children With Autism in Western Kenya
Pepea Pamoja is a ten-session, group-based caregiver intervention designed to improve caregiver well-being and strengthen caregivers' ability to support communication and positive behavior in children with autism. This study will enroll approximately 240 caregivers of children ages 2-8 years in western Kenya. Caregiver groups will be randomized to one of three conditions: standard-of-care control, professional-led Pepea Pamoja, or peer-led Pepea Pamoja.
The study will determine whether each Pepea Pamoja delivery model improves caregiver and child outcomes compared with control and will directly compare peer-led and professional-led delivery. Outcomes will include caregiver stress and well-being, child communication and behavior, and blinded observations of child social communication and caregiver-child interaction. An embedded mixed-methods evaluation will examine implementation, sustainability, program and societal costs, and cost-effectiveness.
Inclusion: Caregiver age ≥18 years; Able to provide informed consent; English or Kiswahili speaking; Primary caregiver and legal guardian; Provides ≥20 hours/week caregiving; Resides within MTRH catchment area; Intends to attend study activities; Child 2-8 years of age; Child has autism diagnosis or meets study eligibility criteria for suspected autism.
Exclusion: Child is currently receiving another structured autism intervention at enrollment; Child has a vision or hearing impairment that would preclude valid participation in the intervention or outcome assessments; Caregiver lacks capacity to provide informed consent.