Improving access to long-acting HIV prevention methods for young women in Africa
Official title: Scaling Comprehensively Access to Long-acting for an Effective Use of PrEP (SCALE-UP)
Funded at University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-11006907 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how to make it easier for young women and girls in Africa to use a long-lasting HIV prevention shot called cabotegravir, so they can stay healthy and safe from HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $381,487 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MH138197-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11006907 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescent girls and young women in Africa, particularly those at high risk for HIV.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for HIV or those who do not reside in the targeted geographic areas may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the implementation of long-acting injectable cabotegravir (CAB-LA) as a preventive measure against HIV among adolescent girls and young women in Africa. It aims to understand the real-world application of CAB-LA within Zambia's national HIV program, assessing factors that influence its uptake and effectiveness. By employing a rigorous implementation science approach, the study seeks to identify barriers and facilitators to accessing this innovative prevention method, ultimately aiming to improve health outcomes for at-risk populations.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce HIV infection rates among adolescent girls and young women in Africa.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with long-acting PrEP modalities in controlled settings, but this study aims to explore their effectiveness in real-world applications, making it a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lavoie, Marie-Claude Caroline — University of Maryland Baltimore
- Study coordinator: Lavoie, Marie-Claude Caroline
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.
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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.