How choosing PrEP products could improve HIV protection for young women in Kenya
Official title: Effectiveness of PrEP product choice on HIV prevention coverage among young women in Kenya seeking reproductive health services
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11572510 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at which HIV-prevention options young Kenyan women prefer and how choosing a product affects how well they stay protected.
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 start | September 14, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $135,104 |
| NIH project number | 3R01MH134681-04S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11572510 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Young women in Kenya who are using or starting PrEP within reproductive health services.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals who prefer daily oral PrEP and do not experience difficulties with adherence may see limited additional benefit.
What this research studies
In Kenya, where young women face a high risk of HIV, researchers are studying different PrEP options to see which ones fit real-life use in reproductive health clinics. The work focuses on longer-acting products like dapivirine vaginal rings and injectable cabotegravir, alongside oral PrEP, to reduce daily pill burden and improve adherence. The team collaborates with public clinics to train providers, connect with supply chains, and integrate PrEP into existing health services to make protection easier and more discreet. By observing how product choice influences continuation and church of protection, they aim to identify practical paths to sustained HIV prevention in this setting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Greater likelihood of sustained HIV protection for young women through better-matched PrEP options.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that tailoring PrEP delivery to user needs can improve uptake and continuation, but optimal product choice in this population remains to be clarified.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heffron, Renee a. — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Heffron, Renee a.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Effectiveness of PrEP product choice for HIV prevention among young Kenyan women seeking reproductive health services
A study tests which PrEP options best help young Kenyan women stay protected against HIV when they access reproductive health services.
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PrEP options for young Kenyan women: improving HIV protection and adherence
This grant tests how different PrEP options for young women in Kenya affect steady HIV protection when they access reproductive health services.
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PrEP choices to prevent HIV for young Kenyan women seeking reproductive care
This project compares daily PrEP pills, a monthly vaginal ring, and injectable PrEP to find which option helps young women getting reproductive health care in Kenya stay protected from HIV.
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Choosing the best PrEP option to prevent HIV for young women in Kenya
This project offers young women getting reproductive health care in Kenya a choice between daily pills, monthly vaginal rings, or long‑acting injections to see which options help more people stay protected from HIV.
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PrEP choices to better protect young women at reproductive health clinics in Kenya
This project compares daily pills, monthly injections, and vaginal rings to help young women visiting reproductive health clinics in Kenya stay protected from HIV.
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How different PrEP products can improve HIV prevention for young women in Kenya
This study is looking at how well different HIV prevention methods, like special rings and injections, work for young women in Kenya, and it aims to make it easier for them to use these options by improving support from healthcare providers.
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.