Improving HIV prevention for African women through integrated testing.
Official title: Integrated Female Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing for HIV Epidemic Control through PrEP: The IN-STEP study
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11055412 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help African women stay healthy by adding tests for treatable sexually transmitted infections to current HIV prevention programs, so they can get the right support and medication to lower their chances of getting HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | March 13, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $596,751 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI177132-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11055412 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are African women who are at high risk for HIV acquisition, particularly those with partners who may have higher risk factors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not African women or those who do not have risk factors for HIV acquisition may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance HIV prevention efforts for African women by integrating testing for curable sexually transmitted infections (cSTIs) into existing HIV programs. The study will identify women at high risk for HIV acquisition and engage them in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services, which are crucial for reducing new infections. By using a combination of self-reported risk screening tools and cSTI diagnostic testing, the research seeks to improve the identification of at-risk individuals and ensure they receive appropriate preventive care. The approach focuses on addressing the unique challenges faced by African women, particularly those in relationships with high-risk male partners.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the rate of new HIV infections among African women by improving access to effective prevention methods.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that integrating STI testing into HIV prevention programs can improve outcomes, suggesting this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Grabowski, Mary Kathryn — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Grabowski, Mary Kathryn
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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How PrEP Drugs Affect HIV Risk in Women and Reproductive Health
This project looks at how PrEP medicines work for women, and whether they influence pregnancy-related processes in the uterus.
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STI testing added to PrEP programs to protect women from HIV
Offering STI testing alongside routine risk screening to see if more women aged 15–39 start and keep using PrEP to prevent HIV.
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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.
-
Adding STI testing to PrEP services for women
This project adds testing for common sexually transmitted infections to PrEP services to help women ages 15–39 start and keep using HIV prevention medication.
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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.
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.