Low-cost, rapid HPV self-test kit for women in Nigeria
Innovative Rapid Enabling, Affordable, point-of-Care HPV Self-Testing Strategy (I-REACH)
Trying out an affordable, quick HPV self-test kit that lets women aged 30–49 in Nigeria check for signs of cervical cancer risk at or near home.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11179343 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be invited to help shape and use a woman-centered HPV self-test kit adapted for Nigeria. The team is adapting a rapid lab method (LAMP) into a one-step, shelf-stable lateral flow test and will refine the kit using crowdsourced ideas and learning communities made up of screen-eligible women. After design, the final self-test kit will be shared with women to use and give feedback on how it works in real life. The process emphasizes easy-to-use instructions and local needs so the kit can be practical outside big clinics.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Women aged 30–49 in Nigeria who are due for cervical cancer screening, including those living with HIV, are ideal candidates for participation.
Not a fit: Women who live outside the study areas or outside the 30–49 age range, and people with a confirmed cervical cancer diagnosis already needing treatment rather than screening, are unlikely to benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make HPV screening easier and faster to access, helping catch infections earlier and lowering cervical cancer deaths.
How similar studies have performed: HPV self-collection and rapid HPV tests have improved screening uptake in other low-resource settings, but combining a LAMP-based lateral-flow self-test with crowdsourced, woman-centered kit design is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Saint Louis, United States
- Washington University — Saint Louis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Iwelunmor, Juliet — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Iwelunmor, Juliet
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 below.