How stopping vaginal washing affects cervical inflammation and HIV risk in women from sub-Saharan Africa.
Official title: The impact of vaginal washing on cervical inflammation: a randomized controlled trial of women from sub-Saharan Africa at high risk for HIV acquisition.
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10922193 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how vaginal washing might affect inflammation in the cervix and whether that could increase the risk of HIV for women in sub-Saharan Africa, and it will help us understand if stopping this practice makes a difference in their health.
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 start | September 16, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $721,486 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HD115465-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10922193 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are women from sub-Saharan Africa who regularly practice vaginal washing and are at high risk for HIV acquisition.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not practice vaginal washing or who are not at risk for HIV may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of vaginal washing on cervical inflammation and its potential link to increased HIV risk among women in sub-Saharan Africa. The study will involve a randomized controlled trial where participants will either cease vaginal washing or continue their usual practices. Researchers will measure changes in inflammatory markers and immune cell concentrations in cervical fluid and tissue, as well as the presence of protective bacteria. The goal is to understand how these biological changes may influence susceptibility to HIV.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved reproductive health strategies that reduce the risk of HIV acquisition in women.
How similar studies have gone: While some studies have explored the relationship between vaginal practices and HIV risk, this specific approach to examining the cessation of vaginal washing is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sabo, Michelle Catherine — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Sabo, Michelle Catherine
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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.