Affordable HPV self-testing for cervical cancer prevention in Nigeria
Official title: Innovative Rapid Enabling, Affordable, point-of-Care HPV Self-Testing Strategy (I-REACH)
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10912477 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating an easy-to-use and affordable HPV self-testing kit for women in Nigeria to help them take control of their health and reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $466,565 |
| NIH project number | 5U01CA279863-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10912477 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women aged 30-49 in Nigeria who are eligible for cervical cancer screening.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 30-49 or those not residing in Nigeria may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a user-friendly and affordable HPV self-testing kit specifically designed for women in Nigeria, where cervical cancer is a leading cause of death. The project will adapt an existing HPV assay using innovative techniques to ensure it is suitable for local conditions. By involving women in the design process through crowdsourcing and learning communities, the research seeks to empower them to take charge of their health. The goal is to increase access to HPV screening and ultimately reduce cervical cancer rates in the region.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase cervical cancer screening rates among women in Nigeria, leading to earlier detection and better outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Similar approaches to decentralized and self-administered testing have shown promise in other regions, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Iwelunmor, Juliet — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Iwelunmor, Juliet
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.