Comparing periodic presumptive antibiotics and doxycycline after sex to prevent STIs in cisgender men who have sex with men in Kenya
WHO-recommended Periodic Presumptive Treatment versus Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for STI Control among Cisgender Men Who Have Sex with Men in Kenya
This compares two low-cost antibiotic approaches—regular periodic treatment versus taking doxycycline after sex—against usual symptom-based care to prevent gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis in cisgender men who have sex with men in Kenya.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11458048 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be invited to join a study that compares three approaches: WHO-recommended periodic presumptive treatment given on a schedule, taking doxycycline after sex (doxyPEP), or the usual care where treatment is given only for symptoms. Participants will be followed over time with regular check-ins, STI testing when feasible, monitoring for side effects, and checks for antibiotic resistance. The team will also compare costs and how well each approach reduces infections in this community. Results aim to show which option is practical, safe, and affordable for MSM in Kenyan settings.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are cisgender men who have sex with men in Kenya who are at higher risk for STIs (for example, condomless anal sex, multiple partners, or recent STI exposure).
Not a fit: People who are not part of the target group (e.g., women or heterosexual men), those allergic to doxycycline/tetracyclines, or those unwilling to take antibiotics are unlikely to benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lower rates of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis among MSM in Kenya and inform affordable STI prevention guidelines.
How similar studies have performed: Recent trials in high-resource settings have shown doxyPEP can reduce bacterial STIs, while WHO-recommended periodic presumptive treatment has historical support, but applying these approaches in Kenyan MSM with active antimicrobial-resistance monitoring is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Graham, Susan Marie — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Graham, Susan Marie
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.