Integrative mobile program to prevent SAVA and mental health problems among female sex workers in Kenya
Official title: An Integrative mHealth Program to Prevent the SAVA (Substance Abuse, Violence, and HIV/AIDS) Syndemic and Mental Health Problems among Female Sex Workers in Kenya
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11307355 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new smartphone-based program helps female sex workers in Kenya manage substance use, violence exposure, HIV risk, and mental health through group sessions, supportive online resources, and a community forum.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $138,200 |
| NIH project number | 1R21TW013507-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11307355 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are adult female sex workers in Kenya who are experiencing or at risk for SAVA-related challenges and are willing to engage with mHealth tools and group activities.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not experience immediate benefits if they are uncomfortable with digital platforms or have limited internet access.
What this research studies
This project co-develops and tests an mHealth intervention called Sisi Ni Nguvu (We Are Power) designed for female sex workers in Kenya. It combines a group therapy component, an online resources dashboard, and an online discussion forum to address the interconnected challenges of substance use, violence, HIV risk, and mental health. The team will use user-centered design and ongoing feedback from participants to create a safe, accessible tool, followed by a small pilot to assess safety, usability, and feasibility in real-world settings. If the approach shows promise, it could guide scalable supports for at-risk populations facing the SAVA syndemic in SSA.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could reduce HIV risk, substance use, and mental health problems among female sex workers by improving access to resources, empowerment, and peer support.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests mHealth and community-based interventions can support behavior change and mental health in high-risk populations, though this exact SAVA-focused approach in Kenyan FSWs is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Edwards, Katie M — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Edwards, Katie M
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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.