How well SMS reminders help cisgender women in Kenya stay on HIV PrEP
Official title: Mechanisms of Action for mobile SMS PrEP adherence intervention
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11580109 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small study tests how two-way text message reminders and conversations help pregnant and postpartum women in Kenya stick to HIV PrEP.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | July 25, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $62,076 |
| NIH project number | 3R21NR021354-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11580109 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Cisgender women in pregnancy or within the postpartum period at participating Kenyan clinics who are using or eligible for PrEP.
✕Less likely to help
Women not using PrEP or not in Kenya may not directly benefit from this MoA-focused study.
What this research studies
This project looks at why digital SMS reminders might help women take HIV PrEP by exploring real-life use at several public antenatal clinics in Kenya. It builds on an ongoing trial to identify the key mechanisms that make mobile health messages effective and how they can be tailored to different groups. The aim is to understand which aspects of the messages - such as content, timing, and interactivity - most strongly influence adherence and continuation of PrEP after pregnancy. Findings could guide practical improvements to digital health tools used to prevent HIV in high-prevalence settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could inform better digital strategies to help women maintain PrEP use, reducing HIV risk.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows mixed results for digital health adherence tools, with a need for clearer mechanisms of action; this study directly addresses that gap.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wagner, Anjuli Dawn — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Wagner, Anjuli Dawn
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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.
-
Harnessing male peer networks to boost HIV testing and PrEP use
A large clinical trial in South Africa tests whether giving HIV self-test kits through male peer networks, with phone support, increases PrEP uptake among men.
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Harnessing men's peer networks to boost HIV self-testing and PrEP use
A large project in South Africa tests whether giving HIV self-test kits through men’s social networks, with phone support, can lead to more men starting PrEP and using HIV testing.
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Participatory system dynamics to improve PrEP access in the Bronx
A community-driven project in the Bronx will use system dynamics to identify practical ways to help people at risk for HIV start and stay on PrEP.
-
TB PrEP: Bringing HIV prevention to households affected by TB in Uganda
Aims to help people in households with TB in Uganda access HIV PrEP as part of a combined prevention approach.
-
CARES: A practical program to help adolescent girls and young women use PrEP in Africa
A program called CARES helps young women in South Africa and Zimbabwe use different PrEP options better, with counseling, reminders, and options for 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.