Mobile health support to boost PrEP and contraception use among young women in Zambia
Official title: A Mobile Health Intervention to Increase Uptake of PrEP and Contraception Among Female University Students in Zambia
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11570031 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A mobile health program helps female university students in Zambia learn about and access HIV prevention and contraception.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $101,520 |
| NIH project number | 3R33MH131281-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11570031 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are female university students in Zambia who are at higher risk for HIV and unintended pregnancy and are open to using PrEP and contraception.
✕Less likely to help
Women who are not interested in PrEP or contraception or who do not use mobile health tools may see little direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project will create a tablet-based, peer-navigator program to identify HIV and pregnancy risk, provide clear information, connect students to services, and support ongoing PrEP and contraception use. It uses a mixed-methods, phased approach to design and tailor the tool to how young women in Zambia seek care and information. The goal is to make prevention options easier to start and stick with, through regular digital touchpoints and peer guidance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could increase PrEP and contraception uptake and adherence among young women, reducing HIV risk and unintended pregnancies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests tailored, peer-led digital support can improve preventive care uptake, though this specific combination is novel in this setting.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hampanda, Karen Marie — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Hampanda, Karen Marie
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Mobile health tool to boost PrEP and contraception use among female university students in Zambia
A mobile, peer-supported program helps young women in Zambia start and stick with PrEP and modern contraception to prevent HIV and unintended pregnancy.
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Tablet-based peer support to help female university students in Zambia use PrEP and contraception
A tablet-led peer navigator program to help female university students in Zambia learn about and start using PrEP and modern contraception.
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Using mobile health tools to improve contraception and HIV prevention among female university students in Zambia
This study is testing a helpful mobile program for female university students in Zambia to provide them with information and support about HIV prevention and birth control, making it easier for them to access the health services they need.
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How PrEP Drugs Affect HIV Risk in Women and Reproductive Health
This project looks at how PrEP medicines work for women, and whether they influence pregnancy-related processes in the uterus.
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A woman-controlled, nonhormonal on-demand contraceptive device
This project is creating a woman-controlled vaginal device that releases a fabric-like polymer which thickens on contact with semen to help prevent pregnancy.
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STI testing added to PrEP programs to protect women from HIV
Offering STI testing alongside routine risk screening to see if more women aged 15–39 start and keep using PrEP to prevent HIV.
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.