Improving STI treatment for young women using rapid testing and partner therapy
Official title: Integrating Expedited partner STI Therapy During prep Delivery for young women
Funded at Wits Health Consortium (Pty), LTD · NIH-10894222 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is helping young women in South Africa who are at risk for HIV by offering quick tests and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, so they can stay healthier and better protect themselves from HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wits Health Consortium (Pty), LTD NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Parktown, South Africa) |
| Project start | September 22, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $563,972 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AI155000-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10894222 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescent girls and young women in South Africa who are at risk for HIV and may have undiagnosed STIs.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not at risk for HIV or do not have STIs may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on adolescent girls and young women in South Africa who are at high risk for HIV-1 and often have untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The project aims to implement point-of-care STI testing and expedited partner therapy (EPT) to improve health outcomes for these women. By providing immediate testing and treatment options, the study seeks to reduce the incidence of STIs and enhance the effectiveness of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention. The approach emphasizes the importance of addressing asymptomatic STIs, which are common in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the rates of STIs among young women, improving their overall reproductive health and decreasing the risk of HIV acquisition.
How similar studies have gone: While few studies have evaluated the use of expedited partner therapy in low and middle-income countries, similar approaches have shown promise in other contexts, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Wits Health Consortium (Pty), LTD
Parktown, South Africa Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Palanee, Thesla — Wits Health Consortium (Pty), LTD
- Study coordinator: Palanee, Thesla
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.
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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.