Community-informed perspectives of implementing interpersonal psychotherapy for couples to reduce situational intimate partner violence and improve common mental disorders in Mozambique.

Background: High rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) and mental disorders are present in Mozambique where there is a significant treatment gap. We aimed to report Mozambican community stakeholder perspectives of implementing couple-based interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT-C) in preparation for a pilot trial in Nampula City.

Methods: We conducted 11 focus group discussions (6-8 people per group) and seven in-depth interviews with key informants in mental health or gender-based violence (n = 85) using purposive sampling. We used grounded theory methods to conduct an inductive coding and then deductively applied the consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR).

Results: For the outer setting, local attitudes that stigmatize mental health conditions and norm IPV as well as an inefficient legal system were barriers. Stakeholders expressed high acceptability of IPT-C, although a lack of resources was a structural challenge for the inner setting. Adaptation of the approach to screen for and address potential mediators of IPV was important for adopting a multisectoral response to implementation and planning. Delivering IPT-C in the community and in collaboration with community stakeholders was preferable.

Conclusion: Stakeholders recommended multilevel involvement and inclusion of community-based programming. Task shifting and use of technology can help address these resource demands.