HIV prevention for pregnant and postpartum women in Botswana using STI testing and PrEP options
Official title: Improving PrEP outcomes among pregnant women in Botswana with an integrated STI testing and PrEP delivery model
Funded at The Botswana Harvard Health Partnership · NIH-11181264 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | The Botswana Harvard Health Partnership NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gaborone, Botswana) |
| Project start | September 2, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $555,945 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HD117702-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11181264 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Pregnant or postpartum women in Botswana who are HIV-negative and at higher risk for HIV (for example those with STIs, partners of unknown or positive status, or living in high-incidence areas) are ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People who already have HIV or those who cannot or will not use oral PrEP or the vaginal ring are unlikely to benefit from this prevention-focused effort.
What this research studies
You would be offered diagnostic STI testing as part of routine antenatal care and then offered HIV prevention options tailored to your needs. The program compares starting or continuing daily oral PrEP versus using a dapivirine vaginal ring, with follow-up to track use, side effects, and infant safety. Researchers will collect information on who chooses which option, how long people stay on prevention, and whether STI testing changes perceived HIV risk and uptake. Safety monitoring during pregnancy and postpartum will be emphasized to inform future messaging and care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help more pregnant and postpartum women use effective HIV prevention and lower new HIV infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous programs integrating PrEP into antenatal care have increased uptake and the dapivirine ring has reduced HIV risk in trials, but sustained use and safety during pregnancy remain less well established.
Where this research is happening
-
The Botswana Harvard Health Partnership
Gaborone, Botswana Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Morroni, Chelsea — The Botswana Harvard Health Partnership
- Study coordinator: Morroni, Chelsea
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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Finding the best PrEP doses for pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa
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.
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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.