Finding the best PrEP doses for pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa
Official title: Optimizing PrEP regimens for pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa
Funded at Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill · NIH-11077771 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at the best way to give HIV prevention medication to pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa to help keep them safe from HIV, and it will involve trying different doses during their pregnancy and checking how well it works and how safe it is afterward.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project start | April 13, 2021 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $667,548 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI157859-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11077771 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women in their second or third trimester living in sub-Saharan Africa.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or those who are not at risk of HIV acquisition may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how to optimize the dosing of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication for pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa to effectively reduce the risk of HIV acquisition. The study will involve pregnant women who will be given different doses of the medication during their second and third trimesters, followed by a postpartum evaluation. By measuring drug levels in the blood and assessing safety outcomes, the research aims to determine the most effective dosing strategy for this vulnerable population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved PrEP dosing guidelines that enhance HIV prevention for pregnant women.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that optimizing medication dosing can significantly improve treatment outcomes, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
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Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chi, Benjamin H. — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Chi, Benjamin H.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Safer PrEP dosing for pregnant women in sub‑Saharan Africa
Seeing if higher daily doses of the HIV prevention pill FTC/TDF during pregnancy help women in sub‑Saharan Africa maintain stronger protection from HIV.
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Improving PrEP outcomes for pregnant women in Botswana with integrated STI testing and PrEP delivery
A study in Botswana aims to help pregnant and postpartum women use HIV prevention methods more effectively by mixing STI testing with choices like oral PrEP and the dapivirine vaginal ring.
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Better HIV prevention pills for pregnant women in sub‑Saharan Africa
Compares standard and higher daily PrEP pill doses to find the safest, most protective option for pregnant women in sub‑Saharan Africa.
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HIV prevention for pregnant and postpartum women in Botswana using STI testing and PrEP options
This project offers STI testing plus two HIV prevention choices—daily oral PrEP pills and a dapivirine vaginal ring—to help pregnant and postpartum women in Botswana avoid HIV.
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Improving HIV prevention for pregnant women in Botswana
This study is looking at ways to help pregnant women in Botswana use HIV prevention methods more easily, by combining STI testing with PrEP services during their check-ups, so they can stay healthy and protect their babies.
-
mChoice: Boosting PrEP Use and Adherence for Black and Latino MSM with Tailored Training and Support
A national study to help Black and Latino men who have sex with men start and stick with PrEP through culturally matched provider training and patient support.
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.