HIV prevention that fits you: an AI-assisted plan in Zambia
Official title: HIV On-demand Prevention innovation Evaluation (HOPE) study.
Funded at Centre for Infectious Disease Research · NIH-11307412 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small, short-term NIH grant tests an AI-enabled, chat-based HIV prevention approach to help at-risk men in Zambia access on-demand PrEP and related prevention tools.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Centre for Infectious Disease Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lusaka, Zambia) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 20, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $146,674 |
| NIH project number | 1R21TW013508-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11307412 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are at-risk men and other heavily affected groups in Zambia who prefer digital, private, on-demand HIV prevention options.
✕Less likely to help
People not using digital or chat-based services, or those not at risk for HIV, may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests a mobile, WhatsApp-based chatbot to deliver personalized HIV prevention information and services at the time and place of the user’s choosing. It uses AI to tailor prevention options like on-demand PrEP and post-exposure prophylaxis based on individual needs, safety, and privacy. The goal is to make prevention easier to access for hard-to-reach populations while maintaining credible care standards in real-world settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could make HIV prevention more convenient and private for at-risk men in Zambia, potentially increasing uptake of PrEP and related tools.
How similar studies have gone: Previous digital health and AI-enabled prevention tools show promise, but this on-demand, WhatsApp-based model is relatively new in this context.
Where this research is happening
-
Centre for Infectious Disease Research
Lusaka, Zambia Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Musheke, Maurice Mubuyaeta — Centre for Infectious Disease Research
- Study coordinator: Musheke, Maurice Mubuyaeta
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.