Improving HIV prevention for pregnant women in South Africa

Reducing psychological barriers to PrEP persistence among pregnant and postpartum women in Cape Town, South Africa

NIH-funded research Boston University (Charles River Campus) · NIH-10899757

This study is all about helping pregnant and new moms in South Africa who are at high risk for HIV by providing support to help them stick to their HIV prevention medication, especially by addressing feelings of stress and sadness that might make it hard for them to take it regularly.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBoston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10899757 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on helping pregnant and postpartum women in South Africa who are at high risk for HIV by improving their adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). It aims to address psychological barriers such as posttraumatic stress and depression that can hinder consistent use of PrEP. The study will develop and test a cognitive behavioral intervention designed to support these women in overcoming these challenges, ultimately enhancing their ability to maintain PrEP use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant or postpartum women in South Africa who are at risk of HIV and may be experiencing psychological challenges.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or postpartum, or those who do not face psychological barriers to PrEP adherence, may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved HIV prevention strategies for pregnant women, significantly reducing their risk of acquiring the virus.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that addressing psychological factors can improve adherence to HIV prevention methods, suggesting that this approach may be effective.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.