Improving access to HIV prevention for young women in Uganda.
Official title: Suubi4PrEP: Improving PrEP Access and Adherence Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Uganda.
Funded at Washington University · NIH-11093664 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping young women in Uganda, ages 15-24, access a medication called PrEP that can prevent HIV, by providing them with support from their peers and tools to improve their financial situation, so they can feel more confident and empowered to take care of their health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $665,225 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH139471-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11093664 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 living in Uganda who are at risk of HIV infection.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk of HIV or who do not fall within the age range of 15-24 may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 in Uganda, who are at a higher risk of HIV infection. The study aims to combine peer support interventions with economic empowerment strategies to address barriers such as stigma, financial constraints, and lack of social support that hinder PrEP uptake and adherence. By empowering these young women with both social and economic resources, the research seeks to improve their ability to manage their own health and reduce the risk of HIV. Participants will engage in programs designed to increase awareness and provide support in a community setting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase the uptake and adherence to PrEP among young women, thereby reducing HIV transmission rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that multi-level interventions combining peer support and economic empowerment can effectively improve health outcomes among youth affected by HIV.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ssewamala, Fred M — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Ssewamala, Fred M
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.
-
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.