Improving access to HIV prevention and contraception for young women in Kenya
Official title: Exploring synergies in pharmacy-based delivery of PrEP and contraception for adolescent girls and young women in Kenya
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10919083 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how pharmacies can help young women in Kenya get better access to HIV prevention methods, like PrEP and contraception, by using nurse-navigators to make it easier for them to receive these important health services.
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 | September 11, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $196,571 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD115436-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10919083 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 in Kenya who are seeking contraception and are at risk for HIV.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are outside the age range of 15-24 or those who are not seeking contraception or HIV prevention methods may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how pharmacy-based services can better deliver HIV prevention methods, specifically pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), alongside contraception to adolescent girls and young women in Kenya. By utilizing nurse-navigators in retail pharmacies, the study aims to enhance the accessibility and uptake of these critical health services. The project will involve a cluster randomized clinical trial at 20 pharmacies in Kisumu, where participants will receive both daily oral PrEP and the dapivirine vaginal ring. The goal is to address the high rates of HIV and unintended pregnancies among this vulnerable population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the sexual and reproductive health outcomes for young women by providing easier access to essential HIV prevention and contraceptive services.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in integrating pharmacy-based services for health interventions, making this approach promising yet still relatively novel in the context of PrEP and contraception for young women.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harrington, Elizabeth K — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Harrington, Elizabeth K
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Mobile health support to boost PrEP and contraception use among young women in Zambia
A mobile health program helps female university students in Zambia learn about and access HIV prevention and contraception.
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Mobile health tool to boost PrEP and contraception use among female university students in Zambia
A mobile, peer-supported program helps young women in Zambia start and stick with PrEP and modern contraception to prevent HIV and unintended pregnancy.
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Two-year implant for birth control and HIV prevention
This project is developing a small under-the-skin implant to provide two years of contraception and HIV prevention for sexually active women.
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Pharmacy delivery of HIV prevention and birth control for young women in Kenya
This project offers HIV prevention pills (PrEP) and birth control at pharmacies to help adolescent girls and young women in Kenya get and use both services more easily.
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Tablet-based peer support to help female university students in Zambia use PrEP and contraception
A tablet-led peer navigator program to help female university students in Zambia learn about and start using PrEP and modern contraception.
-
A long-lasting implant for contraception and HIV prevention
This study is testing a new implant that helps women prevent both pregnancy and HIV for up to two years without needing to take daily pills, making it easier and more discreet for those at risk.
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.