Improving HIV testing through better communication about relationships and safer conception.
Official title: Enhancing communication on relationship preservation, safer conception and PrEP to promote HIV testing
Funded at Children's Mercy Hosp (Kansas City, Mo) · NIH-10980525 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping couples in sub-Saharan Africa feel more comfortable getting tested for HIV by showing them that they can still have healthy families, even if one or both partners are HIV positive.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Mercy Hosp (Kansas City, Mo) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $177,109 |
| NIH project number | 5R34MH132473-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10980525 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals in serious heterosexual relationships in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly those concerned about HIV and family planning.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not in relationships or those who are not concerned about HIV testing or family planning may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance HIV testing rates among couples in sub-Saharan Africa by addressing fears related to relationship preservation and childbearing. It focuses on developing a communication strategy that reassures individuals about their ability to have healthy families, even if one or both partners are HIV positive. The project will involve formative research to create a comprehensive intervention and a pilot trial called 'PrEPing Healthy Families' to evaluate its effectiveness in increasing testing and treatment uptake.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to increased HIV testing and better health outcomes for couples, ultimately reducing new infections.
How similar studies have gone: Previous pilot studies have shown success with similar communication strategies in increasing HIV testing rates among couples.
Where this research is happening
-
Children's Mercy Hosp (Kansas City, Mo)
Kansas City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hurley, Emily Anne — Children's Mercy Hosp (Kansas City, Mo)
- Study coordinator: Hurley, Emily Anne
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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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.
-
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.