Camellia Cohort: Sexual health and HIV prevention for women in Alabama
CAMELLIA Cohort: A longitudinal study to understand sexual health and prevention among women in Alabama
This project follows Alabama women who recently had gonorrhea or syphilis to learn what helps prevent HIV and increase use of PrEP.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11172487 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would join a statewide cohort of women who had a recent gonorrhea or syphilis diagnosis so researchers can track STI and HIV outcomes over time. The team will work with women and PrEP care teams to adapt a mobile platform called HealthMpowerment to better engage and keep participants connected. Participants will complete surveys, allow linkage to public health records, and may use the digital tools while researchers analyze which factors predict HIV risk and PrEP use. The project partners with Alabama public health and academic centers to recruit across urban and rural areas and make findings relevant to local communities.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adult women in Alabama who recently tested positive for gonorrhea or syphilis or who are otherwise at increased risk for HIV.
Not a fit: People who are male, live outside Alabama, or are not at elevated risk for HIV are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit directly from this cohort.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help more Alabama women at risk get PrEP and reduce new HIV infections.
How similar studies have performed: Some past digital and prevention programs have improved engagement in other groups, but PrEP uptake among Southern women has been low, so this targeted, statewide cohort is relatively novel for this population.
Where this research is happening
Birmingham, United States
- University of Alabama at Birmingham — Birmingham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rana, Aadia — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Rana, Aadia
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 below.